For over two months, many Tampa Bay museums and attractions have closed for COVID-19 safety precautions. Now, many museums are preparing to reopen, or have already reopened, to guests eager to observe and learn from their respective exhibits. We’ve created a list of Tampa Bay attractions that have announced their reopening and some extra precautions they’re implementing to ensure the safety of their employees and guests.
To find out the best way to purchase tickets and any additional guidelines for guests, visit each museum or attraction’s website for more information. We highly recommend staying up to date with each Tampa Bay attraction through their social media or websites for any closures or changes in hours. If a local museum or attraction is missing from this list, please email mckenna.kelley@tampamagazines.com for any additions.
Tampa Museum of Art
Opens: June 1
The weekend of May 30, the museum will begin its first reopening phase, allowing Art+ Members and sponsors only through Saturday and Sunday. On June 1, the museum will open seven days a week to the public during normal operating hours.
To make the museum accessible to all, the Tampa Museum of Art is taking part in Museums For All upon its reopening. Anyone who receives food assistance (SNAP benefits) will receive free admission into the museum by presenting their EBT card at the ticket desk.
The museum is encouraging visitors to make reservations at TampaMuseum.org. And to ensure everyone’s safety, the museum is also encouraging all visitors to look at its comprehensive safety plan on its website, which encourages all visitors to wear masks.
Tampa Bay History Center
Opens: June 1
The best way to look to the future is sometimes by looking at the past. On June 1, the public can continue learning about our community and its stories. The Tampa Bay History Center will open at a limited capacity, and only online tickets will be available. The museum is offering adult tickets at a discounted price, all other ticket levels will remain the same. Timed entry tickets will be available for advanced purchasing on May 22.
The History Center encourages all of its guests to practice social distancing and to wear a mask. There will be sanitation stations set up throughout the center for guests to use.
Besides the History Center opening, the Columbia Cafe located at the museum will also be open. The restaurant will follow all CDC guidelines for the safety of its customers.
Florida Aquarium
Opens: Currently open
The Florida Aquarium, along with help from Tampa General Hospital and USF Health, officially reopened to the public on May 15. As a way of taking extra precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the aquarium reached out to the Infection Prevention team from TGH and infectious disease physicians from USF to review its 20-page reopening plans.
The Florida Aquarium has implemented several TGH’s recommendations, including the requirement of visitors to wear facemasks, the creation of an Infection Control Advisory Task Force and increased spacing between tables. Besides TGH’s recommendations, the aquarium is requiring online reservations to enter, so make sure to plan your trip accordingly. For more information, visit their website.
ZooTampa
Opens: May 29
On May 29, guests will be able to observe the 1,100 animals living at ZooTampa for the first time in months. The zoo is reopening at a 50% capacity and implementing new guidelines to ensure the safety of the public. A 17-page plan was sent to county and city officials for approval and included several key points including six-feet social distancing, thermal monitoring stations and the encouragement of guests to wear masks.
For more information on the zoo’s plan and where to buy tickets, you can visit their website.
Glazer Children’s Museum
Opens: June 6
Tampa Bay’s children are welcome back to the Glazer Children’s Museum on June 6. The museum will initially reopen at a 25% capacity, and once it’s deemed safe, gradually open to a 50% capacity. All employees and any guests 12 and over will be required to wear a facemask.
Changes to the museum’s safety and cleanliness protocols include modified operating times (the museum will be closed Mondays for deep cleaning), enforced social distancing, exhibit modifications and the replacement of frequently held props. To get a more in-depth look into the Glazer Museum’s reopening plan, click here.
Along with reopening, the museum will also begin its summer camps on June 8. All camp sizes will be capped based on the CDC’s guidelines for social distancing. No guests will be allowed in classrooms, and any guest speakers will speak virtually. For more information on the museum’s camp programs, click here.
Imagine Museum
Opens: Currently open
The Imagine Museum in St. Petersburg that displays around 500 glass artworks is open Wednesday through Saturday starting at 11 a.m. The museum requires its employees and guests to wear masks at all times while in the exhibits. To ensure social distancing, no more than 10 people may enter the galleries every 15 minutes. Priority tickets are available to pre-registered guests. You can choose your advanced tickets online at their website.
Besides social distancing practices, the museum is offering specialty tours for up to six guests per group. Optional box lunches are also available. To reserve a tour, visit here.
Museum of Science & Industry
Opens: May 27
At the Museum of Science & Industry, ideas and innovation are celebrated. After closing on March 16, MOSI will reopen again to ignite the love of science and education on May 27. The museum will be open at a 50% capacity, but it will not include the open air Science Park. To learn more about what MOSI is doing to keep its employees and guests safe, you can read more of their plan here.
On June 1, summer science camps will be open. The camps focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math through hands-on projects and experiments. You can review the museum’s safety plans for its camps here, along with a link to camp registration.
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
Opens: Currently open
The museum is currently taking reservations online for its exhibits. To ensure FMoPA guest safety and employee safety, groups are limited to six visitors and all employees are required to wear face masks. To check out what else the museum is doing to stay safe, click here.
Make sure to purchase your tickets in advance because no tickets are available in person. If you’d like to purchase tickets, click here.
Chihuly Collection presented by Morean Arts Center
Opens: Currently open
The museum has reopened just a few months ahead of its 10-year anniversary in July. All ticket purchasing can be done online, here. The museum asks all its visitors to wear masks at its exhibits.
During its closure, the Chihuly collection was deep cleaned and graphics were added to the floor to help encourage social distancing. If you’d like to learn more about what the collection is doing to stay safe, click here. The Chihuly is offering $5 tickets to first responders, medical workers and their families.
Busch Gardens
Opens: June 11
The safari theme park will open with enhanced health and safety protocols on June 11. All guests planning on attending must pass a temperature screening, along with any of the park’s employees. All employees and any guests 2 years or older must wear a mask while in the park. To see more of what Busch Gardens is doing to ensure its employees and guests are safe, you can look over their safety sheet here.
All guests must buy their tickets in advance through online reservations. You can start purchasing advanced ticked June 8 at 10 a.m. here.
Adventure Island
Opens: June 11
Like its sister company, Busch Gardens, Adventure Island will reopen June 11 with new safety precautions. All employees and guests are required to pass a temperature screening test for entry. Face coverings will be required in designated areas like the park entrance or retail areas, however, they will be prohibited in the water. To see more of what Adventure Island is doing to keep its employees and guests safe, click here.
Advanced tickets are required, and they will be available for purchase starting on June 8 at 10 a.m. To purchase tickets or to look at more information on reservations, click here.
