Whether for fitness or sight-seeing, the Riverwalk offers something for everyone

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Whether it's a day trip or a daily workout, the Riverwalk offers a little more than 2 miles (one way it's 2.4) of uninterrupted space to walk, run, bike or take Fido out for some exercise. There are mile markers every 10th of a mile to track your progress. So you can do 4.8 miles with a walk to the end and back again.

For this article, we parked there, at Water Works, for free, in street side parking and began the walk towards the City.

While staying hydrated is necessary, it also brings about some basic needs. There are three public bathrooms along the route; those are located at Water Works Park, Curtis Hixon Park and the Sail Pavilion by the Convention Center.

There's some history of Tampa to be learned along the way. Bronze busts of different historical figures who helped shape Tampa are scattered up and down the Riverwalk from start to finish. You can learn about the namesake of Ybor City, Armwood High School, Peter O Knight airport, and more.

You might need a pit stop after that, and the Sail Pavilion is right there with outdoor seating, public bathrooms and, since you're being health conscious, a menu with the calorie count laid out next to each item. See that here: https://www.tampaconventioncenter.com/includes/content/docs/media/Sail-Menu-7-17-17.pdf

If you skipped a snack at the Sail Pavilion, the History Museum offers access to the Columbia Cafe for all of the best that your favorite Ybor City restaurant has to offer in an outdoor setting. Their menu is here: http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/Menus-By-Location/Locations/Tampa-Bay-History-Center

We made the turn to head back with an eye out for some of those images. Maps along the way show opportunities to see different waterfront sites.  There are signs describing Pelicans and Seagrasses, but mostly you see the river. This isn't the isolated nature preserve river, it's the river delta into the bay in the center of the city. Most of the wildlife is pedestrian just like you with the occasional boater and water bike rider.

Curtis Hixon Park offers a cool off mist area adjacent to the Riverwalk if the weather is very hot for you or your pet. There's a playground for the kids too. Make a note that it is the beginning of festival season so different outdoor events are coming to the park each weekend. Oktoberfest will begin Oct. 13, 14 and 15th, but that's just one of many fun events the city will have there, find more here: https://www.tampagov.net/calendar and here: https://www.tampasdowntown.com/

If you're biking, just adjacent to those swings is a bicycle repair station. Need air? There is a hand pump. Need a wrench? There's a wrench on a cable there too. You'll find a selection of tools on the cables there.

If, like us, you are ending your stroll where you started at Water Works Park, you can celebrate the end of a almost five-mile walk while taking in a beautiful outdoor setting with a rewarding beverage and some alligator hush puppies at Ulele.