18-04-2025
This riverwalk in RI is one of the best in the US, per USA Today. How to go
If you like long walks in nature, consider checking out this trail along the water in Rhode Island.
USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards just released its public space rankings, and one riverwalk in Rhode Island ranked among the best in the country.
The annual 10BEST awards highlight the best in travel, food and lifestyle, and winners are chosen by a public voting poll after being nominated by industry experts. In the public spaces awards, highlighting the top parks, playgrounds, trails and more from across the country, The Providence Riverwalk ranked ninth in the best riverwalk category.
Here's what to know about the top-rated riverwalk in Rhode Island.
The Providence Riverwalk is a scenic nature walk stretching for 2.4 miles along the Providence River waterfront, from Point Street Bridge to the Waterplace Park basin. Along with aesthetic scenes of downtown Providence's nature and skyline, the Riverwalk offers views of historic sites like Memorial Park and the spot of the original Union Station.
The Riverwalk is also loaded with public art pieces, shops and restaurants, from casual cafes to high-end seafood restaurants. During the summer months, the Providence Riverwalk becomes a hub for outdoor entertainment. USA TODAY recommends kayaking through the river with Providence Kayak, riding in an authentic Venetian gondola through La Gondola Providence or stopping to watch lights and fire burst through the river in a WaterFire show.
Currently, the Providence Riverwalk is undergoing a resilience project that will increase ADA accessibility, improve the river's water quality and connect 55 miles of regional trail systems, among other renovations. The riverwalk is open to the public daily along the Providence River.
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Here is the full ranking of USA TODAY's top 10 riverwalks in the country:
Waterfront Park - Louisville, KY
Tampa Riverwalk - Tampa, FL
Wilmington Riverwalk - Wilmington, NC
Smale Riverfront Park - Cincinnati, OH
The Wharf - Washington, D.C.
Woldenberg Riverfront Park - New Orleans, LA
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Riverfront Park - Spokane, WA
The Providence Riverwalk - Providence, RI
San Antonio River Walk - San Antonio, TX
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Riverwalk named one of best in US. How to go
