Glazer Children's Museum, Tampa, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Glazer Children's Museum is a hands-on museum for young children at 110 W Gasparilla Plaza in downtown Tampa, Florida. It sits beside Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park on the Hillsborough River, in the middle of the city's cultural district. It is a good stop for families because the museum, the park and the riverfront are all within an easy walk of each other.

The story behind it

The museum opened in 2010 as part of the effort to turn Tampa's downtown riverfront into a place where people gather. It is named for the Glazer family, who were major supporters of the project. It was built for play-based learning, so children can touch, build and pretend rather than just look.

The setting matters as much as the building. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, the Tampa Museum of Art and the Riverwalk are all close by, so the area works as a connected neighbourhood on foot. A museum beside a park and a riverside path makes it easy to turn one visit into a half day out.

What to look for

• Notice how the museum sits right on the edge of Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, so the open lawn and the river are just outside the door.
• Look across the plaza to the Tampa Museum of Art, which shares the same stretch of waterfront and shows how the area was planned as a cluster.
• Follow the Riverwalk along the Hillsborough River to see how the paths link the park, the museums and the downtown streets.
• Look up at the skyline from the park, where the downtown towers frame the open green space.

Tips for your visit

• Plan a couple of hours inside if you have young children, and add time for the park and riverfront afterwards.
• Going earlier in the day usually suits little ones best, before they tire and before the Florida afternoon heat builds.
• The museum is an indoor attraction with paid entry, so check current opening hours and admission details before you go.
• Pair it with a stroll in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, a look at the Tampa Museum of Art from outside, and a walk along the Riverwalk.

See it on a quest

Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Tampa is a good way to see this part of downtown on foot. You reach the museum area as one stop of a longer route, the app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. One ticket covers the whole group.

The Oz Escape: A Wicked Glitch in Tampa gives the waterfront a playful, story-led twist. You walk from place to place, hear about each one as you get there, and work out a puzzle on the spot. One ticket covers the whole group.

Tampa Detective Mystery: Infiltrate a Secret Society. suits anyone who likes a bit of detective work with their sightseeing. You travel on foot between stops in the area, learn about each place through the app, and solve a puzzle at each one. One ticket covers the whole group.