Pedestrian Bridge at sunset: is it worth it?
Our score, honest verdict, what it costs, how to avoid the crowds, and what to do instead if it is not for you.
Our verdict: worth it, and it costs nothing
One of the best free things to do in Nashville. Walk out before sunset, take in the skyline over the river and head back to dinner. It is a bridge walk, not an all-day outing, so pair it with Broadway or the Ryman.
Free to walk, and open to pedestrians and cyclists.
Popular near sunset and on weekends, but it is long enough to find space.
A 1909 bridge that once carried cars and streetcars, now a walkway with skyline views.
Easy to reach on foot from Broadway; no ticket or booking.
Who should go, and who should skip it
- You want a free, easy view of the skyline
- You want a short walk before dinner or a show
- You are not comfortable with heights or a long open walkway
- It is very hot, since there is little shade on the bridge
To compare, read our review of Lower Broadway honky-tonks and Ryman Auditorium.
Better alternatives and what pairs well
NIGHTLIFEPhoto: Cpl. Vincent Needham, public domainLower Broadway honky-tonks
The strip of live-music honky-tonks on Broadway, where bands play from late morning to the early hours.
MUSICPhoto: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0Ryman Auditorium
The historic downtown theater known as the Mother Church of Country Music, open for daytime tours and evening shows.
Frequently asked questions
Is the pedestrian bridge free?
Yes. It is open to pedestrians and cyclists and there is no charge.
What is the bridge's history?
It opened in 1909 as the Sparkman Street Bridge, was closed to cars in 1998, was converted to a pedestrian bridge, and was renamed for journalist John Seigenthaler in 2014. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
How long is the bridge?
Sources differ slightly. Wikipedia gives about 3,150 feet in total length.
