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The James River is a treasure. It’s very accessible. You can get into the river and swim, fish or rock hop anywhere from the I 95 bridge downtown through the metro area to the west. East of I95 the river is tidal. You can sail, boat and jet ski out to the ocean 70 miles east. It’s significant enough of a river east of downtown that navy vessels and tall sailing ships dock at Rocket’s Landing. There’s a small cruise ship that docks here occasionally in the summer, it’s primarily a Chesapeake Bay cities (and Wilmington NC) circuit. The Port of Richmond is just a few miles east of downtown. Commercial traffic picks up from that point east.
It’s that best of both worlds thing that makes Richmond such a great river city. You can kayak or float down the river during the week then pilot your speed boat to the Chesapeake Bay on the weekend (like with the Potomac, but the rocky parts of the James are much more accessible than the Potomac). The banks of the James are sandy and the river, when not flooded, only gets about 3-4 feet deep. It’s also all parkland on both sides of the river for 7-8 miles heading west out of downtown.
Honestly I think the answer may be Richmond. The James River has some pretty sick whitewater rafting and I think it's in the city. Can anyone confirm this?
To my knowledge it's the only city in America with Class IV rapids running right through it which makes it unique. It's common to see people white water rafting, paddle boarding, fishing and even swimming in the calmer parts of The James.
Lowell, MA has a couple class IV on the Concord River where it ends at the Merrimack.
St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans -- but the Mississippi is a working river and a bit intimidating for casual experience. It is awe inspiring. Almost any town on the Mississippi and lower Missouri has some river access and observation of the river. (Kansas City, Omaha, Vicksburg, St. Charles, Twin cities) That might be true of the Ohio River as well (Louisville, Cincinatti etc.).
Of course, New York has the Hudson
Chicago celebrates its river with boat tours.
I think Milwaukee has a downtown river that included some cafes and pedestrian areas.
Chattanooga embraces the river as I recall.
Albuquerque has the Rio Grande and the bosque forest trails.
Pittsburgh has the major confluence of two rivers.
Portland has the Willamette and the Columbia
Sacramento has its river.
Little Rock is on the Arkansas River, along with Tulsa (and eventually Wichita).
Some places even have fake rivers where they dammed up a small stream to make it look like a river.
Honestly I think the answer may be Richmond. The James River has some pretty sick whitewater rafting and I think it's in the city. Can anyone confirm this?
I’m surprised Detroit hasn’t been mentioned? It’s certainly not the first city you think of when a river city is mentioned, but the Detroit river connects the Great Lakes, and has Canada on the other side. Downtown sits on it, and has all four major league sports playing there, as well as a few legit casinos.
Boston’s river and riverfront are wonderful! The Esplanade has a concert venue, a public boathouse, playgrounds, beer gardens, and lots of space for lounging/picnics/etc. The river is always chock full of sailboats and rowboats.
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