Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park — Attraction in Tampa

Nestled in the heart of downtown Tampa, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park offers an urban oasis that delights visitors with its scenic beauty, recreational amenities, and vibrant community atmosphere. This sprawling 8-acre park, overlooking the Hillsborough River, seamlessly blends nature with modern urban design, creating a space where residents and tourists alike can unwind, exercise, and socialize against a backdrop of stunning waterfront views.

From the moment you step into Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, the panoramic vistas of the Tampa skyline and the gently flowing river set a picturesque scene. The park's design cleverly incorporates green spaces, children's play areas, and interactive water features, making it an ideal spot for families seeking a fun and relaxing day out. The wide-open lawns are perfect for picnics, yoga sessions, or simply lounging under the Florida sun, while the well-maintained walking and jogging paths invite visitors to stay active with a scenic run or leisurely stroll.

One of the park's standout features is its commitment to serving as a cultural hub for the city. Hosting a wide array of events throughout the year, from music festivals and outdoor concerts to art exhibits and food truck rallies, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park has become a cornerstone for entertainment and cultural engagement in Tampa. These events not only provide endless entertainment options but also foster a strong sense of community, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate and enjoy the arts.

Dog owners will appreciate the inclusion of a dog park, where pets can roam freely and socialize in a safe, designated area. This thoughtful addition underscores the park's inclusive ethos, ensuring that every member of the family, including furry ones, has a space to enjoy.

Sustainability and eco-conscious design are evident in the park's infrastructure, with features like energy-efficient lighting and native landscaping that contribute to the preservation of Florida's natural beauty. This commitment to environmental stewardship enhances the park's appeal, offering a green retreat amidst the urban landscape.

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park also serves as a gateway to Tampa's rich cultural scene, bordered by the Tampa Museum of Art and the Glazer Children's Museum. This proximity to key cultural institutions allows visitors to combine their park experience with an educational or artistic outing, making for a fulfilling day of exploration and discovery.

The park's success in blending leisure, culture, and community engagement is a testament to Tampa's vision for public spaces that enhance urban life. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park stands not only as a testament to thoughtful urban planning but also as a beloved gathering place where memories are made, spirits are lifted, and the community comes together in the...

When you’re visiting a large city, you often need to take a break. I don’t mean a break that involves a visit to a restaurant for food and drink. I mean a break from the hustle of the city. Most every large city has at least one place to try to get away and in Tampa, Florida, that place is Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, an urban park located next to the Hillsborough River. .

I stayed in downtown Tampa recently when I was touring the area in support of my beer blog, Great Beer Now. Since I always like to include natural settings and attractions whenever and wherever I travel, I decided that a visit to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park was a must. It is right on the edge of downtown and it was an easy walk from my hotel room.

Curtis Hixon Park is an urban park and it is thus not as natural as some other parks. It is loaded with concrete and other structures, so it may not suffice for someone who wants to put any trace of the city behind him/her. Still, it is nonetheless a park and it does have enough natural elements to help you enjoy a much needed break from the city. It’s also large enough- about 8 acres- to offer many things while still small enough to navigate on foot.

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park has multiple fountains, groves of palm trees, and open space for entertainment. There is an amphitheater here and I saw many ads when I visited for festivals and local entertainment. And once you’re finished with your time in the park, you can continue walking down the Tampa Bay Riverwalk, which happens to be the longest continuous sidewalk in the USA, or visit one of the museums that are basically attached to the park. The park even has its own tavern, which is always a plus in my book. And if you have kids, you can walk them over to the kids’ outdoor play area.

Because it is next to downtown, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is easy walking distance to many hotels and other attractions. I walked here directly from my downtown hotel and while I would have liked it more if the park was more natural overall, I still liked what I experienced and I recommend a stroll in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park the next time you’re in downtown...

Very nice park right on the Hillsborough River. It has incredible views of the University of Tampa. As well as the Downtown Tampa city skyline. We went during the Winter Village and they had cute little shops and eateries with some amazing food choices, as well as Ice Skating and a giant screen and open lawn to watch Christmas movies for free. They were showing the Grinch on this particular night.

In my opinion the BEST feature is the playground. They have this new school type of merry-go-round, more like a slick plastic disc with shallow indentations for tiny bottoms and low rise walls for seat backs. The kids try to pile on as many bodies as they can at once, disregarding seat count, then 3 or 4 kids, usually the bigger ones, all push the thing as fast as they can. If you stand there for a few moments, you can experience the magic of children in flight, the kind that would make Peter Pan jealous! Tiny tots come shooting off that thing like miniature flailing, squealing, misguided missiles. Fortunately the ground is cushioned for a soft landing. They rise, disoriented, they check for blood and body parts, and they return for the next round on the wheel of death. Wish i could...