Cracker Country Field Trips

Historic buildings at Florida State Fairgrounds.

Long Ago & Today

Sparking curiosity, learning, and plenty of smiles along the way…

Ages 4-6

This Florida History adventure helps young learners explore connections between long ago and today. A friendly tour guide dressed in historic clothing leads each group through play, dance, storytelling, and hands-on activities. Students will visit a real 1917 railroad caboose and 19th century Florida family cabin and make crafts to take home.

Tour Time: 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Dates: Tuesday – Friday September – December 2026, March – May 2027

Student Cost: $10 per student

Chaperones: One adult (teacher or chaperone) per ten students is required and admitted for free. Additional adults pay the rate of $14 each. Cracker Country is not open to the public during your visit. Individual tickets cannot be sold at the gate.

What makes this program unique: Encourages multi-sensory learning through crafts, exploration, and movement while supporting Sunshine State Standards.

Add-on: Enhance your visit with a souvenir packet for $5 per student. Each packet includes a 12‑inch wooden ruler, a Cracker Country pencil, and a surprise item such as a keychain or small toy. This program does not include a gift shop visit. To add souvenir packets, please contact us at Museum@floridastatefair.com.

Register for a Field Trip starting August 1, 2026
Rural Home Life

Bring your students and discover the daily lives of Florida’s pioneers

Grades 1-5

Spend the morning immersed in a rural Florida community of the past and learn how a late 19th century rural family survived. Try your hand at farm and household chores, explore community buildings and learn the skills of Florida’s pioneers. Students will take back to their modern world knowledge of the differences and similarities between their lives and those of children in 1898. All groups will dip a candle, learn about a historic trade and shop in our Cracker Country General Store.

Tour Time: 10:00am-12:15pm

Dates: Tuesday – Friday: September – December 2026, March – May 2027

Student Cost: $10 per student

Chaperones: One adult (teacher or chaperone) per ten students is required and admitted for free. Additional adults pay the rate of $14 each.

What makes this program unique: Uses tactile, interactive activities that reinforce historical concepts in a memorable and age-appropriate way while supporting Sunshine State Standards.

Add-on: Add our Florida Industry program as part of your tour and stay until 2:00pm for $16 per student & $20 per adult. Grades 4-8 only.

Register for a Cracker Country Field Trip starting August 1, 2026
Add-On: Florida Industry

A complement to our Rural Home Life Field Trips

Grades 4-5

Students can stay a little longer and explore some of Florida’s pioneering industries, like cattle ranching, citrus and fishing. Learn to pack like a cowhunter and make a leather craft to take home; explore the history of citrus in the Sunshine State and sample some home-grown orange juice; design an advertisement to bring more farmers to 1890s Florida; experience our collection of antique stationary steam engines!

Tour Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm

Dates: Tuesday – Friday: October – December 2026, March – May 2027

Student Cost: $16 per student — includes the price of our Rural Home Life School Tour in the AM.

Chaperones: One adult (teacher or chaperone) per ten students is required and admitted for free. Additional adults pay the rate of $20 each. The museum is not open to the public during your visit.

Register for a Field Trip starting August 1, 2026
Shop in our General Store

For our Rural Home Life & Florida Industries Field Trip programs

Bring money for souvenirs. Group scheduled for our Rural Home Life and Florida Industry school tours will have the opportunity to visit our gift shop during their program. In the Cracker Country General Store you will find a wide selection of historical toys, games, candy, books, 1890s reproductions and much more. Prices start at an affordable $1.00.

The General Store accepts cash and all major credit cards.
Stay for a Picnic Lunch

Feel free to bring a picnic lunch!

Picnic tables and restrooms are available after your Cracker Country field trip concludes. To keep the tour running smoothly, please leave lunches and coolers in your vehicle until it’s time to eat. Please note that there are no food service options on the Fairgrounds.
Homeschool Programs

Join us for enriching experiences tailored specifically for homeschool families and groups.

Upcoming Dates:

Music & Art Homeschool Day:
May 12, 2026 10am-2pm
Ages: All welcome
More Information

Our homeschool events fill up quickly, so be sure to grab your tickets early.

Is Cracker Country accessible for guests using wheelchairs or walkers?

We recognize that late 19th-century architecture may present difficulties for those with physical disabilities and are working hard to ensure guests with disabilities have a wonderful and inclusive experience. Interpreters in the Historic Area will be glad to provide directions to accessible areas.

Please note that the grounds are grassy with no paved walkways.

Wheelchair-Accessible Locations

Admissions Gate
Okahumpka Train Depot
Governors Inn
Carlton House
Candle Shed
Corn Crib
Blacksmith Shop
School House
Terry Store
Planting Garden
Cane Mill & Kettle
Main Stage
Various programs take place on ground level
General Store - Gift Shop

Restrooms ADA Accessible, Family, and Public Restrooms are available.

Resting Locations Benches and picnic tables located throughout the grounds for your use.

What are the chaperone requirements?

The Florida State Fairgrounds requires one adult (teacher or chaperone) per every 10 students. All required adults receive free admission for the field trip. Adults accompanying the group beyond the required number of chaperones must each purchase an admissions ticket through your school. Cracker Country is not open to the public during your visit. Individual tickets cannot be sold at the gate. All adult chaperones must arrive on time and enter the field trip with the school. The gates into the Fairgrounds will be closed once the field trip program begins, so late chaperones CANNOT be admitted. Chaperones and adults are responsible for the behavior of the group and are required to supervise and stay with students at all times during the visit. Download our: Chaperone Letter

What happens in the event of bad weather?

Field Trips take place rain or shine. Please encourage your group to dress appropriately for outdoor activities. During heavy rain or severe weather we may cancel your tour the day of the tour by calling the phone number you provide. Due to Florida's quickly changing forecasts a decision to cancel will never be made prior to the date of your tour. If we cancel your tour due to severe weather, we will make every effort to reschedule your group on an alternative date.

What is the payment process like?

All student and adult admissions must be paid together in a single group transaction. Individual ticket purchases are not permitted. We also accept cash, check, and all major credit cards for your convenience. Checks should be made payable to: Florida State Fair Authority.

What items should you leave behind?

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, please do not bring the following into the museum:

Food or drinks (except water bottles)
Backpacks (students only; adults may carry bags if needed)
Coolers or packed lunches (please leave these on the bus)

Water fountains are available throughout the museum, and your tour includes scheduled water breaks.

Can I cancel a reservation?

If you cancel your field trip 30 days or more after it has been confirmed, you will owe a $50.00 cancellation fee. All cancellations must be in writing and emailed to Museum@FloridaStateFair.com or mailed to: Attn: Cracker Country P.O. Box 11766 Tampa, Fl. 33680

Is a deposit required?

A $75.00 non-refundable deposit is due 30 after your field trip is confirmed by Cracker Country. If payment is not received by this date, your group may not be eligible to attend the field trip. Pay Online: click here The remaining balance, after subtracting the $75.00 deposit, will be due the day of your field trip. We recognize that student numbers can and do change, so fees will be adjusted based on the number of students attending the day of your tour. We regret that we are not able to accept purchase orders so please plan to pay by cash, check or credit card when you arrive.

Is there a group size minimum?

A minimum of 15 participants is required for a field trip program. Groups with fewer participants may be booked for a minimum fee of $150.00 (equivalent to 15 paid admissions).

Is there a place to have lunch?

Groups are welcome to bring a picnic lunch. Picnic tables and restroom facilities are provided for use after the tour ends. Please leave all lunches and coolers in a vehicle until it is time for lunch. Note there are no food service facilities on the Fairgrounds.

Is there shopping at Cracker Country?

In the Cracker Country General Store, you will find a wide selection of historical toys, games, candy, books, 1890s reproductions, and much more. Prices start at an affordable $0.40. The General Store accepts cash and all major credit cards. Proceeds from sales in the General Store help support Cracker Country's education programs. Please note: Florida Industry & Long Ago & Today Field Trips do not include a visit to the museum gift shop.