Overview
Plant City is in Hillsborough County in the Tampa Bay Area. Incorporated in 1885, it is known as the "Winter Strawberry Capital of the World" because over three-quarters of the nation's midwinter strawberries come from Plant City.
2 sights · 3 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Plant City
Bing Rooming House Museum
Small museum focused on the struggle against racial segregation in Plant City and Florida.
Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum
The depot, designed by J.F. Leitner, was built in 1909. As a part of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad — or the "A Line" — and the Seaboard Air Line Railroad — or the "S Line" — it connected Plant City to major Florida ci…
Florida Strawberry Festival
Big fair held in early spring with rides, performances, and handicrafts for sale.
Dinosaur World
Strawberry Classic Car Show
Monthly car show in McCall Park.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–Apr. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 50°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Aug. (climate data from nearby Bartow)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LAL Lakeland Linder International Airport, Lakeland — 7 mi away. Directions
- TPA Tampa International Airport, Tampa — 25 mi away (major hub). Directions
Plant City is on Interstate 4 between Tampa and Orlando.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, Florida Strawberry Festival, Dinosaur World
- Lunch Strawberry Hut
- Afternoon Bing Rooming House Museum, Strawberry Classic Car Show
- Dinner Smokin' Aces BBQ
- Evening Keel and Curley
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The city is known for its strawberries, particularly during the winter season, but this is not the origin of the city's name. It was named after railroad developer Henry Plant. The town's first name was "Ichepuckesassa," a Native American name, but pronunciation challenges caused it to be renamed, first to "Cork" after the city in Ireland, until Henry Plant's railroad brought economic success to the town. Interestingly, Plant never visited the town.
Climate
Plant City is known for having higher quality soil than the surrounding area. As is found across much of Florida, the wet season lasts during summer, with the "dry" season occurring across the other months. Rainfall is fairly high throughout the year, with a total of 56 in in an average year, enabling strawberries to grow.
Get in
By plane
- Plant City Airport is used for private aviation.
By car
See
See Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum (Plant City Union Depot)
The depot, designed by J.F. Leitner, was built in 1909. As a part of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad — or the "A Line" — and the Seaboard Air Line Railroad — or the "S Line" — it connected Plant City to major Florida cities including Tampa, Sarasota, and Miami. At its peak it was Florida's second busiest hub after Jacksonville and was used by farmers to ship millions of quarts of strawberries per year. It closed in 1971 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places four years later. It was redesignated as a railroad museum in the 2010s after years of restoration.
Do
Events
Buy
Shop Plant City Outlet Mall
Shop Parkesdale Farm Market
Roadside attraction meets produce market. Sells every kind of strawberry-related product imaginable (from strawberry butter to strawberry slicers to strawberry salad dressing), and various other souvenir-worthy foods and kitsch. Also plenty of fresh produce and popular milkshakes.
Eat
Eat Fred's Market
Family-owned Southern buffet known for its Southern hospitality.
Drink
Sleep
Go next
- Orlando, to the east, is the location of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
- Tampa, to the west, is the main city in the county.
- Lakeland, bordering to the southwest, is a large city that goes hand-in-hand with Plant City.
Nearby
Lakeland
City / town · 56 listings · 11 mi away
Brandon
City / town · 8 listings · 11 mi away
Mulberry
City / town · 17 listings · 13 mi away
Zephyrhills
City / town · 10 listings · 15 mi away
Bartow
City / town · 20 listings · 20 mi away
Tampa
City / town · 111 listings · 20 mi away
Auburndale
City / town · 12 listings · 21 mi away
Polk City
City / town · 15 listings · 22 mi away
My experience
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