Stepping out of the Tampa Convention Center’s Channel entrance, visitors can find themselves on the beautiful Tampa Riverwalk. 2.6 miles long, this waterfront walking/biking path is one of Tampa’s signature developments, as it connects some of the downtown’s major attractions while offering stunning views of the city.
Our convenient location as one of the waypoints along the Riverwalk gives guests access to some of the top hotspots in Tampa’s downtown. If you’re visiting the city for a convention, see our virtual Riverwalk tour below to identify the walkable attraction that you can visit during your event breaks.
Starting Point: The Tampa Convention Center
Located at stop #13, our facility put visitors within walking distance of attractions on either side of the Riverwalk. Our patio facing the Riverwalk offers a shady breezeway where you can often spot locals jogging, walking, or biking. This is also a great place to step outside for some fresh air, Florida sun, and waterfront views. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a dolphin in Garrison Channel or the Hillsborough River.
Convention Center Boating Docks
The Convention Center boating docks offer a means for convention-goers to visit our facility by water. Hourly, daily, and overnight rates are available for those wishing to tie up their vessels.
In addition, the Convention Center boating docks are home to several of downtown Tampa’s top water attractions. Some of the local companies that have dropped anchor at the Convention Center boating docks include, the Pirate Water Taxi, eBoats, and the Tampa Bay Water Bike Company. With these services, you can explore Tampa’s channels from the water with unique views of the city. The Pirate Water Taxi even has several stops along the Tampa Riverwalk, allowing visitors to get on/off at various attractions all day with a single ticket.
The Sail
Whether you’re stopping by for a family lunch or getting drinks with your colleagues, The Sail is the perfect place to kick back, relax, and enjoy the waterfront views.
The Sail is a 360-degree open-air bar that is kid-friendly and dog-friendly, too. It specializes in craft cocktails with a Tampa twist. Joggers, cyclists, dog-walkers, and others will often stop at The Sail for a cold drink as they stroll the Riverwalk. The Sail offers special, Tampa Riverwalk to-go cups that you can take along the Riverwalk. You can find the cocktail menu here.
The Sail Plaza also features Big Ray's Fish Camp on the Riverwalk, a locally owned seafood eatery that features an authentic Tampa food menu, including the award-winning Grouper Sandwich. You can see the full menu here.
The Sail often features live music on Fridays and Saturdays, giving you a glimpse into Tampa's nightlife. It is a short, 0.3-mile walk to Amalie Arena if you're looking to catch a Tampa Bay Lightning hockey match.
The Sail bar is open 11 am-11 pm Sunday through Thursday, and 11 am-1 am Friday and Saturday, while Big Ray's Fish Camp on the Riverwalk is open 11 am-10 pm Sunday through Thursday and 11 am-11 pm Friday and Saturday.
The Sail is a must-see during any trip to the Tampa Convention Center.
Going South from the Tampa Convention Center
Amalie Arena
(0.3 miles, about a 6-minute walk)
Home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Amalie Arena is an exciting sports and concert venue located right next door to our facility. If visiting at the same time as a home game, convention-goers can feel the thunder by catching a hockey match with Stanley Cup champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
In addition to hosting hockey games, Amalie Arena also attracts globally recognized billboard artists like Bruno Marz, Katy Perry, Bruce Springsteen, Andrea Bocelli, and other talented performers to its stage.
Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park
(0.3 miles, about a 6-minute walk)
Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park is a tranquil place to relax and soak up some Florida sunshine. Maintained by the City of Tampa, this park sometimes hosts special events and gatherings that are free and open to the public. Featuring several benches and a playground for kids, this is a great stop to take a break along the Riverwalk between destinations.
Heroes Plaza
(0.4 miles, about an 8-minute walk)
Opened on September 11th, 2009, Heroes Plaza honors veterans, local police, firefighters, first responders, and all other emergency personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Tampa Bay History Center
(0.4 miles, about an 8-minute walk)
History buffs will love exploring the Tampa Bay History Center, located at stop #4 of the Tampa Riverwalk. Here you can learn about Tampa’s 12,000-year history, including information on the indigenous people who first lived here, the Spanish conquistadors, Ybor’s ‘cigar-city’ roots, railroad tycoons, and more. The Colombia Café is also located at the Tampa History Center, offering indoor and outdoor dining options to visitors.
Going North From the Tampa Convention Center
USF Park
(0.2 miles, about a 4-minute walk)
USF Park pays homage to the many contributions the University of South Florida has made to the city of Tampa. The park features shaded benches where visitors can take a break and relax.
MacDill Park
(0.3 miles, about a 6-minute walk)
Named after the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, this park pays homage to the base’s history and its first aircraft through various monuments. This park also featured shaded benches where visitors can stop to admire the beautiful city views and waterfront. Coast Bikes are also available for rent at this stop.
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
(0.6 miles, about a 13-minute walk)
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is the premier event park downtown and often hosts various festivals, activities, and special events. As a center for activity in Tampa’s downtown Curtis Hixon is one of the top waypoints along the Riverwalk. This park features two splash zones for children, a state-of-the-art children’s playground, and a dog park.
In addition, several of the top arts & culture venues in Tampa’s downtown, including the Tampa Museum of Art, Florida Museum of Photographic Art, and the Glazer Children’s Museum, border this park.
Tampa Museum of Art
(0.7 miles, about a 14-minute walk)
Art lovers will enjoy a visit to the Tampa Museum of Art, conveniently located at the Tampa Riverwalk at stop #27. This 66,000-square-foot building houses a combination of modern and classical works from both local and traveling collections.
Glazer Children’s Museum
(0.7 miles, about a 15-minute walk)
Next door to the Tampa Museum of Art, is the Glazer Children’s Museum. This family-friendly museum offers a variety of fun activities and educational exhibits for children to explore while they learn and play.
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
(0.7 miles, about a 15-minute walk)
On the other side of Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, across from the Glazer Children’s Museum, is the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. Housed in the distinctive cube building, this museum highlights local and international photographers through its exhibits.
David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
(1.0 mile, about a 20-minute walk)
Commonly referred to as The Straz, this top-ranking performing arts facility is located at stop #31 along the Tampa Riverwalk. The Straz plays host everything from theatre performances to Broadway shows, musicals, orchestra concerts, symphonies, dance performances, and more.
Water Works Park/Ulele
(1.7 miles, about a 35-minute walk)
On the north end of the Tampa Riverwalk, visitors will find Waterworks Park/Ulele Springs. This primer event park features a playground, splash zones for kids, a dog park, and a stage pavilion. From this park, visitors can cross the Ulele Spring bridge to the Ulele Restaurant for fine dining.
Also, Don’t Miss These Things Along The Way!
The Riverwalk at night
At night, the Tampa Riverwalk transforms into a light spectacle featuring illuminated arches and bridges. Visitors can take an evening stroll and watch the Riverwalk reflect different colors onto the water
Historical Monuments
All along the Riverwalk, visitors can learn about Tampa’s history through the historical monument trail. These statues represent iconic figures from the city’s history, including Florida’s indigenous people, the mound-builders, which can be seen at Cotanchobee Park, and a monument to Henry B. Plant, a railroad tycoon who first opened the Tampa Bay Hotel (now the University of Tampa), which can be seen at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
Beautiful City Views
Last but not least, the Tampa Riverwalk is a great avenue to connect visitors to downtown attractions, but it is also an attraction in itself with its beautiful architecture and stunning views of the city. As you explore the Tampa Riverwalk, make sure to keep an eye out for these stunning views.
