The votes are in and the Tampa Riverwalk has been named one of America’s Best Riverwalks in the USAToday’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Travel Awards.  After four weeks of online voting, the Tampa Riverwalk came in second place behind Detroit’s International Riverwalk to earn a place among America’s Top 10 Riverwalks. This is the first time Tampa has been nominated for the award. 

“We're grateful to everyone who voted and it was truly an honor to be nominated alongside some amazing cities and riverwalks,” said MaryBeth Williams, Executive Director of Friends of the Riverwalk, the privately funded non-profit organization that helps develop, activate and promote the Tampa Riverwalk. “Our vision is for the Tampa Riverwalk to be America’s iconic riverwalk and we are on our way to seeing that vision materialize. We hope this inspires people from all over the U.S. to include the Tampa Riverwalk in their travel plans and see for themselves what our amazing our city has to offer.” 

In January, a panel of travel editors and experts selected 20 riverwalks around the country. Online voters then cast their ballots which determined the Top 10 winners: 

  1. Detroit International RiverWalk 
  2. Tampa Riverwalk 
  3. Waterfront Park                       (Louisville, KY) 
  4. Smale Riverfront Park             (Cincinnati, OH) 
  5. Mississippi Riverwalk              (Dubuque, IA) 
  6. San Antonio, TX River Walk 
  7. Wilmington, NC Riverwalk 
  8. Charles River Esplanade         (Boston, MA) 
  9. Milwaukee, WI RiverWalk 
  10. Canal Walk                              (Indianapolis, IN) 

In selecting the Tampa Riverwalk, the travel experts noted the Tampa Riverwalk’s outstanding scenery and how it effectively links businesses, parks, and museums while serving as a central location for community activities.  

Detroit International RiverWalk also earned the top spot in last year’s 10Best Riverwalk readers’ poll, followed by Smale Riverfront Park (Cincinnati), and Wilmington Riverwalk (Wilmington, NC). 

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About Friends of the Riverwalk 

Friends of the Riverwalk is a privately funded non-profit that supports special events, activities and beautification efforts along the Tampa Riverwalk. Working in partnership with the city, its mission is to develop, activate and promote Tampa’s downtown waterfront.    

For more information, visit www.TheTampaRiverwalk.com. 

Media Contact:

MaryBeth Williams

813-221-1539

mwilliams@thetampariverwalk.com