Top things to do near Tampa Marriott Water Street

Top things to do near Tampa Marriott Water Street: walk the Tampa Riverwalk and catch a Riverwalk water taxi or the TECO Line streetcar for easy access to Ybor City and nearby islands; enjoy on-site dining (Anchor and Brine, Lona, Riverwalk Terrace, PERK) and relax at the hotel’s rooftop outdoor pool and Pool Bar & Grill. For family outings, the Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay History Center, and Sparkman Wharf are all within an easy walk.
In this guide
- Use the Tampa Riverwalk and water taxis
- Relax at the rooftop pool and terrace
- Dine on-site: seafood, modern Mexican, breakfast and coffee
- Family attractions and museums within walking distance
- Water-based tours and short cruises
- Getting around: streetcar, car-free options, and airport transfer
- Meetings, events and wedding venues nearby
Use the Tampa Riverwalk and water taxis
Tampa Marriott Water Street sits directly on the Tampa Riverwalk, making it easy to walk the waterfront to Amalie Arena, the Tampa Convention Center, and nearby museums. The Riverwalk links downtown attractions on foot and provides scenic city and bay views.
A Riverwalk water taxi departs near the hotel and connects to Harbour Island, Davis Islands, Hyde Park and other waterfront stops — a convenient way to see the area without a car.
- Walks to nearby spots: Amalie Arena (about a 2–4 minute walk), Tampa Convention Center (adjacent), Florida Aquarium (roughly 10–12 minute walk)
- Water taxi service runs along the Riverwalk and departs near the hotel
- TECO Line heritage streetcar (Dick Greco Plaza) stops within the Channel District and goes to Ybor City
| Nearby on-foot attraction | Typical walk time |
|---|---|
| Amalie Arena (Benchmark International Arena) | 2–4 min |
| Tampa Convention Center | 5–7 min |
| Florida Aquarium | 10–12 min |
Relax at the rooftop pool and terrace
The hotel’s heated third-floor outdoor pool and hot tub are complimentary for guests and generally open from early morning until about 10:00 PM. Towels are provided and cabanas/palapas are available for an additional fee.
The Pool Bar & Grill sits beside the rooftop pool and serves light bites and cocktails during pool hours; an adjacent rooftop terrace offers bay and city views for casual lounging or evening drinks.
- Pool hours commonly listed as 6:00 AM–10:00 PM (one source lists 6:30 AM–10:00 PM)
- Cabanas/palapas are available for an extra charge (listed on some property pages)
- Pool is on the 3rd-floor rooftop with hot tub and loungers
| Pool feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Heated outdoor pool & hot tub | Complimentary for hotel guests |
| Pool Bar & Grill | Poolside snacks, sandwiches and drinks |
| Cabanas / Palapas | Available for an additional fee |

Dine on-site: seafood, modern Mexican, breakfast and coffee
Tampa Marriott Water Street offers multiple on-site dining options that cover breakfast, casual coffee and dessert, seafood, and modern Mexican dinner service. These outlets are convenient for guests who prefer to stay on property between activities.
Hours and specific menus vary by outlet; Riverwalk Terrace is the lobby-level American breakfast/brunch restaurant, Anchor and Brine focuses on seafood with indoor and outdoor waterfront seating, and Lona by Chef Richard Sandoval serves dinner with a contemporary Mexican menu.
- Riverwalk Terrace — breakfast & brunch (Mon–Fri 6:30 AM–11:00 AM; Sat–Sun 6:30 AM–1:00 PM)
- Anchor and Brine — lunch & dinner with waterfront terrace (hours listed on property site)
- Lona by Chef Richard Sandoval — dinner (4:00 PM–11:00 PM)
- PERK — coffee and pastries (cashless); Bright Ice — small-batch ice cream; A La Carte — grab-and-go and in-room dining
| Restaurant | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Riverwalk Terrace | Breakfast & Brunch |
| Anchor and Brine | Lunch & Dinner (seafood/raw bar) |
| Lona by Chef Richard Sandoval | Dinner (modern Mexican) |

Family attractions and museums within walking distance
Families will find several kid-friendly destinations close by. The Florida Aquarium and the Glazer Children’s Museum are both within easy walking distance, offering hands-on exhibits and marine life displays.
The Tampa Bay History Center and Tampa Museum of Art are also nearby along the Riverwalk for shorter museum visits; Sparkman Wharf is a waterfront dining and entertainment area a short walk from the hotel.
- Florida Aquarium — about a 10–12 minute walk
- Tampa Bay History Center — roughly 5–7 minutes on foot
- Sparkman Wharf — waterfront dining and beer garden, about an 11-minute walk
| Attraction | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Florida Aquarium | Marine exhibits and family programs |
| Tampa Bay History Center | Regional history exhibits |
| Sparkman Wharf | Outdoor dining and event space |
Water-based tours and short cruises
Several sightseeing and themed-boat options depart near the hotel, making water-based tours an easy choice for a quick excursion. Options include Pirate Water Taxi tours, Yacht StarShip dining/sightseeing cruises, and the Lost Pearl pirate-ship experience.
For social groups the Kraken CycleBoat (pedal-powered party boat) and other local watercraft rentals operate from nearby docks; the hotel also maintains a marina and watercraft rental amenities.
- Pirate Water Taxi departs very near the hotel
- Yacht StarShip and Lost Pearl offer sightseeing and dining departures close to Channelside Drive
- Hotel lists a 32-slip marina and watercraft rental as part of its amenities
| Tour type | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Sightseeing cruise (Yacht StarShip) | Dining and skyline views |
| Pirate or themed boat tours | Family-friendly, short tours |
| Pedal/party boats (Kraken CycleBoat) | Group, pedal-powered outings |

Getting around: streetcar, car-free options, and airport transfer
You don’t need a car to enjoy downtown Tampa from this hotel. The TECO Line heritage streetcar stops nearby (Dick Greco Plaza) and connects to Ybor City; ride frequency and accessibility are listed by the streetcar operator.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the closest major airport; driving or a rideshare to the hotel is commonly about 15 minutes depending on traffic. The hotel offers valet parking and an electric car charging station; self-parking must be arranged by contacting the property.
- TECO Line streetcar connects downtown to Ybor City (wheelchair-accessible stations)
- Airport: Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the nearest major airport; typical drive time about 14–15 minutes
- Valet parking available; hotel lists an EV charging station and mentions nearby public parking options
| Transport | Notes |
|---|---|
| TECO Line streetcar | Stops near the hotel; goes to Ybor City |
| Water taxi | Departs from Riverwalk docks near the hotel |
| Rideshare / taxi from TPA | About a 14–15 minute drive |
Meetings, events and wedding venues nearby
Tampa Marriott Water Street offers extensive event space, including the Grand Ballroom and Florida Ballroom, plus multiple meeting rooms and outdoor terrace options suitable for ceremonies and receptions. The property lists large capacities and configurable spaces for conferences or weddings.
Because the hotel sits adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center, it’s often used by meeting attendees and wedding groups who want quick access to convention facilities and downtown attractions.
- Grand Ballroom: large event space with waterfront pre-function foyer
- Florida Ballroom: a smaller but sizable ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows and foyer views of Tampa Bay
- Outdoor Terrace / Terrace Room Patio available for waterfront ceremonies
| Venue | Notes |
|---|---|
| Grand Ballroom | Large indoor space; pre-function waterfront foyer |
| Florida Ballroom | Floor-to-ceiling windows; foyer with bay views |
| Terrace Room Patio | Outdoor waterfront ceremony option |


