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Ybor City Museum State Park: A Journey Through Tampa's Cigar Heritage

Discover Ybor City's vibrant past at this museum, exploring the cigar industry and immigrant heritage within a historic bakery.

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Explore the heart of Tampa's Latin Quarter at the Ybor City Museum State Park. Housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, the museum showcases the rich cultural heritage of Ybor City and its pivotal role in the cigar industry, offering a glimpse into the lives of the immigrants who shaped this vibrant community.

A brief summary to Ybor City Museum State Park

Local tips

  • Visit on a weekday to avoid weekend crowds and have a more relaxed experience.
  • Take a guided tour of "La Casita" to gain deeper insights into the lives of cigar workers and their families.
  • Explore the surrounding Ybor City Historic District, known for its vibrant nightlife, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
  • Check out the JC Newman Cigar Factory, about a 15-minute walk from the museum, to see a modern cigar-making business.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Centro Ybor, walk east on 8th Avenue, then turn right onto 19th Street. The museum will be on your left. This is a short walk, approximately 10 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    Take the TECO Line Streetcar to the 8th Avenue at 20th Street stop. From there, walk one block west to 19th Street, then turn left. The museum will be on your left. The streetcar is free.

  • Driving

    From I-4, take Exit 1 for Ybor City. Follow 21st or 22nd Street south, then turn west onto 8th or 9th Avenue. The museum is located at the corner of 9th Avenue and 19th Street. Parking is available in nearby city-operated parking garages and surface lots, or private lots. Two hours of free parking is available at Ybor City parking lots 3, 5, & 6. After two hours, parking fees will be applied per City of Tampa rates. The Centro Ybor parking garage is also a 10-minute walk from the museum. Parking rates vary.

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Discover more about Ybor City Museum State Park

Step back in time at the Ybor City Museum State Park, a tribute to Tampa's vibrant Latin Quarter and its legacy as the "Cigar Capital of the World". Located in the heart of Ybor City, the museum is housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, once a bustling hub producing over 5,000 loaves of Cuban bread daily. The museum's exhibits delve into the fascinating history of Ybor City, from its founding by Don Vicente Martinez Ybor in 1886 to its flourishing cigar industry that attracted immigrants from Cuba, Spain, Italy, and other countries. Explore the "Cigar City" exhibit, showcasing the tools and machinery used in cigar manufacturing. Discover the stories of the immigrants who shaped the community in the "Immigrant Experience" exhibit. Learn about the labor movement and the fight for workers' rights in the early 20th century. Beyond the exhibits, visitors can tour the meticulously restored cigar worker's home, "La Casita," offering a glimpse into the daily lives of Tampa residents in the early 1900s. Stroll through the Mediterranean-style garden, a tranquil oasis reflecting the patios of the late 19th century. The original ovens from the Ferlita Bakery, where Cuban bread was baked, are still viewable inside the museum. The museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Ybor City's unique cultural heritage. It serves as a living memory of the area, highlighting the influence of the cigar industry and the immigrants who shaped the city.

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