Walnut Street Bridge, Chattanooga: Address, Phone Number, Walnut Street Bridge Reviews: 4.5/5
Walnut Street Bridge
Walnut Street Bridge
4.5
About
One of the finest examples of the Phoenix wrought-iron truss bridges that were build between 1884 and 1923.
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Top ways to experience Walnut Street Bridge and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
333 within 3 miles
Mellow Mushroom Chattanooga
842
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pizza
Easy Bistro & Bar
496
0.2 mi$$$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Hennen's
1,040
0.2 mi$$$$ • American • Vegan Options • Gluten Free Options
Rembrandt's Coffee House
526
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • American • Cafe
The Ice Cream Show
281
131 ft$$ - $$$ • Dessert • American
Puckett's Chattanooga
606
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Barbecue
Tony's Pasta Shop & Trattoria
965
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Lupi's Pizza Pies
441
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Italian • Pizza
Maple Street Biscuit Company - City Center
1,133
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Cupcake Kitchen
452
0.4 mi$ • Bakeries • American • Gluten Free Options
Attractions
96 within 6 miles
Chattanooga Riverwalk
338
0.1 miScenic Walking Areas
The Passage
33
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Tennessee Aquarium
6,971
0.2 miAquariums
National Medal of Honor Heritage Center
72
0.1 miMilitary Museums
Bluff View Art District
429
0.2 miNeighborhoods • Historic Walking Areas
The Houston Museum of Decorative Arts
33
0.1 miSpeciality Museums
River Gallery
93
0.2 miArt Galleries • Gardens
Coolidge Park Antique Carousel
327
0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Chattanooga Welcome Center
242
0.2 miVisitor Centers
Creative Discovery Museum
978
0.3 miSpeciality Museums • Children's Museums
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,929 reviews
Excellent
2,146
Very good
662
Average
109
Poor
9
Terrible
3
Toni K
Elberton, GA860 contributions
Jun 2020
Very nice bridge for a stroll. The wooden tread and the blue painted metal make a nice combination with the surrounding water and views while you're walking. The bridge is very popular and busy, so expect lots of other people to be walking/biking with you. I wouldn't recommend crossing the bridge during hot summer days. There is very little shade, and the sun will be beating down on you. Probably early Fall or Spring would be the best time to enjoy the walk with cooler temps. I'm guessing it took us about 20-30 min round trip to traverse the bridge at a leisurely pace.
Written June 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
dbae27
Staunton, VA781 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
There isn’t much to the bridge as far as sightseeing but the walk across is wonderful and safe with a great view of the river. We saw people jogging, pushing strollers, riding bikes, walking. This is a great asset to the city and allows visitors a chance to get out and explore more than you could behind the windshield of a car. We really enjoyed it!
Written March 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
southernsue2018
Jackson, MS16 contributions
May 2021
This bridge is said to be the longest pedestrian bridge in the country. I am guessing it once was the only bridge, because now a much more modern one runs alongside it.
It was a delightful place for a stroll and provided nice views of the river. Along the bridge, we spotted a couple of musicians playing for any tips you could provide and also saw a "Poet for Hire," which intrigued me, but I did not investigate. Once you walk across the bridge, you are in another area of Chattanooga. You can walk along street there and shop some, or turn around and walk back.
It was a delightful place for a stroll and provided nice views of the river. Along the bridge, we spotted a couple of musicians playing for any tips you could provide and also saw a "Poet for Hire," which intrigued me, but I did not investigate. Once you walk across the bridge, you are in another area of Chattanooga. You can walk along street there and shop some, or turn around and walk back.
Written June 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ben N
Atlanta, GA5 contributions
Oct 2020
We walked it just after dark on a beautiful cool night in October 2020. The bridge has a great view of the city along the river at night and is great to look at and take pictures. There are however problems that make me doubt I will go back with my kids until they are much older. Just as we walked onto the bridge there was a group of homeless men gathered around an outlet charging their cellphones. One of these men was selling drugs to another person in an open-air drug market. As we walked across the bridge we encountered several groups of people who were smoking weed. I would not say this is a family-friendly environment and not something I want my kids exposed to.
Written October 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ZacBuffett
Miamisburg, OH80 contributions
Mar 2020
This is a nice walkway that allows you to enjoy the north and south sides of the river. You do need to watch out for people on bicycles. They seem to think it is a race to see who can cross first. You will encounter people playing guitars and singing for tips. They won't hassle you in any kind of way and just seem to be enjoying themselves. Its clean and maintained very well. The views are enticing as well.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
worldsmymuse
Chicago, IL304 contributions
Dec 2020
A sunny stroll on the wooden floorboards of this scenic bridge makes you aware of the role of water, specifically the Tenessee River, in this pleasant southern town. You can see the art museum on the bluff and go from old historic to new and modern--including the glass peaks of the acquarium on the other bank. An excellent walk.
Written January 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
glennmcf
Washington DC, DC16 contributions
Oct 2020
The Walnut Street, or the walking bridge Connects the city’s north shore district to the area hosting the famous Chattanooga aquarium. Walk across this bridge to get to live minor league baseball at AT&T field or Moss Landing on the river front where the choices run from concerts to marathons. Back on the north shore you can polish your dancing skills with the moves to many well known dances emblazoned in brass into the sidewalks. You can also take in a live stage play at the Chattanooga Theatre Center or ride an antique carousel in Coolidge Park. Don’t miss this area!
Written October 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Regina H
6 contributions
Jul 2020
It was a nice evening walk in the evening. Many people began to come over the bridge as the sun went down. It is a nice relaxing stroll with your spouse or friends. However, it ended abruptly as if it was not complete at the end. Construction equipment or closed off, incomplete.
Written August 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Melissa S
6 contributions
May 2021
This bridge looks very old/historic. Love the views of the river and access to Coolidge Park on the other side of downtown. It has character and often street musicians playing. Worth a scenic walk down the riverfront and bridge.
Written May 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Drwlv
Las Vegas, NV27 contributions
Nov 2019 • Family
We enjoyed our walk and view from the bridge. Lots of people were out and enjoying the fresh air. There are places to eat easily accessible by foot. Music can be heard from the sidewalk artists. It is a bit strenuous if you have difficult walking, but can do so with assistance. Excellent exercise and fun to see the families and people with pets as well.
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Others places to stay in vacations places by rock city
CWWilliams
Chattanooga, TN67 contributions
All the hotels in Downtown Chattanooga are only 6-7 miles to Rock City. Otherwise, the 20+ hotels at Exit 5 on I-75 are only 13-14 miles from Rock City and Downtown, and are much less expensive that Downtown hotels. Exit 5 has the biggest mall in Tennessee, and there are many restaurants there as well. All of the Exit 5 hotels have free parking.
On Lookout Mountain, there is the Chanticleer Inn, a quaint little place to stay.
Finally, Air B&B places abound in the Downtown area. Most are reasonable.
Walnut bridge - what is distance roundtrip to see if I can walk it
Kristen S
10 contributions
About a half a mile.
pedinurse
Beachwood NJ1,028 contributions
What hours does the electric shuttle run in May?
698paulah
Chattanooga, TN41 contributions
The electric shuttle bus schedule is as follows:
Monday through Friday - 6:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Saturday - 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Sunday - 9:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.
They run every 5 minutes
Tracey M
Chattanooga, TN11 contributions
I am looking at getting married in October on the Walnut Street Bridge and was just look for advice from others who have gotten married on the bridge. The Parks & Recreation Department is telling me that we can only use one lane of the bridge, which doesn't seem like it will leave a lot of room for chairs and things for our guests. I have seen pictures of weddings on the bridge and it looks like they are using the whole center part of the bridge but that is not what they are telling me I can do so just looking for advice from others who have gotten married there. Thanks.
sunshineforever1955
Chattanooga, TN10 contributions
I didn't get married there but the bridge is pretty wide. I think you'd just need to find out the dimensions of it and go from there.
Do they have Christmas lights on this bridge this time of year?
Kevin K
Chattanooga, TN418 contributions
YES! Great stars utilizing environmentally efficient LED lighting.
Mommytraveler1022
Summit, MS32 contributions
Hi! What hotel did you stay at? Also are there shops at the end of the bridge?
Jimmy L
Chattanooga, TN18 contributions
Yes there are several shops and cafés at end of bridge. The bridge goes from downtown to the north shore of Tennessee river. Lots to do. Can even rent bikes and bike all of downtown and north shore. New bike lanes all through downtown.
Tiffany P
Havelock, North Carolina, United States1 contribution
How far is this bridge from the aquarium?
chickychick35217
Birmingham, AL196 contributions
Within walking distance, I would say maybe a 10 minute walk at a leisurely pace. Walking across and back would add to that and if you visited any of the shops or restaurants, the carousel... of course that would add to that but when the weather is nice, it's a great way to see Chattanooga.
Can you drive to the spot where you can see the seven states, or do you have to walk up mountain trail and rocks to get there? Is this spot on Lookout Mountain?
Sharon M
410 contributions
You drive to Rock City and Walk to the view point. There is a charge to enter Rock City but paths are paved and handicap accessible.
WUMom
High Point, NC99 contributions
We're staying at the Staybridge Suites downtown in about two weeks. How far is the bridge from there and the convention center? Also where do you board the free shuttle and where does it take you? Thanks!
mikebham01
Birmingham, AL360 contributions
bout the distance, but everything seems to be within a mile. The shuttle covers a circular pattern through most of downtown.
Frequently Asked Questions about Walnut Street Bridge
- We recommend booking Walnut Street Bridge tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 7 Walnut Street Bridge tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Walnut Street Bridge:
- Chattanooga's North Shore & Coolidge Park Guided Segway Tour (From $75.00)
- Chattanooga Guided Electric Bike City Tour (From $80.00)
- Historic Downtown Chattanooga Segway Tour (From $82.39)
- 3-Hour Chickamauga Dam Lock Through Kayak Tour (From $79.00)
- Crazy Chattanooga Scavenger Hunt (From $22.40)
- Hotels near Walnut Street Bridge:
- (0.05 mi) The Edwin Hotel, Autograph Collection
- (0.19 mi) Bluff View Inn
- (0.24 mi) Courtyard by Marriott Chattanooga Downtown
- (0.35 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Chattanooga / Downtown
- (0.32 mi) Hilton Garden Inn Chattanooga Downtown
- Restaurants near Walnut Street Bridge:
- (0.02 mi) The Ice Cream Show
- (0.05 mi) Whitebird
- (0.04 mi) Whiskey Thief
- (0.12 mi) Puckett's Chattanooga
- (0.08 mi) Leapin' Leprechaun