Discover Plant City

Plant City brings together railroad history, a strong strawberry tradition, and opportunities to enjoy the water. If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay in the city, you can shape your plans around these interests: Would you like to focus on historic railroad attractions and festival history, include a park in downtown, or spend time at the reservoir? “Last Friday in Downtown” features themed evenings with entertainment, arts and crafts, games, and local shopping for families. Plant City’s annual Oktoberfest offers a Bavarian atmosphere, live music, and cultural festivities. The two events offer different cultural highlights for stays in Plant City.

Railroad and City History

The Plant City Union Depot was built in 1909 and remained in operation until 1971. The Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum displays a fully restored 1963 Seaboard Air Line caboose and a 1942 Whitcomb locomotive.

Plant City High School, at 605 North Collins Street, is also historically listed: it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 4, 1981.

Strawberry Tradition and Festival

The Plant City Lions Club founded the Florida Strawberry Festival in 1930 to celebrate the local harvest and community. As a tradition, the festival brings people together from Plant City and the surrounding region. It also features a permanent exhibit of nearly 2,500 square feet dedicated to the festival’s history and culture, with five themed areas.

Parkesdale Market serves strawberry shortcake and strawberry milkshakes. It also offers locally grown strawberries, jams, preserves, and citrus baskets. This extends the strawberry connection beyond the festival’s history to specific foods and products.

Time on the Water

Edward Medard Conservation Park in Plant City features a 700-acre reservoir for canoeing, boating, and fishing. Canoes and kayaks can be rented on site at the entrance station. This gives you several different water activities to choose from when planning your visit.

McCall Park and Downtown

Historic McCall Park is a five-acre gathering place in downtown Plant City. Shade trees, brick paths, and plenty of seating define the grounds, which extend over four city blocks through the walkable downtown. The park hosts a food truck market on the last Friday of every month.

Compared with the reservoir, McCall Park shifts the focus to a downtown park and monthly market. As you weigh your travel interests, railroad history, strawberry tradition, water activities, and downtown life can each play a distinct role in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Thonotosassa, Lutz, Ruskin, Odessa, Temple Terrace, Lake Magdalene, Brandon, Riverview.

For the regional travel overview: Hillsborough.