8 Things to Do in Chattanooga, Tennessee (From Someone Who Didn’t Expect to Love It)
Mention Chattanooga to anyone over the age of 60 and there’s a 90% chance they’ll follow it up with “Choo Choo.” Anyone younger than that and you’ll probably get a blank stare.
While I’m firmly in the younger camp, my parents are from Tennessee, so I always got the reference. And up until recently, that’s all I could tell you. But after visiting the Scenic City for a travel conference, I can tell you there are so many things to do in Chattanooga beyond the Choo Choo.
If you’re planning a trip, here are eight things to do in Chattanooga, Tennessee that made me understand why so many people love it.
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How to Plan Your Chattanooga Trip
Time Needed: 2-3 days
Where to Stay: Hotel Chalet (most unique) or Kinley Chattanooga Southside (best boutique hotel)
Best For: Nature lovers, adventure-seekers and history buffs
Highlights: Ruby Falls, Rock City, Point Park and Raccoon Mountain Caverns
What to Book Ahead: Ruby Falls and Rock City are the two attractions I recommend booking ahead, especially if you want to avoid crowds and save money.
8 Things to Do in Chattanooga
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or passing through on a road trip, these are the attractions and experiences I think deserve a spot on your Chattanooga itinerary.
Visit Ruby Falls
If you visit Chattanooga and don’t see Ruby Falls, did you even go? People either view Ruby Falls as a tourist trap or a Chattanooga icon. I like to think of it as the latter, with one caveat: making the short trek to see the 145-foot underground waterfall is something you only need to do once.
Want to know more before buying your tickets? I share everything you need to know in my Ruby Falls cave tour review.
See Rock City
It’s impossible to drive through Chattanooga without seeing billboards, birdhouses or barn roofs branded with “See Rock City.” But should you? I have two words for you: creepy gnomes. Sure, the views are spectacular and the grounds are the epitome of whimsy, but what made Rock City Gardens a hit for me was Fairyland Caverns.
You can read more about my experience, including the fairytale acid trip that awaits, in my Rock City Gardens guide.
Ride the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway to Point Park
The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is part of the Lookout Mountain Holy Trinity. On its own, I don’t think it’s worth the price. But pair it with Point Park, located just three blocks from the top station, and it absolutely is.
Point Park preserves the strategic high ground captured by Union soldiers during the Battle of Lookout Mountain in 1863. More importantly for most visitors, it offers some of the best views in Chattanooga, and unlike a lot of tourism marketing, that’s not an exaggeration.
The best part? Point Park is free with a National Park Pass, making it the best value on Lookout Mountain.
Find out more about these two attractions in my Lookout Mountain guide.
Go Underground at Raccoon Mountain Caverns
Before planning my trip to Chattanooga, Raccoon Mountain Caverns wasn’t even on my radar. But the more I researched things to do, the more the internet convinced me I needed to go.
After touring the Crystal Palace, my instinct to blindly trust internet strangers was right. While the two caves offer completely different experiences, Raccoon Mountain is a more authentic cave experience. It also had a more magical atmosphere, but maybe that was just the rainbow-colored lights illuminating the cave. Either way, I loved it.
Curious whether it’s worth adding to your Chattanooga itinerary? Check out my Raccoon Mountain Caverns review for all the details.
Check Out the Fish at the Tennessee Aquarium
The Tennessee Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top things to do in Chattanooga, and one of the best aquariums in the United States. While I didn’t have time to visit during my trip, everyone I’ve talked to who has gone raves about it.
Located downtown on the Tennessee River, the aquarium is divided into freshwater and saltwater buildings and is home to everything from otters and sharks to penguins and butterflies.
Wander Around the Historic Chattanooga Choo Choo
Second to Ruby Falls, visiting the Chattanooga Choo Choo is practically required when you’re in town. Built in 1909, the former Terminal Station is a stunning example of Beaux Arts architecture. I guarantee your neck will hurt from staring up at the 85-foot dome. And don’t miss the restrooms! It’s probably the most elegant potty break you’ll take in Chattanooga.
Even though it’s no longer a working train station, the Chattanooga Choo Choo still pays tribute to its railway roots. Behind the building, you’ll find an authentic wood-burning steam locomotive and several historic railcars, perfect for taking pictures.
Learn the ABCs of Chattanooga on a Trolley Tour
I stumbled across the Chattanooga Trolley Tour while picking up dinner at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, and I’m glad I did. Over the course of an hour and a half, our guide, Ed, took us all over the city while teaching us the ABCs of Chattanooga: Architecture and Art, Baseball and Battles, Choo Choo, Coca-Cola and Civil Rights.
Along the way, I learned everything from Samuel L. Jackson’s connection to Chattanooga to the location of the first Coca-Cola bottling plant in the United States. More importantly, the tour gave me a much better understanding of the city’s history and layout.
If you’re visiting Chattanooga for the first time, I think a trolley tour is a great way to get your bearings. You cover far more ground than you would on a walking tour, and I’d recommend it to first-time visitors.
Go on a Ghost Tour
It’s no secret I love a ghost tour. I did one in Nashville, so why not continue the tradition in Chattanooga?
There are several Chattanooga ghost tours to choose from, but I picked the Cursed in Chattanooga tour because it seemed more rooted in history than the others. I wasn’t looking to meet Casper. I just wanted to learn more about the darker side of the city, which seems reasonable given its connection to the Trail of Tears and the Civil War.
Along the way, we learned about Appalachian cryptids like Green Eyes and Spear Finger, the residual ghost sightings at Chickamauga and the legends surrounding Cherry Street. We also stopped by the famous Read House Hotel, where I later discovered you can actually visit Room 311. Needless to say, I immediately regretted not staying there.
Overall, I found the tour interesting, even if it was a little more waa waa woo woo than I expected.
How Many Days Do You Need in Chattanooga?
I spent a total of four days in Chattanooga, and I could have easily spent another day or two. That said, if it’s your first time, a weekend is enough to cover most of this list.
One Day
If you’re just passing through, focus on the highlights. I’d do Ruby Falls in the morning to beat the crowds, followed by Rock City. Then grab a late lunch or early dinner at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
Two Days
With two days, you can dedicate an entire day to Lookout Mountain, which is what I did. Spend the second day downtown with the Chattanooga Choo Choo, the Tennessee Aquarium and a trolley tour to get your bearings.
Three Days
By day three, you’ve likely covered the Lookout Mountain cluster and the downtown basics, so this is a good time to slow down. It’s the perfect opportunity for a ghost tour or a visit to Raccoon Mountain Caverns if you didn’t fit it in earlier.
Where to Stay in Chattanooga
During my trip, I split my time between two Chattanooga hotels: Hotel Chalet and the Kinley. Both are excellent boutique hotels, but they offer very different experiences.
The Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo
If you’re looking for a hotel that’s uniquely Chattanooga, Hotel Chalet is hard to beat. Located behind the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo, the boutique hotel is like staying at your rich Southern grandma’s house if she married a railroad magnate.
I stayed in both a Victorian train car and a Chalet Suite, and I compared them in my complete Hotel Chalet review. The short version: the train car is the more memorable experience, while the suite offers more space.
Kinley Chattanooga Southside
The Kinley Chattanooga is located right across the street from Hotel Chalet and the Chattanooga Choo Choo, which made switching hotels a breeze.
The hotel staff was amazing. I loved being able to check in early and drop off my luggage before the 3:00 p.m. check-in time.
The rooms are bright, modern and spacious. My only complaint is the Wi-Fi connection. It was a little spotty, but that may have been because my room was at the end of the hallway.
Overall, the Kinley is a great option if you want a more traditional hotel experience while still being close to the best restaurants and attractions in downtown Chattanooga.
Where to Eat in Chattanooga
I’m not a foodie. Never have been, never will be. But as a vegan, I always appreciate it when other vegans let you know you won’t be eating a sad salad for a week.
Chattanooga surprised me with how vegan-friendly it was. In fact, I found it easier to find vegan food here than in Nashville.
STIR
Located at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, I ate at STIR twice out of convenience (OK, laziness) and deliciousness. Their Vegan Poke Bowl was massive and on par with vegan food I’d find in Los Angeles, just without the astronomical prices. I ordered it to go because I prefer to spill on myself in private, but if you plan to dine in, arrive early. The restaurant is popular and the wait times can be long.
Hi-Fi Clyde’s
I ended up at Hi-Fi Clyde’s with a group and picked it solely because of the number of vegan options on the menu. Anything more than two is always a pleasant surprise in the South. I ordered the vegan burger, while another member of our group got the vegan chili bowl. We both left full and happy.
Mr. T’s Pizza & Ice Cream
If you’re spending the day on Lookout Mountain and need a quick bite, Mr. T’s is a solid option. The biggest surprise was that they offered vegan cheese for their pizzas. The also have free stickers at the counter, and you better believe I took one or three.
Clumpies Ice Cream Co.
I don’t know whether this is a blessing or a curse, but Clumpies is located just steps from the Kinley Chattanooga. They had chocolate vegan ice cream along with several sorbets. The mango-tajín sorbet alone is worth a stop. After spending the day sweating in the Tennessee humidity, it was the perfect way to cool off.
Is Chattanooga Worth Visiting?
Before my trip, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Chattanooga. I heard my parents, who grew up and live in Tennessee, talk about it over the years. But they didn’t exactly paint a picture that made me want to visit.
Now that I’ve been, I think a lot of people are sleeping on this city. Between the caves, quirky attractions and surprisingly good food, Chattanooga won me over. And I can’t wait to go back.
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