Plan your drive
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Open in Apple Maps ↗Before the gates, after the encore
Picks for before and after, ranked by Wayfind Score and walking distance.
- 1FoodFirst WatchTop Food pick🍴 BreakfastCafe chain for health-minded breakfast, brunch & lunch options such as omelets, salads & soupsBreakfast before
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- 3ActivitiesGlazer Children's MuseumTop Activities pickInteractive activities focused on weather, art, communication & more for children under 12Make a day of it
- 4ActivitiesHenry B. Plant MuseumLandmark building hosting exhibits on Florida's early tourism industry plus Asian & European artMake a day of it
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- 9🍴 Fast foodQuick bite after · Featured in creator posts@eatsbylaurrInstagram
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Who should skip it
You want one big headline moment. This is a spread-out community festival with many small ones.
The move
The Hot Air Balloon Glow runs 8:30 to 9pm both nights and is free — it is the peak-crowd moment each evening, so position early.
Getting there
Poe and Fort Brooke garages are the ones for Curtis Hixon, and there is a free bike valet on Ashley Drive.
One thing worth knowing
Friday and Saturday are structurally different events: Friday is the ticketed Taste of the Riverwalk evening, Saturday is the long free day.
Official site: confirm dates and tickets before you travel
Going? Send it to whoever you’d go with. They’ll get the dates, the hours and where to park.
Verified 2026-11-03 against the organiser’s own listing. Verification source. More in Florida Events.
