The Best Parks in Downtown Tampa: Getting Outside in the Heart of the City

Tampa's downtown area is bustling with activities, restaurants, and nightlife, but did you know it's also home to some of the most beautiful parks and open green spaces? If you're a Tampa local, a new home buyer considering a downtown home or condo, or just an outdoor enthusiast who loves being outside, this guide is for you. We'll take you on a tour of the best parks in downtown Tampa, showcasing their unique features and what makes them perfect for your next outdoor adventure. Whether you're looking to relax, exercise, or explore, there’s something for everyone. Read on to discover Tampa's hidden green gems!

MacDill Park on the Riverwalk

MacDill Park on the Riverwalk is a small but meaningful park off of North Ashley Drive in Tampa. It's dedicated to MacDill AFB's decades of contributions to the United States Air Force. While that base is located a few miles from downtown, this park is right there, situated on the Hillsborough River between W Kennedy Boulevard and the Selmon Expressway. You can access the 3/4 acre greenspace by foot or boat 365 days a year. There are plenty of great restaurants to explore nearby, including River's Edge, Malio's, and for something really authentic to the waterfront, Harpoon Harry's Crab House.

Lykes Gaslight Square Park

With a word like 'gaslight' in its name, you may be wondering if this Tampa park is trying to deceive you. Rest assured, it's not. The first part of the moniker honors the Lykes - a prominent family of philanthropists - while the second part seemingly refers to the park's unique lighting features. These strategically-speckled fixtures sit amongst benches under a massive canopy of trees. The whole setup is especially gorgeous at night, making it a local hotspot for young lovers out on dates. Lykes Gaslight Square Park's address on 400 N Franklin Street is about a block from the Tampa Riverwalk. It's fairly sized for a downtown green space and regularly cleaned by the city's Parks and Recreation Department.

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park

A relatively new addition to Tampa's lively spread of riverside green spaces, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is located on 600 N Ashley Drive. All eight acres were thoughtfully laid out by city planners to ensure no piece of that prime downtown real estate goes to waste. LED fixtures light the way to several amenities, including a Great Lawn, a dog run, a kiosk with restrooms, two interactive fountains, and a pavilion building. If you ever need help finding anything, the park offices are staffed by friendly personnel ready to assist visitors. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is a popular venue for community events throughout the year. Two major museums nearby - the Tampa Museum of Art and the Glazer Children's Museum - also give locals and visitors plenty of reason to be in the area.

Joe Chillura Courthouse Square

Joe Chillura Courthouse Square compliments the characteristic buildings of N Pierce Street, E Madison Street, N Morgan Street, and W Kennedy Boulevard with lush, mature trees and vibrant green landscaping. The County-owned space is open to the public every day from sunrise to sunset. Unlike many other parks near the Tampa Riverwalk, this one is exclusively reserved for general use. No one can book it for special events or gatherings, so there are rarely any crowds. The peace and quiet is a nice break from the neighboring courthouse and tax collection offices, which most people leave feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park

This popular park is situated on the edge of the Garrison Channel in South Tampa. Its 4.5 acres is longer than deep, stretching along the waterfront between three notable venues - the Tampa Bay History Center, Amalie Arena, and the Tampa Convention Center.

Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park's name pays homage to the city's often unappreciated Native American history. "Cotanchobee" means "the big place where water meets the land," and is a fitting description of where early settlers established the area's first military outpost, Fort Brooke, on January 22nd, 1824. Exactly 200 years later, and this place is a dually historic and recreational spot fit for walks, runs, bike rides, and picnics. The connected dock allows visitors to take their experience out onto the water in a kayak or canoe.

Water Works Park

The aptly named Water Works Park is an understandable favorite among Tampa residents. It was redeveloped a decade ago and now features a slew of fantastic amenities, including everything from a dog park, a playground, and a splash pad to covered picnic areas. That's not all, of course. The abundance of green space is ideal for picnics, outdoor yoga sessions, and recreational meet-ups, while the Water Works Park-amphitheater hosts events throughout the year - most notably Tampa's annual Jazz Fest. The park's riverside location offers breathtaking views of the Hillsborough River, and it's just minutes away from restaurants like Ulele, Stones Throw, and Steelbach. Water Works Park is also right behind Stetson University's many large parking lots. Ditching the car and exploring this gorgeous urban area should be a breeze.