Are you trying to find Tampa’s best outdoor areas where you can enjoy the Florida weather? A day at the park is the perfect way to soak up the sun or relax in the shade. Scattered around the city are various scenic spots you can enjoy. Finding the best one can be difficult, but this list of the five best parks, as voted by our readers, can help you decide.
Curtis Hixon Park
600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 274-8615
Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
With a view of the towering buildings and the glistening Hillsborough River, Curtis Hixon Park is fun for all ages. With a 2.6-mile paved trail lining the river, it is the perfect place to exercise, walk the dogs or take a stroll. Bring the kids to splash around the water feature or play on the playground, and be sure to stay updated on the many events that are held there.
Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park
1001 N. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 274-8615
Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
If you’re looking for a place to play tennis, basketball, football, soccer, lacrosse, etc., Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park has got you covered. With its large open field, which is more than twice as large as Curtis Hixon’s, kids and pets alike can run around the open space. Stay cool as you stroll across the 25-acre area with cool misters that are located all around the park.
Lettuce Lake Park
6920 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa, FL 33637
(813) 987-6204
Hours: Spring/Summer: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday
Fall/Winter: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday
For just $2 you can enjoy a full day of hiking and bird watching at one of Tampa’s most visited parks. Lettuce Lake Park spans more than 200 acres. It also offers kayaking and canoeing for an extra $25 for up to four hours.
Water Works Park
1701 N. Highland Ave., Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 274-8615
Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Perfectly named after its large splash pad, Water Works Park has many amenities that you can enjoy for a full day of fun. It has a dog park for your furry friends and a playground for kids of all ages to enjoy, along with an open lawn area that is the perfect place to picnic under the Tampa sun.
Ballast Point Park
5300 Interbay Blvd., Tampa, FL 33611
(813) 274-8615
Hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
For more than 120 years, Ballast Point Park has been a favorite spot for picnickers and fishermen. With a pier that extends out 600 feet into the Hillsborough Bay and a bait shop, you can try your hand at fishing. With a shaded playground, splash pad and various picnic tables, you are guaranteed to find something to do.
Looking for dog parks? Check out 10 of Tampa’s Top Dog Parks.
