One of the best parts of celebrating July 4th in Tampa is the food associated with the holiday. Watermelon, hot dogs and hamburgers are necessary items on your menu, and the best way to whip them up is grilling out at one of Tampa's many parks or beaches. We have compiled a list of the ultimate places in the area to grill out this Independence Day.
Fort De Soto Park
Fort De Soto is the classic July 4 destination as it has everything you could ever want and more. The land has beaches, boat ramps, camping areas, playgrounds, hiking trails, fishing piers, beaches, dog parks, and picnic areas. It’s the best place to achieve the stereotypical Florida Independence Day Celebration, so you should definitely consider this as your destination to grill up your favorite treats. Make sure to register ahead of time to reserve your picnic area here.
Cypress Point Park
Drive down Westshore until you hit the picturesque Cypress Point Park. Complete with playgrounds, picnic grounds, beach volleyball courts, and beaches, this is your ultimate destination to cookout this Fourth. You can fire up the grill as your little ones climb the playgrounds and your adventurers explore the mangroves and beaches. Everyone is sure to be entertained during your time here, so it is a great option for your classic holiday cookout.
Picnic Island Beach
At the opposite end of Westshore, you will find Picnic Island. The island offers your traditional waterside park amenities as well as a Frisbee golf course, boat ramp and dog beach. It boasts amazing views of the Gulf, setting it apart from other grilling spots.
Ballast Point
The newly revived Ballast Point Park is a classic Tampa destination for family fun. The pier is the most iconic part of the park as you can find great fishing spots and views of downtown Tampa across the bay. The newest additions though are the water park and upscale playground for the kids. If you keep the party going until 9 pm, you will find yourself in the ultimate spot to see the fireworks soar above downtown.
Al Lopez Park
The Al Lopez Park is unlike any other. Although it is landlocked, you can still find fishing piers over two ponds, as well as fitness stations, playgrounds and of course a picnic area with grills. While you are flipping burgers on the grill, your kids can climb the jungle gym and glide down slides. Take a break on a romantic stroll underneath the Arcade, a beautiful archway situated over the main walkway that meanders through the park. You can even fish in the two ponds if that’s your kind of thing. No matter how you want to spend your day, you will be able to find something here.
Hosting a cookout on July 4 is a classic way to spend the holiday. Tampa is a great place to do just that, and this list hopefully can help guide you to one of the many places with grills for you to cookout.
If you are looking for more things to do for July 4th in Tampa, check out 813area, your free guide to everything local.
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