Only one Washington park made the list of top 10 best riverwalks in the US

Riverwalks are becoming more popular across the country, featuring waterfront spaces modernized into social, cultural and economic hubs. Some have been fashioned into parks, with recreation options all along the water, and others focus more on shopping and dining.

With developed riverwalks continuing to pop up, one may wonder which are the best.

USA Today’s 10Best released a list of the top 10 riverwalks in the country, including one in Washington state.

Top 10 riverwalks in America

These top 10 best riverwalks were nominated by experts with 10Best, then voted on by readers, according to USA Today.

The selected riverwalks include options for recreation, entertainment, culture, nature and more, combining natural backgrounds with city living.

10. San Antonio River Walk - San Antonio, Texas

9. Providence River Walk - Providence, R.I.

8. Riverfront Park - Spokane, Washington

7. Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

6. Woldenberg Riverfront Park - New Orleans, Louisiana

5. The Wharf - Washington, D.C.

4. Smale Riverfront Park - Cincinnati, Ohio

3. Wilmington Riverwalk - Wilmington, North Carolina

2. Tampa Riverwalk - Tampa, Florida

1. Waterfront Park - Louisville, Kentucky

Riverfront Park in Spokane, WA

Spokane’s Riverfront Park sits on 100 acres right along the Spokane River. It was once an old railway yard, but now hosts numerous entertainment and recreation options.

It’s primarily surrounded by views of the Spokane River, but it’s also directly next to a children’s museum, a mall, dining options, and the Metropolitan Theatre and Opera House.

Within the riverwalk itself, there are many sightseeing opportunities along the river, including a sculpture walk. There’s a SkyRide cable car ride above Spokane Falls, the iconic clock tower and a hand-carved carousel, the Looff Carousel.

For recreation, you can rent pedal karts, hit the skate park or skate ribbon, or play basketball at the open courts. Kids have multiple playground options at the park. You can watch a concert or attend an event at the Gesa Credit Union Pavilion during concert season, or go ice skating during the winter.

The riverwalk even has a heated igloo for rent during the winter.