One of the best ways to see and experience downtown Tampa is to explore the Riverwalk, a 2.6-mile waterfront pedestrian walkway.
The Tampa Riverwalk extends west along the waterfront from The Florida Aquarium near the port and cruise terminals and north up the Hillsborough River to Armature Works, a food hall and event space. Along the way, there are more than a dozen points of interest to complement the pretty views.
Whether you walk, bicycle, or hop on/off the Pirate Water Taxi, leave yourself plenty of time to see what the city of Tampa offers. Visiting every museum along the waterfront trail would require at least a full day. If you pick and choose, as I did, then a half-day should suffice.
The Tampa Riverwalk Attraction Pass, available as a one-day or three-day pass, can help you save up to 50% on museums and water taxis.
[Disclosure: I received one at no cost as part of my collaboration with Visit Tampa Bay.]
Table of Contents
- Attractions on Tampa's Riverwalk
- 1. The Florida Aquarium
- 2. American Victory Ship & Museum
- 3. Sparkman Wharf
- 4. Tampa Bay History Center
- 5. Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park
- 6. Tampa Convention Center Marina
- 7. MacDill Park
- 8. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
- 9. Tampa Museum of Art
- 10. Glazer Children's Museum
- 11. Straz Center for the Performing Arts
- 12. Water Works Park and Ulele
- 13. Armature Works
Attractions on Tampa's Riverwalk
The following attractions and outdoor activities are listed in the order I experienced them on the trail.
1. The Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium in Tampa is a leading non-profit organization that aims to conserve and protect marine life and habitats through its educational and research programs.
The aquarium features diverse exhibits showcasing over 14,000 aquatic animals, from playful otters and colorful corals to sea turtles and sharks. I was surprised to find they also have adorable ring-tailed lemurs!
Visitors can enjoy interactive experiences such as touching stingrays, snorkeling with fish, and diving with sharks. The aquarium also offers outdoor activities, including eco-tours.
With its commitment to sustainability and conservation, The Florida Aquarium is an excellent destination for those looking to learn more about marine life and the importance of protecting our oceans.
2. American Victory Ship & Museum
Exiting the aquarium, I turned to the right and walked behind it to visit The American Victory Ship & Museum, a national historic landmark.
The American Victory Ship is a floating museum that honors the legacy of the United States Merchant Marine and its contributions to the country's wartime efforts.
The museum is housed in the SS American Victory, a fully operational World War II-era cargo ship that served in the Pacific theater.
Visitors can explore the ship's various decks and compartments, including the engine room, bridge, and cargo holds. The museum also features exhibits showcasing the Merchant Marine's role in World War II, as well as the history of the ship and its crew.
While I didn't find this historic ship quite as exciting as other naval museums such as the USS Midway aircraft carrier (San Diego) and the USS Missouri battleship (Pearl Harbor), I enjoyed the unique vantage points from the top deck.
3. Sparkman Wharf
After viewing the ship, I walked a block west on Channelside Drive to grab lunch at Sparkman Wharf, an outdoor food and event space on the waterfront.
At one of the best places to eat in Tampa, vendors sell Asian, Mexican, and American foods from colorfully painted and repurposed shipping containers.
LightHaus anchors the development at the far end and looks over a spacious beer garden with picnic tables and umbrellas.
Restaurants with indoor seating are also available and include:
- JOTORO Kitchen & Tequila Bar (Mexican)
- Splitsville Southern + Social (American food and a bowling alley)
- Battery (bourbon bar, steaks, and seafood)
If tequila and bourbon aren't your speed, check out Shortwave Coffee, a craft coffee shop and roaster with creative specialty lattes like cardamom, strawberry basil, and vanilla sage.
4. Tampa Bay History Center
Once you've grabbed a drink or bite to eat at Sparkman Wharf, walk a block west along the Tampa Riverwalk to reach the Tampa Bay History Center (TBHC).
The Tampa Bay History Center showcases the region's history and culture. The museum features interactive exhibits, artifacts, and multimedia displays that take visitors through the region's past, from the earliest native inhabitants to the modern era.
Highlights include a replica of a 1920s cigar store, a 60-foot timeline of Tampa Bay history, and a hands-on children's exhibit.
Columbia Cafe at the TBHC is an extension of Columbia Restaurant in nearby Ybor City. Florida's oldest continuously operating restaurant offers waterfront dining on a covered patio.
5. Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park
The history museum is adjacent to the 4.5-acre Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park, which runs about one block along the Garrison Channel waterfront.
Towering over the park to the north is Amalie Arena, home of the three-time Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning ice hockey team (2004, 2021, 2022). The arena also hosts concerts by A-list performers such as Taylor Swift, Madonna, and Blink-182.
The park's west end borders Tampa Marriott Water Street, the city's largest hotel. The hotel's Anchor & Brine restaurant has a lovely outdoor bar and patio overlooking the Tampa Riverwalk and the water. It's a great place to enjoy a frosty beverage or a casual bite to eat.
6. Tampa Convention Center Marina
Further west, after the bridge to Harbour Island, is the Tampa Convention Center Marina. Rent a mini-motorboat from Riverwalk Boating Company, and cruise around Davis Island in Hillsborough Bay, or go north up the Hillsborough River; no experience is necessary.
The marina is also a stop for the Pirate Water Taxi, which you can pay for. It's also included with the Riverwalk Attraction Pass.
Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and Kraken CycleBoats are also available for rent if you want to exercise on the water. Bike rentals are available here as well.
7. MacDill Park
If you continue on the Tampa Riverwalk past the immense convention center, you'll start heading north along the banks of the Hillsborough River.
Several parks are connected by boardwalks along this stretch, including MacDill Park, a small memorial to MacDill Air Force Base's contributions to the community. MacDill Air Force Base is an active military base in South Tampa and home to the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM).
8. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Continue walking north past the cylindrical Rivergate Tower to reach the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. An adult kickball game was in full swing when I came upon it on a Thursday afternoon.
Events held here bring more than one million people to the park annually. The Curtis Hixon Dog Park is a spot for pets to play.
On the west side of the Hillsborough River, you can glimpse the silver minarets of the Henry B. Plant Museum on the University of Tampa campus. The museum is in the former Tampa Bay Hotel, which operated from 1891 to 1932.
The Tampa Museum of Art and Glazer Children's Museum are along the park's north end.
9. Tampa Museum of Art
High on my Tampa Riverwalk to-do list was a visit to the Tampa Museum of Art. Founded in 1920, this impressive and recently renovated museum features contemporary art and Greek and Roman antiquities.
The building's form and aesthetics are fascinating. California architect Stanley Saitowitz designed it to appear as though a giant metal box is floating atop a glass base.
And according to the museum website, a "14,000 square-foot LED installation of Leo Villareal's Sky (Tampa) illuminating the south facade" turns the building itself into a work of art (though I wasn't there at night to see it).
Inside, I enjoyed the two floors of galleries, including works by fashion designer Naeem Khan, a neon piece by Hank Willis Thomas, and a sculpture by Cuban artist Esterio Seguro.
10. Glazer Children's Museum
Next door to the Tampa Museum of Art is the Glazer Children's Museum, a vibrant and interactive museum designed to engage, educate, and inspire children of all ages.
The museum features various exhibits, programs, and events focused on science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) concepts.
Children can explore, play, and learn in a safe and welcoming environment. The museum's exhibits are hands-on and interactive, encouraging children to use their creativity and imagination.
11. Straz Center for the Performing Arts
A few minutes walk north of these two museums is The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, which showcases world-class performances in theater, music, and dance.
The center includes five state-of-the-art theaters, such as the 2,610-seat Carol Morsani Hall, which regularly hosts major Broadway productions like "Hamilton." Additional features include an outdoor performance space, a visual arts gallery, and three dining options (Maestro’s Restaurant, Maestro’s Cafe, and SteamHeat Cafe).
12. Water Works Park and Ulele
Continue north on the Tampa Riverwalk for another ten minutes to reach the Water Works Park. Here you'll find an open green space, the Ulele Springs, a dog park, and a playground and splash pad for kids.
Across a tiny bridge is Ulele, a Michelin-recommended restaurant and craft brewery inspired by and named after an Indian princess. On their patio, there's a sculpture of her, as well as refurbished Disney characters rescued from the Tampa Zoo at Lowery Park.
If you have the chance to dine here, do it. It's one of the best restaurants in Tampa right now, and if you time your meal with sunset, you'll have a nice view of it over the river, too.
13. Armature Works
The Tampa Riverwalk ends at Armature Works, a former streetcar warehouse in the Tampa Heights neighborhood that was repurposed into a thriving food hall (Heights Public Market) and event space.
The interior is full of history, metal cranes, and exposed brick. Old machine parts have been turned into tables, and the space is abuzz with people enjoying the food and drink offerings. Armature Works is also home to Steelbach and Oak & Ola, two Michelin-recommended restaurants.
Overall, the Tampa Riverwalk offers a great way to experience downtown Tampa. If you're on a tight budget, walk the trail and get some exercise, enjoying what's visible outside. If one or two museums appeal to you, it's probably cheaper to pay as you go.
To visit all five museums, plus the Florida Aquarium, and have access to the Pirate Water Taxi, you'll save money with the Tampa Riverwalk Attraction Pass.
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I received a complimentary Riverwalk Attractions Pass during my stay in the city, organized by Visit Tampa Bay.
