The Passage (The Water Steps)

Here's another park our family has affectionately nicknamed. It is aptly named "The Passage" because it is a link from downtown (in front of The Tennessee Aquarium) to the river and because it is a memorial for the beginning of the Trail of Tears. We just call it The Water Steps because we tend to take for granted the beautiful Native American art and painful history, and we just love to play there.

PICNIC? yes

SWIMSUIT? yes

COST? none

AUTHOR'S RATING? five out of five stars!

The steps are located on the north side of the The Ocean Journey side of The Tennessee Aquarium and are a long waterfall of stairs leading to a wading pool that is underneath Riverfront Parkway. This makes the wading pool just about the coolest outdoor watering hole available in the Chattanooga area! It is shaded and the wind flows down between the walls to the river. Heavenly on a hot day, for sure!

Outside the wading pool are some beautiful arching fountains pouring into the Tennessee River.

A quick turn around those fountains leads you to Ross's landing with its wide, grassy steps and its quiet, beautiful views of the river.

(Or busy, interesting views of all the boats docked there depending on the season!)

In our family's opinion, this is the perfect Chattanooga place to spend a hot summer morning! 

{MAP FOR THE PASSAGE}