Sandwiched between Tampa and Lakeland, and most well-known for the Florida Strawberry Festival held annually in March, Plant City is too easily missed when it comes to Central Florida explorations.

While it’s worth a trip to the festival at least once (I still go almost every year), visiting Plant City solely for the strawberries means missing out on its small town charm, surprising amount of local eateries and shops, and quirky attractions.

The next time you find yourself driving westbound along I-4, make a pit stop to explore these Plant City highlights.

Special thanks to Vicky of @igersplantcity for spending an entire day showing me the best of Plant City! 

Things to Do

1. Two Henry’s Brewing Co. / Keel & Curley Winery

A short diversion off of I-4 W will plant you at a unique winery and craft brewery in one. Keel & Curley Winery and Two Henry’s Brewing Company share a spacious taproom serving craft beer, wine, and cider as well as a full food menu. Out back you’ll find a large covered patio with string lights, a stage for live music, and a picturesque little pond.

The winery got its start thanks to blueberries after an abundant crop in 2003 prompted the owner, a blueberry farmer, to experiment with making blueberry wine. The wines are primarily Florida fruit wines lending a sweeter taste, although there are three varieties of blueberry wines to choose from including dry, semi-dry (my favorite), and sweet. Don’t miss the $5 winery tour offered every Saturday and Sunday between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.

The brewery name is a nod to Henry Flagler and Henry Plant, two important historical figures in Florida who developed railroad lines and hotels throughout the state. Beer-wise, the Blueberry Vanilla Wheat, a refreshing and slightly sweet wheat beer with vanilla and blueberry flavors, is a must-try. 7+ hard ciders are also on tap (I love the Elderberry).

The taproom added a full food menu a little over a year ago, which was a game changer. The beer cheese dip, fried mac n’ cheese bites and wings (try the sweet & spicy!) are all tasty choices. The menu includes recommended beer, wine and cider pairings. The always-friendly service is the icing on the cake.

Quick Facts:
• Tours are offered for $5/person on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. Make a reservation in advance.
• Beer, wine, and cider flights are available for $10-12.
• Check out the current menu here.
• The taproom is dog friendly outdoors.
• Address: 5210 Thonotosassa Rd, Plant City

2. Grady Goat Yoga Tampa Bay

After seeing the slightly chaotic goat yoga videos posted on Grady Goat Yoga Tampa Bay‘s Facebook page, I knew this was one piece of “research” I couldn’t skip.

The short description: fun, funny, and chaotic (in a good way).

The long description…

Yoga, adorable baby goats, and a good cause come together at Hat Trick Ranch in Thonotosassa, where owners Debbie and Rob Canton host goat yoga classes every Saturday and Sunday morning.

After one of their goats, Grady, was born blind and deaf, the couple began goat yoga to raise funds for the Grady Goat Foundation, which supports children’s charities.

95% of the class will be spent:

• Cuddling the goats
• Snapping selfies with the goats
• Dodging goat poop
• Coaxing goats onto (and off of) your back

5% of the class will be spent:

• Doing any form of yoga

Quick Facts:
• Classes are offered Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. for $30/person. Get tickets here.
• Yes, the goats pee and poop frequently. It gets cleaned up in a flash.
• Loaner yoga mats are available for free.
• Address: 12551 Franklin Rd, Thonotosassa, FL 33592

3. Dinosaur World

If you’ve made the drive from Orlando to Tampa, chances are you’ve already spotted Dinosaur World, Plant City’s kitschy roadside attraction. It’s hard to miss the T-Rex posed out front, piquing your curiosity as to what other dinosaur sculptures lurk inside. I entered the park with low expectations and was very pleasantly surprised.

Thanks to beautiful old oak trees, the park is well-shaded, which drastically minimizes the amount of eyeball sweat you’ll have to wipe away if visiting during the summer months. There are 200+ dinosaur sculptures inside the park, including a “graphic” animatronic section of the park which illustrates dinosaurs’ more carnivorous side.

Visiting the park is a no-brainer if you have kids that love dinosaurs, but it’s equally enjoyable for Jurassic Park enthusiasts (like myself). As an added bonus, the entire park is dog friendly. You’re welcome to bring your own picnic (there is no food sold at the park).

Quick Facts:
• Admission is $16.95/adult, $11.95/kid and free for kids under 2 and dogs.
• The park is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Address: 5145 Harvey Tew Road, Plant City

4. Events

Plant City Food Truck Rally
Get your fill of food truck fare on the last Friday of each month from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the monthly Plant City Food Truck Rally. You’ll find the mobile trucks parked at Drane Street and N Palmer Street.

MAKE Plant City
This monthly meet up for creatives in and around Plant City features a different speaker each month and is frequently hosted at The Corner Store, a hip eatery and food market. MAKE Plant City is held on the second Tuesday of each month at various venues.

Foodie Finds

5. the corner store

The corner store is a hip eatery and market you’d expect to find in a bustling big city, but there it is in Plant City, where it’s been a staple for the past ten years.

Part restaurant and part local store, the interior is bright and inviting, with walls lined with local produce and goods plus grocery items.  At the counter, you can order food before pulling up a seat at one of the farmhouse-style tables.

Handcrafted lemonades (many of which come adorned with edible flowers), coffee and tea, baked goods, craft beer & wine, plus a full assortment of sandwiches are all on the menu. There’s a separate breakfast menu available from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (The burrito is delish.) Dishes are prepared with fresh, organic ingredients and local produce.

Tip: visit on Friday or Saturday for all day happy hour specials on beer and wine.

Quick facts:
• Hours are 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Monday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
• Address: 121 E Reynolds St, Plant City

6. Parkesdale Farm Market

After braving the weekend crowds at the Strawberry Festival for several years thinking it was the only way to get my strawberry shortcake fix, I was both shocked and delighted that I could essentially have the same experience, albeit in bite-size form, at Parkesdale Farm Market.

The market is open year round, features much of the same kitschy strawberry-themed decor found throughout the festival (there is a strawberry throne for selfies), and has the BEST strawberry milkshakes and shortcake in town.

Milkshakes are available all year, but if you’re after shortcake, know that it’s only available during strawberry season. There are lots of other milkshake flavors to choose from if you aren’t a strawberry fanatic (like pumpkin pie in the fall – so good).

Pro tip: heading to one of the gulf beaches? Make a stop here on the way; they open at 9am. Breakfast milkshakes are totally acceptable.

Quick facts:
• Hours are 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday from May through October (closed on Mondays), and 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. DAILY from November through April.
• Address: 3702 W Baker St, Plant City

7. Norma’s

Love Cuban sandwiches? Norma’s is a cute little Cuban sandwich shop located downtown. Choose to have your sandwich the traditional way, or go “all the way” with the addition of lettuce, tomato and mayo. Order a half sandwich if you’re on a progressive food adventure, or the full thing if this will be your first and only lunch.

While this is primarily a lunch spot, Norma’s opens its doors once a month for “Night at Norma’s”, a special dinner event featuring four courses prepared by Chef Andy Nassar. There are typically several time slots to choose from, and you’re also allowed to bring your own bottle of wine.

Quick facts:
• Hours are 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m Monday-Friday, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
• Address: 120 N Collins St., Plant City

8. Taco Loco

Located on the outskirts of the main downtown area, Taco Loco is a small and colorful Mexican restaurant with solid tacos to cure your cravings.

Enjoy an order of three Mexican street tacos for $6 (options are beef, steak fajita, Al Pastor, chicken fajita, barbacoa, carnitas, and asada) topped with the classic fixins’: onions and cilantro.

Tacos are $1.50 on Tuesdays from 2-8pm for the best day of the week…Taco Tuesday!

I loved the restaurant’s bright and colorful interior (a plus if you like to snap photos of your food) and tasty street tacos. Although be warned, the parking situation is a bit odd. Still, this cute, family-owned spot is Steph’s Taco Blog approved.

Quick Facts:
• Hours are 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily.
• Address: 2006 W Reynolds St #1, Plant City

9. Sweets and Coffee Hotspots

Mr. Seba’s Ice Cream & More: The local go-to for ice cream, but I recommend the creamy and fruity paletas which are Mexican ice pops made with fruit and water (paletas de agua) or a milk/cream base (paletas de crema).

The Kandy Shoppe: Here you’ll find all of your favorite chocolate-dipped sweets (I was pleased to find dark and milk chocolate Buckeyes) plus a few oddballs, like chocolate-covered pork rinds (which are amazing).

Krazy Kup: Chill, spacious and exactly what a neighborhood coffee shop hangout should be. Inside you’ll find multiple seating areas, brick walls, and colorful artwork. Outside you can sip your drink on the spacious side patio. Try the blended matcha frappucino (called a “krappe”).

Shops

10. The Mercantile

If you like the idea of perusing shops for vintage goods and antiques but not the actual effort required, The Mercantile is for you. The marketplace is housed inside a 100+ year old building and is broken up into individual “shops” maintained by various vendors.

This is the place to be if you’re on the hunt for unique vintage items and handmade goods, and the prices are very reasonable. In addition to booths rented by artists and collectors, the owners have curated their own collection (also for sale) which is organized into distinct themed areas housing items of a similar style. So if you’re someone who values organization and often feels overwhelmed walking into antique stores, you’ll love this store.

Quick Facts:
• Hours are 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday.
• Address: 208 S Collins St, Plant City

11. State Theater Antiques

Historically used as a theater from the late 1930s to the 1950s, the State Theater of today is a vintage emporium full of American memorabilia. Step inside and you’ll be in awe of the vast collection, including some borderline creepy items in the main theater room. Even if you aren’t on the hunt for antiques, this is a fun place to step inside for entertainment and a trip back in time.

Quick Facts:
• Hours are 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday.
• Address: 111 W J Adren Mays Blvd, Plant City

PS: A Peace of Plant City is a good place to pick up strawberry and Plant City-centric goods.

To recap…Here’s your Plant City Bucket List:

For FUN:
• Two Henry’s Brewing Company / Keel & Curley Winery
• Grady Goat Yoga Tampa Bay
• Dinosaur World
• Attend a fun event like the food truck rally or Make Plant City

For FOOD/DRINK:
• the corner store
• Parkesdale Farm Market
• Norma’s
• Taco Loco
• Mr. Seba’s
• The Kandy Shoppe
• Krazy Kup

For SHOPPING:
• The Mercantile
• State Theater Antiques
• Peace of Plant City

Let me know which spots you plan to visit in the comments below, and follow my pal Vicky at @igersplantcity for the Plant City scoop.

All photos by Stephanie Patterson unless otherwise noted.