| If you've ever eaten a midwinter strawberry, | | | | Restaurant, the oldest restaurant in town famous |
| chances are good it was grown in Plant City, | | | | for its handmade, country home-cooking. Another |
| Florida, known as the winter strawberry capital of | | | | local shopping experience is the Farmer's Market |
| the world. More than three-fourths of the nation's | | | | at Alexander and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. |
| midwinter strawberries are grown here on more | | | | The market is open seven days a week and |
| than 7,000 acres of rich, fertile farmland. | | | | offers local produce, plants and crafts. |
| As with many rural Florida communities, farming | | | | And be sure not to miss the local key attraction: |
| was the staple around which Plant City grew, | | | | Parkesdale Farm Market, the largest family-run |
| initially as a large cotton center. Its original | | | | strawberry farm in the nation and home of the |
| designation, Ichepucksassa, after an Indian village | | | | Parkesdale's world-famous strawberry shortcake. |
| that once claimed the land, was a troublesome | | | | People come from miles around, driving an hour, |
| mouthful that didn't last long. The community's | | | | two hours or more, and stand in line ten hours a |
| Irish postmaster renamed Ichepucksassa after his | | | | day just to sample the Farm's renowned |
| hometown in Ireland: Cork. But that didn't last long | | | | eight-inch-tall stack brimming with scarlet, |
| either, in 1884, Henry Plant brought the South | | | | golf-ball-sized strawberries. |
| Florida Railroad into town; in 1885 the city was | | | | Leisure and Play |
| incorporated and renamed after him. The historic | | | | There's always something to do in and around |
| Union Station depot still stands on Palmer Street | | | | Plant City. Mid-January welcomes the Dr. Martin |
| today, acting as a downtown area welcome | | | | Luther King Jr. Cultural Arts Festival, complete |
| center and mini-railroad museum. | | | | with parade, midway, concerts, educational tours |
| Shopping and Dining | | | | and more. In late February-early March, the town |
| Although Plant City is considered a small town, | | | | swells with visitors from all over the world who |
| residents enjoy all the amenities of big city life. | | | | come for the Florida Strawberry Festival, eleven |
| Applebees, Carrabbas, Chilis, all the major chains | | | | days' worth of strawberry goodness along with |
| are in town. Shopping centers also dot the city, | | | | agriculture, livestock and industry exhibits, arts, |
| including the PC Outlet Mall. Nearby Lakeland | | | | crafts, parades, entertainment...and more |
| Square Mall offers just about everything else you | | | | strawberries! In November is the Pig Jam |
| could need, including anchors Macy's, Dillard's, | | | | Barbeque Festival, and ongoing through the year is |
| Sears and JC Penny's. | | | | the Strawberry Classic Car Show. Also ongoing, |
| But what really makes shopping and dining in Plant | | | | during the first Saturday of every month, is the |
| City special is the downtown historic district. Park | | | | Plant City Bike Fest in downtown. Each month the |
| for free in the ample downtown parking, and stroll | | | | city welcomes up to 12,000 motorcycle |
| the brick-paved streets exploring the various | | | | enthusiasts with a bike show, motorcycle expo |
| antique shops, outdoor cafés and ongoing | | | | and dozens and dozens of food vendors. |
| special events. For antiques, visit the Olde Floridian, | | | | Right off exit 17 on I-4 is another local affair, a |
| Pressed Penny or the Frenchman's Market, a | | | | favorite of area teachers: Dinosaur World, an |
| unique indoor flea market with more than 20 | | | | outdoor museum in a lushly landscaped setting |
| vendors selling their wares. Rest awhile and refuel | | | | with more than 150 life-sized, scientifically accurate |
| at Linda's Crabshack, the Whistlestop Café | | | | dinosaur models, fossil digs and a Skeleton Garden. |
| or Camelia Rose's Tea Room. Or, try Snellgroves | | | | |