T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge
T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge
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5.0
49 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
6
Average
1
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0
Terrible
1
GailDez
Vienna, VA214 contributions
Feb 2020
Located right next to the American Civil War Museum - Tredegar - spend some time walking over the James River. Can walk across and back - 20 minutes total, or meander at the end, or combine with Canal Walk.
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wood_brothers21
Gum Spring, VA86 contributions
Dec 2016 • Solo
A much shorter version of this one third of a mile structure was called the Brown’s Island Dam Walk. After years of public wrangling and finally construction, there is now a pedestrian only way to cross from the north side of the James River to the south or vice-versa. The north side of this attraction can be reached from Tredegar Street near South 5th Street. Drive west on Tredegar, past the Civil War center to reach a small lot where you can park your car for free. There are limited spaces available and a time limit as well.
The old wooden access structure remains intact on Brown’s Island. A narrow wooden ramp provides a gateway to the new construction. This new structure sits atop the piers of an historic old dam. It is accessed from Brown’s Island on the north and from near the Manchester Climbing Wall on the south. Open twenty four hours a day, the ten foot wide pathway is perched approximately just 17.5 feet above the water’s normal level. The walkway is composed of Safe-T-Grid aluminum grating and one can almost see through it. Upon each side of the walkway, iron stanchions are anchored to concrete and wired metal mesh runs from column to column affixed with taught wire on the top and bottom. There are handrails the entire length of the structure.
Travelling south, one encounters small areas where the surface of the lane juts out and where, perhaps, in the future they’ll place benches. These areas give one a place to stop, stand and get out of the way of bicycles, pedestrians and their pets. The river roars beneath you, the higher the water the louder it gets. Serenity only lies to the west, turbulence to the east. Sometimes hundreds of gulls and other sea birds perch upon exposed rocks, other times they swirl raucously above. This is the James River in all its ferocity or on other days its sluggishness. The bridge ends and an asphalt paved route continues along the lower, upriver edge of the embankment toward the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks. This is a working rail siding and you’ll see locomotives pulling small numbers of equipment to and fro. There are no fences to prevent you from coming in contact with a moving train. This area intersects with the floodwall which is a little to the north / northeast of this position. The asphalt trail continues as a switchback up the hill to a point where you can walk to an overlook and take a steep set of wooden stairs back to the bridge or to a closer set of steel steps. After descending using your method of choice as you head north, just after the steep wooden steps you’ll see another staircase to the east that leads to an unpaved area, if you follow the treacherous “goat path” you’ll be again close to the floodwall. Bypass these steps to continue your round trip. If you walk a mile in twenty minutes it should take you about eight minutes to complete the route one way. With such natural beauty to behold you would be foolish to go that fast.
The old wooden access structure remains intact on Brown’s Island. A narrow wooden ramp provides a gateway to the new construction. This new structure sits atop the piers of an historic old dam. It is accessed from Brown’s Island on the north and from near the Manchester Climbing Wall on the south. Open twenty four hours a day, the ten foot wide pathway is perched approximately just 17.5 feet above the water’s normal level. The walkway is composed of Safe-T-Grid aluminum grating and one can almost see through it. Upon each side of the walkway, iron stanchions are anchored to concrete and wired metal mesh runs from column to column affixed with taught wire on the top and bottom. There are handrails the entire length of the structure.
Travelling south, one encounters small areas where the surface of the lane juts out and where, perhaps, in the future they’ll place benches. These areas give one a place to stop, stand and get out of the way of bicycles, pedestrians and their pets. The river roars beneath you, the higher the water the louder it gets. Serenity only lies to the west, turbulence to the east. Sometimes hundreds of gulls and other sea birds perch upon exposed rocks, other times they swirl raucously above. This is the James River in all its ferocity or on other days its sluggishness. The bridge ends and an asphalt paved route continues along the lower, upriver edge of the embankment toward the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks. This is a working rail siding and you’ll see locomotives pulling small numbers of equipment to and fro. There are no fences to prevent you from coming in contact with a moving train. This area intersects with the floodwall which is a little to the north / northeast of this position. The asphalt trail continues as a switchback up the hill to a point where you can walk to an overlook and take a steep set of wooden stairs back to the bridge or to a closer set of steel steps. After descending using your method of choice as you head north, just after the steep wooden steps you’ll see another staircase to the east that leads to an unpaved area, if you follow the treacherous “goat path” you’ll be again close to the floodwall. Bypass these steps to continue your round trip. If you walk a mile in twenty minutes it should take you about eight minutes to complete the route one way. With such natural beauty to behold you would be foolish to go that fast.
Written 8 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mjrgnsn
Ocala, FL605 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
We finally made it down to check out this “new to us” foot trail and bridge from Manchester to Browns Island areas. Beautiful scenic views of the James River and downtown. Watch and enjoy the wild life, hiking trails and take in some history. Kayaking, paddle boards, swimming, and river rafters enjoy the rapids and relaxing paddle. Worth the stop!
Written 27 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy M
Richmond, VA37 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
This bridge is genius! Go when the sun is setting for some gorgeous photos of the river and city. I typically park on the southern side of the river so I can walk across, around the canal walks and then back over. The breeze is great when it's a warm evening.
Written 16 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chinapjs
Washington DC, DC3,632 contributions
Feb 2018 • Family
What fun. The walk across this pedestrian bridge (plus bikes) has wonderful views as you cross the James River. There are also frequent information markers along the way that add historical significance. Kids love it two, it's not strenuous and very safe
Written 26 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward Q
Brooklyn, NY147 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
Coming from the Manchester side of the James River, I found the entrance to the trail leading to the bridge behind Sun Trust Riverview (end of 10th St.). There is a bridge over the railroad tracks that connect with trails and stairs. There are paved trails for bicyclists, stairs that go more directly to the Potterfield bridge, and a gravel trail (Floodwater Trail) that heads Southeast. At the beginning of the Potterfield bridge there is a climbing wall, though I did not see anyone using it.
The paved walkways, stairs, and bridge are very well maintained. There is plenty of signage. The walking bridge is wide enough to accommodate bikers, runners, dog walkers, and people strolling. In the evening the bridge gives a great view of the downtown buildings outlined in lights. People were entering the bridge from the Tredegar St. side, though I did not explore that side of the river. I was back for the first snow of the season and enjoyed seeing the city through the falling snow.
The bridge is a great way of getting some exercise and viewing the river. If you go to the Manchester side, try out the two breweries: Legend and Twisted Ale. Twisted Ale only serves beer, but welcome people to bring in food. Legend serves food as well. I've also been there when they've had live music.
The paved walkways, stairs, and bridge are very well maintained. There is plenty of signage. The walking bridge is wide enough to accommodate bikers, runners, dog walkers, and people strolling. In the evening the bridge gives a great view of the downtown buildings outlined in lights. People were entering the bridge from the Tredegar St. side, though I did not explore that side of the river. I was back for the first snow of the season and enjoyed seeing the city through the falling snow.
The bridge is a great way of getting some exercise and viewing the river. If you go to the Manchester side, try out the two breweries: Legend and Twisted Ale. Twisted Ale only serves beer, but welcome people to bring in food. Legend serves food as well. I've also been there when they've had live music.
Written 9 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bryan B
Charlotte, NC21 contributions
Nov 2021 • Family
Not much too it but this bridge has some really great views of the river, a railroad line, and several other bridges and ruins of bridges.
Written 13 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tricia C
Greenville, SC26 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
A nice nature plus history walk in Richmond. Historical markers and quotes on the bridge, plus nature all around. A nice stroll with friends.
Written 21 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
margob99
London, UK224 contributions
Sept 2019
It seems a strange place to incorporate the experience of the April 1865 fall of the city to the North in the Civil War, but the elements were sensitively embedded, beautifully maintained and told, and the setting is just stunning. I thoroughly enjoyed my leisurely amble across the bridge - well worth the visit. Thank you!
Written 29 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
meme2six
137 contributions
May 2019 • Family
Take the kids ! There are so many interesting things to see from this bridge that you must visit over and over - osprey nests, trains, kayakers, the rapids, beautiful sunsets. It's a nice walk and has great views.
Written 29 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you tell me the address of the parking lot on Southside for the Tyler Potterfield Bridge? Thanks.
Written 5 March 2023
Where do you park on the South Side? I looked all over to find that information and couldn't figure it out! Thanks!
Written 30 December 2018
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