Tampa Riverwalk Named No. 2 Best Riverwalk In Country

TAMPA, FL — The votes are in and the Tampa Riverwalk has received second place for one of America’s Best Riverwalks in USA Today's 10Best Reader’s Choice Travel Awards.

After four weeks of online voting, the Tampa Riverwalk came in 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 nonprofit 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 in Louisville, Kentucky
4. Smale Riverfront Park in Cincinnati, Ohio
5. Mississippi Riverwalk in Dubuque, Iowa
6. San Antonio, Texas, River Walk
7. Wilmington, North Carolina, Riverwalk
8. Charles River Esplanade in Boston, Massachusetts
9. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Riverwalk
10. Canal Walk in Indianapolis, Indiana

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, North Carolina.)

See related:

• Video: City Embarks On 5-Mile Extension Of Tampa Riverwalk
• Tampa Riverwalk In Running For USAToday's Best Riverwalks