The Tampa Riverwalk is a 2.4-mile path with the Hillsborough River, the Garrison Channel, and a variety of attractive shops, restaurants, and parks around it. It’s ideal for walking, biking, paddleboarding, or kayaking, and there are lots of interesting stops on the way. The route also has plenty of shade, benches, sculptures, collages, and plaques about the history of the city. Here are the best spots to visit near the Riverwalk.
- Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
This 8-acre park is the largest in downtown Tampa. It has an expansive lawn that’s popular for special events, a playground, restrooms, two large fountains where kids are welcome to play, a fenced area for dogs, and a pavilion.
The playground has shaded play structures and seating nearby, and it’s for kids from 2 to 12 years old. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park also has great views of the tall buildings downtown and the river. The Glazer Children’s Museum and the Tampa Museum of Art are next door, and the dock makes it easy to get there by boat, kayak, or paddleboard.
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The Tampa Museum of Art
The Tampa Museum of Art has an onsite restaurant and interesting exhibits for kids and adults. You can examine one of the largest collections of Greek and Roman antiquities in the Southeast, modern sculptures, drawings, photos, and amazing glass artwork. This museum also has a variety of exhibits about women in the ancient world. Art classes for people of all ages are available. It’s open on most days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Tampa Museum of Art closes at 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Guided tours for groups are available, but you’ll need to schedule them in advance.
The Riverwalk Cafe at TMA has a covered terrace with a beautiful view of the river, and it serves lunch, brunch, coffee, and gelato. The museum’s gift shop offers jewelry, art books, home décor, and more.
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The Glazer Children’s Museum
The Glazer Children’s Museum encourages kids to learn by playing and having fun. They can try a variety of fun activities, including:
- Helping a furry patient at a mock vet clinic
- Creating their own art
- Learning about money at a pretend bank
- Building at the engineers’ workshop
- Learning about where food comes from at a small farm
- Exploring a fun firehouse
- Creating forts
- Generating sound and color at the Light Cloud exhibit
- Shopping for groceries
- Playing with tiny tugboats
- Learning about the roles of doctors
- Exploring nature
This place is ideal for children under 11 years old, and it’s open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also visit Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m.
You can experience many more fun spots on the Tampa Riverwalk, including the Tampa Bay History Center and the Florida Aquarium. Checking out this interesting area is a great way to get some exercise and spend time with your family members or friends.
Image via Pixabay.com
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