Things to Do in Chattanooga: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Chattanooga sits on a bend of the Tennessee River surrounded by mountains, and has reinvented itself from an industrial town into one of America's best outdoor cities. Lookout Mountain with Rock City and Ruby Falls, the Tennessee Aquarium, the pedestrian Walnut Street Bridge, a lively Southside and endless hiking, climbing and paddling make it a great city break or road-trip stop.
This guide covers the best things to do in Chattanooga, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in Chattanooga
Rock City
Gardens and rock formations on Lookout Mountain with Lover's Leap and views of seven states.
Ruby Falls
A 145-foot underground waterfall deep inside Lookout Mountain.
Incline Railway
One of the steepest passenger railways in the world, up Lookout Mountain.
Tennessee Aquarium
Two buildings showing river and ocean life, from otters to sharks.
Walnut Street Bridge
A 2,376-foot pedestrian bridge over the Tennessee River.
Chattanooga Choo Choo
The historic terminal station with restaurants and train cars.
Bluff View Art District
Cobblestone streets, the Hunter Museum of American Art and a sculpture garden.
Point Park
Civil War battlefield park with sweeping views of Moccasin Bend.
Chattanooga in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Downtown and the river
Start at the Tennessee Aquarium, exploring the River Journey and Ocean Journey buildings with river otters, penguins and sharks. Lunch at a downtown restaurant. In the afternoon walk across the Walnut Street Bridge to Coolidge Park and ride the carousel, then visit the Bluff View Art District and the Hunter Museum of American Art. Dinner in the Northshore neighborhood.
2Day 2 · Lookout Mountain
Ride the Incline Railway up Lookout Mountain, then visit Point Park and the Battles for Chattanooga history. Continue to Rock City for its gardens, Lover's Leap, the swinging bridge and the view of seven states. Lunch on the mountain. In the afternoon descend into Ruby Falls to see the underground waterfall. Dinner on the Southside.
3Day 3 · Outdoors
Hike the trails of Lookout Mountain or Signal Mountain, or rent kayaks or a paddleboard on the Tennessee River. Lunch in the North Shore. In the afternoon go bouldering, mountain biking at Raccoon Mountain or ziplining. End the day with a riverboat dinner cruise on the Southern Belle.
Chattanooga in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Southside and Choo Choo
Morning at the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Terminal Station, then the Southside with breweries, murals and the Chattanooga Market on Sundays. Lunch in the Southside. Afternoon at the Creative Discovery Museum or the Chattanooga Zoo. Live music at a downtown venue in the evening.
5Day 5 · Tennessee River Gorge
Head west to the Tennessee River Gorge, the Grand Canyon of Tennessee, for a boat tour or a hike at Prentice Cooper State Forest with Snoopers Rock overlook. Picnic lunch. In the afternoon visit Raccoon Mountain Caverns. Dinner back in town.
Chattanooga in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Chickamauga and Cloudland
Drive to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, the oldest national military park in the US, then on to Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia with waterfalls and canyon-rim trails. Picnic in the park. Back in Chattanooga for dinner.
7Day 7 · Last day
Final morning with breakfast on the North Shore and a stroll along the Riverwalk, a last look at the river from the Walnut Street Bridge and souvenir shopping in Warehouse Row. Farewell dinner with Southern barbecue and a MoonPie for dessert, invented in Chattanooga.
What to do in Chattanooga on a weekend
What to do in Chattanooga on a weekend? Saturday: Tennessee Aquarium, Walnut Street Bridge and Bluff View. Sunday: Lookout Mountain with the Incline Railway, Rock City and Ruby Falls.
Riverbend Festival in June, the Chattanooga Market on Sundays and Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights in winter are highlights.
What to do in Chattanooga in the evening
Evenings revolve around the Southside and North Shore with breweries, cocktail bars and live music.
A riverboat dinner cruise, a show at the Tivoli Theatre or the Enchanted Garden of Lights at Rock City in winter.
Chattanooga for couples
For couples, watch the sunset from Point Park, walk the Walnut Street Bridge at night, take a dinner cruise and spend a night in a historic hotel or Bluff View inn.
Chattanooga with kids
With kids, the Tennessee Aquarium, Ruby Falls, Rock City's Fairyland Caverns, the Creative Discovery Museum, the Chattanooga Zoo and the Coolidge Park carousel are ideal.
What to eat in Chattanooga
Southern barbecue
Pulled pork and ribs with sauces.
Fried chicken
With biscuits and gravy.
MoonPie
The famous snack invented here.
Local craft beer
From Southside breweries.
Shrimp and grits
A Southern brunch classic.
Where to stay in Chattanooga: best areas
Downtown
Walkable to the aquarium and river.
North Shore
Trendy with shops and parks.
Southside
Lively with breweries and the Choo Choo.
Lookout Mountain
Cabins and views.
What to do in Chattanooga when it rains
What to do in Chattanooga when it rains? Ruby Falls, the Tennessee Aquarium, the Hunter Museum, the Creative Discovery Museum and Raccoon Mountain Caverns stay great in any weather.
How much does a trip to Chattanooga cost?
Expect 130 to 250 dollars per night for a hotel, 15 to 25 dollars for lunch, about 40 dollars for the aquarium and 30 to 40 dollars each for Rock City and Ruby Falls, with combo tickets available.
Practical tips for Chattanooga
Best time to visit
April to June and September to November are best, with mild weather and fall colors in October. Summers are hot and humid, and winter brings the Enchanted Garden of Lights.
Getting around
Downtown is walkable, and the free electric shuttle runs between the aquarium and the Choo Choo. A car is useful for Lookout Mountain and the parks. Chattanooga Airport is 15 minutes away, and Atlanta and Nashville are about two hours.
Our practical tips
- Buy the combo ticket for Rock City, Ruby Falls and the Incline.
- Book Ruby Falls tours in advance in summer.
- Use the free downtown shuttle.
- Visit Rock City early to beat crowds.
- Bring hiking shoes.
- Try the Chattanooga Market on Sunday.
Mistakes to avoid
- Doing Lookout Mountain in a rush.
- Skipping the North Shore.
- Hiking without water in summer.
- Driving into downtown at rush hour.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Chattanooga with kids?
Tennessee Aquarium, Ruby Falls, Rock City and the Creative Discovery Museum.
Can you see seven states from Rock City?
On clear days the lookout shows views toward seven states.
How many days do you need in Chattanooga?
Two to three days for the highlights.
What to do in Chattanooga on a weekend?
The aquarium, Walnut Street Bridge and Lookout Mountain.