Louisville’s waterfront is the top of the pops, according to a recent ranking by USA Today.
Waterfront Park was ranked the No. 1 Best Riverwalk in the country by the 2025 USA Today Readers’ Choice award. It’s not the park’s first time on the list, either. Here’s a look at how the park has climbed the banks ranks over the years:
- 2021: ranked No. 6
- 2022: ranked No. 4
- 2023: ranked No. 3
- 2024: ranked No. 3
- 2025: ranked No. 1
Waterfront Park is always undergoing expansions + improvements, and has been since it was created in 1986.
One of the most recent additions was the PlayPort playground, which opened in March in collaboration with the Kentucky Science Center. It’s just one part of the park’s westward expansion. Phase IV, underway right now, highlights the area’s history as an industrial hub while improving accessibility + adding green space.
Last year, Waterfront Park celebrated 25 years since its first 55 acres were dedicated. Here’s a snapshot of how it’s making waves:
- The area attracts 2.4 million annual visitors.
- 100,000 people walk the Big Four Bridge every month during the summer.
- Waterfront Park is the most-visited location in Downtown Louisville.
- Local visitors come from seven regional counties and all 26 Metro Council districts.
