Chattanooga Rydables Tour: Walnut Street Bridge & Bluff View Arts

Art alleys, a historic bridge, and a river view from a unicorn, dragon, or elephant

Chattanooga's Rydables Tour is a 1.5-hour guided ride through downtown Chattanooga on a motorized stuffed-animal scooter: your choice of unicorn, dragon, or elephant. Starting at 707 Cherry Street, you'll pass through art alleys and post-Civil War buildings, cross the Walnut Street Bridge for views of the Tennessee River and Lookout Mountain, explore the Bluff View Arts district, and pass the Bessie Smith Center in the historic Big 9 neighborhood. A live English-speaking guide leads the way. Children under 12 must ride with an adult, and the tour suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Chattanooga's historic sites

• Start at 707 Cherry St office
• Receive scooter training
• Ride through art alleys
• Pass post Civil War buildings
• Visit Tennessee Aquarium area
• Cross Walnut Street Bridge
• Pause for river and city views
• Explore Bluff View Art District
• Pass Big 9 historic neighborhood
• See Bessie Smith Center

The experience

You start at the office on Cherry Street in downtown Chattanooga, where a brief training gets you comfortable on your Rydable: the motorized scooter shaped like a unicorn, dragon, or elephant that you'll ride for the next 90 minutes. The training is short, and the scooters are designed to be intuitive, so even first-time riders move through the city without fuss. From there, the guide leads you through the art alleys that thread through downtown, then past the post-Civil War era buildings that frame Chattanooga's history before you reach the Tennessee Aquarium.

The Walnut Street Bridge is the centerpiece of the route. Built in 1891 and closed to cars in the 1970s, it's now one of the longest pedestrian and bike bridges in the country, and you'll ride across it to take in the Tennessee River, Lookout Mountain, and the city skyline. The guide pauses here for photos, so you have time to absorb the view and capture the moment. From the bridge, you head into the Bluff View Arts district, a neighborhood perched on a bluff with galleries, artisan shops, and cobblestone streets that feel European in scale. You'll pass through the Big 9, a historic African American neighborhood, and see the Bessie Smith Center before the tour wraps back downtown.

The whole experience blends movement with storytelling. You're not standing still listening to a guide, and you're not rushing through stops. The Rydable itself is the draw for families and anyone who wants to see the city in a way that feels playful rather than formal. Children from age 1 can join (riding with an adult if they're under 12), and the tour is designed for all fitness levels since the scooter does the work.

What’s included

• Use of your choice of Rydable (unicorn, dragon, or elephant).
• brief training before departure.
• a live English-speaking guide leading the full 1.5-hour route through downtown art alleys, past the Tennessee Aquarium, across the Walnut Street Bridge, through the Bluff View Arts district, and past the Bessie Smith Center.

Options for this experience

2 options

From Trains to Bridges: Chattanooga's Rydables TourGuide in English · 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 18:00

Chattanooga’s Rydables TourGuide in English · 11:00, 13:00 and 15:001 child aged 1-11 rides with an adult

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Wednesday and FridayDepartures at 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 18:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (1 to 11 years)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Chattanooga Segway & Bike

Is this one for you?The Rydable itself is what makes this tour different from a walking or bus-based history tour. You're moving through the city on a motorized scooter shaped like a stuffed animal, which appeals to families and anyone who wants the landmarks and stories without the pace of a traditional guided walk. If you have a free afternoon and want to cover multiple neighborhoods and the iconic bridge in 90 minutes without arranging your own transport, the scooter handles both the distance and the novelty.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (1 to 11 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Walnut Street Bridge and why is it worth crossing on this tour?

The Walnut Street Bridge is a historic 1891 structure spanning the Tennessee River and one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world. You'll ride across it to see views of the river, Lookout Mountain, and the city skyline, with time to stop for photos.

How much training do I need before the tour starts?

A brief training at the office on Cherry Street gets you comfortable on the Rydable before you set out. No prior experience is needed.

What is the Bluff View Arts district like?

The Bluff View Arts district is a charming neighborhood perched on a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River, featuring galleries, artisan shops, cobblestone streets, and a European-inspired atmosphere. You'll ride through it as part of the tour route.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not very fit?

Yes, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels because the motorized Rydable does the work. You're riding, not walking or climbing.