I have loved this place for so long! Great walk or ride up the pier. Take in the beautiful waters or natural wildlife swimming or flying around. The squirrels are pretty daring and friendly here too. Bait shop and food shack on premises too. They are a bit pricey but certainly delicious and worth they hype. Be mindful of hooks and debris on the pier. Folks haven't been very mindful lately read more

Ballast Point Park - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Ballast Point Park is located South of Bayshore off inter bay and has a fantastic shaded kids playground with a younger and older kids area, 3 slides, and even a splash pad play area. There's a fantastic seafood restaurant, fishing pier, and pretty water views too! During the winter months when the sun sets early at 530-6, the park really should have lights for the playground at least until 8pm. There's not enough parking spots for this park and parking on side of road has signs that say no parking which is ridiculous because everyone parks on the side of the road anyways. If you're in the south Tampa area and looking for pretty water views, casual seafood, or a fun kids playground, definitely visit Ballast Point Park! read more

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This is a beautiful and sort of hidden part towards the end of Bayshore drive. It's such a lovely spot that's much more quiet and slow compared to the ever busy Bayshore area. If you have a family, this can be a perfect spot to spend the better part of a day. It has everything you need- a walking path, a big playground, and a cafe. Oh, and bathrooms of course. There's also a gorgeous view of the distant Tampa skyline overlooking the water. They have swinging benches where you can enjoy the view of the water and it's so serene. Unfortunately, there is usually a pier & boardwalk you can walk out upon as well. But (assumingly) due to Hurricane Helene & Milton it is still closed down and under construction. That was definitely a bummer but will make the park that much better once it's open again. Such a lovely little area that's almost a hidden gem in Tampa! read more

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Ballast Point Park is a wonderful park with a great view of the bay. There is a playground for bigger and smaller kids plus a splash pad. The walking trails are nice to enjoy and you can work your way to Bayshore if you want to go further. On the weekends it tends to get very busy and finding a place to park can be challenging. The weekdays are so peaceful though. The restrooms are not in the greatest shape so I really try to avoid if possible. Renting a covered shelter is very easy through the parks and rec which I recently did for a birthday party. I highly recommend this park, but definitely come on a weekday if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere! read more

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I really enjoyed my visit to this park on Ballast Point. It's a beautiful location with awesome views of the Hillsborough Bay. It's worth a visit just for the Tampa skyline view. It's also great for bird watching. Have you noticed that there always seems to be a pelican perching on a post near a pier? It can be any pier. Well, there was also one here... even though it was further out in the distance. This park is a great place for families, and anyone who likes to fish. There's no fee for fishing off of the pier. I saw a few people fishing while I was there. It has a boat ramp and docking area (also free). There are picnic tables (covered and uncovered), swinging benches, a gazebo, and even a playground with a splash pad. There's a walking path that runs through it, as well as a fitness center. There are some very colorful murals along the barrier between the park and the Yacht Club. Ballast Point Park is super close to MacDill AFB. It was surprisingly my first visit to this spot in the South Bayshore area. I decided to stop at Leon's Lobstah Shack on my way home from the base. Yes, there is a great casual place to get seafood and even a smash burger. It was a great last minute decision to check it out on a beautiful summer morning. I was surprised to find available parking spaces during the late morning hours on a weekday. Just keep in mind that parking may be limited during peak hours or on the weekend. Other than the parking situation, it's just a great place to relax and soak in the view. It's a cool hidden gem in South Tampa. read more

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I love coming to this pier to fish, relax or stroll with the kids or that week's date. I take all of my dates to the same places. look how happy he is to be there. There's a bait shop and cafe on the premises as well as a playground for the littles. There's a bathroom and everything closes around sunset. I don't know the exact time but they're never open when it's dark. I've seen dolphins, squid, turtles, crabs etc. it's always so breezy and beautiful and at night you can see the beautiful lit up Tampa skyline and planes and helicopters decorating the sky. It's really a beautiful place to frequent read more

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I attended a kids 2nd birthday party there yesterday and was happy to have easy parking, short walk to the gazebo and restrooms as well as additional slides and park activities to entertain the kids throughout. They have a lobster roll spot outside the restroom building with seating overlooking the water I will try next time. read more

If you are looking for a park with amenities, functionality, and a view this park is for you. I love how it appeals to all ages and recreational desires. The playground is a good size and there is a splash pad for youngsters to frolic in. I hosted my daughter's first birthday at one of the pavilions and it was so nice to have a spot right by the playground and in view of the water. There is a lovely pier to walk or go fishing off of as well as a restaurant on the premises. If you are looking to spend time outside while in South Tampa, check this place out! read more

This feels like my backyard because I frequent this place. Park wise it isn't the biggest park with many parking options, but that view, but that sunrise, but that moonrise! There's a restaurant that closes by 6pm, mostly and a few benches around, fishing pier and you can even launch kayak, boat from here (now I don't own a boat, so I'm not aware of the water depth requirement for a specific size of a boat. There's a gym in the vicinity as well. There's children's play area in the park and a couple of shelters I believe. Only sad thing is that the trash cans can get overfill easily and also gives the birds, squirrel opportunity to dig out plastic out of the trash to find food, even junk food. Smoking seems to be quite common and frequent in this area as well. read more

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Relaxed waterfront restaurant serving New England-style seafood plus burgers & sandwiches. The Food was delicious before or after fishing. read more

Ballast Point Park - Taste of Boston Relaxed waterfront restaurant serving New England-style seafood plus burgers & sandwiches. - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

One of my very favorite parks in town. Every time I go there the experience is different for me and it gets better. This trip, I took my parents. They are elderly and it's been such a long time since they have actually been to a nice park. They live in New Mexico. So treating them to Ballast Point Park was a must. They loved it. The best parts about this park is they offer everything for everyone. Fishing. Playground. Food. And a Senior Center all right there. And the views. Absolutely stunning. There are so many parks in the Tampa Bay Area. This park is tops. Kids. Adults and dogs. Everyone will love it. read more

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Early in the day during the week there was plenty of parking despite the other businesses on the property. I walked down bayshore and it was a delightful walk. This was a good place to park to get to bayshore that was free. It's about a 7 minute walk to actually get to bayshore from the parking lot. read more

Such a beautiful park in Tampa, and even better with a playground for kids. There's a pier you can walk on where you'll catch people fishing, and a small restaurant with a large menu making it a perfect day for spending time with family or friends. read more

Ballast Point Park is at the end of the Bayshore Linear Trail in South Tampa off Interbay boulevard just north of the Tampa Yacht club and is a good spot to catch sunrises over Hillsborough Bay with a nice view of downtown Tampa. Ballast Point Park is also a good spot for fishing, holding a picnic, and for docking your boat. However, parking spots are very limited and fill up quickly because of all the people coming to fish, use the gym, attend picnics, or catch Pokémon. You can find street parking 2 blocks down the road when there are no spots left in the parks parking lot. I recommend biking or boating here if you have to. Ballast Point Park features: - a 600 foot fishing pier - a shaded splash park - playground - picnic areas - grills - a gazebo - a boat dock - a boat ramp - Taste of Boston waterfront restaurant - bait shop Shelters with grills and picnic tables are first-come, first-served and others are available by reservation. Reservations are from 8am to 6pm and must be made three days in advance and can be one year out. The Fishing Pier is free and open 24 hours, 7 days a week. The rest of the park is open from 6am to 8pm. The fishing pier is well lit and Florida saltwater fishing licenses are required. Equipment rental is available. The Boat Ramp is in good condition, single lane, poured in place concrete boat ramp with boarding dock. There are only 4 spots for vehicles with trailers and parking spots fill up quickly. The Joe Abrahams Fitness & Wellness Center is open Monday-Friday 6 am - 8:30 pm, Saturday 8am - 3pm, and Closed Sunday. Membership is $15/month. There's really not a lot at this park to keep me coming back other than the view of the Water and downtown which is also available on the bayshore walking trail. It would be nice if this park featured ping pong, kayak rental, a pool, or tennis courts but there are tennis courts across the street. read more

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Fun park in a great little area. I took my 12-month-old and there was plenty for her to do, as well as plenty for kids much older than her. Loved the long pier, playground and splash area. read more

Ballast Point Park - Pier looking back towards the park - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Ballast Point is a great place to walk around after a meal and enjoy the weather. There are four swing sets along the water that can fit three or four adults comfortably, or parents with their kids. The pier can get a bit crowded with eager families spending the morning and afternoon fishing, but it makes for great people watching. There are often rowdy kids getting reprimanded, dogs, and excited fisherpeople pulling up interesting catches, like small sharks and stingrays. If you play Pokémon Go, there are Pokémon and pokéstops everywhere! There's also a gym (which I currently own; mwahaha). Parking can be a bit of a bear, but after 1pm, you can park in the trailer lot across the street, as well as the two lots closer to the water. There is a huge play area for kids and covered picnic areas for holding events, too. The most common wildlife I've seen are squirrels, pelicans, and fish hawks. read more

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Ballast Point Park has something for everyone! Picnic shelters, grills, playground equipment, a splash pad, a boat dock, a fishing pier, and a restaurant can all be found at Ballast Point Park. Unfortunately, what you won't find at Ballast Point Park is ample parking. The yacht club claims the majority of the parking spots so it is a bit of a pain to find parking on peak hours, especially on the weekend. There is a small overflow parking lot, but you'll have to park much farther after that parking lot is full. I don't mind walking, but it is difficult when I am dragging my squirmy toddler, stroller and other baby gear. Other than the parking situation this is a great park, but because of the parking situation we tend to go to parks closer to home. read more

Parking on a weekend can be insane, but it is a beautiful park. We came for a first birthday, shout out to Nick and Tina S.'s beautiful daughter Alexandra. We got there at about 2:30 p.m. and were super lucky that we found a parking spot in the lot! I heard others weren't so lucky and had to leave because they couldn't find parking. Watch out about parking along the street if it says no parking. There was police car out and ticketing! That is the only negative I could see about the park. There are pavilions for rent and I saw some super cute birthdays. Each pavilion fits a decent number of people. If I remember correctly there were five tables with benches at four of them under ours (I think Tina brought one table.) The park itself is neat. There's a tot park specifically for the little ones. There is also a splash pad so bring your swimsuits! It is right on the water so you have a beautiful view. There is also a restaurant with indoor seating, which I didn't check out but just noted it was there. Just from the fact that parking is difficult you know that it never gets super crazy crowded, because that limits the number of people who can be here. If I lived close I would walk here every day, but otherwise I'm not going to chance that parking! read more

As many times as I've been here, I'm not sure why I haven't reviewed this great park yet. So, here we go.... This park is lovely. On the water, great views of downtown Tampa. There's a pier. I like that there's a gym/wellness center/rec center on the grounds (Joe Abrahams). You can be a monthly member or just pay for some individual evening classes (like Zumba or Yoga, etc). I like that there are benches along the pathway, a few picnic tables and a playground area for kids far enough away from some of the other quieter areas. There's a restaurant - Best of Boston - on the grounds (I've eaten there once, it was just ok, I might give it another shot with something different to eat....another day), but it's nice that there is something available if you're hungry. The biggest drawback? Parking! :( read more

Ballast Point Park - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Wow! Parking is a piece of work here. We tried to come here today because we have never been, and parking yeah right. Not a lot of parking and it was difficult to get it, and we are pretty patient too. It was like parking at the mall during Xmas time. I see that there's a great view of the bay here and a good size playground and some green space to be on the lawn and maybe have a picnic. I also noticed that it seems that dogs may not be allowed here but there were dogs in the walking trail by the water so I don't know. Whatever. This just reminds me of how I often dislike Tampa. I want to love it but so many factors make it so challenging to enjoy places. read more

Wasn't interested in the park part but the fishing is absolutely the worst I have seen..don't go fishing here unless you are close by and have no other way to go somewhere else. read more

Ballast Point Park - This is my wife after fishing for hrs and not even a nibble on shrimp and squids. - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Parking can be a bear on weekends. Probably best to park nearby and bike or walk here if possible? There is also some trash and broken bottles around.. I wonder if they should institute a $2 per carload parking free and really invest in fixing up every bit of the park to make it perfect. :) But this is a beautiful South Tampa park with views of downtown Tampa across Tampa Bay. Some secluded spots to relax. Benches. Playground and kids water park. Some exercise equipment that needs replacing and updating. Pull up bar too low. Great area for a walk. Nice long piers with a bait shop and Taste of Boston restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Just beautiful and rejuvenating to be on the eater watching the waves, birds, fish jumping and people recreating. read more

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This is a great place to be harassed by the police while walking around. Avoid the restaurant next to the pier. The gym is okay. The parking situation will always be a headache. read more

Ballast Point Park - View from the pier - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

One of my favorite places to visit when I'm in Tampa! I lived in Tampa for six years and this was always one of my top places to visit and relax. I love how you can see Tampa miles in the distance from the water but at the same time you can hear the peace from the ocean passing into your ears. read more

Ballast Point Park - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I am lucky enough that I can walk to this from my house and I love taking my dog here or just coming down to sit by the water and relax. If you drive here there is parking but usually on the weekends and evenings it's pretty full. This is not only a beautiful park that you can sit on benches, it has a huge play area for kids including a fun area that sprays water. It looks so fun I want to go and run in it every time. There is a boat ramp and also a long pier which is nice to take a walk on and there are always people fishing on there. It also has a restaurant (taste of Boston) which I have eaten at a few times and enjoyed. They have outside cafe seating with nice views of the water, and some inside seating also. They also have their own ice cream and if you're just looking for a drink they have fridges with regular drinks in. My favorite part of this place is sitting on the benches or swing seats by the ocean and just relaxing and watching the water and listening to the sound of the water, it's very peaceful. There are also a ton of squirrels here that are so friendly they let you feed them! Unfortunately you don't see a sunset here but it is still a very beautiful and scenic place. read more

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Parking here for a party is insane but if you drive around enough, eventually a space will open up! Patience is a virtue and parties are even better! Life is good! read more

I love this park! My son has a summer birthday and I knew I wanted a park with a splash pad to help beat the heat. I called the city and the parks and rec employee recommended Ballast Point Park. Great recommendation! It's only $50ish to rent the shelter for the whole day. They have grills at each shelter and they are in close proximity to the playground and splash pad. There are also bathrooms at this park - a must for toddlers. The playground is pretty large and has some fun slides. The splash pad is pretty nice too. This park also has a restaurant with fresh seafood and ice cream. The views can't be beat here as it is right on the water! Ballast Point is a beautiful park with a lot of amenities to enjoy! Check it out. read more

This is an awesome park right on Tampa Bay. There is so much for the kids to do. You have the traditional playground, a pier to entertain them or fish from, you can walk right along the shore to try to spot sea life, there are trails, etc. Plus there is ample space to get a game going with them. There is a very casual restaurant, Taste of Boston, that offers food and cold treats. The restaurant is very average. Great for kids tho. There are restrooms. In addition, Bayshore Blvd. is right there for walking or biking. Have spent many hours with my kids here. At times parking can be tough. read more

This is my favorite park in the Tampa Bay area! I love going here and just sitting and reflecting on life, love and everything! I find it so peaceful, They have two big long piers where you can go out and fish and see plenty of wildlife or you can just sit back and relax on the smaller dock. In the few times going here I have seen dolphins, manatees, and plenty of fish and crabs. I have sat here and just watched the sunrise. They also have a big playground and park area at this park! Across the street from the park is a big horse ranch where people ride all the time. It is nice seeing the horses in the background. I also enjoy that there is plenty of parking and other areas as well. This park is for sure a favorite of mine! read more

Ballast Point Park has a nice view of the bay. You can see the city of Tampa, all of Bayshore, and so much more. I was able to find parking easily at around 10:30am on Memorial Day. There are multiple small lots, so keep looking if you don't find it at first. There is a really long pier that you can walk out along to get an even better view. The pier is designed with fishing in mind and it is well designed for just that. There are filet tables (some with water spouts...I didn't check to see if they worked), shaded areas, and even a lower dock that you can walk down on. There were a lot of fisherman utilizing the pier when I was there. The park itself is a little on the smaller side, but it was nice and clean. It has some picnic pavilions for parties. There was a gazebo. There are several benches. A restaurant. The bathrooms were decent. It is all nestled along the gorgeous Bay which makes it worth it. Overall, it is a nice spot to spend an afternoon or day. I was really wanting to walk, so I only stayed a short time after seeing everything. The view made it worth it. I would come back to this park again in the future. read more

Ballast Point Park, located just 1/2 mile from the south end of Bayshore Boulevard Linear Park, is truly one of Tampa's hidden gems. Not only is it home to Taste of Boston, a restaurant with the best deep fryer in Tampa, but it also has some of the most amazing views of downtown Tampa from across the bay. It is a very small park with a playground, a dock (so you can come by boat) and a long pier for walking and fishing. Taste of Boston and a bait shop are the only two stores, and they have public restrooms. There is a small parking area which gets packed at lunch, and there is another parking area across the street for Bayshore Boulevard joggers. I've posted some pictures I took while sitting down at one of the tables of Taste of Boston. This is definitely going into my Tampa Things to Do list. Eating with this kind of view is truly one of the reasons I call Tampa home. read more

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This will be short and quick....fishing pier...yes restuarant..yes...playground for kids..yes...nice for a short first date...hell yes..kool place just to relax and watch the water..yes....do i like Ballast Point..yes. read more

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It's a beautiful park to take your family or for a nice walk by yourself. There's a playground, a pier, a boat ramp and much more. read more

Ballast Point Park - The Pier - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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I'm not too sure why I haven't written a review of the park, but here it goes. BP park is where is park at before my morning Bayshore run. When I'm with my family, I take them for a walk down the pier to enjoy the views and pastel-colored sunrises. Parking isn't usually an issue, I have never felt like my family or I were in danger there, and occasionally a dolphin will swim near the pier to say hi. read more

We went on a nice bike ride on Bayshore and decided to just take it all the way and head over to Ballast Point Park. We tied our bikes up and took a nice walk on the pier. Very nice view of downtown from the pier. There were also a ton of people fishing on the pier. I noticed that they had the tables to clean the fish off but the hose on each of them was broken unfortunately. There is a restaurant with outdoor seating and tons of fresh fish options on their menu. I look forward to checking that place out next time. There is also a park for small children. read more

Ballast Point Park - View from the pier - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

This spot is one of my favorites I am not sure if it is because I caught my first 3 fish here or its because the set up and atmosphere is so nice and relaxing. In on area you have the park for the kids, then there is a spot to sit and watch the water, there is a nice well built long pier that we fish on and then there is this little nice spot that you could either buy bait or sit and grab a bite. I do like this spot and this will be a frequent place to come fish or just chill. read more

Ballast Point Park - Stingray - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

As for my second review I visited Ballast Point Park on busy Sunday to go walking around the Park. A lot of people there for birthday parties, BBQ, play in the water attraction, go fishing and eating at the Restaurant located at the Park. I even heard couple of young guys rapping nothing too bad. Across the way you'll a horse stable that offers English riding lessons and horse jumping. I walked over to that location and watched some of the ladies practice with their horses in which they let me pet the horses that was really nice for them to do so. I said thank you for letting me to do that. read more

We went to the splash pad and park and We got a great Time the park was super fun but the splash pad was ok. I was for the littles and there was NOT a lot to do at the sp so we went to park. The park was fun. read more

This is a great park with spectacular views of Tampa Bay -- one of the best views, in my opinion. Coming here early in the morning is really peaceful as the place is pretty quiet, but it opens up and gets busy on holidays and throughout the day. The pier is a sight to see! Lots of fishermen and people walking on it at all times of the day. This is a great place to nature-watch and appreciate the beauty of Tampa Bay, and there's plenty of shady spots and even a water playstation for kids for those sumer hot summer days. read more

I like how convenient it is. Great place for a picnic. It has a nice playground, a splash park, a nice long pier to walk on and or fish off of, and bathrooms. There's also a place to eat (a little pricey but convenient) and an ice cream shop. Dogs on leash are allowed, some shade and seating area, and a smaller parking lot. It was a perfect place for my friend with kids to meet up and catch up. read more