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Walking Tour of Riverfront Chattanooga

Ask this member a question. Bluecuzco Hometown Tourist
Jul 10, 2006
5.0 of 5 stars based on 6 votes
Chattanooga recenly went through a multi-million dollar waterfront renovation, and the best way to see it is by walking. The tour is in the ball park of an hour, depending on how fast you walk and how much time you spend in the many shops and trails. I'll be updating this list soon, editing in new things to see and do, but until then pm me if you want the updated facts.
  • Explore locations featured in this goList: Chattanooga
  • Category: Walking tour
  • Traveler type: Sightseeing
  • Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Honeymooners, Singles, Families with teenagers, Large groups, Seniors, Students, Budget travelers, Tourists, Pet owners
  • Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
  • Tags:
1. Aquarium Plaza
http://www.tnaqua.org
Outside of and in between River and Ocean Journey is an area supposedly struck by an earthquake. Arches Rise into the air and fountains shoot out of ripped up pavement. Take a moment to climb to the top of one of the arches or listen to the musicians that play under them. Follow the stream under the arches and down waterfalls till it ends in a pool near Riverside Dr. Take a turn to the right towards market street bridge, currently under renovations. As you go underneath the bridge, notice the maybe hundred bird's nests on the side of the bridge (I think they're swallows but I can't be sure).
2. The Zig-Zag path that Goes Underneath the Road
*This portion has been deleted due to recent experiences with certain characters who were hanging out under the bridge.*
3. Bluff View Art District and Sculpture Garden
http://www.bluffviewartdistrict.com
At the top of the path you reach a plaza with sculptures next to the Hunter Museum, but this can be left for later. Following the street from the parking lot for the museum, you get to a sort of European looking collection of shops, resturants, and a B&B, the Bluff View Arts District. While you're here, drink a cup of coffee at Rembrandtâs, have lunch at the Back Inn Cafe or at Tony's Pasta Shop and Tattoria, and watch people playing bocce ball on the bluff. Across the street fro Tony's is the outdoor sculpture garden, a collection of interesting but very expensive sculptures.
4. The Riverwalk
http://visitchattanooga.com/tn_river_park.htm
Within two or three steps of the sculpture garden is the Riverwalk, newly completed from the waterfront project. It goes along the river all the way from here to the River Park and Chickamauga Dam. Take a walk along, but don't go too far; you'll have to retrace your steps back to the Hunter Museum.
5. Hunter Museum of American Art
Hunter Museum of American Art, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Going back the through the Bluff View Art District you reach the Hunter Museum of American Art. The three buildings that compose it have such a contrast to each other it's almost scary... The newest edition, which is obviously the strangest of the three, has a nice cafe and a gift shop worth checking out. If you enjoy art you just may want to take a peek at the galleries. In the plaza there is a horse sculpture that looks to be made of driftwood but is really made of bronze.
6. Two Bridges
Walnut Street Bridge, Chattanooga, Tennessee
To reach the Walnut Street Bridge from the Hunter Museum, you must walk across a glass bridge over Riverside Drive, watching cars whiz by right below your feet. Luckily for those who might not be up to the challenge, there is a side that is not see-through.

Once again walking on solid, not see-through ground, you take another walk across the Walnut Street Bridge across the Tennessee River to North Shore. The Walnut Street Bridge was built in 1890 and at half a mile long, still stands as the longest pedestrian bridge on earth. You get excellent views of the Bluffs, Macllean Island, and Lookout Mountain.
7. The North Shore and Coolidge Park
http://www.rivercitycompany.com/ddvelop/public_places/coolidge.asp
Arriving on the North Shore, you should take a trip down the sidewalk on Frazier Avenue and take a look at the coffeehouses and boutiques. If you take a right you reach the Stone Cup, which is my most favorite coffee house in Chattanooga. Their smoothies are really good too. A short walk towards the river takes you to the 10 acre Coolidge Park, with a fountain and carousel. The animals on the carousel are very nice and ornate... almost too nice to sit on!
8. The First Street Steps
Walking back across the Walnut Street Bridge you reach the First Street Steps, another outdoor sculpture garden and incline. The incline isn't quite on the scale of the one on Lookout Mountain, but it is air-conditioned! The steps end right at the entrance of Ocean Journey, and that's where the passage starts.
9. The Passage
http://www.yvwiiusdinvnohii.net/Cherokee/News2005/May2005/CNO050521The...
Imagine a series of 20 ft wide, 100 foot high flight of stairs with water cascading down and you have a pretty good idea of what the Passage looks like. It was built as a memorial to the Cherokee Indians' trip on the Trail of Tears, on which over 4,000 Indians died. Five Cherokee artists, Team Gadugi, from Oklahoma, created the art that adorns the memorial. At the base of the passage a fountain shoots water over a hundred feet into the air, a suiting end to your trip.

Edit: This portion of the riverfront is currently out of operation due to several problems. It is expected to open by the end of summer, though it's all up in the air at this point.
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