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Plant City is a city of about 40,000 people in eastern Hillsborough County, on Interstate 4 between Tampa and Lakeland. It was named for Henry B. Plant, whose railroad reached the area in the 1880s, and it grew as a rail junction and farm town. Today it is known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, because the surrounding fields supply much of the country's winter strawberries.
The Florida Strawberry Festival, held each year since 1930, fills the fairgrounds for eleven days in late winter with concerts, rides, livestock shows and strawberry shortcake. The historic downtown has brick streets, antique shops, the restored 1909 Union Station depot with a railroad museum, and a trainwatching platform beside the busy rail crossing.
Year round, visitors stop at Parkesdale Farm Market for strawberry shortcake and milkshakes, sample local wine at Keel Farms, or take children to Dinosaur World. Tampa, Lakeland and the Hillsborough River parks are each about half an hour away.
An eleven-day fair held each late winter since 1930, with headline country and classic rock concerts, midway rides, livestock and agriculture shows, a parade and countless strawberry shortcakes. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends, and concert seats sell out early.
A long-running farm market on US 92 selling fresh local strawberries, produce, jams and its well-known strawberry shortcake and thick strawberry milkshakes. Lines can be long in peak season, especially around festival time, but they move quickly. Check opening months, as it closes in the hot season.
A family farm and winery, formerly Keel and Curley Winery, known for strawberry and blueberry wines and other fruit wines and ciders. It has a tasting room, a casual restaurant and seasonal u-pick and events. Weekend afternoons often bring live music, so plan to stay a while.
A compact downtown of early 1900s buildings, brick streets and murals, with antique stores, cafes and local restaurants around Reynolds and Collins Streets. It hosts seasonal events and car shows. Combine a walk here with the nearby railroad museum and trainwatching platform.
A volunteer-run museum in the restored 1909 Plant City Union Station depot, with railroad artifacts, model trains and a caboose. Next door, a covered trainwatching platform overlooks the busy junction where CSX lines cross. Hours are limited, so check before visiting.
A local history center that preserves tens of thousands of historic photographs of Plant City and eastern Hillsborough County, along with exhibits on farming, the railroad and community life. It is a good stop for anyone curious about the town's past. Staff can help with family research.
A grand brick Neoclassical school building completed in 1914 and later saved and restored as a community center. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and hosts events, meetings and performances. Admire the columned facade on a downtown walk.
An outdoor park beside I-4 where a shady trail winds past more than 150 life-size dinosaur models. There is a fossil dig, a boneyard play area, a museum room and a picnic area. It suits young children best. Bring bug spray and water on hot days.
A large Hillsborough County park built around a reservoir on a reclaimed phosphate mine just south of Plant City. Visitors come to fish, paddle, picnic, camp, walk the boardwalk and spot birds and alligators. There is a small parking fee, and mornings are coolest.
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Photo: Ebyabe, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: DanTD, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: DanTD, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: DanTD, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: DanTD, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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