There's always so much going on here from cruises to bowling to eating to the beer garden, live music, and in general lots of people watching. I come over here all the time on my nightly walk and people watch. I also have been to Splitsville a bunch for bowling and eating. The LightHaus Beer Garden is at the middle of the wharf and is a nice place to watch a game, catch a beer, and enjoy the Tampa weather. Sundays are usually the best day to come here because then you can watch the cruise boats sail away. The Tampa sign is right next to here. There's not a giant Sparkman Wharf chair that you can get your picture at. Oh, and don't sleep on JoToro. I like getting Mexican food over there and it's very cheap. Once again, another great spot to people watch. read more

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I had some time to kill before heading to the airport, so I took a walk over to Sparkman Wharf. It's conveniently located not far from the cruise terminal in Tampa and was very easy to find. There were quite a few food places to choose from and a nice grassy area to sit outside and eat, which gave it a relaxing atmosphere. The downside for me was that there really weren't many shops; actually I believe I only saw one shop and it was for dogs. I think it would be much better if they added more shops and a souvenir shop would be awesome so visitors and cruise travelers could pick up some unique treasures while they're there. Overall, it's a decent spot to grab a bite and relax for a little while, but I was hoping for a bit more shopping and entertainment. read more

Our trolley tour of Tampa dropped us off next at Sparkmans Wharf. This area is on the waterfront and has shops and lots of dining. The weather was perfect to play a game of checkers while people watching. Lots of events were advertised and it was very cute all decorated for Christmas. Really wish we had this in STL! read more

Sparkman Wharf - Entrance to the Wharf - Shopping Centers Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Stopped by the Sparkman Wharf area looking for a place to eat. We parked in the parking garage near the Aquarium and noticed there is another paid parking lot area by the other side. There are several closed/empty stores. It's a cute place to go to if you are going to a specific place that is open. Otherwise, there's not a lot going on. They offer plenty of outdoor seating if you don't mind picking up a cocktail and seating in the heat. The day I was there, it was just too hot to just seat around with no fans or wind. Not much of a fun vibe going on. Too many closed stores create a sad feel. read more

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Great area next to the cruise port and on the water. Lots of food and drink options to grab a bite or sip and find some picnic-like seating. I saw there was a large parking lot right next to it but it's also within easy walking distance to many downtown hotels. read more

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This place is very nice to sit and enjoy the view, very interesting in terms of varied food options, and even has attractions (bowling and an aquarium) nearby. The price is quite touristy and reasonably high, but for a snack I think it's worth it. There are public restrooms and several parking lots nearby. Definitely a Vibe! Beautiful lights and decorations all around! Highly recommend for a date night read more

Sparkman Wharf - Shopping Centers Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Sparkman Wharf is a great spot to visit in Tampa. I can't believe I haven't reviewed it. There are food vendors, a bar, and some boutiques here. There's a big huge green space with tables and chairs to hang out with friends & family. It's also very dog friendly. This was the most recent reason we visited. They had a dog costume contest. They always have tons of events all year round. They are so much fun. Love Xmas time too with the Xmas lights and Xmas events and Santa pics. January is Gasparilla time so dog pirate costume contests too. There's always something going on and this is a great place for locals as well as the tourists coming off the cruise ships. Parking here can be a pain in the butt. They have a lot across the street. Prices change though depending on the surrounding events. We park by the apartments but they can be a pain too bc it's street parking and you have to look for parking. Park mobile is the easiest way to park just by downloading the app. Water St is also a nice easy walk so you can walk to both places. Also there's the nearby trolley. Def visit if you get a chance or see an event that interests you, or even if you visit the Sunday farmers market on Waters. read more

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Nice area with many places for dining, fun and drinks. Came here and was able to watch the Super Bowl outside and they had heating lamps to keep was warm, very nice!!! read more

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Had an amazing time went pretty early and stayed for almost eight hours eating and drinking. Good place to hangout and chill read more

Sparkman Wharf - Hotdog place across from light haus - Shopping Centers Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Cool little spot in downtown. I can see this place being super popular on the weekends when there is a big game Tampa is kinda weird to me but they have some nice things like this place read more

What a great place to have a nice lunch after an event in town! SO MANY CHOICES!! A wonderful idea to turn those containers into small eateries. No matter what your flavor is I am sure there is something for you. Seating is plentiful and outside or just under an awning. The views are beautiful and you can people watch too. lol See you soon! read more

Take your pick of anywhere to eat. From tacos to seafood to açaí bowl to chocolate. You just cannot GO WRONG!!!! read more

Sparkman Wharf - Shopping Centers Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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This was a nice find during our trip to Tampa. There's alot to offer here and it's nice to see the big cruise shop nearby. A lot of options for food and little shops and bars! Definitely a nice spot to check out in the night time. The walk from the hotels to here is pretty close by as well. read more

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Great spot with several eateries and a handful of shops. Plenty of seating to dine, right next to the main wharf and cruise terminals. read more

Sparkman Wharf - Chickens and donuts - Shopping Centers Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Waterfront area with food stands, restaurants and shopping. So much to choose from!! Something for everyone!!! Burgers, seafood, Mexican, ice cream and so much more variety!! Relaxing, beautiful views with plenty of seating, live music and great vibes!!! read more

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This is such a great place to visit when you are in the area! They have a few cool spots to pick up food that you can order and then once it's ready, they have a few good seating options in a large open space. There is a large bar in the middle where you can order a drink and if you have your dog with you, they can provide an ice bucket of water to help them cool off. There are a few shops and restaurants too - and the Hampton chocolate factory is a great place to grab dessert! Honestly, on a nice night, you can hang out here to listen to some live music and just hang out with friends. What a vibe! read more

Outdoor music and ice cream. Great combination! So fun! Such a vibrant area. Lots of good food options and entertainment. Definitely a Tampa stable. 10 out of 10. Must visit. read more

Sparkman Wharf - Hampton Chocolate Factory - Shopping Centers Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I went to college in Tampa and my room mate and I used to walk to an outdoor mall of sorts called Channelside. They have totally redone it! If I still lived in Tampa I imagine I would hang out there several times a week. It's this great little spot just a trolley ride away from downtown or Ybor. There are a bunch of buildings like shipping containers and they're set up almost like food trucks - except they're stationary and they're like shipping containers. And the food! It's so unique and amazing. I had the Cuban Empanadas from Montados and they were so delicious. C was a huge fan of the tots from Montados. He was also a huge fan of the live band. We danced and played in the yard after we ate. He also went around petting and kissing all the doggies he could find. The vibe was awesome. We walked around and really enjoyed ourselves. We also found this tasty Pineapple Banana Veggie Pop from Whatever Pops. It was so tasty and there was no sugar added. read more

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What a vibe and setup this place has. I came here with my sister early on a Friday. We were fortunate to have the day off and nearly the place to ourselves. She told me it's a vibe to watch Tampa Lightning games on the big screen in the patio. While there, we enjoyed some ciders and could not waittt to try the Dubai chocolate from the chocolate factory. We were nottt disappointed. I love being near the water in any way I can. Being in the heart of downtown feels like magic. Looking forward to bring our parents here another time. It is also pet friendly and we brought our little basset hound girl to explore. read more

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My kids wanted to see their grandparents while we were in Florida for vacay and chose this place as a meeting spot. What a great area to meet for drinks and food. So many options from seafood to Mexican! We hung out and had a great time then walked off our food on the riverwalk. You should definitely stop here and check the wharf out! read more

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We live close by and have spent a lot of time at Sparkman! It's like our backyard! Perfect for a toddler to run around and explore while being mostly confined in boundaries. We bring a little ball and he can play in the turf while we have a drink! One star missing due to the somewhat expensive beers. I also think there's something missing food truck wise. read more

Fun family friendly space with lots of small food stalls and restaurants. Came over from our hotel EDITION and enjoyed some live music and coffee from Shockwave Coffee read more

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Great place to hang with the friends and fam. Plenty of food and drink options. I like going when they have live music.

This past weekend we took our son to the Florida Aquarium and our friends who live in Tampa wanted us to meet them for lunch at the Wharf. We had never been there before and we really enjoyed it. It's within walking distance of the aquarium so we didn't have to move parking, which is convenient. There is also parking right next to the wharf if you're not going to the aquarium or the ship museum. The wharf has a large selection of shipping container food options, places to shop, a beer garden, restrooms, and a large seating area next to the cruise ships. It did get very busy on the weekend, but that's to be expected. My only complaint would be that the restrooms were not very clean and the stall was almost out of toilet paper when I was done. Rating from F to A+++, I give it an A++! read more

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Great spot with a solid mix of food stalls, bars, and tasty desserts. Our daughter had a blast running around, and the laid-back vibe by the water was perfect. They even had a movie on a big screen with free popcorn. When the rain came out of nowhere, there was plenty of cover so the fun kept going. read more

Sparkman Wharf is essentially an outdoor food hall similar to Armature Works or Boxi Park in Lake Nona. There's a variety of food vendors selling things from tacos, dumplings, burgers, ice cream, chocolate, and alcohol. I tried the tacos myself and they were pretty good! There's plenty of space to sit as well as standing tables. There's a small grassy field where little kids were having a blast running around and a small stage for live entertainment. On our recent visit, there was a guitarist playing. The place also has a great view of the water. We came a little before dinner on a Friday and it wasn't too crowded and there were plenty of parking spots in the nearby lot. By the time we left however, there was a decent crowd and it seemed like the lot had filled up. Nevertheless, we had a good time. Sparkman Wharf is a great place to meet up, hang out, and of course eat! read more

What a COOL place. There was live music here on Saturday night and such a variety of options for food and drink and entertainment. We loved sparkman wharf and will definitely be back. read more

Sparkman Wharf - Seating Ambiance Live music Sunset Riverfront Wharf - Shopping Centers Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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It's beautiful ambience. Great lively bunch but some of the shipping container restaurants didn't put their love into their food. Food tasted subpar had an overpriced, single bao bun sandwich for six bucks plus tax.hubby and a taco. Ended up going back for more food and decided to have a safe bet and hit the hotdog stand , did not disappoint. The ice cream parlor was pretty nice as well but definitely could've found a better option for dinner. Maybe next time hit the sitdown restaurant nearby. read more

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Pretty nice spot to come grab food from the many vendors available, hang out, grab drinks, etc. Apparently there's live music, not sure when as there wasn't any when I was there. read more

Sparkman Wharf is a really fun spot in theiddle of downtown Tampa. Enty of food options, bars, and parking as well. There's always something happening, like a silent disco the last time I visited. It's a chill spot with plenty to do. read more

Sparkman Wharf - Taylor swift silent disco - Shopping Centers Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Family friendly spot to grab a bite or drink. Saw quite a few people dining here on a Saturday afternoon before walking over to a Tampa Bay Lightning game. We sampled quite a bit - Dang Dude Asian street food, JoDog craft hot dogs, Everglazed chicken & doughnuts, Gordito's empanadas. Everything was pretty good & reasonably priced. If you're staying at a hotel nearby, I recommend hopping on the TECO Line Streetcar for a fast and FREE ride to Sparkman Wharf. The closest stop is by Amalie Arena Station #8, located at the corner of Beneficial Dr. and Channelside Drive. read more

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I live for venues like Spark and Wharf. A combination of food and drink establishments (that are actually awesome!!! Small shops as well as full restaurants), shopping, and entertainment space. It was a plus that SW is located near the water (cruise terminal nonetheless). We enjoyed our visit so much. The crowd was large and great. I do wish there were more shopping stores. read more

What a beautiful and fun area to meet up with friends and family! They have done a lovely job. After a day at the Florida Aquarium, we met up with our friends and their adorable pup here for some food and bowling. I love all the food trucks they have - definitely something for everyone! Ample amount of seating, water misters to help cool you down, and a large lawn for kids and pets to run around freely. They do a fantastic job of keeping it clean and I love the diverse culinary scene offered. We spent a good part of our day here so it was nice to try a few different places during our visit. Even our kids ate, and they can be picky about new places! I wish I could remember the names of the food places we tried, but I know it was a taco place and a noodle place - both sooo good and I remember having leftovers from the noodle place because it was a generous portion. I'll write a separate review for Splitsville bowling, which our 3yo ended up loving more than anyone else. read more

This is basically an outdoor food court that is located very close to the Tampa cruise terminal and the Florida Aquarium. It is not huge but there is still a nice choice of food and drinks to be had. Most of the food stalls are located inside repurposed container units. You can find Mexican, American, acai bowls, a BurgerFi location, seafood, Chinese and vegan food options. Most of the stalls are just grab and go places with no seating but there is a large outdoor seating area next to the pier. You'll frequently see a huge cruise ship parked there in the morning. read more

Sparkman Wharf - Shopping Centers Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Love places like this in Tampa! I enjoyed a movie night there the first time and other times just a good place to get a small bite to eat.

Love this place and the Mexican tequila restaurant was amazing! Best margarita I've had in Florida!!

How have I never reviewed Sparkman?! As a longtime Tampa resident, Sparkman Wharf is in my normal rotation for when visitors come in town, as well as for me and my friends to get together on a beautiful weather day. There's constantly live music and fun free events going on, and I love the food options. They've recently elevated an added a full liquor bars which also serves frozen drinks like a FROZEN ESPRESSO MARTINI?!?! Definitely high on my must try list! There are public bathrooms and water fountains which is great, I just wish there was free parking :) read more

As tourists in Tampa (a Sunday afternoon in Feb, 2024), we were walking along the Tampa Riverwalk, and stumbled upon Sparkman Wharf on the downtown waterfront. What a wonderful place to relax! The Wharf has it all -- waterfront views, a Biergarten with craft beers, restaurants, retail and office space, restrooms, and a large lawn with an entertainment stage. We found lawn seats to enjoy the warm weather and the free live music. We were entertained by the music, but also by the young kids who spent hours playing with the large checkers that were intended for games of lawn checkers. Too young for the actual game, the kids took turns stacking them or laying them out to step on. We also enjoyed ice cream from Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream and later dinner from BurgerFI. read more

Sparkman Wharf - Relaxing lawn to watch entertainment on stage. - Shopping Centers Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Our favorite spot to hang out for an afternoon in Tampa! There's so much to checkout and see, everyone will be able to find something to their liking. Our musts when visiting are the beer garden (obviously) and the array of food containers - specifically the Mexican spot on the corner with the most amazing Mexican corn ever!! read more

It's a nice addition to the Channelside District. This would be a cool place to hang out and soak in the views if I were traveling to Tampa and staying in a hotel nearby. It's conveniently located near one of the streetcar stops which is great for people living in the area. There's a water taxi as well. But, it's not a place I'd visit all that much as a person who lives in the surrounding bay area. Parking is about $2 an hour here so plan accordingly. I used the Parkmobile app and there's plenty of parking, but there are also fees associated with it when you add an extra hour or more because your time is expiring. I'd gladly visit again because it's a nice concept. It would just be less frequent and I'd only stay for a max of 2 hours. Other than that, it was a nice visit. They have some shops and restaurants that look great. I think my favorite two places are Shortwave Coffee and Hampton Chocolate Factory. I haven't tried any of the restaurants. I kind of was disappointed that the original local container restaurants aren't there anymore such as BT in a Box and Boat Run Oyster Company. They have lots of other newer container restaurants but none of them really caught my attention except maybe Dang Dude. The container restaurants are all centered around a bar and it feels like these places are just there for munchy snacks after a long night of drinking. Again, perfect if I was vacationing and staying in the area. There are some great views and nice little picture moments. It's pet friendly so you can bring your pooch to the park. It's near the Florida Aquarium and Cruise Terminal as well as the Tampa History Museum. The new Edition Hotel is nearby and so is Water Street. I'll eventually go back to check out the non-container restaurants and maybe Dang Dude as well. read more

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