Ahead of you, you’ll spot a big open green lawn gently sloping down toward the sparkling river, with playful fountains, a fun-filled playground, and lined by rows of palm trees-just look for the colorful playground and the water glimmering behind it.
Alright, you’ve arrived at the lively heart of downtown Tampa! Your feet might feel the springy grass and your ears could catch the laughter of kids on the playground, but did you know you’re actually standing where rock concerts once shook the ground and wrestling matches drew roaring crowds? Back in the 1960s, this was the site of Curtis Hixon Hall, an arena that attracted everyone from Elvis impersonators (okay, sometimes the real deal too) to presidents and politicians. It was named for Mayor Curtis Hixon, beloved enough to have both a park and a hall with his name-even though he snuck off to city hall in the 1940s expecting a quiet career. Instead, he helped transform Tampa!
But Curtis Hixon Hall met the classic fate of many old buildings: it was demolished in the early ‘90s, its echoes replaced by a small, sleepy park that almost nobody visited. Let’s face it-there wasn’t much around except an old art museum blocking the view and not a slice of pizza in sight. Downtown Tampa, as quiet as a Sunday morning, just couldn’t lure in the crowds.
Then, everything started changing. Tampa dreamed up the Riverwalk-a project even more ambitious than finding parking during Gasparilla! The city erased the barriers, tore down that old museum and parking garage that pinched off the river, and brought in landscape magician Thomas Balsley to start fresh. What happened next? They rolled out grassy terraces like a lush welcome mat, built fountains for splashing, pavilions for picnicking, and a modern playground where you can unleash your inner monkey. Suddenly the waterfront opened up, and sweeping views connected Ashley Drive, the always-busy Riverwalk, and Plant Hall’s minarets shimmering across the river.
Today, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park isn’t just a patch of grass-it’s Tampa’s unofficial town square. You’ll catch food truck rallies, outdoor yoga, midnight movies, art festivals, concerts under the stars, and even a winter ice rink. If you listen closely, you might even hear the whispers of gold medal wrestling matches and the roar of roller derby wheels. Whether you come for a sunset, a festival, or just to watch the dogs frolic, this is a place that’s always changing, always alive, and always packed with stories from past and present. Welcome to Tampa’s favorite backyard!
