Things to do in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Found in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains on the southern edge of Tennessee, the city of Chattanooga has long been a popular holiday destination. We’ve visited a number of times, and since we moved to the US it’s become one of our favorite cities for a quick overnight trip.

It is located right along the borders of the states of Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, making it a convenient getaway for many people. It is a 3 hour or less drive from Atlanta, Huntsville, Nashville, Knoxville, Birmingham, and Dollywood.

There’s something here for everyone, from hiking trails to Civil War sights to museums and family friendly attractions. There’s also a wide range of accommodation, delicious dining options, and it’s easy to get around.

This guide is going to go through all our favorite things to do in Chattanooga, covering all the attractions and activities we think you’ll enjoy. Whether you’re visiting for a day or a week, we think this guide will give you lots of inspiration for your trip.

As well as things to do, it’s also going to cover where to stay, how to get around, and other tips for your visit. So we hope you enjoy this guide to visiting Chattanooga, Tennessee!

Things to do in Chattanooga, Tennessee

This guide to things to do will cover our favorite activities in the city and we think it covers a diverse set of interests. We’ll start with the downtown attractions, most of which are within walking distance of each other.

We’ll then go through some of the attractions a little further out of town which will require either a car or other form of transport to reach.

We recommend using this list of things to do to create your own perfect Chattanooga itinerary, so you know what you want to do and how long you might want to visit.

 

Tennessee Aquarium

One of downtown’s Chattanooga’s most popular attractions is the Tennessee Aquarium. This is widely regarded as one of the best aquariums in the USA, and if you like learning about wildlife and seeing aquatic animals, we highly recommend a visit.

We really enjoyed our visit to the Tennessee Aquarium. I particularly liked the logical layout, which has you starting your visit in the River Journey building. Here, you essentially follow the journey of a drop water as it travels from the Appalachian Mountains, all the way downstream to the Gulf of Mexico. You pass through a variety of habitats on this journey, and see a wide range of species as you go.

There are a lot of exhibits, but some highlights for us were the otters, alligators, turtles, and river giants. I’d also add that habitats beyond the USA are included in the journey to give you an idea of river habitats around the world.

Once you complete the River Journey building, you move to the separate Ocean Journey building. This continues your journey as the water drop heads out into the ocean, and includes everything from touch ray tanks to jellyfish, penguins, and sharks. We also really enjoyed the butterfly garden which was full of large butterflies when we visited.

There is also an IMAX theater that is part of the Tennessee Aquarium complex, and you can buy tickets to any of the shows. There are normally 2 or 3 different movies playing, from nature documentaries to the latest Hollywood films. If you want to see a film, I would definitely check showing times ahead of time and plan accordingly.

The Tennessee Aquarium is fairly expensive, but was definitely one of the best aquariums I have visited, so I would say is worth the price as long as you have at least a couple of hours. It would definitely make for a great attraction to fill some time if you’re visiting Chattanooga with kids.

The Aquarium is a very popular attraction and gets crowded, particularly on weekends and holidays.  So, it can be a good idea to visit on weekdays near opening or later in the afternoon as morning visitors and school groups would be leaving.

Note that tickets sold are with timed entry, so if there is a specific time slot you plan to visit, it is a good idea to book ahead as they limit the number of guests who can enter during each time slot.

Find out more about opening times and ticket prices on the official Tennessee Aquarium website here.

If you, or any of your travel companions, are interested in American military history and veterans affairs, the next door National Medal of Honor Heritage Center might be of interest.

 

Hunter Museum of American Art

About seven minutes walk from the Tennessee Aquarium is the Hunter Museum of American Art, which is found in the Bluff View Arts District. This area is home to a number of museums, galleries, shops and eateries, and is well worth exploring even if you don’t visit the Hunter Museum. You can also get lovely views of the river from here.

However, if you are interested in art, then we highly recommend a visit to the Hunter Museum of American Art. As the name suggests, this art museum focuses on American Art, with a permanent collection of almost 3,000 works. These cover a range of artist styles and include paintings, sculptures, photographs, mixed media, decorative arts, and more.

There’s free parking on site for visitors to the museum, just be sure to register your car’s license plate. There’s an admission fee, and the museum is typically closed on Tuesdays.

When you’re in the Bluff Arts District we can also recommend a visit to the nearby Anna Safley Houston Museum Of Decorative Arts to anyone who loves decorative art and eclectic collections. You can read more about that in our guide to other museums in Chattanooga below.

 

Book a Tour of Chattanooga

One good way to explore a new city is to take a tour with a local guide. There are a number of tours of Chattanooga available, some offering a general overview of the city and other focusing on a specific subject. Here are some suggested tours to consider.

• If you want a good overview of the city, this 1 hour trolley tour will take you past all the main highlights in the city center with guided narration aboard a vintage trolley. The same company also operates this combined trolley tour and historical train ride on the restored Tennessee Valley Railroad
• Prefer a more elevated view of the city? This private helicopter tour of downtown will let you see the city from above!
• Want to try some of the food in Chattanooga on a food tour? There are a number to choose from including this Southside food tour and these Downtown food tours.
• Chattanooga is full of spooky and haunted history and tales, and if you enjoy a ghost tour then there are a few to choose from. This is a 1.5 hour ghost walking tour, this is a more family friendly ghost tour, and this adults only ghost tour includes ghosts and stops at various bars as well!

Another free way to see the city without driving or walking is to ride the free city shuttles. These run from the Chattanooga Choo Choo to the Tennessee Aquarium and are a good way to get around for free and see some of the downtown area.

 

Creative Discovery Museum

If you’re visiting Chattanooga with kids aged 18 months to 12 years, then you might want to plan a visit to Chattanooga’s Creative Discovery Museum.

This downtown museum is focused on providing a fun environment for kids to learn and play. It has a number of permanent interactive exhibits, from a treehouse adventure area through to one teaching about life on the farm, a riverboat area, a library for reading, a STEM zone, and lots more.

Suffice to say, this museum will definitely keep your kids occupied for a few hours during your visit to Chattanooga. Find out more about opening hours and ticket prices on the Creative Discovery museum website here.

 

Other Museums

For a city of its size, Chattanooga is lucky to have a lot of museums. I’ve mentioned some of the more popular museums in Chattanooga, but there are more museums you can visit, depending on your interests and how much time you have.

We can highly recommend visiting one or more of the following museums if you have the time while you are in the city. Whether you have an interest in the military, African American history, pinball machines, tow trucks, old cars, or art, you are sure to find something of interest!

• Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center – This interactive museum traces the history of the Medal of Honor across time, military conflicts, and its recipients. The Medal of Honor is the country’s highest military award for valor, presented to service members who display “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty”. The very first recipient of the Medal of Honor was Private Jacob Parrott in 1863 for his role in the Great Locomotive Chase that occurred near Chattanooga.
• Bessie Smith Cultural Center – This excellent museum has a number of exhibits which largely focus on the Black history of Chattanooga. Exhibits take you through the beginnings of slavery in the area, through the Civil War, the Jim Crow Era, the Civil Rights movement, and then to more recent times including life on 9th street (Chattanooga’s version of Beale Street). I  really enjoyed this museum and can definitely recommend it.
• International Tow Truck Museum – If you’re looking for something a little different, then I would suggest a trip to the International Tow Truck Museum. Jess and I love visiting museums like this, which focus on a really specific subject that we might not otherwise have learned about. This museum, as the name implies, focuses on the history of the tow truck, which was invented in Chattanooga in 1916 by Ernest Holmes Sr. The museum charts the history of the tow truck and the vehicle towing industry. We knew nothing about tow trucks when we visited but left with a lot of knowledge as well as a newfound respect for the people who work in this often dangerous field. 
• Anna Safley Houston Museum Of Decorative Arts – This museum focuses on the rather remarkable collection of Anna May Safley, a Chattanooga resident who made it her life’s work to collect antiques. Her remarkable collection expanded to over 15,000 decorative arts objects, including everything from Tiffany glass to Tennessee furniture. A visit here offers a walk through time. The real highlight for us though was the guide who walked us through the displays, he brought it all to life and joined the dots for us. So, if you are offered a guided experience, we highly recommend taking it. 
• Coker Museum – This museum is home to over 130 vintage vehicles, including cars, motorcycles and airplanes. It’s found a little south of the downtown area, near the Choo Choo. There’s free parking on site.
• Pinball Museum – If you prefer your museums to be of the hands on, interactive kind, look no further than the Pinball Museum, found downtown a couple of blocks from the Aquarium. The museum, as the name suggests, is dedicated to the Pinball machine, and the idea is that you learn through play. An entry ticket gets you unlimited plays on over 40 pinball machines, dating from the 1970s to the present day. You can even leave and return, and they also serve soda, snacks and beer to keep you going.

All the above museums and cultural centers have an admission fee to visit. Tickets can often be purchased both at the door and in advance. Check the museum’s website for opening times and ticket prices.

 

 

 

 

 

Try a Moon Pie

One popular thing to eat in Chattanooga that you don’t need to go to a restaurant for is the Moon Pie. The Moon Pie is a soft cookie that consists of two round Graham crackers dipped in a flavored coating, with a marshmallow center filling. These have been made by Chattanooga Bakery Inc since 1917.

The original flavor of the Moon Pie was chocolate but they now come in a variety of flavors and colors. The five regular flavors are chocolate, vanilla, banana, strawberry, and salted caramel, but we’ve also come across a variety of seasonal flavors and special releases.

Jess and I had our first Moon Pie years ago in Mobile, Alabama during Mardi Gras. They are a very popular “throw” during the Mardi Gras parades there and are a popular snack throughout much of the South.

You can buy them in a variety of locations in Chattanooga (grocery stores, convenience stores, Walmart, etc.), but two of the ones with wider selections are:

• Moonpie General Store at the Southern Belle (located inside permanently moored Southern Belle riverboat)
• St. Elmo’s Mercantile (near Incline Railway)

The classic accompaniment to a Moon Pie is a bottle or can of RC Cola. This soda which was invented in Georgia has long been associated with the Moon Pie in the South. So if you can handle the extra sugar, you can wash down your Moon Pie with a cold can of RC Cola!

 

Walk across the Walnut Street Bridge

The Walnut Street Bridge is one of the icons of Chattanooga. It spans 2,376 feet across the Tennessee River, linking the downtown area (near the Hunter Art Museum) with the north side of the city.

It was originally built for all types of traffic, which at the time it opened was primarily horse-drawn wagons and pedestrians. Later, this included vehicle traffic.

Over time, larger bridges like the Olgiati and Market Street bridges were built which were designed for heavier traffic. In 1978, due to concerns over structural integrity, the Walnut Street Bridge was closed to vehicle traffic and largely abandoned for a decade.

Thankfully, efforts to restore the bridge to a safe working order were commenced, and in 1993 the bridge was reopened as a pedestrian only bridge. Today it’s a popular attraction and even plays host to events and festivals which take place on the bridge itself.

It’s also important to remember that there is a darker side to the bridge’s history. It was the site of the lynching of two Black men, Alfred Blount in 1893, and Ed Johnson in 1906. Both men were hanged from the bridge. Today the southern end of the bridge has a statue to Ed Johnson as a memorial, which you can visit.

Note: The Walnut Street Bridge is currently closed for a restoration project starting in March 2025, and it is expected to re-open around September 2026. However, while you can’t walk across, you can still walk by and admire it if you are exploring the Bluff View Arts District.

 

Choo Choo Historic Area

The Choo Choo Historic area is just south of downtown, and can most easily be reached by the free electric shuttles that run from near the Tennessee Aquarium down to the Choo Choo area.

The Chattanooga Choo Choo is where the original main train station in Chattanooga was found. The first station was Union Station, which was built in 1858. This was replaced in the early 20th century by Terminal Station, which at its peak was servicing 50 passenger trains a day as well as freight trains.

Many people associate Chattanooga with trains because of the popular 1941 song “Chattanooga Choo Choo” by the Glenn Miller Orchestra. This song would also inspire a film of the same name in 1984.

Unfortunately, the decline of the railway as a means of passenger transport meant that trains became few and far between, and Terminal Station was shuttered in the 1970s. Plans were made for its demolition.

Thankfully, some enterprising individuals saw the potential of the station and surrounding area as an entertainment and retail district, and it was turned into a hotel and entertainment center. The hotel opened as the Hilton in 1973, and was rebranded as the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel in 1989. Today it is known as Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo, and you can even stay in a restored train car should you wish.

Today, you can visit the area where you will find a number of bars, restaurants and gift shops, as well as train cars and even small distilleries and breweries. It’s well worth coming here for wander, a drink, or a bite to eat, even if you aren’t staying in the hotel here. The old terminal building is really lovely, and it’s a wonderful space to enjoy.

Jess and I stayed at the Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo on one visit to Chattanooga and visited some of the bars, restaurants and shops here. It’s also neat just to walk around and see the old train carriages and the old Terminal building.

 

Chattanooga Zoo

A couple of miles east of downtown Chattanooga is the Chattanooga Zoo which occupies a 13-acre site. This is one of the smallest accredited zoos in the USA, but it does offer great value.

Notable exhibits include the red panda exhibit, which is actually the largest indoor red panda exhibit in the world. The zoo also has many other animals, including giraffe, jaguar, snow leopards, warthogs, monkeys, chimpanzees, and more.

There’s free parking on site. You can find out more and plan your visit on the official Chattanooga Zoo website here.

 

Water Activities on the Tennessee River

Chattanooga sits on the Tennessee River, and there are a number of water-based activities that you can do in Chattanooga and the surrounding area. Here are some options.

• River cruise – One of the most popular river activities is a cruise on the Tennessee River. Operator Southern Belle has a number of cruise options available, including sunset cruises, daytime sightseeing cruises, as well as lunch and dinner cruises. Cruises run year round and you can see schedules and book online in advance here.
• Kayaking / Stand up Paddleboarding – Another popular option is to go kayaking or stand up paddleboarding on the Tennessee River. You can rent craft from L2 Rentals in downtown Chattanooga. Alternatively, you can also take guided tours. For example, 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’d prefer something with a bit more adrenaline, then you might consider going white water rafting. A number of operators offer raft trips on the Ocoee River, which is just under an hours drive from Chattanooga. This is one option, here is another.

Even if you don’t have time for a cruise or water activity, the Riverfront area is a nice place to take a walk or have a jog. A 16 mile paved walking trail, the Tennessee River Walk, links downtown Chattanooga with the Chickamauga Dam, with parks and scenic viewpoints along the way.

Of course, you don’t have to walk the entire length of it! We did the short walk between the Southern Belle riverboat and the sculpture garden in the Bluff View Arts District and really enjoyed it.

 

Chattanooga Market

Chattanooga has a few different food and craft markets, but the one we most recommend visiting is the Chattanooga Market. This is held every Sunday from April through December, and can be found at the First Horizon Pavillion, a short drive south of downtown, across from Finley Stadium.

The market, which has been operating since 2001, is a combined arts and crafts market and farmers market. We saw fresh produce, bread, honey, flowers, arts, crafts, leather goods, soaps, pet toys, gifting items, and much more. There were also many vendors selling hot food, drinks, and snacks.

Criteria for stallholders is strict, with all items required to be grown or created directly by the person selling it. There’s also a vetting process in place. So you are guaranteed to find some unique products here, not generic mass produced items.

There are also normally a variety of food trucks on site and there are often live music performances as well. So this can easily be a place to spend a few hours on a Sunday. We had a really nice visit here and hope to return.

Paid parking is available on site next to Finley Stadium.

 

Ride the Incline Railway

The attractions we’ve listed so far have primarily been in and around the downtown and riverfront areas of Chattanooga. Now we’re going to look at some attractions that are a little away from the downtown. For some of these you can reach them by public transport, for others you’ll have to either drive yourself or look into taxi options.

The first attraction we recommend that is a little way out of town is the Incline Railway. Operating since 1895, this funicular railway will whisk you from the base of Lookout Mountain right up to the top. The ride lasts around 10 minutes and is a mile long, and it is quite spectacular.

It’s also remarkably steep – the last stretch near the top has a grade of 72.7%, which is one of the steepest railways in the world. It’s actually a little unnerving as you look down the track below you, Jess certainly gripped my hand a little tightly when we hit that section!

The top station has a gift shop as well as some exhibits relating to the railway, which is worth taking a few minutes to see. We can also recommend taking the five-minute walk from here to the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center, and then onto the Mountain Battlefield and Point Park attraction.

This is one of the many Civil War sites you can visit in the Chattanooga area (more on these below) and offers both excellent views of the surrounding area as well as a nice visitor center where you can learn about the battle of Lookout Mountain.

There are also a number of walks you can take in the area, including to the Sunset Point viewpoint. The neighborhood up here is also very nice for a stroll. Just remember to get back to the Incline Railway in time for the last train down!

You can see opening times and fares on the official website here.  The railway is normally closed on Mondays, and there’s a paid parking lot at the bottom.

 

Ruby Falls

There are three major attractions on Lookout Mountain. The first of which, which we’ve already covered, is the Incline Railway. The next, is Ruby Falls.

Like the Incline Railway, this has been a popular attraction in Chattanooga for decades. Opened in 1929, Ruby Falls is a waterfall, with the twist being that it’s found deep underground. The falls were discovered and subsequently commercialized by Leo Lambert, who named the falls after his wife Ruby.

Ruby Falls can only be visited as part of a guided tour, which has you descending by elevator deep into Lookout Mountain. There’s then a half mile walk each way to the waterfall, during which time your guide will point out various rock formations and points of interest.

Ruby Falls is a very popular attraction and it can definitely be quite busy. Tour sizes are limited, but there can still be around 30 people per group. Groups are spaced out, so each group stops to enjoy the Falls for about 10 minutes (plenty of time), with the whole experience lasting around an hour.

There is a casual restaurant on-site that serves breakfast. lunch, and dinner, as well as a large gift shop.

We enjoyed visiting Ruby Falls, as seeing an underground waterfall is a fairly unique experience. We also appreciated the tour guide and the sights along the way. However, if you are not a fan of tight spaces and tightly controlled group experiences, this might not be for you.

We recommend booking in advance for this one as tour times can sell out. Book your tickets on the official Ruby Falls website here. There’s on-site parking at Ruby Falls which is free. We’re not aware of public transport options to get here but you could take a taxi.

 

Rock City

The third major attraction on the top of Lookout Mountain is Rock City, which is actually located just across the state line in Georgia. Like Ruby Falls and the Incline Railway, Rock City has been a popular attraction in the area for decades, opening in 1932.

In all that time, the attraction has been in the same family, now on it’s fourth generation. The attraction primarily features a number of trails which wend through the remarkable rock filled landscapes, many of which lead you to impressive viewpoints.

There are also underground dioramas, a swing bridge, and waterfalls to enjoy. There’s also a viewpoint where, on a clear day, it is said you can see 7 states at once.

You can enjoy Rock City on your own at your own pace (most visitors do this), or you can book a VIP guided tour. Note that we highly recommend to take a trail map or take a photo of it when you enter as there are a lot of intersecting trails that can be a bit confusing if trying to get to a certain viewpoint or attractions.

This is actually our favorite of all the paid Lookout Mountain attractions. We liked being able to explore at our leisure, the views were spectacular, and it was just a very calm and peaceful experience.

There were places to eat, both sit down meals and snacks, as well as several different gift shops on site. There were also a lot of benches and places to stop and rest and take in the views.

Note that most of the paths are not suitable for those with limited mobility and wheelchairs, scooters, strollers, and pushchairs are not allowed on most of the trails and paths here. So I would not recommend the site for those with limited mobility. Those with young kids should plan accordingly.

For Rock City we highly recommend booking online in advance. Prices vary depending on the time slot you choose and the day you visit, and it is usually cheaper to book in advance online rather than buy tickets in person.

Note that at last check Rock City was no longer accepting cash so you will need a credit card or debit card for purchases here.

See more and book your tickets on the official Rock City website here. We’d suggest allowing about 2 hours to visit this attraction. Parking is free.

Note that while you can often take a rideshare service such as Uber here from Chattanooga, you can’t usually arrange a return pickup as most drivers can’t do pickups across state lines. So, if you don’t have a car, you will want to make sure to properly arrange a return taxi.

 

Delve into the Civil War History of the area

Chattanooga was a key location during the American Civil War as it was a rail hub, had access to the Tennessee River, and produced both iron and coal. As such, control of Chattanooga was deemed key to success in the war.

A number of battles took place around the Chattanooga area in 1863. These are generally grouped into two sets, the Battle of Chickamauga, and the Siege of Chattanooga. The latter encompasses a number of battles, including the Battles of Orchard Knob, Lookout Mountain ,and Missionary Ridge.

The tide of war was initially in the Confederates favor, with the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863 marking the worst defeat for Union forces in this region of the war. It was also the second deadliest battle of the war, with the first being Gettysburg.

However, favor turned to the Union army during the Siege of Chattanooga in November 1863. Victory by the Union army forced the remaining Confederates to retreat into Georgia and gave control of Tennessee to the Union.

Twenty-five years after the American Civil War ended, four national military parks were established across the country to preserve and remember the events of the war.

The first and largest of these parks was the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. This park, which covers 5,300 acres, spreads across both Tennessee and Georgia, and focuses on the key battlegrounds in the area. It has four main areas, which are:

• Chickamauga Battlefield
• Missionary Ridge
• Lookout Mountain Battlefield and Point Park
• Moccasin Bend

A visit to one of more of the Civil War sites that make up the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is well worth it in our opinion. The easiest one to visit from Chattanooga is Lookout Mountain Battlefield and Point Park.

This is found at the north end of Lookout Mountain, and you can either drive here and park for free in the parking lot on site, or it’s a five-minute walk from the top Incline Railway station.

There is a small interpretative center on site where you can learn all about the battle of Lookout Mountain. It is free to visit and a good place to get a map and information from the park rangers if you want to visit further sites. You can then walk around Point Park (a small fee applies to enter the park), as well as the various civil war memorials. There are also incredible views from here across the city and Moccasin Bend.

If you have a car, then we can also recommend taking a drive about 20 minutes out of town to Chickamauga Battlefield, where there’s an excellent visitor center with an informative film about the Civil War battles in the area, as well as a driving route with multiple stops where you can learn about key events in the battles.

We were surprised how many memorials, historical markers, monuments, interpretive plaques, etc. can be found all over Chattanooga and the surrounding area. Even if you don’t seek out some Civil War history, you are bound to stumble over some if you spend time in the area!

 

Chickamauga Battlefield

 

 

 

 

 

Hikes

We love hiking, and the area around Chattanooga has a lot of excellent hiking opportunities. These range from short strolls to sunset vantage points, through to longer full day hikes.

Chattanooga sits towards the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains, so if you like your hikes to involve a hill and a view, then you have plenty of options. That said, there are also a number of gentler hikes you can enjoy.

Some of our favorite hikes are around Lookout Mountain. In particular, the trails leading to and around Sunset Rock, which offers one of the best sunset views in Chattanooga.

If you just want a very short hike, you can park in the small parking lot near Sunset Point (Google maps location here) and take the 0.1 mile trail to the viewpoint. Just be aware if you come here around sunset that the lot only has room for 9 cars and it fills up quickly.

When I came the lot was already full. There’s no other close legal parking, so I decided to park at the free Lookout Mountain visitor center parking, and I followed a part of Bluff Trail to Sunset Point. Just note that access to the trail from the parking lot here starts inside the Lookout Mountain Point Park Battlefield which closes at sunset, and also has an access fee.

Other good trails on Lookout Mountain include the full Bluff Trail (9.2 miles, around 4.5 hours) and the Glen Falls trail (1.2 miles, 45 minutes).

You can see lots more hiking suggestions in Chattanooga along with route guides on AllTrails here.

But even if you never leave downtown Chattanooga, you can do a section of the 16 mile paved Tennessee River Walk which runs from downtown Chattanooga to the Chickamauga Dam. Easy to access from many popular attractions such as the Tennessee Aquarium, Southern Belle riverboat dock, or Hunter Museum. You can walk as far as you wish.

Sunset Point lookout

 

Take a Historic Train Ride

In 1850, the first rail line arrived in Chattanooga. And from the late 1800s through to the mid 1900s, Chattanooga was an important railway hub for both passenger and cargo trains, supporting a range of industries. In fact, Glen Miller even wrote the song “Chattanooga Choo Choo” in reference to the railway here.

However, passenger rail usage declined across the USA as the 20th century progressed, replaced by road and air. The last passenger train left Chattanooga’s terminal station in 1970. These days, there is no passenger rail service in Chattanooga.

However, you can still take a historic train ride in the Chattanooga area. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum has, since 1961, been on a mission to preserve the railways in the area. To that end, they have a number of engines, including steam and diesel powered engines. They also have a number of passenger cars, as well as a section of historic railroad track.

Rides are not super long, generally lasting around an hour which includes a stop at the restoration shop where you can see how the trains and cars are restored. The train journey also includes access to the on-site museum which you can visit before or after your ride (keep a hold of your ticket for free entry).

It’s also possible to visit the museum without taking a train ride. Last time we checked this was $10. Honestly, while the museum is interesting, we think it’s best to visit as part of the train ride experience rather than on it’s own.

The museum and railway is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Chattanooga, so if you are going to come out here we’d recommend doing the whole experience.

If you don’t have your own transport, or would like to do this as part of a tour, you can book a combined train ride and trolley tour here, which departs from downtown. This includes both a vintage trolley sightseeing tour of Chattanooga as well as a train ride.

Find out more about train times and prices on the official Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum website.

 

Eat at the Local Restaurants

Chattanooga has a wide range of excellent dining options to suit all tastes and budgets. Of course, you’ll find Southern classics like shrimp and grits, BBQ, and fried chicken, but there’s also a wide range of other dining options.

Some we can recommend from our experience are the following:

• For Breakfast/brunch/lunch: Frothy Monkey, The Daily Ration, Milk & Honey, Niedlov’s Cafe & Bakery, Kennys
• For more upscale dining: Bridgeman Chophouse, St. John’s Restaurant
• For more casual dining: Barque BBQ, Champy’s Fried Chicken, food vendors at Chattanooga Market (Sundays)
• Ice cream: Clumpies

If you have a sweet tooth then we highly recommend a visit to one of the three Clumpies Ice Cream locations. This was founded in Chattanooga in 1999, and they focus on handmade ice cream. There’s one in the Northshore area, one by the Chattanooga Choo Choo, and one right by the base of the Incline Railway.

 

How to Get to Chattanooga

You have a few options for getting to Chattanooga.

By Plane

First, Chattanooga has an airport, code CHA, which is served by a number of American carriers and offers direct flights to many cities, including major airport hubs like Atlanta, Dallas, and Charlotte. So whether you are visiting Chattanooga from the USA or overseas, you should be able to fly here relatively easily.

By Car

You can also drive to Chattanooga of course, which is how we usually visit. It’s around 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 can see, there are plenty of other interesting cities within easy driving distance, meaning you could easily include Chattanooga on a road trip of the US south.

Note that the majority of downtown hotels offer parking but this will usually be valet parking with prices ranging generally in the $20 – $30 a day range. On a recent visit to Chattanooga we found the cheapest Chattanooga parking to be found in the Truist Garage, which can be accessed on Cherry Street. It was a secure parking structure, with parking available from the 5th floor and up and elevator access. Entry is here on Google Maps. We paid $10 a night to park here.

 

By Public Transit

In terms of bus and train, Chattanooga is unfortunately not on the passenger rail network in the USA, with the nearest major Amtrak stations being located in Birmingham, AL and Atlanta, GA.

As of 2023, Chattanooga no longer has a Greyhound stop in the city either. The nearest Greyhound stop is currently in Wildwood, GA, which is about 10 miles southwest of the city center.

 

How to Get Around Chattanooga

You have a few options for getting around Chattanooga.

First, if you are staying downtown, then many of the downtown attractions will be within easy walking distance. Chattanooga is a nice city to walk around and we can definitely recommend taking a stroll around.

There is also a public transit system managed by the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, or CARTA. This includes a bus network which covers most of Chattanooga, including the Incline Railway. However, this doesn’t include other Lookout Mountain locations like Rock City or Ruby Falls.

CARTA also run the free downtown shuttle service, which is a free electric shuttle which runs between the Choo Choo district and downtown. This has been in operation since 1992 and is particularly handy if you’re staying in the Choo Choo district, as we did on one of our visits to Chattanooga. We took the bus right to the Aquarium, which was really convenient.

Taxies and ride sharing services are also an option in Chattanooga. But do be aware that many ride sharing platforms have restrictions on operating in a different state, especially around picking up people. This would be an issue for somewhere like Rock City, which is in Georgia. So, you might be able to get a ride share to Rock City from Chattanooga for example, but then not be able to find one to take you back! So I’d pre-arrange a taxi or other option for this if you don’t have a car to ensure a ride back.

For the sights outside of Chattanooga, particularly those on Lookout Mountain, the easiest way to get around is going to be to drive yourself. This will give you the most flexibility for your visit. There is normally plenty of parking, which is either free or fairly low cost.

 

How Long Should I Spend in Chattanooga?

Chattanooga, even though it is a small city, has loads of attractions, museums, restaurants, and things to do, so this really just depends on your interests and time. You can make it an overnight stop on a road trip, a weekend getaway trip, or come stay for a week, it just really depends.

We’ve visited a few times now, from 1 to 3 days, and have found lots of things to keep us busy both in the city itself and the surrounding area.

To plan your itinerary, we recommend taking a look at all the things we listed to do and write down the ones you really want to do and go from there. It is also important to note that most attractions in the city are closed for at least one day a week so if you have limited time, you will want to pay close attention to opening dates and operating times. While some attractions need to be pre-booked, many allow you to purchase tickets the day of in person.

If you just have one full day to visit, we recommend taking a look at our 1 day Chattanooga itinerary. This can give you a good idea of what might be possible with one full day.

 

Where to Stay in Chattanooga

Chattanooga has lots of options for accommodation, ranging from more budget friendly options through to high-end and boutique hotels.

We’d recommend first deciding where you want to stay. We’d recommend choosing either downtown, the Choo Choo district (which gives you easy access to downtown with the free shuttle), or just outside of town at one of the many chain hotels.

There are pros and cons to each option, and we’ve done all three at one time or another. With the downtown hotels, you get the advantage of being in the heart of the action, and you will be able to walk to many attractions. There are also some really nice unique accommodation options. The downside would be that these hotels tend to be more expensive, and parking usually carries a fee, which you’ll have to factor into your budget.

The Choo Choo district can be a good option as well, it’s a historic district with good dining and accommodation options, and you can easily reach the downtown area via the free electric shuttle bus. But hotels will still be on the pricier side with an additional fee for parking in most cases.

Finally, you can opt to stay at one of the many chain hotels near the Interstate exits. These normally come with benefits like free parking and some also include a free breakfast, all at a more wallet friendly price. The downside is that you’ll likely have to drive a bit more, but as many attractions require a car anyway, this likely won’t be a big deal.

If you do decide to stay a little out of town, we’d suggest the hotels off I-24 around exit 174 or exit 175 would be your best option. There are also options around exit 178, which are closer to downtown, but tend to receive more mixed reviews.

We always suggest reading recent reviews prior to booking any hotel as things can change.

Here are some options to consider for your visit. These are ordered approximately by price, but of course price can vary so we always recommend checking and comparing prices for your dates to get the best deal.

Downtown Chattanooga / Choo Choo Hotel Recommendations:

• Hotel Bo Days Inn – This is a well-reviewed option offering good value in the Downtown area. Rooms have tea/coffee making facilities, and meals are available. Parking is available on-site for a reasonable fee.
• Residence Inn Chattanooga Downtown – if you want to be right in the heart of Downtown Chattanooga but at a more value-oriented price point, this Residence Inn is a great option. It’s just across from the Aquarium and within an easy walk of the majority of downtown sights. Breakfast is included, on-site parking is available for a fee.
• The Read House Hotel – This luxury historic hotel in Downtown Chattanooga offers 1920s style with modern day amenities. Expect wood clad walls, checkered floors and dramatic chandeliers, alongside modern day comforts like A/C, on-site parking (for a fee) and two excellent restaurants. We’ve stayed here and can highly recommend a visit to the Chophouse, the food is excellent. One to consider if you’re after a traditional upscale hotel experience.
• The Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo – We stayed here on one of our visits to Chattanooga and really enjoyed it. It’s found in the Choo Choo district, home of the former railway station. The hotel has a pool and on-site parking, an excellent on-site restaurant, and is within walking distance of a number of bars and eateries. Uniquely, you can also opt to stay in a converted railway carriage, which is pretty neat, but note that some reviewers noted these can be a little noisy.
• The Dwell Hotel – This is a lovely luxury boutique hotel which dates from 1909. It only has 16 rooms and regularly books out, so you’ll want to book well in advance for this one. Each room is individually designed with a retro feel. There’s a full-service bar and a light continental breakfast is available. Parking is available nearby for a fee.
• The Crash Pad – This hostel in the Chattanooga Choo Choo has both shared and private accommodation, as well as a full kitchen.

Outside Chattanooga Recommendations

These hotels are found a little outside of town on the major interstate exits. You can sometimes save by being out of town, with the convenience of free parking. Many also have breakfast included.

• Hampton Inn – Chattanooga West Lookout Mountain – We’ve stayed here and had a good experience as we have at several Hampton Inns across the country. It has comfortable rooms, a small family friendly pool with a nice view of Lookout Mountain, is quiet, has friendly staff, has a nice breakfast, and free parking.
• Howard Johnson by Wyndham Chattanooga Lookout Mountain – this is a budget friendly option at the base of Lookout Mountain offering free parking and an inclusive breakfast
• Days Inn by Wyndham Chattanooga Lookout Mountain West – another good value option near Lookout Mountain, this has an indoor pool as well as free parking and breakfast. Rooms also have a microwave and refrigerator.
• Comfort Inn Chattanooga Downtown Southside – the name is a little misleading as this is a couple of miles from downtown. However, it puts you conveniently between downtown and the Lookout Mountain attractions, so might be a good option. Breakfast is included and there’s free parking on site. This hotel tends to get the best reviews of the options on this freeway exit.

You can see many more options for accommodation across a range of price points on booking.com here, including hotels and apartment rentals.

 

 

Further Reading

That’s it for our guide to how to things to do in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Before you head off though, I just wanted to share some more resources we’ve put together to help you plan your trip to the city, and travel in the USA in general.

• We have a guide to how to spend a day in Chattanooga if you’d like a more detailed itinerary for your visit
• Wondering how much a visit to Chattanooga might cost? Check out our guide to how much it costs to travel in the USA to help you plan your trip budget.
• We’ve visited a lot of other cities in the USA! See our guides to things to do in Las Vegas, things to do in Huntsville, things to do in Savannah, things to do in Charleston, things to do in Albuquerque, visiting New Orleans during Mardi Gras, things to do in Cambria, things to do in Houston, things to do in Dallas, things to do in Omaha, and things to do in Santa Fe
• If you want some USA road trip inspiration, see our itineraries for a USA Deep South road trip, California Road Trip, Route 66 Road Trip and Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
• And if you’re looking for inspiration for the rest of the USA, check out our USA section, which has lots more inspiration

Do you have any questions about visiting Chattanooga? As always, we’re happy to answer any questions you might have, just pop them in the comments below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.