By Brianna Williams
The Tennessee Riverwalk turns the big 3-0 this year + while adults may feel existential dread at hitting that milestone, we’ve got nothing but pride and nostalgia when thinking about how far the 13-mile trail has come.
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A timeline of the riverwalk’s growth
1989: The first phase — a 2-mile section — is completed near the C.B. Robinson Bridge .
1991: TVA expanded the riverwalk to the base of the Chickamauga Dam. The expansion includes amenities such as a large picnic pavilion, trail shelters, a handicapped-accessible fishing pier + a boat launch.
1993-95: More segments are added to join Ross’s Landing + the Bluff View Art District.
1996: The new Chattanooga Rowing Center + connecting Riverwalk segment are completed.
1997-98: Officials approve a riverwalk extension that connects the Bluff View Art District to connect to the Rowing Center.
1999: The North Shore riverwalk, which includes Coolidge Park, is completed.
2005: A 5-mile piece of the Riverwalk that connects Hubert Fry Fishing Center’s boat launch to the Rowing Center is finished, along with a path to the Hunter Museum of American Art.
2016: Officials announced the connection of the South Chickamauga Greenway to the riverwalk. The project is supposed to be completed by next fall.
Now: Work on connecting South Chickamauga Greenway and the Riverwalk is ongoing. After its completion, possible projects include extensions into Alton Park, South Chattanooga + North of the River.
Map with entry points to the riverwalk
Things to do along the riverwalk
- Hunter Museum of American Art | Art district | 10 Bluff View Ave. | If you don’t have time to stop inside the museum, check out the amazing sculpture gardens nearby.
- Boathouse Rotisserie and Bar | Amnicola Highway | 1459 Riverside Drive #4312 | This stop along the Riverwalk is also a great place to park for your Riverwalk journey.
- Tennessee Aquarium | Downtown | 1 Broad St. | A fabulous start to your riverwalk journey, the aquarium itself can provide a full day’s worth of fun.
- Coolidge Park | North Shore | 150 River St. | Coolidge Park is the perfect place to stop, relax + enjoy the views.
- L2 Outside | North Shore | 131 River St. | L2 Outside offers great stand up paddle + kayak rentals if you’re ready to get out on the river.
- Adventure Sports Innovation | North Shore | 191 River St. | If you’re feeling extra outdoorsy, ASI provides lots of fun river activities, from stand up paddling to a waterbike you can bring on the river.
Readers’ favorites
We asked you on Facebook and Instagram to share your favorite spots on the riverwalk + you guys had some fine feedback.
“The curtain pole road pond area is my favorite. Lots of great wildlife there. I’ve seen hooded merganser, pileated woodpecker and belted Kingfisher, and a friend of mine even made a photograph of a bald eagle there once.” – @philthach
“I use to work for Olan Mill before I retired. We had access to the river walk and sometimes we would take a long lunch and walk down toward downtown to the park and get lunch. That was so refreshing.” – @wglindner2010
“My fav is St Elmo end to downtown and back - love to see the transformation of the Wheland Foundry property.” – @jaolangston