Is New Port Richey Worth Visiting?

Is New Port Richey Worth Visiting?

If you’re looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of the main touristy areas, New Port Richey is worth visiting. This unique riverfront town offers a variety of recreation, dining, shopping, and nature.

Downtown New Port Richey

I moved to New Port Richey over 12 years ago and have seen the area blossom and grow so much in this time. We live about 10 minutes from downtown and frequent the streets of the town for dinner, ice cream, and to take the grandkids to Sims Park.

Main Street, USA, describes the downtown of New Port Richey. Lined with shops, restaurants, parks, a theater, and a river, there is something for everyone in this Pasco County town.

Have dinner, see a show at the historic Richey Suncoast Theater, or stroll around the beautiful Sims Park. Come for the Chasco Fiesta, Bike Fest, or the City Fireworks’ 4th of July celebration.

New Port Richey is a fun place to visit and is less than an hour from most of the major attractions in the Tampa Bay Region. There are plenty of things to do in New Port Richey, in the downtown and surrounding areas.

Best New Port Richey Restaurants

Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, or just ice cream, there is a long list of fine places to patron in New Port Richey.

Downtown New Port Richey has reimagined itself over the years and is now a desirable area to eat, play, and live. You will find live music, local breweries, and entertainment all within a few blocks of each other. I love our little downtown area.

Parks & Recreation

The beauty of nature can be enjoyed by several parks in New Port Richey. Sims Park in the downtown area sits in the beautiful Cotee River. The park has a large playground and splash pad for the kids. Also in Sims Park is a boat ramp and kayak launch.

A few minutes from downtown is the James E. Grey Preserve. This 80-acre hidden gem features a meandering boardwalk through the wilderness and is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Beaches and The Gulf

Just outside the mouth of the Cotee River, in the Gulf of Mexico, are a collection of 8 unique Stilt Homes.

Built in the early 1900s, these were originally for the fisherman to store the fish they caught and ride out a storm. These structures are privately owned and can only be admired from the water.

While not known for its beach accesses, New Port Richey is home to Robert K. Rees Memorial Park and is the closest beach to town. The 650-foot boardwalk leads to an observation tower to admire the dolphins, birds, and other wildlife. This park is great for picnics and family gatherings.

Events and Festivals

There are plenty of events in the New Port Richey area that are worthy of your attendance. The Visit New Port Richey Facebook page is a great resource to see what’s happening in town.

We recently attended a Sip & Stroll event where we visited many places downtown to meet and mingle with the business owners and residents. This was a great way to get to see places that we had no idea were there or to get a glimpse to see what the establishment was like.

The Chasco Fiesta boasts 9 days and 9 nights of activities and live music. This festival hosts a street parade, boat parade, and 5k, and benefits 20 non-profit organizations.

Come in October and witness the Cotee River Bikefest, hosted by Harley Davidson. The downtown transforms into a biker’s delight, with the streets lined with hundreds of motorcycles, stages with live music, food vendors, and a cast of characters like no other.

Places To Stay in New Port Richey

There are many chain hotels in the area, but if you’re looking for a unique experience, you must stay at the Hacienda Hotel.

This historic 1920s Spanish-Floridian-style property recently reopened in 2022 after a multimillion-dollar restoration. Located in downtown New Port Richey, you’re just steps away from Sims Park and directly on Main Street.

Use this map to book your accommodations in New Port Richey

Crime & Safety

Alright, well, the statistics aren’t the best for ranking New Port Richey as a safe, low-crime area, however, as a tourist, spending the day in town is a very low-risk activity and general common sense is all you’ll need.

The police do a great job of being visible and quickly responding to incidents, but I would not recommend looking for trouble or lingering around in low-quality areas.

Breakin’ It Down: Is New Port Richey Worth Visiting?

We’ve lived in the area for over 20 years and have watched the downtown grow and evolve into a charming Florida town worth visiting. The food, events, and proximity to the Greater Tampa Bay Region make New Port Richey a fine place to spend a day, or more, during your Florida vacation.