We share deets on 20 Tampa Bay parks to check out, and on the Riverwalk's recognition.
6AM City In-house

Isn’t this tree-mendous? 🌳

The best parks in Tampa Bay for walks, picnics, and play
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A biker takes advantage of the sunny day at North Shore Park. | Photo by TBAYtoday
Whether you’re looking for a place to play with the kiddos or to decompress with some off-screen time, Tampa Bay features 20+ parks and recreational spots for you to enjoy.

Ready to plan your trip to the park? Grab your shades and trusty water bottle — here are some of Tampa + the Burg’s best:

Nature parks

Hillsborough River State Park, 15402 U.S. 301 N., Thonotosassa

A true Tampa bay gem, this state park takes you back to Old Florida. Adventurers can take in the Class II river rapids, canoe the Hillsborough river, walk the trails, picnic, and more. Admission is $6 per car.

Lake Maggiore Park, 3601 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., St. Petersburg

Make plans for a family picnic, birthday party, or boat day at this St. Pete park. Plus, take in the wildlife in + around Lake Maggiore.

Sawgrass Lake Park, 7400 25th Street North, St. Petersburg

Home to one of the “largest maple swamps on the Gulf Coast,"according to the city, this 400-acre park is chock full of observation towers, boardwalk trails, and benches for taking in the landscape (and maybe some turtles too.)

Dog parks

Sunset Dog Beach, 7545 Bayshore Dr., Treasure Island

This is the ultimate spot for a long beach day with your pup. Located at the edge of Treasure Island, dogs can frolic on this stretch of beach without you worrying about your furry friend running away. Pro tip: City editor Bailey likes to pop over to Caddy’s afterward for boat drinks.

Hair of the Dog Park, 4211 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa

Located in the laid-back Seminole Heights neighborhood, this shaded dog park has room for relaxin’, a concession stand for ordering drinks, and requires dogs to be vaccinated. Programming note, this spot is open Wednesday-Sunday.
15 MORE PARKS
What is your favorite park activity to do in our area?

A. Walking my dog
B. Spending time with the kiddos
C. Having a picnic
D. Jogging or working out
WEIGH IN

Click here to have your event featured.

Today, Feb. 20
  • Presidents Day Immersive Group Special | Monday, Feb. 20 | 12-7:30 p.m. | Fairgrounds St. Pete, 800 28th St. S., St. Petersburg | $20-$25 | Get 20 percent off four or more tickets to the St. Pete experience.
  • Movie on the Lawn | Monday, Feb. 20 | 7-9 p.m. | Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa | Free | Watch Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes cast slam dunk in “Space Jam.”
Tuesday, Feb. 21
  • Trailblazer Special Exhibition Tour | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 6-8 p.m. | The James Museum, 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | $0-$10 | Curator Caitlin Pendola gives art aficionados ages 21-35 a tour of “The Stories They Tell: Indigenous Art and the Photography of Edward S. Curtis.”
  • Veronica Roth | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 6:30-7 p.m. | Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | $5-$19.99 | New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth shares from her newest work “Arch-Conspirator.”
  • A Conversation with Jennifer Grey | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 7 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $50 | This conversation with “Dirty Dancing” star Jennifer Grey benefits the Schaari Zedek Sisterhood.
  • Chicago | Tuesday, Feb. 21-Sunday, Feb. 26 | Times vary | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. MacInnes Pl., Tampa | $54-$150 | See the Broadway musical right here in Tampa Bay.
  • Gladys Knight | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 8 p.m. | Seminole Hard Rock, 5223 Orient Rd., Tampa | $105-$150 | The “Empress of Soul” takes Tampa.
  • Fat Tuesday at Big Easy Ybor City | Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | Big Easy Bar, 1704 E. 7th Ave., Tampa | Free | Stop by for tunes from The Jazz DaddyOs Trio, New Orleans-style grub, and burlesque performances

Thursday, Feb. 23
  • Agriculture Workforce in Florida | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Join for a panel discussion on agriculture policy in Florida + workforce issues.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS
6AM City In-house

Weather
  • 79º | Partly cloudy | 8% chance of rain
Sunrise + Sunset
  • Rise: 7:03 a.m.
  • Set: 6:24 p.m.
Tides
Old Tampa Bay
  • High: 2:11 a.m. + 4:14 p.m.
  • Low: 9:39 a.m. + 8:43 p.m.
Clearwater Beach
  • High: 12:27 p.m. + 11:41 p.m.
  • Low: 5:56 a.m. + 5:33 p.m.
Education
  • Huge changes are coming for the Hatters. St. Leo University just announced it will close eight campuses, including Jacksonville + Ocala, and phase out multiple degree programs. The school also eliminated more than 100 positions + six of its teams. Instead, the college will build out its nursing and cyber security programs. (Tampa Bay Times)
Sports
  • Though the Rays-Hines proposal was selected to redevelop the Trop, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred told the Tampa Bay Times, “there are other possible locations that can be explored.” Read more about the commissioner’s thought process. ⚾ (Tampa Bay Times)
Development
  • Munch’s is finally off the market. Cato Holdings paid $1.6 million for the shopping center that housed the family-owned diner for 70 years and two adjacent homes. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Opening
  • High-end tile + kitchen manufacturer Porcelanosa is projected to open in the Grand Central District (2700 Central Ave.) this June. The Spanish company makes wall and kitchen tiles, countertops, and more. (I Love the Burg)
Plan Ahead
  • Get ready to boogie, baby. KC & the Sunshine Band are dancin’ their way down to Tampa Thursday, Feb.23. Tickets to the Seminole Hard Rock & Casino show start at $65. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Kids
  • Spring break is quickly approaching + registration is now open for Tampa camps. This year’s kids camp is booked for Monday, March 13- Friday, March 17 + a Rec Card is required. Read more online. 🚸
Civic
  • It’s time to weigh in on the future of Floribraska Avenue. The city will share plans + take questions on the redesign of the roadway Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Central Tampa Baptist Church (2923 N. Tampa St.).
Eat
  • One perk of living in TBAY is that we’re the epicenter for tons of brand testing. Now’s your chance to sample two new KFC menu items before they hit the nation. Check this list to see where you can sample the $6.99 Ultimate BBQ Sandwich + the $5.99 Spicy Slaw Sandwich. 🐔 (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
The Word
  • Baño. That’s Spanish for “bathroom” — something you’ll definitely need to know if you’re traveling to Central or South America this year, like 12% of our readers. Babbel’s easy, bite-sized lesson plans will ensure you know what to say when you have to go. (Read: Be talking like a local in as little as three weeks.) 🌏 *
Shop
  • Say goodbye to wrinkled clothes. This sleek garment steamer is leakproof and lightweight, making it easy to steam your clothes from home or while on the go. Bonus: It heats up in just 30 seconds and is suitable for a wide range of fabrics. 👚 *
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Never fear, we’ll be back for the gold

Tampa Riverwalk places No. 2 in national competition
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Folks crowd the pathway during Riverfest. | Photo by Friends of the Riverwalk
The Riverwalk is nearly on top. But we already knew that.

The scenic, five-mile walkway lining the Hillsborough River just nabbed silver in USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Travel Awards for Best Riverwalk, beating out San Antonio’s River Walk (hey SATXtoday), Louisville’s Waterfront Park (booyah LOUtoday), and the Charles River Esplanade (wink BOStoday), and more.

The judges ranked the Tampa hotspot highly for its beautiful surroundings + views and “how effectively links businesses, parks, and museums while serving as a central location for community activities,” according to a release from the Friends of the Riverwalk.

And the Riverwalk’s role in linking the community is growing. We recently reported that the City of Tampa is progressing with plans to expand the Riverwalk to about 12 miles by 2026 — allowing more neighborhoods access, connecting schools to the path, adding living shorelines, and more.
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Bailey.

Editor’s pick: I’ll weigh in, my favorite way to experience Tampa Bay is through the nature + dog parks. My fave? Either Boca Ciega or Sunset Beach.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? We get a little brewsey.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Brad Haft, Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith, Josh Kranzberg | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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