Plant City, Florida

Dinosaur World offers visitors a chance to step back into the past to a time when terrifying raptors and massive lizards roamed the earth. This unique theme park has become a bit of an icon in the area, set on approximately twenty acres of land in Plant City. Full-sized replicas of more than a hundred dinosaurs can be seen throughout the grounds, several of which include robotics to make them seem alive. There’s even a somewhat “graphic” area showing the more carnivorous side to dinosaurs. Dinosaur World is open seven days a week, from 9:00am until 5:00pm.

5145 Harvey Tew Rd, Plant City, FL 33565, Phone: 813-717-9865

The Edward Medard Regional Park is one of the area’s most popular and largest parks and is a great getaway from the city for any nature-loving residents or travelers. Encompassing a total of around seven hundred acres, the park is the biggest in the county, with the majority of its land donated to the city during the 1970’s from a local company. Canoeing, biking, fishing, and walking are popular outdoor recreation activities, with most of the roads and trails throughout the park are paved. There are also dozens of campsites available that tend to fill up quickly during the peak season.

6140 Turkey Creek Rd, Plant City, FL 3356, Phone: 813-757-3802

The railroad has always played a significant role in the economy and development of Florida, and in some regards, still do today. The Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum is a highlight of Plant City for any travelers who call themselves history buffs or train enthusiasts. It also helps that the museum doesn’t charge any fee for admission. Open from noon to 4:00pm, the exhibits throughout the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum include first-hand accounts of various historically significant events, train and railroad equipment, photographs, and restored railcars. There’s also a model rail yard, which is especially popular with children.

102 N Palmer St, Plant City, FL 33563, Phone: 813-719-6989

The Plant City Farm and Flea Market is open to the public every day of the week, only closed on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. With more than one hundred vendors across over ten acres, there’s plenty to browse and possibly buy at the market. Most of the vendors are open starting around six in the morning, and while the market is open until later into the afternoon, visitors will want to make sure they show up earlier than noon or they’ll miss out on most of the action. The market is full of unique finds, fresh vegetables and fruit, and much more.

708 W Sam Allen Rd, Plant City, FL 33565, Phone: 813-752-4670

The Mercantile is a great shopping destination in Plant City, Florida for anyone who loves to peruse shops for antiques and vintage goods with “no effort required.” Housed inside of a more than a century old building, the marketplace is divided up into numerous individual “shops,” each maintained by different vendors. This unique retail destination is an ideal place in town to hunt for handmade goods and one-of-a-kind vintage items, and the prices are known for being reasonable. Open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00am until 6:00pm, The Mercantile features booths operated by both collectors and artists.

208 S Collins St, Plant City, FL 33563, Phone: 813-659-1600

Founded originally by the local chapter of the Lions Club, the annual Florida Strawberry Festival has been a staple in Plant City since 1929, lasting more than ten days during the months of February and March. As one of the largest producers of winter strawberries in the United States, it only makes sense that the city would host such an event. Along with the wide variety of tasty food to eat like strawberry shortcake and pies, the Florida Strawberry Festival also features livestock events, a good selection of live entertainment, rides, and sometimes even appearances by celebrities.

303 BerryFest Pl, Plant City, FL 33563, Phone: 813-752-9194

Smokin' Aces BBQ and Steakhouse Plant City serves some of the best barbeque, seafood, and steak in the area and is a popular dining establishment among both locals and visitors alike. The eatery offers an array of mouthwatering favorites, in addition to a handful of creative Smokin’ Aces creations. Founded in 2012 by the Jordan Family, the name came about during a family poker game. Smokin' Aces BBQ and Steakhouse is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11:00am until 9:00pm, Friday and Saturday from 11:00am until 10:00pm, and Sunday from 11:00am until 8:00pm.

2509 N Park Rd, Plant City, FL 33563, Phone: 813-704-1374

Fred’s Market Restaurant, or also known as Fred’s Southern Kitchen, offers its own taste of “farm-to-plate freshness” right at their “MarketTable.” The food here is cooked slowly in an unprocessed and natural way and then served within a cozy setting full of fun and warmth. The first Fred’s Market Restaurant was opened by Fred and Tammy Johnson in 1998 at the State Farmer’s Market, which resulted in fresh produce being right at their fingertips. The restaurant carried on the Johnson family traditions of southern hospitality and family dining that began back in 1954 with Johnson’s Restaurant, serving “slow food fast.”

1401 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Plant City, FL 33563, Phone: 813-752-7763

The tradition of barbecue in the Johnson Family in Plant City, Florida started more than sixty years ago. In 1964, Elton Johnson began to slow-smoke pork shoulders in his restaurant, which was formerly a gas station in which he sold cold drinks and sandwiches. Elton, or “Grandpa Johnson,” was completely devoted to providing the best guest experience and he gained a reputation for serving unpretentious, authentic Southern food. Thanks to this strong, hard working entrepreneur, the Johnson family legacy is now the restaurant business. Today, Grandpa Johnson's Barbecue is open from 11:00am until 8:30pm, Monday through Saturday.

1407 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Plant City, FL, Phone: 813-759-0009