Riverview: An Idyllic Tampa Suburb on the Shores of the Alafia River

Updated on November 6, 2026: This story was originally published on August 14, 2020, and has been updated with new information.

Located on the Alafia River shoreline, the Tampa suburb of Riverview, Florida, offers access to some of the Sunshine State's best outdoor amenities and recreation opportunities, and its proximity to Tampa adds to the variety of activities you'll find close to home!

With easy access to highways including US-301, I-75, and the Crosstown Expressway, Tampa is just a short drive north, with Bradenton and Sarasota slightly further to the south. Riverview provides a comfortable suburban address with highly rated schools, shopping and dining conveniences, and beautiful new construction homes in desirable neighborhoods such as Ridgewood South, where new homes in Riverview with resort-style amenities are situated in a nature-inspired setting convenient to the best of Tampa.

Let's learn more about why you will love living in Riverview, Florida.

Experience the Great Outdoors

Some of the best outdoor amenities you will have easy access to when you call Riverview home are the beautiful beaches in the Tampa area! From Clearwater Beach to Anna Maria Island, the crystal-clear blue waters and white sandy beaches of Florida’s Gulf Coast are just a short drive away.

Closer to home, nature preserves, parks, and recreation destinations in Riverview provide opportunities to get outside and commune with nature. Many also allow leashed pets, so your best friend can join the fun.

• Enjoy hiking at the Rhodine Scrub Nature Preserve, with trails accessed via Stephen J Wortham Park, less than one mile from new homes at Ridgewood South in Riverview.
• The Riverview Civic Center and Boat Ramp provides direct access to the Alafia River, offering opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing on the water. Or, enjoy the playground and picnic pavilions on land.
• Spend an afternoon fishing or hiking through natural habitats at the Bell Creek Nature Preserve.
• Short trail loops at the Alafia Scrub Nature Preserve offer an easy stroll - Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the afternoon.
• Lithia Springs Park is a popular outdoor destination, about ten miles from home. Known for its sparkling natural spring waters, this unique park features a long list of outdoor activities to choose from whether you wish for woodsy hiking trails, a dip in the swimming area of the spring, kayaking, canoeing, playgrounds, a picnic, or even camping.

For a unique experience, Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center in nearby Apollo Beach provides a warm-water sanctuary and viewing center for these lovable creatures. This state and federally designated manatee sanctuary offers a unique opportunity to see manatees gather while wandering boardwalks and trails, and learning about these gentle giants.

Shopping and Dining in Riverview

Riverview's top restaurants are just a few minutes from your new home at Ridgewood South in Riverview, including local favorites Tiki Docks River Bar & Grill, The Talking Pint Bar & Bistro, and the Little Habana Café. For broader dining options, including popular date night locations and waterside dining, head into Tampa for some scallops at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, multicultural fusions at Ulele, and riverfront dining with diverse options at Armature Works.

A night out on the town in Riverview wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Leaven Brewing, Riverview’s first brewery. Stop in for a drink before heading out to test your swing at nearby Top Golf, bowling a strike at Oakfield Lanes in Brandon, or jumping for joy at iFly Indoor Skydiving.

If shopping till you drop is your preferred method of entertainment, you’ll enjoy being close to Westfield Brandon Mall, home to over 140 specialty and department stores. For a one-of-a-kind shopping and dining experience, head to Winthrop Town Centre, a walkable outdoor shopping and dining district where you can find unique stores, Publix, and a selection of fast-casual and fine-dining restaurants.

For day-to-day needs, you'll find grocery stores just minutes from your new home, including:

• Publix Super Market
• Sprouts Farmers Market
• Riverview Fresh Market
• ALDI

Top-Rated Schools in Riverview

If schools are part of your home search criteria, you’ll be pleased to learn that Riverview is in the highly-rated Hillsborough County Public School District. Kids living in the newest phase of Ridgewood are zoned to attend Collins PK-8 School, serving students from pre-K through 8th grade and offering a Gifted and Talented program, and Riverview High School (grades 9-12), which earned an “A” grade from the Florida Department of Education for the 2025 school year.

Numerous continuing education opportunities are also located close to home, including Southern Technical College, Hillsborough Community College, and The University of Tampa.

Healthcare in Riverview

For those moments in life when a doctor is required, you’ll be comforted to know that healthcare is close to home, including primary and specialty care offices, hospitals, and urgent care options. Major hospitals and healthcare facilities in or near Riverview include:

• South Hillsborough VA Clinic
• St. Joseph’s Hospital - South
• TGH Brandon
• HCA Florida South Shore Hospital
• HCA Florida Brandon Hospital

Also, close by you’ll find numerous animal hospitals and veterinary offices for your family’s furry friends.

Convenience to Tampa Destinations

Riverview is one of Tampa's most popular suburbs, thanks to things we have talked about such as parks and recreation, top-rated schools, and daily conveniences in the city. And one of its greatest assets is its location, with Riverview homes located just minutes from major roadways, including US-301, I-75, and the Crosstown Expressway (also known as the Selmon Expressway), providing easy access to Tampa destinations, including:

• Ybor City - 16 miles
• Channelside District - 17 miles
• Downtown Tampa - 19 miles
• Seminole Heights - 22 miles
• Uptown/University area - 23 miles
• MacDill Air Force Base - 25 miles
• Tampa International Airport - 27 miles

Ridgewood South in Riverview, Florida

There is so much to enjoy when you live in Riverview, and living at Ridgewood South gives you even more opportunities for fun in the sun. Within your new neighborhood, enjoy community amenities including a resort-style pool, cabana, and playground, or connect with nature by enjoying views of the community lake, ponds, open spaces, and wetlands conservation.

Find Your New Home in Riverview, Florida

New construction homes in Riverview at Ridgewood South offer up to 3,162 square feet of beautifully designed living space with three to six bedrooms, up to three-and-a-half bathrooms, and a 2-car garage. Choose from one- and two-story homes designed for your life with features such as a private owner's suite, desirable open-concept layouts, and flexible use rooms. Enhancing your lifestyle, these homes include a front porch and/or lanai for outdoor living enjoyment, granite or quartz countertops, low-maintenance LVP flooring, and much, much more, with options for a quick move-in or to build your personalized dream home from the ground up.

The latest phase, Ridgewood South Phase 2, is now selling. With only 42 homes available, you'll want to act soon to secure your dream home in Ridgewood South. Call or email our Riverview New Home Specialists to learn more and schedule a VIP tour today.