11 Fun Florida Museums

Take a look at these 11 lesser-known Florida museums that surprise visitors with unique looks at our collective past. 

1. Henry B. Plant Museum

            Tampa

The sparkling minarets on the rooftop of the Henry B. Plant Museum in Tampa lure the inquisitive into this Gilded Age hotel-turned-museum. Original French furniture, Venetian mirrors and displays depicting the Florida achievements of the namesake industrialist make history fun. $10.

2. History of Diving Museum      Islamorada

Find an impressive exhibition of humanity’s obsession with the ocean at this spot, where helmets from around the world and early scuba gear have stories to tell. $12.

3. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens      Delray Beach

Meander through six gardens, each with its own Japanese style and historical link to the motherland, at this botanists’ paradise. The bonsai exhibition will inspire the gardener in you. $13.

4. Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum     Sanibel Island

Delight in a pretty display of sailors’ valentines from the early 19th century, plus the history of the seashells that wash ashore daily on nearby beaches, including the coveted Junonia. $9.

5. Cedar Key Museum     Cedar Key

A whisk-broom industry once flourished on this tiny rustic outpost. The equipment and palm fibers used to make the brooms are on display, along with vintage photos that tell the town’s history. $2. 

6. National Navy SEAL Museum     Fort Pierce

Learn more about our American heroes. Choppers, boats, gadgets and gear used by these elite warriors are on display, providing a peek into the world of special-ops. $8.

7. Florida Carriage Museum    Ocala

Be fascinated by rare and unusual carriages from the past, like the Tikker and the English Omnibus, at this gem tucked away in the equestrian-friendly Grand Oaks Resort. $11.

8. International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum     Tampa

Florida is the natural home for this collection of aquatic memorabilia (the world’s largest) that also salutes top Olympic swimmers. $8.

9. Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame     Lake Worth

Curious about the sport of kings? The timeline exhibition takes you from polo’s birth 2,600 years ago in Asia to its current international status. Admission is free.

10. Destin History and Fishing Museum       Destin

Fish plucked from the Gulf of Mexico have a designated spot on a 100-foot-long wall in this anglers’ attraction, as do historic fishing rods and reels and a 1935 fishing boat. $5.

11. Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art       Winter Park

The glass art of Louis Comfort Tiffany takes center stage here. The collection of lamps and windows is so vast that the staff rotates pieces throughout the year. $5.