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    The Chattanooga Riverfront

    4.8 (53 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Trail of Tears sign, taken from Riverwalk Path. 4.8.2025.
    Laura S.

    Tues, 4.8.2025. My husband and I were traveling from Georgia to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, and decided to check out the Chattanooga Riverwalk for a few hours. The Riverwalk is a 16.1 mile paved path that goes along the Tennessee River. We accessed the Riverfront near the Southern Belle Riverboat from the Riverfront Parkway, where we found plentiful and relatively inexpensive parking. We walked along the path, taking in views of the river, bridges, the aquarium, and a commemorative sign for the Trail of Tears. Perhaps we were there at too quiet of a time (a Tuesday morning), or perhaps we didn't walk far enough along the path, but our experience was underwhelming. We only saw a few other people, and were distracted by heavy truck traffic on the Riverfront Parkway that runs next to the trail. In retrospect, we also hadn't done enough research about things to do in the area, and there weren't informational signs to direct us. Other reviewers on Yelp who were better informed seemed to have a mare enjoyable experience.

    John B.

    The riverfront area has been splendidly developed, with walking paths, water features, a pier and balcony, and various connections to attractions. The views of the mountains, while not always without obstruction, can be quite impressive. The downsides are that parking can be a bit hard to find and there are some noisy drivers on the accompanying bridges. But if you're at the waterfront, you're probably happy to be there.

    Chief John Ross Bridge.
    Kevin C.

    Visited Chattanooga Riverfront in June as one of our stops during a day trip. It was a nice sunny day, and it was nice to see nice green space at the edge of the Chattanooga River. People were fishing, running, walking and bicycling on the edges of the river, with others kayaking and boating on the it. There are some benches facing the river so people can take a break from life and just sit and watch the river and everything near and on it. There are also tiered concrete and grass areas facing the river and what looks like a stage, and these areas look like they're set up for enjoying concerts or shows. Nice views!

    Christina A.

    Gorgeous! What a beautiful space to walk, bike ride, run, take your dogs for a walk and more. The view is beautiful. My family and I enjoyed it for hours. It's directly behind the Tennessee aquarium and there are plenty of spaces for parking. Many nearby restaurants, ice cream shops, art installations, and a cute playground. Short walk to the walnut street pedestrian bridge where they have vendor markets and events.

    For kids to play in, behind aquarium
    Terri M.

    I was told to make sure we check out the riverfront. I guess I was thinking that there would be something like the San Antonio Riverwalk with things to do, food, activities etc. We went behind the Aquarium and it wasn't anything special. Was just looking out into the Chickamauga River and bridge. Parking was awful in that area. When we walked down they have water steps for kids to play on a super hot day. Wish I would have known, we would have brought our flip flops.

    Dave O.

    Sometime you find yourself in that perfect place on a perfect morning, the blue skies seem more brilliant than the day before and the world seems more tranquil than it did when you closed your eyes just a few hours earlier. These are the days you should remember the most and these are the moments you cling to when life becomes a blur. If you've experienced this place you know the peace it brings just as the sun starts her daily climb. With coffee in hand I crossed the street midweek when most of the world was tasked with work and I had nothing to manage but time and on this beautiful morning I owned it all so I chose to be near this magnificent river that reflects all that's beside her. As the city awakened the only sounds I hear are the birds calling out and the deafening silence of the water slowly winding it's way past me. They say mediation is good for the soul and that finding a balance with nature will keep you sane but there are no promises or instructions to guide you, it's your responsibility to figure it out and if you can't then you'll miss out. I wondered how a place so beautiful can be void of any souls this morning in a city filled with tens of thousands. This unplanned stop proves fate has no boundaries being I'm hundreds of miles from my normal life and somehow it's disrupted for a moment to allow me be in a place so foreign to me - there's nothing more rewarding than experiencing the energy that draw us in without revealing a single secret as we pander through life sifting through the insignificant minutia that surrounds us, we all need a place to replenish this is just one of those places...

    Rocking Chairs for Indoor Viewing & Resting at Tennessee Aquarium
    Kathy T.

    Water attracts us. It feeds us. It calms us. It rejuvenates us. It revives our souls. Parking is Garage or Street Parking. The Chattanooga Riverfront is a safe respite for individuals and families alike. It also is home to so much beauty and culture to tempt and enlighten your imagination. Here are a few things that take place on the Chattanooga Riverfront which may be of interest. These activities encompass 18 miles of sheer, unspoiled beauty. Some are listed individually on Yelp, some I saw while there, and you may find others as well in your search: Annual "Riverbend" Festival Sculpture Gardens Concerts Festivals July 4th Fireworks Wildflower Gardens Saturday Farmers Market Walnut Street (Pedestrian) Bridge Bike Rentals In-Line Skating On-Leash Dog Friendly River Tours Ferry Paddleboat Rides Countless Restaurants Coffee Shops Galleries Tennessee Aquarium Hunter Museum of American Art Chattanooga, Tennessee is a wonderland of so much unspoiled land for miles. Driving through Tennessee is breathtaking, and provides so much nature to awaken the soul. I hope it always stays this way. 61/100

    Jonna L.

    A great place to just adventure out - it starts all the way up toward the walking bridge and heads down towards Springhill Suites and to the newly developed park. You can actually ride on the bike path all the way to the start of St. Elmo. Bike passes are $8 for a day pass. Rita's and Ice Cream show are two good stops to get your cool fix and walk around. The dam area has lots of pretty views, and the hill facing the water is where concerts show up during the summer months, and other events are set up. It's a great space to have for events, or just go hang out when needed.

    River park sign
    Jamarcus T.

    It's things like the Chattanooga Riverfront that make trips like this worth every second. Having absolutely no concept of Chattanooga or the river walk, we were in for a great treat. We were actually looking for an uber because we found great parking and didn't want to lose a good, free spot near the River gallery sculpture garden. On a chilly, wet day, we decided to take a stroll to the Tennessee aquarium via the river front. Starting from Bluff View, and seeing the blue bridge come into view is a site to behold! Getting off of the bridge and seeing the large dog statue with its extended paw for you to shake made us smile. This is a part of town that i'm completely aware that it's filled with people during warm days because you just find a way to smile here. If I lived here, i'd be at the riverfront portion of Chattanooga on a regular basis. Take some time out and pay this part of town a visit when/if you head your way to Chattanooga, have some ice cream, take some pics, and let life slow you down here. It's worth it!

    View from the Sculpture Park of the Tennessee River and Walnut Street Bridge
    Mari M.

    The unseasonably warm sunny day, surrounding hills and Fall foliage were the real stars of the show. After reading so many great reviews, I was underwhelmed by the Chattanooga riverwalk experience. In fact, a large part of the river was 'curtained off' rendering no view at all. I was disappointed too that visitors aren't allowed to take photographs of the Sculpture Park. While I would describe the time we spent there as pleasant, my general impression was much ado about nothing.

    Children's playground at the west end of the park.
    Vicente F.

    We walked down to the Chattanooga Riverfront on a sunny but cool day in May. About half the playground is shaded giving the parents a cooler vantage point to keep an eye on the little ones while they burn up some energy. The park designers designed this park for 5-12 year old but my 3 1/2 year old had lots of fun running up and down most of the obstacles without a problem. The rest of the Prato has an abundance of sitting areas to enjoy the views of the Tennessee River and the bridges that connect north and south Chattanooga. Lots of restaurants and small shops make this a great picnic option.

    Across the bridge
    Robert C.

    The city has done a terrific job of creating a go-to location for a ton of outdoor and indoor activities. From the Tennessee Aquarium, to the activities on the pedestrian only Walnut Street Bridge and music and entertainment along the waterfront, there is always something going on. The IMAX theater is also one block away. They host an annual (fall) wine and food extravaganza on the bridge, where you pay to get a wristband and enjoy unlimited time among the many food and wind vendors on the bridge. See more at: http://www.wineoverwater.org/ We have attended the riverfront Bluegrass Festival here, watched the stand-up paddleboard River Rocks competition on the Tennessee River and just spent time walking around. Restaurants abound! Take a cruise on a paddleboat: http://chattanoogariverboat.com/ You can stay on the highly rated Delta Queen riverboat hotel: http://www.deltaqueenhotel.net/ or at many of the national hotel chains located within a few blocks. Parking is accessible in the municipal garage and a free trolley runs around town.

    Walking down by the river
    Erika W.

    Chattanooga's riverfront is beautiful. We took a nice walk on a Sunday morning along the river. There weren't a ton of people out which was nice since we are always stopping to take pictures. If you're coming to visit and don't want crazy crowds, avoid this area when Riverbend is going on. I've been in town for that before and it is busy busy! Highly recommend this area!

    Loooove all of the public art

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    9 years ago

    This is now one of my. New favorite trails. Smooth, not a lot of cross traffic and very courteous people on the trail.

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    Review Highlights - The Chattanooga Riverfront

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    Sunset Rock Climbing

    Sunset Rock Climbing

    4.7
    (28 reviews)
    4.6 mi

    LOL --- this is my first "non-food" review, but this place is so beautiful --- it needs to be…read moreshared! I was looking for somewhere beautiful to get a panorama of Chattanooga (+ more) from an awesome vantage point, and I found this spot on Google. It's a bit of a winding drive to eventually arrive to the site, and when you do, parking is extremely limited. It's either you got luck or God on your side, to park right where the "rock" is, but I was very fortunate. The steps are very large and irregular getting to the actual "site", and if you are not fit --- just go slow. However, once you arrive --- it's like heaven. A view from the heavens overseeing the Tennessee River Gorge, Prentice Cooper State Forest, and valleys. Spending 20-30 minutes after getting up their will clear your mind. A view that you should not pass up!

    This trail was a bit more challenging than others we've done. For context, I enjoy long hikes on…read morerelatively flat, well-defined paths--l'm not a hardcore hiker. So, from my perspective, I'd rate this as a moderately difficult hike. The trail is about 3.5 miles round trip and took us around 2 hours, not including the time we spent enjoying the view at the top. The summit is absolutely worth the effort-the view is breathtaking. Be sure to bring plenty of water. Thankfully, the trail has lots of shade, which helped keep us cool and protected from the sun.

    Photos
    Pathway down to cliffs
    Pathway down to cliffs
    Sunset Rock Climbing
    Sunset Rock Climbing

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    Ruby Falls

    Ruby Falls

    3.7
    (946 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    This really was the highlight of my trip to Chattanooga! I did not get my ticket in advance, but it…read moreis easy to purchase tickets at the two kiosks available. The attendants at the check-in are so helpful. I booked the next available appointment, which was about an hour or so away, but that left me plenty of time to take in views from the observation decks. There is also a restaurant in the castle as well as zip lining, if you want additional things to do while you wait for your guided tour to begin. (I recommend getting your tickets online if you come in a group, especially during the summer months and on weekends.) Parking is free and there are numerous places to park. The experience is really eye-opening and the video at the beginning tells the story of the cave formation and why it was named Ruby Falls. Very interesting! The walk takes about 60-70 minutes back and forth. You will see amazing stalagmites and stalactites along the way. Distinct lighting is added to the cave to enhance your experience. Our guide was very knowledgeable and explained everything in detail. It does get cool down in the caves (around 60 degrees) and I was glad I took a light jacket once I got about halfway through the process. The waterfall and the lighting at the end were something to see! Minor issues-they packed about 40-50 people in our tour group. A group leaves every 10 minutes or so. As such, you have to hug up against a wall NUMEROUS times as previous groups are coming back from the waterfall experience. You have to make room to let them pass. The wait for the elevator to take you back up to the top is also a tedious wait. This could be due to the summer crowds, so plan accordingly. If you are claustrophobic, this may not be the experience for you.

    Great cave tour and beautiful falls. The passing other tour…read moregroups and waiting wasn't the best, but didn't take super long. Glad I made the trip to visit

    Photos
    Ruby Falls
    Above the Cave system we walked through
    Above the Cave system we walked through
    Ruby Falls

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    Experience Chattanooga

    Experience Chattanooga

    5.0
    (5 reviews)
    15.4 mi

    Hope and Ryan are absolutely amazing. They made our group feel absolutely safe and excited about…read morehiking in South Cumberland. From pick up to drop off everything was perfect! I can't wait to hike with them again!

    Ryan & Hope are so friendly, easy going, professional and well prepared! If you want to go on some…read morebeautiful hikes and not worry about the logistics, they are your people! They have covered all the details you normally would handle or research yourself, especially if you're from out of state like myself. If you don't have a vehicle or don't want to drive, pick up and drop off is included in the price. As long as you're staying in Downtown Chattanooga. An assortment of pre-packaged snacks & bottles of water are provided. They carry them while you hike so you don't need to! The bonus? They take professional photos of you on the hike to commemorate you & your group in action & posing! They have a quick turnaround also with access to your edited picture gallery. So no timer settings on cameras or one person out of the group pics! Oh! Best of all? The group hike is private! You won't have any randos with you! I had an awesome time! Communication was excellent from the time I inquired about booking a hike all the way through the end! They are highly responsive! I received confirmation via email & text. However, when I had questions I texted directly and a couple of days before the hike and the morning of the hike they sent me texts for updates. A waiver is required to be signed the day of the hike in person. Bug spray was provided prior to our hike. I chose to do the Soul therapy hike for my birthday because it offers a variety of scenery. It was one of my favorite hikes I've done over the years. It ranged from views above the falls down to close up views touching the water. Although, you can take a super short cut to the falls, it is still a steep path down into the gorge. We took the longer trail which is even more scenic involving various beautiful views and overlooks, tall walls of sandstone and one major steep descent of rocks into the gorge which requires a lot of careful footing placement & maybe 1-2 areas ( the rock wall or a random tree trunk) to hold onto for balance. Honestly, if I didn't have Hope & Ryan as guides and I was doing the hike on my own with just friends, I probably would have taken one look down that steep of a sea of rocks and said let's go another way. Hahaha.. But Hope was leading and offered her arm as balance support if needed, which I took a few times. Slow & steady my friends. Along the way, we also crossed two cool bridges as well. The falls were pretty and kind of reminded me of the Salto do Prego waterfall in Sao Miguel. It was a wonderful time with Hope & Ryan where we were able to learn about the area, the wildflowers and rest on the way back to our hotel in their nice, clean , comfortable and AC SUV while snacking on the way back & having good conversation. They also provide some coupons to local restaurants and shops, & an EXPERIENCE CHATTANOOGA sticker. They were kind enough to accommodate picking us up last minute at a local breakfast place that we had walked to from our hotel since, it was close to our pick up time. We really appreciated it! They offer many different hikes and different levels. If I had been there a whole week, I would have probably booked the all day waterfalls tour and the alpaca farm & coffee tour too! Be sure to check out their website! They provide in depth descriptions of their different hikes. Also, some hikes are only done certain days of the week so make sure to check for their availability! Military discounts & discounts for groups over a certain number are offered. Just be sure to mention it to them prior to payment.

    Photos
    Mountain Laurel
    Mountain Laurel
    Experience Chattanooga
    Experience Chattanooga

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    The Chattanooga Riverfront - parks - Updated July 2026

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