PLANT CITY, FLORIDA

Plant City, Florida produces more than 75 percent of the winter strawberries in the United States. It is located on I-4 between Lakeland and Tampa.

Daniel's Standard Oil Service Station
Flickr/Allen Forrest

The town is grateful for its strawberry bounty, and celebrates every spring with the Florida Strawberry Festival. This festival is very popular and ranks in the Top 40 of all fairs in North America. 

It's a great opportunity to visit Plant City and see what one small town has done to preserve and celebrate its history.

Plant City Downtown Mural

Many people assume that Plant City got its name from its agricultural activities.

Actually, the town is named for Henry Plant, a railroad pioneer who did for central and west Florida what Henry Flager did for Florida's east coast.

In the 1880s, Plant bought railroads and extended them into then undeveloped Florida, opening up the area to agriculture including not just strawberries, but blueberries, citrus and whatever the Florida soil could produce.

Plant City Railroad Museum

Plant's railroads made it possible for Florida farmers to ship their products directly and cheaply to northern markets.

His railroad came to Plant City in 1884, and the community was immediately named for him.

The railroad's contribution to the community is celebrated in a lovely new museum in downtown Plant City.

Another amazing feature of the downtown area is the statuary. For example, the soldier and the woman greeting him at the station are realistic statues. 

Plant City Statue Taking a Nap

Statues of people in various poses are scattered throughout downtown, and give you the feeling that you are not alone.

Even if there are few real people on the streets, you will still feel like you are one person of many.

When I first saw the statue of the man sleeping, I thought he was real. After I took the photo I got closer to him and realized he was a statue.

Plant City's downtown area is a great place to visit. There are many gift shops and antique stores and quite a few good restaurants.

It's easy to spend an entire day just browsing the numerous shops.

Plant City High School

The community has done a wonderful job sprucing up and restoring old buildings that are being put to good use today.

Even the old Plant City High School, built in 1914, is still standing and is in pretty good condition.

Vintage Postcard Plant City, Florida

Dinosaur World in Plant City is a great place to visit that will entertain the kids.

The Branch Ranch was a legendary restaurant, now closed, but still prominent in the memories of most people in this area.

Recommended Plant City Restaurant

KRAZY KUP

101 E J Arden Mays Blvd
Plant City, Florida 33563
Tel: 813-752-1220

Krazy Kup is billed as an authentic coffee house. It is in a beautifully restored building in downtown Plant City, and is a sight to see just for the decorations and friendly atmosphere.

Like many coffee houses, it has comfortable lounging areas where you can sip coffee and cruise the internet with their wifi connection.

Krazy Kup, Plant City

They have an impressive selection of coffees, espresso, tea (organic herb tea and chai) and chocolate drinks. In keeping with their name, their coffee is called Koffee.

READ MORE ABOUT KRAZY KUP

THINGS TO DO IN PLANT CITY, FLORIDA

Dinosaur World
5145 Harvey Tew Rd, Plant City, FL 33565 | (813) 717-9865

Step back in time at Dinosaur World, mentioned earlier on this page. Over 200 life-sized dinosaur sculptures fill the park. An enjoyable part is the Fossil Dig, where kids can uncover real fossils to take home.

The park also features an interactive museum with actual dinosaur bones and educational exhibits. It’s a fantastic adventure for families and anyone interested in prehistoric life. You can read more about it here: Dinosaur World Will Make You Go Prehistoric (florida-backroads-travel.com)

Keel & Curley Winery
5202 Thonotosassa Rd, Plant City, FL 33565 | (813) 752-9100

Visit Keel & Curley Winery for a taste of local wine made from blueberries. We enjoy the winery tours where you can see the production process.

This is followed by a tasting session that includes their famous blueberry wines. The winery also hosts live music events and festivals, making it a lively spot for an evening out.

Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum
102 N Palmer St, Plant City, FL 33563 | (813) 719-6989

Explore the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum located in historic downtown. This museum features an impressive collection of railroad memorabilia and model trains.

We love learning about the history of railroads in Plant City and watching the model trains navigate elaborate track setups. It’s a great visit for train enthusiasts and families alike.

Edward Medard Conservation Park
6140 Turkey Creek Rd, Plant City, FL 33567 | (813) 757-3802

Edward Medard Park offers expansive areas for picnicking, hiking, and fishing. Our favorite activity here is exploring the reservoir and its surrounding nature trails.

A boardwalk fishing pier leads to an observation tower across the reservoir. The park’s large playground and abundant wildlife make it a perfect spot for a family day outdoors.

Parkesdale Farm Market
3702 W Baker St, Plant City, FL 33563 | (813) 752-0502

Stop by Parkesdale Farm Market, the largest family-operated strawberry and citrus market in Florida. We enjoy sampling their famous strawberry shortcake and shakes.

Browse the variety of homemade jams, jellies, and fresh produce. The market also offers a delightful garden center filled with plants and flowers.

Plant City Photo Archives and History Center
106 S Evers St, Plant City, FL 33563 | (813) 754-1578

Delve into the local history at the Plant City Photo Archives and History Center. We appreciate the extensive photographic collection that captures the essence of Plant City through the years.

They have over 100,000 historical photographic images and documents representing the Greater Plant City Area, East Hillsborough, and West Central Florida.

The center also conducts historical research and exhibitions, providing a deep dive into the area's past.

Plant City Entertainment
101 N Thomas St, Plant City, FL 33563 | (813) 754-4925

Enjoy a live performance at Plant City Entertainment, a local community theater known for producing high-quality shows. Our favorite part is the variety of productions, from musicals to comedies, which showcase local talent in an intimate setting.

It is a historic theater building, first opening in 1939, though not used as a theater consistently. The pink building with blue trim is an example of art deco architecture.

Walden Lake Golf and Country Club
2001 Clubhouse Dr, Plant City, FL 33566 | (813) 752-1171

Play a round of golf at the scenic Walden Lake Golf and Country Club. The club features two 18-hole golf courses that are beautifully maintained.

Guests enjoy the challenging layouts and peaceful lake views, making it a rewarding experience for golfers of all skill levels. Visit the restaurant and bar to relax after your game.