Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park

Loved it. We visited in Jan, at an evening. It is full of lights, organized, plain, open, long boardwalk. The scenary is beautiful. There are places to sit around. Security was available and very helpful. Cafes and restaurants around, especially around Pam Iorio parking lot as per security, although we couldn't go there. There are plenty of street and public parking around. Highly recommend.

I stopped by Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park during a recent trip to Tampa, and it was a really nice spot to spend some time. The park has a great location right by the water, with wide open spaces and a relaxed vibe. I went in the afternoon, and it wasn’t too crowded, so I had plenty of room to stroll around and enjoy the view of the river and skyline. The park itself is well-kept, with lots of grassy areas and paths for walking or biking. There’s also a cool fountain area that looks great for kids to play in, and it was nice to see people just hanging out, reading, or having lunch on the lawn. I sat near the water for a bit and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. What I liked most was that the park connects easily to the rest of downtown, so it felt like a great spot to relax if you’re walking around the area. It’s not huge, but it’s perfect for a casual stop during the day. There’s also a lot of green space, which is rare to find in some city parks, and that made it feel like an escape from the busy streets nearby. Overall, Curtis Hixon Park is a nice, chill place to hang out in Tampa, especially if you’re looking to unwind with a view or just take a break from walking around downtown.

We (3 adults) visited here on Sunday night to walk along the river. Downtown was full of people walking in every direction. There was a Christmas Fair with venders booths, games for kids, and refreshments. (This event nicely overshadowed the ridiculous $25 cost of meter parking in the nearby lot). The river was especially beautiful with reflected Christmas lights. We walked down the river, past the convention center to an enclave of restaurants full of people enjoying a perfect evening. We found a place to eat inside the Marriott, right along the river. It was a perfect evening.

Great park filled with a wide range of activities throughout the year. Centrally located in downtown Tampa and facing the river. Always fun to see the Christmas Markets. I wish a wealthy sponsor would step up and takeover the decorations to really make them super festive.

Visited for the Christmas event and ice skating, though we didn’t skate due to the small, crowded rink and long wait. The pop-up vendors were fantastic with a wide variety of food and art. The lighted boats were stunning, and the festive music and atmosphere made it feel truly magical.