Straddling the Tennessee River and framed through the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Chattanooga is simple around the eyes. Because of those rolling green hills and also the river's serpentine course, this southern Tennessee town continues to be dubbed the “Scenic City.”
But additionally, it offers a rich history: the town would be a Civil War battleground, and it is Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park may be the largest and oldest military park in america. Elsewhere, year-round opportunities for incredible outdoor adventures abound, thanks to its abundance of green space, including the 13-mile-long Tennessee Riverwalk, and natural wonders, like Ruby Falls, among the world's largest underground waterfalls.
If you're traveling to Chattanooga, here are some excellent achievements to increase your must-do list.
Learn more about Civil War history in the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Lookout Mountain is home to the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, the oldest and largest military park in the nation. Tour the park either on your own together with your smartphone as the guide or having a park ranger. The Visitor Center is home to exhibits on the 1863 Campaign for Chattanooga, a number of pivotal Civil War battles, the Fuller Gun Collection, probably the most comprehensive displays of small military arms in the United States, along with a small theater that screens a short orientation film, The Campaign for Chattanooga: Death Knell of the Confederacy, every Half an hour during park hours.
Descend 260ft by elevator and hike to Ruby Falls, one of the world's largest underground waterfalls
Set off on the guided cave walk that will lead you 260ft deep into Lookout Mountain. As you hike the cavern trail to Ruby Falls, one of the world's largest underground waterfalls, you'll encounter speleothems, stalactites, stalagmites and even "cave bacon," layered flowstone that appears strikingly similar to the breakfast favorite, prior to reaching the thundering falls.
Hike the "Enchanted Trail" and "See Seven States" at Rock City Gardens
Rock City isn't an actual city, but a number of massive, ancient rock formations perched high atop Lookout Mountain. Hike the 4100ft Enchanted Trail to see Rock City's majestic rock formations, including the Fat Man Squeeze, a narrow aperture leading through an immense boulder that you'll need to squeeze through sideways. Climb the wall at Lover's Leap, where you can go through the "See 7 States" panoramic look at Tennessee and its six neighboring states.
Ride "America's Most Amazing Mile" aboard the Incline Railway
The single-track Incline Railway, one of the world's steepest passenger railways, set off on its first one-mile increase Lookout Mountain in November 1895. Today the funicular railway is both a National Historic Site and Mechanical Engineering Landmark, offering the unique opportunity to climb the ridge at a 72.7% grade. Your railway journey along "America's Most Amazing Mile" begins at St. Elmo's Station at the base of Lookout Mountain, and ends at Point Park, a ten-acre memorial park, a part of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, where stunning views of Chattanooga Valley from 2100ft above await.
Paddle Lookout Creek at Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center
Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center is a 317-acre green oasis located just Ten minutes from downtown Chattanooga, where you can hike or bike over 15 miles of trails. The middle is also home to a ship launch, located on the banks of Lookout Creek. Bring your personal watercraft or rent canoes from Reflection Riding for the next fee, and enjoy a paddle along this winding tributary of the Tennessee River.
Come in person with a shark at the Tennessee Aquarium
The Tennessee Aquarium, the place to find over 10,000 animals, is Chattanooga's favorite attraction. Dive into the River Journey, among the largest freshwater aquariums on the planet, and stick to the road to a raindrop from high in the Appalachian Mountains towards the Gulf or stroll the Delta Country exhibit, where American alligators and alligator snapping turtles lurk in a recreated bayou. The Ocean Journey follows the path of the forest in to the Gulf of Mexico: the exhibit's largest tank, the key Reef, hosts sand tiger sharks, bonnethead sharks and green sea turtles. The aquarium's IMAX theater screens documentaries on marine along with other wildlife.
Cruise the Tennessee River aboard a retro steamboat, the Southern Belle
Experience the Tennessee River while having a cruise aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat, a replica of a classic river steamboat with a breezy, open-air, third-floor deck. Choose from a sightseeing, lunch, dinner, sunset or twilight cruise. In the autumn, the Southern Belle's Fall Foliage Cruise offers a scenic, three-hour tour of the Tennessee River Gorge dressed up in its fall best.
Sip local beer culture
Celebrate Chattanooga's long good reputation for beer crafting and contemporary, vibrant beer scene by sipping IPAs, stouts or pilsners at one of the city's unique breweries. Chattanooga Brewing Company began brewing its German-style beers back in 1890. Settle right into a comfy leather sofa and taste traditional German Lagers at OddStory Brewing Company. Hutton & Smith Brewing Company includes a cozy taproom where beers are all rock-themed. On the Southside, Terminal Brewhouse charms with old-world character and elevated assumes classic pub fare. Naked River Brewing is housed within the oldest buildings in Chattanooga and pairs its beers with BBQ. Book a small-group ChattaBrew Tour to visit behind the curtain and satisfy the brewmasters at four different breweries.
Sample hand-crafted whiskey in the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery
Tour the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery, the first legal whiskey distillery in Chattanooga in over 100 years, and see the development process for action. Sip flights of the latest releases and seasonal whiskey-based cocktails in the distillery's cozy tasting room.
Stroll the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel
The Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel is really a Beaux-Arts beauty of a former railway station located in the heart of Downtown Chattanooga. Built in 1909, the Terminal Station saw passengers pass through towards their trains throughout the Golden Chronilogical age of Rail Travel until 1973; in 1989, it had been restored and reopened as a hotel, the city's first historic preservation project. Opt to spend the night at the hotel or just stroll the former railroad tracks, today's picturesque Glenn Miller Gardens.
Take a swirl on the circa 1894 carousel
Coolidge Park is a stretch of green space overlooking the Tennessee River on Chattanooga's north side. Take a swirl around the park's crown jewel, a circa-1894 carousel featuring 52 hand-carved animals along with a calliope band organ. Kids will even enjoy creating a splash within the park's interactive water play fountain.
Shop Warehouse Row
Once a turn-of-the-century warehouse district, Warehouse Row now houses upscale boutiques, cozy coffee shops and casual eateries.
Journey through a Himalayan passage populated by red pandas at the Chattanooga Zoo
Meet the animals around the globe as you get a hearty the Chattanooga Zoo. Traverse the Himalayan Passage, home to snow leopards and the largest indoor red panda exhibit in the world. Come in person with chimpanzees in the Gombe Forest or mingle with macaws and spider monkeys in the Corcovado Jungle. The Walkin' the Tracks exhibit showcases animals that call america home, including bobcats, cougars and coyotes, with a backdrop that references Chattanooga's history as a railway hub.
Explore the Bluff View Art District
Stretching 1 1/2 blocks around the Tennessee Riverfront, this tiny district boasts three major art institutions: The Houston Museum of Decorative Arts is home to a collection of over 15,000 pieces of decorative art glass in the early 1900s. The River Gallery highlights local and regional artists via rotating exhibits; its meditative outdoor sculpture garden stretches a stroll-worthy two acres along the riverfront. The Hunter Museum of American Art, Chattanooga's premier art museum, showcases probably the most complete collection of yankee art within the Southeast, with masterpieces in the 1700s to today.
Amplify playing the guitar knowledge at Songbirds
Songbirds is devoted to music history. During the day, it's a museum, where one can begin to see the vintage guitars owned by musicians B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Loretta Lynn and more and enjoy interactive exhibits highlighting Chattanooga's music history. By night, Songbirds' custom-built stage and 250-person sound space hosts live concerts and other music-focused events.
Bike or walk the Tennessee Riverwalk
Rent a bike and ride the 13-mile-long Tennessee Riverwalk, from historic Ross's Landing towards the Tennessee Riverpark and Chickamauga Dam.
Play several rounds of pinball at a museum dedicated to the classic arcade game
Challenge you to ultimately several rounds of pinball on classic machines, including Caribbean Cruise (1989), Cyclone (1988) and Delta Queen (1974). The Classic Arcade Pinball Museum has classic arcade games and pinball machines, and flat-rate admission gives you unlimited play.
