Henry B. Plant Museum, Tampa (must see)

Stepping into the Henry B. Plant Museum is like slipping into a time machine headed for the Gilded-Age boom of Florida – and yes, you’ll feel a little like you’ve wandered into a palace rather than a museum. Housed in the former Tampa Bay Hotel (constructed in 1888-1891) by railroad and steam-ship magnate Henry B. Plant, the building was designed in exotic Moorish-Revival style, complete with minarets, domes and shimmering interiors.

Back in its heyday as a resort from 1891 to 1932, the Tampa Bay Hotel was "Florida’s first Magic Kingdom": one of the very first hotels in Florida to boast electric lighting, telephones in guest rooms and an elevator. Plant’s vision was grand: build a winter palace for wealthy Northerners and tie it directly to his empire of railways and steamships.

The museum occupies part of the south wing of the former hotel, now known as Plant Hall and home to the University of Tampa. It still houses many of the original furnishings and artefacts collected by Plant and his wife during their travels in Europe and Asia, and uses a self-guided audio tour to bring the story to life.

The museum provides a tangible sense of Tampa’s transformation – from sleepy Gulf-coast town to stylish winter retreat to university campus. Enjoy the lavish textures, the dramatic architecture, and the way the building ties into the bigger story of how Tampa grew. Allow yourself to wander the grand public rooms, imagine the orchestras playing in the music-room, and the steamships arriving to drop off elite guests. It’s not the busiest attraction in town, but it rewards you with atmosphere, detail and a bit of show-manship. If you’ve got an hour or so in downtown Tampa and want to slow the pace while still soaking in a big slice of local heritage, the Henry B. Plant Museum is a strong choice.