Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa, Florida

Curtis Hixon Park, located in downtown Tampa, is a great place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors if you are visiting downtown. If I could underline the last part of that sentence I would. It is NOT worth a trip just to go there. There are many parks and splash areas that ARE worth the drive, that it is better to skip this one and go elsewhere if you are just looking for a fun park. Located outside of the Glazer Children's Museum, the park is a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch before or after a museum visit. It is also near the Florida Museum of Photographic Art. Do NOT attempt to walk to the museum from the Florida Aquarium - I made this mistake and it is FAR with little ones in tow. The park has a huge grassy ampitheater-esque area where evening concert are held during the warmer months (google Rock the Park Tampa for more information). There is a playground which in my opinion you cannot see your child at all times in, a mist area, a waterfront walk, a snack bar, and restrooms. There is also a splash area up by the street - and therein lies the problem - I feel that it is TOO CLOSE to the street, plus there is always one or more of the local homeless population hanging out near it. My daughter almost ran into the street completely by accident! This is an okay park but I would skip it unless you are nearby and need a time-filler.