The 2.6-mile Tampa Riverwalk downtown: its four parks, museums, water taxis, the monument trail, where to park and the big free events on the river.
Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. Sources: the City of Tampa’s Riverwalk pages and directions and parking, and Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk, the nonprofit that works with the city on programming. Friends of the Riverwalk: 813-221-1539.
The Tampa Riverwalk is a 2.6-mile walkway along the Hillsborough River that strings together four city parks, most of Tampa’s museums, the arena, the convention center and the restaurants at Armature Works and Sparkman Wharf (Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk). It is free to use, and it is where Tampa holds its biggest free waterfront events.
Who to call
- Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk: 813-221-1539, info@thetampariverwalk.com
- City park administration: 813-274-8615
- City Parking Division: 813-274-8179
- Tampa Police non-emergency: 813-231-6130
The four parks
| Park | Address | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park | 601 Old Water St. | Splash pad; home of Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat |
| Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park | 600 N. Ashley Drive | Two splash pads, playground, two dog parks opened in 2026 |
| Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park | 1001 N. Boulevard | 25 acres, fenced play cove, splash pad, boathouse |
| Water Works Park | 1710 N. Highland Ave. | Playground, splash pad, Queenie’s Dog Park |
From the city’s featured parks pages. Splash pad hours and the full list are in our summer camps and pools guide.
Museums and attractions along the way
The city’s Riverwalk attractions list includes:
- Museums: Glazer Children’s Museum, Henry B. Plant Museum, Tampa Bay History Center and Tampa Museum of Art.
- Attractions: Benchmark International Arena, Armature Works, The Florida Aquarium, Sparkman Wharf, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, the Sail Plaza, the Tampa Convention Center and Tampa Theatre.
- On the water: eBoats Tampa, Pirate Water Taxi, Riverwalk Boating Company, Tampa Bay Fun Boat, Tampa Bay Waterbike Company and Yacht Starship Cruises. Pirate Water Taxi runs hop-on, hop-off tours daily from 11:30 a.m. (Pirate Water Taxi).
The Historical Monument Trail
Bronze and marble busts along the Riverwalk honor 30 people and groups who shaped Tampa and Hillsborough County, chosen from 2012 to 2017 by Friends of the Riverwalk with the Tampa Bay History Center. Honorees range from Florida’s first people, the Mound Builders, to educator Blanche Armwood (Monument Trail).
What’s new: the West Riverwalk
A nearly 2,000-foot section of the West Riverwalk along the University of Tampa campus, from Plant Park to Cass Street, was under construction in August and expected to open by the end of 2026, weather permitting. The 12-foot-wide trail has brick bands to match the university’s historic buildings, about 65 new palms and at least five hammock stations (city update).
Events on the Riverwalk
Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk runs the big free events (events page):
- Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat: 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, Cotanchobee Park; see our Halloween guide.
- Holiday Tree Lighting at the Tampa Convention Center and the Sail Plaza, with the mayor arriving by Pirate Water Taxi; 2026 date to come. See our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.
- Holiday Lighted Boat Parade: 6:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, from the lighthouse off Davis Islands up the river; see holiday lights and Christmas events.
- New Year’s Eve fireworks: for 2025, a midnight show over the river at Jackson’s Bistro; 2026 to be announced. See New Year’s Eve in Tampa.
- Riverfest: April 30 and May 1, 2027 (Riverfest).
- Fourth of July boat parade; see our Fourth of July fireworks guide.
Getting there and parking
From the city’s directions and parking page:
- From I-275 (St. Petersburg, the airport, Orlando or Ocala): Exit 44 or 45A, Downtown West (Ashley/Tampa Street). Bear right onto Ashley Street; the Poe Garage is on the right.
- From the Selmon Expressway (Brandon or I-75): Exit 7, Downtown West, onto Brorein Street to Tampa Street, with city lots and the Tampa Convention Center garage.
- From Ybor City: park in the Ybor garage and take the streetcar to Cotanchobee, the Marriott or the Convention Center.
On big event days, Friends of the Riverwalk suggests parking in Ybor City and riding the TECO Line Streetcar in. City garage and meter rates are on the city’s parking rates page.
What this means for you
- Start at one end and use the streetcar or a water taxi to get back.
- For a free family day, combine a Riverwalk park splash pad with a playground at Curtis Hixon or Julian B. Lane.
- On event days, the Ybor garages plus the streetcar beat downtown parking.
More: walking and biking trails, free things to do and brunch in Tampa.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Tampa Riverwalk?
The Riverwalk stretches 2.6 miles along the Hillsborough River through downtown Tampa, according to Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk.
Where do I park for the Tampa Riverwalk?
The city points drivers from I-275 to Exit 44 or 45A, Downtown West, and the Poe Garage, or from the Selmon Expressway to Exit 7 and the Tampa Convention Center garage. From Ybor City, park in the Ybor garage and take the streetcar.
What parks are on the Tampa Riverwalk?
Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park and Water Works Park. All four have free splash pads.
What free events are on the Tampa Riverwalk?
Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk runs Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat (Oct. 24, 2026), the holiday tree lighting, the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade (Dec. 19, 2026) and Riverfest, set for April 30 and May 1, 2027.
Is the West Riverwalk at the University of Tampa open?
The nearly 2,000-foot section along the University of Tampa campus, from Plant Park to Cass Street, was expected to open by the end of 2026, weather permitting, the city said in August.
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