Things to do nearby: Riverwalk, Florida Aquarium, Sparkman Wharf and more
From Westin Tampa Waterside you can walk the Tampa Riverwalk and hop the Pirate Water Taxi to downtown stops, reach the Florida Aquarium in about a 14-minute walk, and enjoy dining and live music at Sparkman Wharf and Channelside within minutes. The hotel sits on Harbour Island, a short stroll from Amalie Arena and the Tampa Convention Center, making it a practical base for sightseeing and events.
In this guide
Tampa Riverwalk & Pirate Water Taxi
The Tampa Riverwalk is a 2.6-mile pedestrian trail that runs along the Hillsborough River and waterfront; Westin Tampa Waterside is within easy walking distance of it. The Riverwalk is good for walking, jogging, and stopping at waterfront parks and public art along the way.
The Pirate Water Taxi runs daily with multiple stops along the Riverwalk and Harbour Island, providing a scenic hop-on/hop-off option to downtown attractions and Channelside. Schedules and fares are set by the operator; check the water taxi website for current times and ticket prices.
- Good for: short waterfront strolls, connecting to Channelside and Davis Islands
- Water taxi: daily service with multiple stops along the Riverwalk
- Useful for reducing walking between Harbour Island and downtown attractions
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tampa Riverwalk | 2.6-mile waterfront trail; walkable from the hotel |
| Pirate Water Taxi | Daily service with about 14 stops along the Riverwalk and Harbour Island |
| TECO Line Streetcar | Fare-free service (through Sept 2026) connecting Channelside and Ybor City |
Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium is about a 14-minute walk (roughly 0.8–0.9 miles) from Westin Tampa Waterside, making it an easy walk for families and solo visitors. The aquarium focuses on regional marine life and has exhibits suitable for children and adults.
Because the walk is straightforward, many guests choose to go on foot from the hotel; alternate options include rideshare or the water taxi depending on schedules and preferences.
- Walking time: ~14 minutes from the hotel (about 0.8–0.9 miles)
- Suitable for families — children are welcome at the hotel and local attractions
- Consider buying tickets or checking exhibit hours on the aquarium website before you go
| Tip | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Buy tickets in advance | Avoid lines and confirm exhibit availability |
| Bring comfortable shoes | Short walk from the hotel and lots of on-site walking |
| Check feeding/demonstration times | Helps plan a full visit around shows and talks |
Sparkman Wharf & Channelside dining
Sparkman Wharf, in the Channel District near Channelside, is an outdoor dining and entertainment complex with rotating food vendors, bars, and regular live events. It’s an easy walk or short ride from Harbour Island and a common evening option for hotel guests.
Channelside/Channelside Room at the hotel is also a focus for local events, and the hotel’s catering team can arrange private functions tied to nearby venues if you’re planning a group event or wedding-related activity.
- What to expect: outdoor food stalls, casual bars, live music on many nights
- Access: walk, short rideshare, or water taxi depending on schedule
- Evening option: popular for relaxed dinners and waterfront views
| Place | Distance/Access |
|---|---|
| Sparkman Wharf | Within walking or short rideshare distance from the hotel |
| Channelside | Nearby; often paired with hotel event spaces for group functions |
| Blue Harbour Eatery + Bar (hotel) | On-site waterfront dining for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails |
Amalie Arena, Tampa Convention Center & local culture
Amalie Arena (often listed as Benchmark International Arena in some sources) and the Tampa Convention Center are within walking distance of the hotel. The proximity makes the hotel a convenient choice for concert-goers, conference attendees, and event participants.
Other nearby cultural sites include the Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa Theatre, Tampa Museum of Art and the Henry B. Plant Museum, all reachable by a short walk or quick drive from Harbour Island.
- Amalie Arena: close walk for concerts and sporting events
- Tampa Convention Center: about a 15-minute walk from the hotel
- Museums and historic sites: within roughly a mile of the hotel
| Attraction | Approx. access from hotel |
|---|---|
| Amalie Arena | Short walk; convenient for event nights |
| Tampa Convention Center | About a 15-minute walk |
| Tampa Bay History Center | Quick walk or short drive |
Hotel dining and where to eat nearby
On property, Blue Harbour Eatery + Bar serves American and seafood-focused dishes with water views and accepts reservations; the venue is open from 11:00 AM–12:00 AM with food service until 10:00 PM. For quick grab-and-go options, The Marketplace is open 24/7 and offers coffee, cold-brew and snacks.
If you want to explore outside the hotel, Sparkman Wharf and Channelside provide a variety of casual dining and bar choices within a short walk or ride from Harbour Island.
- Blue Harbour Eatery + Bar: breakfast, lunch, dinner; water-view seating; reservations accepted
- The Marketplace: 24/7 grab-and-go with Starbucks coffee and snacks
- Nearby Channelside/Sparkman Wharf: casual outdoor food vendors and bars
| Hotel Venue | Hours/Notes |
|---|---|
| Blue Harbour Eatery + Bar | 11:00 AM–12:00 AM; food served until 10:00 PM |
| The Marketplace | Open 24/7; grab-and-go coffee and snacks |
| 725 South Breakfast | Breakfast available for a surcharge (weekday/weekend hours vary) |
Getting around: streetcar, rideshare and to the beaches
The free TECO Line Streetcar connects the Channel District and Ybor City and runs frequently; it’s a practical way to reach Ybor City’s nightlife without driving. Harbour Island has access to both the streetcar and HART’s free In-Towner trolley route.
Rideshare and taxis are common for destinations that are farther afield, such as Clearwater Beach or St. Pete Beach; travel times and fares vary with traffic. Tampa International Airport is the nearest major airport and typically a short drive from the hotel.
- TECO Line Streetcar: frequent service connecting Channelside and Ybor City (fare-free through Sept 2026)
- Rideshare: practical option for beaches and destinations outside downtown
- Airport: Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the main nearby airport; the hotel offers airport pick-up/drop-off service
| Destination | Typical access |
|---|---|
| Ybor City | TECO Line Streetcar or rideshare |
| Clearwater Beach | Rideshare or drive (public transit may take much longer) |
| Tampa International Airport | Short drive; hotel offers airport transfer service |
Pool, fitness and practical hotel details
Westin Tampa Waterside features a heated outdoor pool open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM with sun loungers, umbrellas and accessible entry features. The WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio is complimentary for guests and open 24 hours, offering cardio equipment, weight machines and free weights.
On-site parking is valet-only. The property lists a daily valet fee and may have a surcharge for oversized vehicles; an off-site garage alternative is noted nearby. Breakfast is available for a surcharge, and the hotel's standard check-in time is 4:00 PM with check-out at 12:00 PM (noon).
- Pool hours: 8:00 AM–10:00 PM daily; heated with loungers and umbrellas
- Fitness: WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio, complimentary and open 24 hours
- Parking: valet-only on site (daily fee listed by the hotel); an off-site garage option exists nearby
| Hotel Service | Practical note |
|---|---|
| Check-in / Check-out | Check-in 4:00 PM; check-out 12:00 PM (noon) |
| Parking | Valet-only; daily fee listed on property page |
| Pets | Dogs allowed (limits and fees apply); confirm details with hotel |
