Discovered within the foothills of the Appalachian mountains on the southern fringe of Tennessee, town of Chattanooga has lengthy been a well-liked vacation vacation spot. We’ve visited various instances, and since we moved to the US it’s turn out to be one in all our favourite cities for a fast in a single day journey.
It’s positioned proper alongside the borders of the states of Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, making it a handy getaway for many individuals. It’s a 3 hour or much less drive from Atlanta, Huntsville, Nashville, Knoxville, Birmingham, and Dollywood.
There’s one thing right here for everybody, from mountaineering trails to Civil Struggle sights to museums and household pleasant sights. There’s additionally a variety of lodging, scrumptious eating choices, and it’s simple to get round.
This information goes to undergo all our favourite issues to do in Chattanooga, overlaying all of the sights and actions we expect you’ll get pleasure from. Whether or not you’re visiting for a day or every week, we expect this information gives you a number of inspiration to your journey.
In addition to issues to do, it’s additionally going to cowl the place to remain, the way to get round, and different suggestions to your go to. So we hope you get pleasure from this information to visiting Chattanooga, Tennessee!
Issues to do in Chattanooga, Tennessee
This information to issues to do will cowl our favourite actions within the metropolis and we expect it covers a various set of pursuits. We’ll begin with the downtown sights, most of that are inside strolling distance of one another.
We’ll then undergo a few of the sights just a little additional out of city which would require both a automotive or different type of transport to succeed in.
We suggest utilizing this listing of issues to do to create your personal excellent Chattanooga itinerary, so you already know what you need to do and the way lengthy you would possibly need to go to.
Tennessee Aquarium
One in every of downtown’s Chattanooga’s hottest sights is the Tennessee Aquarium. That is broadly considered among the best aquariums within the USA, and in the event you like studying about wildlife and seeing aquatic animals, we extremely suggest a go to.
We actually loved our go to to the Tennessee Aquarium. I notably preferred the logical format, which has you beginning your go to within the River Journey constructing. Right here, you basically observe the journey of a drop water because it travels from the Appalachian Mountains, all the best way downstream to the Gulf of Mexico. You move by quite a lot of habitats on this journey, and see a variety of species as you go.
There are a whole lot of displays, however some highlights for us have been the otters, alligators, turtles, and river giants. I’d additionally add that habitats past the USA are included within the journey to present you an concept of river habitats all over the world.
When you full the River Journey constructing, you progress to the separate Ocean Journey constructing. This continues your journey because the water drop heads out into the ocean, and consists of all the pieces from contact ray tanks to jellyfish, penguins, and sharks. We additionally actually loved the butterfly backyard which was full of huge butterflies after we visited.
There’s additionally an IMAX theater that’s a part of the Tennessee Aquarium complicated, and you should buy tickets to any of the reveals. There are usually 2 or 3 totally different motion pictures taking part in, from nature documentaries to the newest Hollywood movies. If you wish to see a movie, I’d positively verify exhibiting instances forward of time and plan accordingly.
The Tennessee Aquarium is pretty costly, however was positively among the best aquariums I’ve visited, so I’d say is well worth the worth so long as you will have at the least a few hours. It will positively make for an excellent attraction to fill a while in the event you’re visiting Chattanooga with youngsters.
The Aquarium is a very fashionable attraction and will get crowded, notably on weekends and holidays. So, it may be a good suggestion to go to on weekdays close to opening or later within the afternoon as morning guests and faculty teams could be leaving.
Observe that tickets bought are with timed entry, so if there’s a particular time slot you propose to go to, it’s a good suggestion to e book forward as they restrict the variety of company who can enter throughout every time slot.
Discover out extra about opening instances and ticket costs on the official Tennessee Aquarium web site right here.
If you happen to, or any of your journey companions, are all in favour of American navy historical past and veterans affairs, the following door Nationwide Medal of Honor Heritage Heart could be of curiosity.
Hunter Museum of American Artwork
About seven minutes stroll from the Tennessee Aquarium is the Hunter Museum of American Artwork, which is discovered within the Bluff View Arts District. This space is residence to various museums, galleries, retailers and eateries, and is nicely price exploring even in the event you don’t go to the Hunter Museum. It’s also possible to get beautiful views of the river from right here.
Nonetheless, if you’re all in favour of artwork, then we extremely suggest a go to to the Hunter Museum of American Artwork. Because the identify suggests, this artwork museum focuses on American Artwork, with a everlasting assortment of virtually 3,000 works. These cowl a spread of artist kinds and embody work, sculptures, pictures, combined media, ornamental arts, and extra.
There’s free parking on web site for guests to the museum, simply make sure you register your automotive’s license plate. There’s an admission payment, and the museum is often closed on Tuesdays.
Once you’re within the Bluff Arts District we are able to additionally suggest a go to to the close by Anna Safley Houston Museum Of Ornamental Arts to anybody who loves ornamental artwork and eclectic collections. You’ll be able to learn extra about that in our information to different museums in Chattanooga under.
Guide a Tour of Chattanooga
One good approach to discover a brand new metropolis is to take a tour with a neighborhood information. There are a selection of excursions of Chattanooga out there, some providing a common overview of town and different specializing in a selected topic. Listed here are some steered excursions to contemplate.
One other free approach to see town with out driving or strolling is to experience the free metropolis shuttles. These run from the Chattanooga Choo Choo to the Tennessee Aquarium and are a great way to get round totally free and see a few of the downtown space.
Artistic Discovery Museum
If you happen to’re visiting Chattanooga with youngsters aged 18 months to 12 years, then you definitely would possibly need to plan a go to to Chattanooga’s Artistic Discovery Museum.
This downtown museum is targeted on offering a enjoyable surroundings for teenagers to study and play. It has various everlasting interactive displays, from a treehouse journey space by to 1 educating about life on the farm, a riverboat space, a library for studying, a STEM zone, and much extra.
Suffice to say, this museum will certainly hold your youngsters occupied for a couple of hours throughout your go to to Chattanooga. Discover out extra about opening hours and ticket costs on the Artistic Discovery museum web site right here.
Different Museums
For a metropolis of its dimension, Chattanooga is fortunate to have a whole lot of museums. I’ve talked about a few of the extra fashionable museums in Chattanooga, however there are extra museums you’ll be able to go to, relying in your pursuits and the way a lot time you will have.
We are able to extremely suggest visiting a number of of the next museums when you’ve got the time while you’re within the metropolis. Whether or not you are interested within the navy, African American historical past, pinball machines, tow vans, outdated vehicles, or artwork, you’re positive to seek out one thing of curiosity!
- Coolidge Nationwide Medal of Honor Heritage Heart – This interactive museum traces the historical past of the Medal of Honor throughout time, navy conflicts, and its recipients. The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest navy award for valor, introduced to service members who show “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity on the threat of life above and past the decision of obligation”. The very first recipient of the Medal of Honor was Personal Jacob Parrott in 1863 for his position within the Nice Locomotive Chase that occurred close to Chattanooga.
- Bessie Smith Cultural Heart – This wonderful museum has various displays which largely deal with the Black historical past of Chattanooga. Displays take you thru the beginnings of slavery within the space, by the Civil Struggle, the Jim Crow Period, the Civil Rights motion, after which to more moderen instances together with life on ninth avenue (Chattanooga’s model of Beale Road). I actually loved this museum and may positively suggest it.
- Worldwide Tow Truck Museum – If you happen to’re in search of one thing just a little totally different, then I’d counsel a visit to the Worldwide Tow Truck Museum. Jess and I like visiting museums like this, which deal with a very particular topic that we would not in any other case have realized about. This museum, because the identify implies, focuses on the historical past of the tow truck, which was invented in Chattanooga in 1916 by Ernest Holmes Sr. The museum charts the historical past of the tow truck and the automobile towing business. We knew nothing about tow vans after we visited however left with a whole lot of information in addition to a newfound respect for the individuals who work on this usually harmful subject.
- Anna Safley Houston Museum Of Ornamental Arts – This museum focuses on the relatively outstanding assortment of Anna Could Safley, a Chattanooga resident who made it her life’s work to gather antiques. Her outstanding assortment expanded to over 15,000 ornamental arts objects, together with all the pieces from Tiffany glass to Tennessee furnishings. A go to right here presents a stroll by time. The actual spotlight for us although was the information who walked us by the shows, he introduced all of it to life and joined the dots for us. So, if you’re supplied a guided expertise, we extremely suggest taking it.
- Coker Museum – This museum is residence to over 130 classic autos, together with vehicles, bikes and airplanes. It’s discovered just a little south of the downtown space, close to the Choo Choo. There’s free parking on web site.
- Pinball Museum – If you happen to favor your museums to be of the fingers on, interactive sort, look no additional than the Pinball Museum, discovered downtown a few blocks from the Aquarium. The museum, because the identify suggests, is devoted to the Pinball machine, and the concept is that you just study by play. An entry ticket will get you limitless performs on over 40 pinball machines, courting from the Nineteen Seventies to the current day. You’ll be able to even depart and return, they usually additionally serve soda, snacks and beer to maintain you going.
All of the above museums and cultural facilities have an admission payment to go to. Tickets can usually be bought each on the door and upfront. Examine the museum’s web site for opening instances and ticket costs.
Strive a Moon Pie
One fashionable factor to eat in Chattanooga that you just don’t must go to a restaurant for is the Moon Pie. The Moon Pie is a smooth cookie that consists of two spherical Graham crackers dipped in a flavored coating, with a marshmallow middle filling. These have been made by Chattanooga Bakery Inc since 1917.
The unique taste of the Moon Pie was chocolate however they now are available in quite a lot of flavors and colours. The 5 common flavors are chocolate, vanilla, banana, strawberry, and salted caramel, however we’ve additionally come throughout quite a lot of seasonal flavors and particular releases.
Jess and I had our first Moon Pie years in the past in Cellular, Alabama throughout Mardi Gras. They’re a very fashionable “throw” throughout the Mardi Gras parades there and are a well-liked snack all through a lot of the South.
You should purchase them in quite a lot of places in Chattanooga (grocery shops, comfort shops, Walmart, and so forth.), however two of those with wider picks are:
- Moonpie Basic Retailer on the Southern Belle (positioned inside completely moored Southern Belle riverboat)
- St. Elmo’s Mercantile (close to Incline Railway)
The basic accompaniment to a Moon Pie is a bottle or can of RC Cola. This soda which was invented in Georgia has lengthy been related to the Moon Pie within the South. So in the event you can deal with the additional sugar, you’ll be able to wash down your Moon Pie with a chilly can of RC Cola!
Stroll throughout the Walnut Road Bridge
The Walnut Road Bridge is likely one of the icons of Chattanooga. It spans 2,376 ft throughout the Tennessee River, linking the downtown space (close to the Hunter Artwork Museum) with the north aspect of town.
It was initially constructed for every type of visitors, which on the time it opened was primarily horse-drawn wagons and pedestrians. Later, this included automobile visitors.
Over time, bigger bridges just like the Olgiati and Market Road bridges have been constructed which have been designed for heavier visitors. In 1978, because of issues over structural integrity, the Walnut Road Bridge was closed to automobile visitors and largely deserted for a decade.
Fortunately, efforts to revive the bridge to a secure working order have been commenced, and in 1993 the bridge was reopened as a pedestrian solely bridge. Right now it’s a well-liked attraction and even performs host to occasions and festivals which happen on the bridge itself.
It’s additionally essential to recollect that there’s a darker aspect to the bridge’s historical past. It was the location of the lynching of two Black males, Alfred Blount in 1893, and Ed Johnson in 1906. Each males have been hanged from the bridge. Right now the southern finish of the bridge has a statue to Ed Johnson as a memorial, which you’ll go to.
Observe: The Walnut Road Bridge is at present closed for a restoration venture beginning in March 2025, and it’s anticipated to re-open round September 2026. Nonetheless, whilst you can’t stroll throughout, you’ll be able to nonetheless stroll by and admire it if you’re exploring the Bluff View Arts District.
Choo Choo Historic Space
The Choo Choo Historic space is simply south of downtown, and may most simply be reached by the free electrical shuttles that run from close to the Tennessee Aquarium all the way down to the Choo Choo space.
The Chattanooga Choo Choo is the place the unique important practice station in Chattanooga was discovered. The primary station was Union Station, which was inbuilt 1858. This was changed within the early twentieth century by Terminal Station, which at its peak was servicing 50 passenger trains a day in addition to freight trains.
Many individuals affiliate Chattanooga with trains due to the favored 1941 track “Chattanooga Choo Choo” by the Glenn Miller Orchestra. This track would additionally encourage a movie of the identical identify in 1984.
Sadly, the decline of the railway as a method of passenger transport meant that trains turned few and much between, and Terminal Station was shuttered within the Nineteen Seventies. Plans have been made for its demolition.
Fortunately, some enterprising people noticed the potential of the station and surrounding space as an leisure and retail district, and it was became a lodge and leisure middle. The lodge opened because the Hilton in 1973, and was rebranded because the Chattanooga Choo Choo Resort in 1989. Right now it is called Resort Chalet on the Choo Choo, and you’ll even keep in a restored practice automotive do you have to want.
Right now, you’ll be able to go to the world the place you can find various bars, eating places and present retailers, in addition to practice vehicles and even small distilleries and breweries. It’s nicely price coming right here for wander, a drink, or a chew to eat, even in the event you aren’t staying within the lodge right here. The outdated terminal constructing is admittedly beautiful, and it’s a beautiful area to get pleasure from.
Jess and I stayed on the Resort Chalet on the Choo Choo on one go to to Chattanooga and visited a few of the bars, eating places and retailers right here. It’s additionally neat simply to stroll round and see the outdated practice carriages and the outdated Terminal constructing.
Chattanooga Zoo
A few miles east of downtown Chattanooga is the Chattanooga Zoo which occupies a 13-acre web site. This is likely one of the smallest accredited zoos within the USA, however it does provide nice worth.
Notable displays embody the purple panda exhibit, which is definitely the biggest indoor purple panda exhibit on this planet. The zoo additionally has many different animals, together with giraffe, jaguar, snow leopards, warthogs, monkeys, chimpanzees, and extra.
There’s free parking on web site. You will discover out extra and plan your go to on the official Chattanooga Zoo web site right here.
Water Actions on the Tennessee River
Chattanooga sits on the Tennessee River, and there are a variety of water-based actions that you are able to do in Chattanooga and the encompassing space. Listed here are some choices.
- River cruise – One of the fashionable river actions is a cruise on the Tennessee River. Operator Southern Belle has various cruise choices out there, together with sundown cruises, daytime sightseeing cruises, in addition to lunch and dinner cruises. Cruises run 12 months spherical and you’ll see schedules and e book on-line upfront right here.
- Kayaking / Arise Paddleboarding – One other fashionable choice is to go kayaking or arise paddleboarding on the Tennessee River. You’ll be able to lease craft from L2 Leases in downtown Chattanooga. Alternatively, you can too take guided excursions. For instance, this guided tour takes you to see the Sandhill Cranes, and this one has you seeing the bats emerge from the caves of Nickajack Lake.
- Whitewater rafting – If you happen to’d favor one thing with a bit extra adrenaline, then you definitely would possibly contemplate going white water rafting. Quite a few operators provide raft journeys on the Ocoee River, which is just below an hours drive from Chattanooga. That is one choice, right here is one other.
Even in the event you don’t have time for a cruise or water exercise, the Riverfront space is a pleasant place to take a stroll or have a jog. A 16 mile paved strolling path, the Tennessee River Stroll, hyperlinks downtown Chattanooga with the Chickamauga Dam, with parks and scenic viewpoints alongside the best way.
In fact, you don’t should stroll all the size of it! We did the brief stroll between the Southern Belle riverboat and the sculpture backyard within the Bluff View Arts District and actually loved it.
Chattanooga Market
Chattanooga has a couple of totally different meals and craft markets, however the one we most suggest visiting is the Chattanooga Market. That is held each Sunday from April by December, and could be discovered on the First Horizon Pavillion, a brief drive south of downtown, throughout from Finley Stadium.
The market, which has been working since 2001, is a mixed arts and crafts market and farmers market. We noticed contemporary produce, bread, honey, flowers, arts, crafts, leather-based items, soaps, pet toys, gifting gadgets, and rather more. There have been additionally many distributors promoting sizzling meals, drinks, and snacks.
Standards for stallholders is strict, with all gadgets required to be grown or created straight by the particular person promoting it. There’s additionally a vetting course of in place. So you’re assured to seek out some distinctive merchandise right here, not generic mass produced gadgets.
There are additionally usually quite a lot of meals vans on web site and there are sometimes stay music performances as nicely. So this may simply be a spot to spend a couple of hours on a Sunday. We had a very nice go to right here and hope to return.
Paid parking is on the market on web site subsequent to Finley Stadium.
Experience the Incline Railway
The sights we’ve listed up to now have primarily been in and across the downtown and riverfront areas of Chattanooga. Now we’re going to have a look at some sights which are just a little away from the downtown. For a few of these you’ll be able to attain them by public transport, for others you’ll should both drive your self or look into taxi choices.
The primary attraction we suggest that could be a little means out of city is the Incline Railway. Working since 1895, this funicular railway will whisk you from the bottom of Lookout Mountain proper as much as the highest. The experience lasts round 10 minutes and is a mile lengthy, and it’s fairly spectacular.
It’s additionally remarkably steep – the final stretch close to the highest has a grade of 72.7%, which is likely one of the steepest railways on this planet. It’s truly just a little unnerving as you look down the observe under you, Jess actually gripped my hand just a little tightly after we hit that part!
The highest station has a present store in addition to some displays referring to the railway, which is price taking a couple of minutes to see. We are able to additionally suggest taking the five-minute stroll from right here to the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Customer Heart, after which onto the Mountain Battlefield and Level Park attraction.
This is likely one of the many Civil Struggle websites you’ll be able to go to within the Chattanooga space (extra on these under) and presents each wonderful views of the encompassing space in addition to a pleasant customer middle the place you’ll be able to study concerning the battle of Lookout Mountain.
There are additionally various walks you’ll be able to take within the space, together with to the Sundown Level viewpoint. The neighborhood up right here can also be very good for a stroll. Simply keep in mind to get again to the Incline Railway in time for the final practice down!
You’ll be able to see opening instances and fares on the official web site right here. The railway is often closed on Mondays, and there’s a paid car parking zone on the backside.
Ruby Falls
There are three main sights on Lookout Mountain. The primary of which, which we’ve already coated, is the Incline Railway. The subsequent, is Ruby Falls.
Just like the Incline Railway, this has been a well-liked attraction in Chattanooga for many years. Opened in 1929, Ruby Falls is a waterfall, with the twist being that it’s discovered deep underground. The falls have been found and subsequently commercialized by Leo Lambert, who named the falls after his spouse Ruby.
Ruby Falls can solely be visited as a part of a guided tour, which has you descending by elevator deep into Lookout Mountain. There’s then a half mile stroll every approach to the waterfall, throughout which period your information will level out varied rock formations and factors of curiosity.
Ruby Falls is a very fashionable attraction and it may possibly positively be fairly busy. Tour sizes are restricted, however there can nonetheless be round 30 individuals per group. Teams are spaced out, so every group stops to benefit from the Falls for about 10 minutes (loads of time), with the entire expertise lasting round an hour.
There’s a informal restaurant on-site that serves breakfast. lunch, and dinner, in addition to a big present store.
We loved visiting Ruby Falls, as seeing an underground waterfall is a reasonably distinctive expertise. We additionally appreciated the tour information and the sights alongside the best way. Nonetheless, if you’re not a fan of tight areas and tightly managed group experiences, this may not be for you.
We suggest reserving upfront for this one as tour instances can promote out. Guide your tickets on the official Ruby Falls web site right here. There’s on-site parking at Ruby Falls which is free. We’re not conscious of public transport choices to get right here however you can take a taxi.
Rock Metropolis
The third main attraction on the highest of Lookout Mountain is Rock Metropolis, which is definitely positioned simply throughout the state line in Georgia. Like Ruby Falls and the Incline Railway, Rock Metropolis has been a well-liked attraction within the space for many years, opening in 1932.
In all that point, the attraction has been in the identical household, now on it’s fourth technology. The attraction primarily options various trails which wend by the outstanding rock stuffed landscapes, lots of which lead you to spectacular viewpoints.
There are additionally underground dioramas, a swing bridge, and waterfalls to get pleasure from. There’s additionally a viewpoint the place, on a transparent day, it’s mentioned you’ll be able to see 7 states without delay.
You’ll be able to get pleasure from Rock Metropolis by yourself at your personal tempo (most guests do that), or you’ll be able to e book a VIP guided tour. Observe that we extremely suggest to take a path map or take a photograph of it once you enter as there are a whole lot of intersecting trails that may be a bit complicated if attempting to get to a sure viewpoint or sights.
That is truly our favourite of all of the paid Lookout Mountain sights. We preferred having the ability to discover at our leisure, the views have been spectacular, and it was only a very calm and peaceable expertise.
There have been locations to eat, each sit down meals and snacks, in addition to a number of totally different present retailers on web site. There have been additionally a whole lot of benches and locations to cease and relaxation and take within the views.
Observe that many of the paths are usually not appropriate for these with restricted mobility and wheelchairs, scooters, strollers, and pushchairs are usually not allowed on many of the trails and paths right here. So I’d not suggest the location for these with restricted mobility. These with younger youngsters ought to plan accordingly.
For Rock Metropolis we extremely suggest reserving on-line upfront. Costs differ relying on the time slot you select and the day you go to, and it’s normally cheaper to e book upfront on-line relatively than purchase tickets in particular person.
Observe that eventually verify Rock Metropolis was not accepting money so you’ll need a bank card or debit card for purchases right here.
See extra and e book your tickets on the official Rock Metropolis web site right here. We’d counsel permitting about 2 hours to go to this attraction. Parking is free.
Observe that whilst you can usually take a rideshare service corresponding to Uber right here from Chattanooga, you’ll be able to’t normally prepare a return pickup as most drivers can’t do pickups throughout state strains. So, in the event you don’t have a automotive, it would be best to be sure that to correctly prepare a return taxi.
Delve into the Civil Struggle Historical past of the world
Chattanooga was a key location throughout the American Civil Struggle because it was a rail hub, had entry to the Tennessee River, and produced each iron and coal. As such, management of Chattanooga was deemed key to success within the battle.
Quite a few battles came about across the Chattanooga space in 1863. These are typically grouped into two units, the Battle of Chickamauga, and the Siege of Chattanooga. The latter encompasses various battles, together with the Battles of Orchard Knob, Lookout Mountain ,and Missionary Ridge.
The tide of battle was initially within the Confederates favor, with the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863 marking the worst defeat for Union forces on this area of the battle. It was additionally the second deadliest battle of the battle, with the primary being Gettysburg.
Nonetheless, favor turned to the Union military throughout the Siege of Chattanooga in November 1863. Victory by the Union military pressured the remaining Confederates to retreat into Georgia and gave management of Tennessee to the Union.
Twenty-five years after the American Civil Struggle ended, 4 nationwide navy parks have been established throughout the nation to protect and keep in mind the occasions of the battle.
The primary and largest of those parks was the Chickamauga and Chattanooga Nationwide Navy Park. This park, which covers 5,300 acres, spreads throughout each Tennessee and Georgia, and focuses on the important thing battlegrounds within the space. It has 4 important areas, that are:
- Chickamauga Battlefield
- Missionary Ridge
- Lookout Mountain Battlefield and Level Park
- Moccasin Bend
A go to to one in all extra of the Civil Struggle websites that make up the Chickamauga and Chattanooga Nationwide Navy Park is nicely price it in our opinion. The simplest one to go to from Chattanooga is Lookout Mountain Battlefield and Level Park.
That is discovered on the north finish of Lookout Mountain, and you’ll both drive right here and park totally free within the car parking zone on web site, or it’s a five-minute stroll from the highest Incline Railway station.
There’s a small interpretative middle on web site the place you’ll be able to study all concerning the battle of Lookout Mountain. It’s free to go to and a superb place to get a map and data from the park rangers if you wish to go to additional websites. You’ll be able to then stroll round Level Park (a small payment applies to enter the park), in addition to the varied civil battle memorials. There are additionally unbelievable views from right here throughout town and Moccasin Bend.
In case you have a automotive, then we are able to additionally suggest taking a drive about 20 minutes out of city to Chickamauga Battlefield, the place there’s a wonderful customer middle with an informative movie concerning the Civil Struggle battles within the space, in addition to a driving route with a number of stops the place you’ll be able to find out about key occasions within the battles.
We have been stunned what number of memorials, historic markers, monuments, interpretive plaques, and so forth. could be discovered throughout Chattanooga and the encompassing space. Even in the event you don’t search out some Civil Struggle historical past, you’re certain to stumble over some in the event you spend time within the space!
Hikes
We love mountaineering, and the world round Chattanooga has a whole lot of wonderful mountaineering alternatives. These vary from brief strolls to sundown vantage factors, by to longer full day hikes.
Chattanooga sits in direction of the southern finish of the Appalachian Mountains, so in the event you like your hikes to contain a hill and a view, then you will have loads of choices. That mentioned, there are additionally various gentler hikes you’ll be able to get pleasure from.
A few of our favourite hikes are round Lookout Mountain. Particularly, the paths resulting in and round Sundown Rock, which presents among the best sundown views in Chattanooga.
If you happen to simply desire a very brief hike, you’ll be able to park within the small car parking zone close to Sundown Level (Google maps location right here) and take the 0.1 mile path to the point of view. Simply bear in mind in the event you come right here round sundown that the lot solely has room for 9 vehicles and it fills up rapidly.
After I got here the lot was already full. There’s no different shut authorized parking, so I made a decision to park on the free Lookout Mountain customer middle parking, and I adopted part of Bluff Path to Sundown Level. Simply word that entry to the path from the car parking zone right here begins contained in the Lookout Mountain Level Park Battlefield which closes at sundown, and in addition has an entry payment.
Different good trails on Lookout Mountain embody the full Bluff Path (9.2 miles, round 4.5 hours) and the Glen Falls path (1.2 miles, 45 minutes).
You’ll be able to see tons extra mountaineering ideas in Chattanooga together with route guides on AllTrails right here.
However even in the event you by no means depart downtown Chattanooga, you are able to do a bit of the 16 mile paved Tennessee River Stroll which runs from downtown Chattanooga to the Chickamauga Dam. Straightforward to entry from many fashionable sights such because the Tennessee Aquarium, Southern Belle riverboat dock, or Hunter Museum. You’ll be able to stroll so far as you would like.
Take a Historic Practice Experience
In 1850, the primary rail line arrived in Chattanooga. And from the late 1800s by to the mid 1900s, Chattanooga was an essential railway hub for each passenger and cargo trains, supporting a spread of industries. The truth is, Glen Miller even wrote the track “Chattanooga Choo Choo” in reference to the railway right here.
Nonetheless, passenger rail utilization declined throughout the USA because the twentieth century progressed, changed by street and air. The final passenger practice left Chattanooga’s terminal station in 1970. Lately, there isn’t a passenger rail service in Chattanooga.
Nonetheless, you’ll be able to nonetheless take a historic practice experience within the Chattanooga space. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum has, since 1961, been on a mission to protect the railways within the space. To that finish, they’ve various engines, together with steam and diesel powered engines. In addition they have various passenger vehicles, in addition to a bit of historic railroad observe.
Rides are usually not tremendous lengthy, typically lasting round an hour which features a cease on the restoration store the place you’ll be able to see how the trains and vehicles are restored. The practice journey additionally consists of entry to the on-site museum which you’ll go to earlier than or after your experience (hold a maintain of your ticket totally free entry).
It’s additionally doable to go to the museum with out taking a practice experience. Final time we checked this was $10. Actually, whereas the museum is fascinating, we expect it’s greatest to go to as a part of the practice experience expertise relatively than on it’s personal.
The museum and railway is a couple of 20-minute drive from downtown Chattanooga, so if you will come out right here we’d suggest doing the entire expertise.
If you happen to don’t have your personal transport, or wish to do that as a part of a tour, you’ll be able to e book a mixed practice experience and trolley tour right here, which departs from downtown. This consists of each a classic trolley sightseeing tour of Chattanooga in addition to a practice experience.
Discover out extra about practice instances and costs on the official Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum web site.
Eat on the Native Eating places
Chattanooga has a variety of wonderful eating choices to go well with all tastes and budgets. In fact, you’ll discover Southern classics like shrimp and grits, BBQ, and fried rooster, however there’s additionally a variety of different eating choices.
Some we are able to suggest from our expertise are the next:
In case you have a candy tooth then we extremely suggest a go to to one of many three Clumpies Ice Cream places. This was based in Chattanooga in 1999, they usually deal with handmade ice cream. There’s one within the Northshore space, one by the Chattanooga Choo Choo, and one proper by the bottom of the Incline Railway.
The best way to Get to Chattanooga
You will have a couple of choices for attending to Chattanooga.
By Aircraft
First, Chattanooga has an airport, code CHA, which is served by various American carriers and presents direct flights to many cities, together with main airport hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, and Charlotte. So whether or not you’re visiting Chattanooga from the USA or abroad, it is best to be capable of fly right here comparatively simply.
By Automobile
It’s also possible to drive to Chattanooga in fact, which is how we normally go to. It’s round 2 hours drive northwest of Atlanta, Georgia; 2 hours’ drive southwest of Knoxville, Tennessee; two hours’ drive southeast of Nashville, Tennessee; or 2 hours’ drive northeast of Birmingham, Alabama.
As you’ll be able to see, there are many different fascinating cities inside simple driving distance, that means you can simply embody Chattanooga on a street journey of the US south.
Observe that almost all of downtown lodges provide parking however it will normally be valet parking with costs ranging typically within the $20 – $30 a day vary. On a current go to to Chattanooga we discovered the most affordable Chattanooga parking to be discovered within the Truist Storage, which could be accessed on Cherry Road. It was a safe parking construction, with parking out there from the fifth flooring and up and elevator entry. Entry is right here on Google Maps. We paid $10 an evening to park right here.
By Public Transit
By way of bus and practice, Chattanooga is sadly not on the passenger rail community within the USA, with the closest main Amtrak stations being positioned in Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA.
As of 2023, Chattanooga not has a Greyhound cease within the metropolis both. The closest Greyhound cease is at present in Wildwood, GA, which is about 10 miles southwest of town middle.
The best way to Get Round Chattanooga
You will have a couple of choices for getting round Chattanooga.
First, if you’re staying downtown, then most of the downtown sights shall be inside simple strolling distance. Chattanooga is a pleasant metropolis to stroll round and we are able to positively suggest taking a stroll round.
There’s additionally a public transit system managed by the Chattanooga Space Regional Transportation Authority, or CARTA. This features a bus community which covers most of Chattanooga, together with the Incline Railway. Nonetheless, this doesn’t embody different Lookout Mountain places like Rock Metropolis or Ruby Falls.
CARTA additionally run the free downtown shuttle service, which is a free electrical shuttle which runs between the Choo Choo district and downtown. This has been in operation since 1992 and is especially useful in the event you’re staying within the Choo Choo district, as we did on one in all our visits to Chattanooga. We took the bus proper to the Aquarium, which was actually handy.
Taxies and experience sharing providers are additionally an choice in Chattanooga. However do bear in mind that many experience sharing platforms have restrictions on working in a distinct state, particularly round choosing up individuals. This is able to be a difficulty for someplace like Rock Metropolis, which is in Georgia. So, you would possibly be capable of get a experience share to Rock Metropolis from Chattanooga for instance, however then not be capable of discover one to take you again! So I’d pre-arrange a taxi or different choice for this in the event you don’t have a automotive to make sure a experience again.
For the sights outdoors of Chattanooga, notably these on Lookout Mountain, the simplest approach to get round goes to be to drive your self. This gives you essentially the most flexibility to your go to. There’s usually loads of parking, which is both free or pretty low value.
How Lengthy Ought to I Spend in Chattanooga?
Chattanooga, though it’s a small metropolis, has a great deal of sights, museums, eating places, and issues to do, so this actually simply will depend on your pursuits and time. You may make it an in a single day cease on a street journey, a weekend getaway journey, or come keep for every week, it simply actually relies upon.
We’ve visited a couple of instances now, from 1 to three days, and have discovered a number of issues to maintain us busy each within the metropolis itself and the encompassing space.
To plan your itinerary, we suggest looking in any respect the issues we listed to do and write down those you actually need to do and go from there. It is usually essential to notice that almost all sights within the metropolis are closed for at the least someday every week so when you’ve got restricted time, it would be best to pay shut consideration to opening dates and working instances. Whereas some sights must be pre-booked, many mean you can buy tickets the day of in particular person.
If you happen to simply have one full day to go to, we suggest looking at our 1 day Chattanooga itinerary. This can provide you a good suggestion of what could be doable with one full day.
The place to Keep in Chattanooga
Chattanooga has a number of choices for lodging, starting from extra finances pleasant choices by to high-end and boutique lodges.
We’d suggest first deciding the place you need to keep. We’d suggest selecting both downtown, the Choo Choo district (which supplies you quick access to downtown with the free shuttle), or simply outdoors of city at one of many many chain lodges.
There are execs and cons to every choice, and we’ve executed all three at one time or one other. With the downtown lodges, you get the benefit of being within the coronary heart of the motion, and it is possible for you to to stroll to many sights. There are additionally some very nice distinctive lodging choices. The draw back could be that these lodges are typically dearer, and parking normally carries a payment, which you’ll should issue into your finances.
The Choo Choo district generally is a good choice as nicely, it’s a historic district with good eating and lodging choices, and you’ll simply attain the downtown space through the free electrical shuttle bus. However lodges will nonetheless be on the pricier aspect with an extra payment for parking usually.
Lastly, you’ll be able to choose to remain at one of many many chain lodges close to the Interstate exits. These usually include advantages like free parking and a few additionally embody a free breakfast, all at a extra pockets pleasant worth. The draw back is that you just’ll doubtless should drive a bit extra, however as many sights require a automotive anyway, this doubtless gained’t be a giant deal.
If you happen to do determine to remain just a little out of city, we’d counsel the lodges off I-24 round exit 174 or exit 175 could be the best choice. There are additionally choices round exit 178, that are nearer to downtown, however are inclined to obtain extra combined critiques.
We at all times counsel studying current critiques previous to reserving any lodge as issues can change.
Listed here are some choices to contemplate to your go to. These are ordered roughly by worth, however in fact worth can differ so we at all times suggest checking and evaluating costs to your dates to get one of the best deal.
Downtown Chattanooga / Choo Choo Resort Suggestions:
- Resort Bo Days Inn – This can be a well-reviewed choice providing good worth within the Downtown space. Rooms have tea/espresso making services, and meals can be found. Parking is on the market on-site for an affordable payment.
- Residence Inn Chattanooga Downtown – if you wish to be proper within the coronary heart of Downtown Chattanooga however at a extra value-oriented worth level, this Residence Inn is a superb choice. It’s simply throughout from the Aquarium and inside a straightforward stroll of the vast majority of downtown sights. Breakfast is included, on-site parking is on the market for a payment.
- The Learn Home Resort – This luxurious historic lodge in Downtown Chattanooga presents Twenties model with modern-day facilities. Anticipate wooden clad partitions, checkered flooring and dramatic chandeliers, alongside modern-day comforts like A/C, on-site parking (for a payment) and two wonderful eating places. We’ve stayed right here and may extremely suggest a go to to the Chophouse, the meals is superb. One to contemplate in the event you’re after a standard upscale lodge expertise.
- The Resort Chalet at The Choo Choo – We stayed right here on one in all our visits to Chattanooga and actually loved it. It’s discovered within the Choo Choo district, residence of the previous railway station. The lodge has a pool and on-site parking, a wonderful on-site restaurant, and is inside strolling distance of various bars and eateries. Uniquely, you can too choose to remain in a transformed railway carriage, which is fairly neat, however word that some reviewers famous these generally is a little noisy.
- The Dwell Resort – This can be a beautiful luxurious boutique lodge which dates from 1909. It solely has 16 rooms and commonly books out, so that you’ll need to e book nicely upfront for this one. Every room is individually designed with a retro really feel. There’s a full-service bar and a lightweight continental breakfast is on the market. Parking is on the market close by for a payment.
- The Crash Pad – This hostel within the Chattanooga Choo Choo has each shared and personal lodging, in addition to a full kitchen.
Outdoors Chattanooga Suggestions
These lodges are discovered just a little outdoors of city on the foremost interstate exits. You’ll be able to generally save by being out of city, with the comfort of free parking. Many even have breakfast included.
- Hampton Inn – Chattanooga West Lookout Mountain – We’ve stayed right here and had a superb expertise as now we have at a number of Hampton Inns throughout the nation. It has snug rooms, a small household pleasant pool with a pleasant view of Lookout Mountain, is quiet, has pleasant employees, has a pleasant breakfast, and free parking.
- Howard Johnson by Wyndham Chattanooga Lookout Mountain – it is a finances pleasant choice on the base of Lookout Mountain providing free parking and an inclusive breakfast
- Days Inn by Wyndham Chattanooga Lookout Mountain West – one other good worth choice close to Lookout Mountain, this has an indoor pool in addition to free parking and breakfast. Rooms even have a microwave and fridge.
- Consolation Inn Chattanooga Downtown Southside – the identify is just a little deceptive as it is a couple of miles from downtown. Nonetheless, it places you conveniently between downtown and the Lookout Mountain sights, so could be a superb choice. Breakfast is included and there’s free parking on web site. This lodge tends to get one of the best critiques of the choices on this freeway exit.
You’ll be able to see many extra choices for lodging throughout a spread of worth factors on reserving.com right here, together with lodges and residence leases.
Additional Studying
That’s it for our information to the way to issues to do in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Earlier than you head off although, I simply wished to share some extra assets we’ve put collectively that can assist you plan your journey to town, and journey within the USA usually.
- We’ve a information to the way to spend a day in Chattanooga in the event you’d like a extra detailed itinerary to your go to
- Questioning how a lot a go to to Chattanooga may cost? Try our information to how a lot it prices to journey within the USA that can assist you plan your journey finances.
- We’ve visited a whole lot of different cities within the USA! See our guides to issues to do in Las Vegas, issues to do in Huntsville, issues to do in Savannah, issues to do in Charleston, issues to do in Albuquerque, visiting New Orleans throughout Mardi Gras, issues to do in Cambria, issues to do in Houston, issues to do in Dallas, issues to do in Omaha, and issues to do in Santa Fe
- If you’d like some USA street journey inspiration, see our itineraries for a USA Deep South street journey, California Highway Journey, Route 66 Highway Journey and Pacific Coast Freeway Highway Journey
- And in the event you’re in search of inspiration for the remainder of the USA, take a look at our USA part, which has tons extra inspiration
Do you will have any questions on visiting Chattanooga? As at all times, we’re comfortable to reply any questions you may need, simply pop them within the feedback under and we’ll get again to you as quickly as we are able to.
