Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
4.5
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4.5
289 reviews
Excellent
167
Very good
98
Average
18
Poor
5
Terrible
1
Chaitanya
Cambridge, Canada1,457 contributions
Nov 2019
The waterfront park was a nice stop along the riverwalk.
Great place where events are held. Decently busy, nice place to sit down and relax and just enjoy the waterfront views or take part in whatever event is going on.
Great place where events are held. Decently busy, nice place to sit down and relax and just enjoy the waterfront views or take part in whatever event is going on.
Written 5 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great_Beer_Now
Houston, TX5,275 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Located next to the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa, Florida, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is an urban park with personality. The fountains, waterfront location, close proximity to several museums, and frequent entertainment make this park a popular one with locals and tourists alike.
I stayed in downtown Tampa recently when I was touring the area in support of my beer blog, Great Beer Now. I always seek out natural attractions whenever I travel, regardless of the primary reason for my travel. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, while certainly loaded with concrete and man- made structures, is nonetheless a park and still has 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 several fountains, palm trees, and open space for entertainment. I saw many ads when I was here for local festivals and other entertainment and it seems like it would be a nice place for an outdoor show. And once you’re finished with your time in the park, you can continue walking down the Tampa Bay Riverwalk 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, of course, there is a kids’ outdoor play area, the perfect place to take the kiddos.
Because it is right next to downtown, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is easy walking distance to many attractions. I walked here directly from my downtown hotel and while I would have liked it more if the park was more natural overall and had more flowers and other colors on display, I still liked what I experienced and I recommend a stroll in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park the next time you’re in downtown Tampa, Florida.
I stayed in downtown Tampa recently when I was touring the area in support of my beer blog, Great Beer Now. I always seek out natural attractions whenever I travel, regardless of the primary reason for my travel. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, while certainly loaded with concrete and man- made structures, is nonetheless a park and still has 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 several fountains, palm trees, and open space for entertainment. I saw many ads when I was here for local festivals and other entertainment and it seems like it would be a nice place for an outdoor show. And once you’re finished with your time in the park, you can continue walking down the Tampa Bay Riverwalk 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, of course, there is a kids’ outdoor play area, the perfect place to take the kiddos.
Because it is right next to downtown, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is easy walking distance to many attractions. I walked here directly from my downtown hotel and while I would have liked it more if the park was more natural overall and had more flowers and other colors on display, I still liked what I experienced and I recommend a stroll in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park the next time you’re in downtown Tampa, Florida.
Written 23 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rogersober
Clermont, FL39,135 contributions
Oct 2019 • Solo
Took a long walk around the park as they were tearing down an event from the weekend. The place was nice and the public bathrooms were clean.
Written 14 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Giovanni Y
Tampa, FL207 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
This is a beautiful city park. which offers so much on the riverfront. Even when there is not a special event here, it's relaxing if that's what you want, from chairs to relax in, grass areas to rest, restrooms and water fountains. Views of the University of Tampa, The beautiful Museums, downtown Tampa, and the hillsborough River.
There is a children's park as well as a dog park, and near Ashley Blvd, fun fountains spraying water, to cool off, if you care to get wet. Parking garages (fee) are nearby. A wonderful park to sit and people watch, catch some rays or relax and read a book or share some iTunes.
When events or in the park, it fills up fast, and is still loads of fun to do all of the above, yet it's much more noisy. If this is helpful, please click on the green "YES" box. Thanks.
There is a children's park as well as a dog park, and near Ashley Blvd, fun fountains spraying water, to cool off, if you care to get wet. Parking garages (fee) are nearby. A wonderful park to sit and people watch, catch some rays or relax and read a book or share some iTunes.
When events or in the park, it fills up fast, and is still loads of fun to do all of the above, yet it's much more noisy. If this is helpful, please click on the green "YES" box. Thanks.
Written 17 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
prissywanderlust
Houston621 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
Beautiful Park nestled in downtown
Parking is a breeze in the adjacent garage that charges $1 an hour.
Beautiful water view you can watch the boats, dragon boats, jet skis go by. Lots of bikers and people on segways.
There is also a playground and two splash areas a heaven for kids! Playground equipment is quite hot in the summer so get wet first!
And for the well behaved furry friends there is a dog park as well.
There is a small organic restaurant there inside the museum of art.
Parking is a breeze in the adjacent garage that charges $1 an hour.
Beautiful water view you can watch the boats, dragon boats, jet skis go by. Lots of bikers and people on segways.
There is also a playground and two splash areas a heaven for kids! Playground equipment is quite hot in the summer so get wet first!
And for the well behaved furry friends there is a dog park as well.
There is a small organic restaurant there inside the museum of art.
Written 15 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael G
Clearwater, FL156 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
I can't believe that I'm giving a park a three star review but to me, this park isn't really anything special. The two main issues for me is the fact that there is little to no shade, and that the park isn't very natural. What I mean by "natural" is that the park doesn't have much foliage or wildlife. This park is pretty centrally located so it's good for festivals and other kinds of events. It have a nice view of Hillsborough River, but this part of Hillsborough River is not the prettiest to look at. I guess the best times to go to this park would be for a walk when it's either cloudy or cold out, or if there's some type of event going on, but don't go out of the way to come here.
Written 21 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda L
St. Petersburg, FL143 contributions
The park is an entrance to the Riverfront Walk. Walking the Riverfront was a great way tho see the city. Many museums, including the art, history, children's and aquarium were along the walk as well as much Tampa history. Great choice for us since we were only in the city for one afternoon and wanted an overview.
Written 30 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine G
Tampa, Florida, United States35 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
Yes, it's a park. But from everything I read, it sounded like it was above and beyond a park. If you live nearby, it's cool. It has a water sprinkler/fountain for the kids. The website says two, but it doesn't. At least it wasn't where the map said it was, because I was standing right there. Some people were camped out at a table by the fountain and when they saw us coming they grabbed as many chairs as they could before we got there, which is a little odd to say the least. The kids were running in the water for about 10 minutes before the other group of kids knocked one of mine down. The "guardians" of the other group did not mind, nor pay any attention to what their kids were doing. If this was an accident, that would have been fine, but from the moment we got there, these kids kept "bumping into and tripping" our kids. The playground is about as big as most community playgrounds, which isn't that big. If your community has it's own playground/pool/sprinkle pool (which most have in Florida), stay there, you know what your neighbors are like and you're not missing anything here. Oh, the available food listed on the website was a guy with an umbrella. Yay. Parking was $4 an hour. Found a great spot in front which was exclusively for "large trucks/SUVs", yay I thought, since I have a Ford Flex, which is pretty big. But the guy at the gate didn't want me to park there, he likes to "keep it available" ?What? Makes no sense. When we assured him we'd only be there for 2 hours, he relented. Don't make a special trip for this place, unless they have an event.
Written 9 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LetsGoPronto
17 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
The best place in Tampa to relax, far and away. The playground is great for kids--it's playground equipment is beyond the norm and lends itself to a lot of kid interaction. The river adds to the scenery and the splash fountain is irresistible on a hot day. There are shaded tables, areas given to kids riding bikes and scootering, a good rest room right where you need it, lots of dining options right there. And plenty of grassy space for kid sports. This in in all in addition to the museums. Some of my best laziest days with the kids happen here.
Written 27 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yvonne d
Odessa, FL14 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
From health fairs to food and music events, this park is a pretty exciting venue, especially when you consider the setting, right on the Hillsborough River. If you are lucky, scullers will row past and you can marvel at the way that skinny little boat holds all of those vigorous rowers!
Written 3 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you have a personal Picnic at the park and bring alcohol? Wine, champagne, or beer?
Written 27 September 2023
Hi I an going to the seafood fest on Sunday 4-24 can we bring lounge chairs
Written 20 April 2022
I do not think so. However, there are beverage trucks which sell alcohol.
Written 3 November 2019
Hello! I am doing a project and need to conduct research to present to a major company in Tampa Bay and would love a quick response on this! If a big company were to host an event in Curtis Hixon park how much would it cost to reserve for the day, (disregarding costs for food and entertainment)? Thank you!
Written 26 April 2019
I would contact the following:
Tampa Parks and Recreation Department
Paul Dial, Director
3402 W. Columbus Drive
Tampa, Florida 33607
Phone: (813) 274-8615
Fax: (813) 274-5749
Written 27 April 2019
Can you bring chairs and coolers to the park for an event? i.e. concert and Tampa Bay Lightning watch party this Wednesday.
Written 8 April 2019
Yes, for the events I have attended, example: opera in the park and others, lawn chairs were permitted.
Written 9 April 2019
Hello there,
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park has multiple restrooms. There are two (2) private stalls with sinks next to the playground area. In the pavilion area by the park office the women's restrooms has five (5)stalls (1 handicap) and the men's has two (2) urinals and two (2) stalls (1 handicap).
Have a great 2018:)
Best,
Tim
Written 29 May 2018
Are there handicap parking spaces close to the waterpad play area?
Written 19 July 2017
There is a public parking garage close to the water pad that is close to the street. Most of this area is paved and you can get around easily. Handicapped folks can also park on the street for free with a handicapped parking hangar. There is a second water pad closer to the river. There is a paved sidewalk all the way down, but it is further away from the parking garage.
Written 20 July 2017
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