Sight guide · Tampa · United States
Visiting Lettuce Lake Park
A county park on the Hillsborough River with a boardwalk through cypress swamp and an observation tower over the water, where alligators, turtles, ibis and herons are common.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Tampa · Photo: Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Lettuce Lake Park is a park in North Tampa, Tampa. Allow 1.5 hours; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Park
- Area
- North Tampa
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- nature, outdoors, kids and photo spot
- Best months
- February and November–December
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About Lettuce Lake Park
A county park on the Hillsborough River with a boardwalk through cypress swamp and an observation tower over the water, where alligators, turtles, ibis and herons are common. Paved trails loop through the hardwood forest and suit walking and cycling.
Tip: Visit in the cooler morning hours; wildlife is most active and the boardwalk is shaded.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: North Tampa.
Best time to visit Lettuce Lake Park
Lettuce Lake Park is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- December: 23°C (73°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- November: 26°C (79°F) highs, about 4 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- February: 23°C (73°F) highs, about 6 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit Tampa has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Tampa itinerary visits Lettuce Lake Park on day 2, together with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Columbia Restaurant.
- No. 17 of the 17 sights in our Tampa things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 2 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Tampa.
- A family favourite in Tampa with kids.
Near Lettuce Lake Park
Also in North Tampa, so you can walk between them:
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay — full day, expensive
If you like Lettuce Lake Park
- The Florida Aquarium — Channel District, 2–3 hours
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park — Lowry Park, Half a day
- Manatee Viewing Center — Apollo Beach, 1–1.5 hours
Staying near Lettuce Lake Park
Where to stay in Tampa compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Lettuce Lake Park?
Plan 1.5 hours. With Busch Gardens Tampa Bay nearby, it fits a half-day in North Tampa.
+Is Lettuce Lake Park free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Lettuce Lake Park?
February and November–December for the most comfortable weather. Visit in the cooler morning hours; wildlife is most active and the boardwalk is shaded.
+Do I need to book Lettuce Lake Park in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Lettuce Lake Park good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Tampa. Tampa is one of Florida's easiest family bases outside Orlando: Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, a big aquarium, a zoo with manatees and calm Gulf beaches within an hour.