When Jess and I moved to the USA, one of many issues I used to be most enthusiastic about was the chance to discover extra of this large nation at our leisure. There’s a lot to see and do throughout all of the states, and we now have the time and alternative to do exactly that.
One of many areas we now have visited lately is the town of Chattanooga, Tennessee. It’s just a few hours’ drive from the place we dwell, making Chattanooga a straightforward 1- or 2-day journey. Jess had visited earlier than, however as a baby, so didn’t have a lot reminiscence of it aside from seeing an underground waterfall.
Earlier than we visited, we reached out to our e-newsletter subscribers for recommendations on what to see and the place to eat. Many Chattanooga locals acquired again to us and gave us some superior strategies.
So, with out additional ado, let me current our information to spending a day in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This isn’t going to be a deep dive into every thing the town has to supply (which is lots, by the best way, there’s even a museum of Worldwide Towing and Restoration).
Nevertheless, should you’re visiting the town for a brief break, as we have been, it will cowl the must-see spots and highlights of Chattanooga. We’ll additionally supply our suggestions of the place to remain, and recommendations on getting round. Hopefully, every thing it’s essential plan your individual fast getaway to Chattanooga.
Let’s get began!
1 Day Chattanooga Itinerary
At some point in Chattanooga gained’t allow you to see every thing the town has to supply, however you’ll be capable to see lots of the highlights. As at all times, be happy to regulate this itinerary primarily based by yourself private preferences and pursuits!
We additionally suggest checking opening hours and pricing on the official web site earlier than setting out, as points of interest can shut or change working hours for varied causes. For points of interest with tickets, a few of these will probably be cheaper if bought prematurely.
Breakfast: 9am
In case your lodge or lodging doesn’t supply breakfast, otherwise you would merely favor to have breakfast on the town someplace, we now have two choices for you. These can be Frothy Monkey, within the Choo Choo District, or The Each day Ration within the Northshore a part of city.
Each supply an excellent number of southern breakfast choices, with objects reminiscent of Shrimp and Grits and Fried Hen and Waffles. Naturally they each even have a very good espresso choice to begin your day proper.
Discover Downtown Chattanooga: 10am
After breakfast, we’d recommend getting down to discover the town’s downtown. With restricted time in your arms you gained’t have time to go to all of the downtown points of interest, however it’s best to be capable to embody not less than one in your go to. After all, in case you are extra within the downtown points of interest than a few of the different areas we recommend in a while within the day then you definately would possibly think about switching a downtown attraction with one among our later choices. You can additionally simply spend all day simply exploring the points of interest within the downtown!
By way of downtown points of interest, there are a lot to select from. A number of the essential sights we recommend testing can be the Tennessee Aquarium, the Hunter Museum of American Artwork or the Inventive Discovery Museum. That final one can be an excellent possibility should you’re visiting Chattanooga with children.
When you’re performed exploring the downtown, it’s time to go out of city for the points of interest on Lookout Mountain.
Lookout Mountain Sights: from 12pm
Lookout Mountain is a mountain ridge just a few miles southwest of the Chattanooga metropolis middle. It’s house to a few of Chattanooga’s hottest points of interest, in addition to strolling trails and viewpoints providing wonderful views of the encompassing panorama. There are additionally a variety of locations to remain on the mountain itself.
A lot of Lookout Mountain is taken up by the Lookout Mountain Battlefield, which types part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga Nationwide Army Park. This was the situation of main occasions throughout the American Civil Conflict, and people desirous about army historical past might wish to go to the Level Park location for info on these occasions.
Level Park is a paid attraction, you possibly can see extra right here. We didn’t embody it on our itinerary, however be happy to incorporate it should you just like the sound of it somewhat than one among our different choices!
The remainder of the Lookout Mountain Battlefield space is free to go to and it’s house to round 30 miles of trails. So if you wish to simply discover nature and do some climbing, that’s actually an possibility. Simply discover a parking spot, select a path, and get going. There’s a very good path map on the Nationwide Parks website right here.
Introduction to Lookout Mountain apart, let’s dive into the points of interest that we suggest you go to in your first journey to Lookout Mountain. These are paid, however we expect they’re undoubtedly price it.
Incline Railway: 12pm
The primary cease we suggest in your Lookout Mountain journey is the Incline Railway. In-built 1895, this mile lengthy railway will whisk you to the higher a part of the mountain. While the higher station of the incline railway isn’t technically on the highest level of Lookout Mountain (that honor belongs to Excessive Level, a approach additional south), it’s nonetheless fairly excessive up on the mountain, and you’re going to get nice views of the town.
There’s a viewing platform on the higher station, and the trip on this historic railway is nicely well worth the admission worth.
The trip takes round 10 minutes every approach, and also you’ll wish to spend a while on the high having fun with the view, so we’d recommend planning to spend round 45 minutes to an hour visiting the Incline Railway.
If you happen to’re hungry, there are additionally just a few eating choices across the decrease station. It’s additionally right here the place you’ll discover the subsequent cease on our itinerary, house to a tasty deal with which can hold you going along with your Chattanooga sightseeing journey!
You possibly can ebook tickets for the Incline Railway right here. There’s a car parking zone on website, which has a small price for parking. Notice that pets aren’t allowed on the railway.
Ice Cream at Clumpies: 1pm
Clumpies Ice Cream was extremely really useful as a Chattanooga native favourite to strive from our readers, and we’re so glad that we took them up on that advice.
Based in Chattanooga in 1999, Clumpies give attention to handmade ice cream made with contemporary elements in small batches. As of the time of writing, it’s accessible in three areas. There’s one within the Northshore space, one by the Chattanooga Choo Choo, and, conveniently for this itinerary, one proper by the bottom of the Incline Railway.
They’ve an enormous vary of scrumptious flavors to select from, and we extremely suggest stopping off to do that basic dish out.
Ruby Falls: 1.30pm
As I discussed at the beginning of this information, Jess visited Chattanooga when she was younger, and the one factor she actually remembers from that go to was that her household had a memento from Ruby Falls. So clearly we needed to return to refresh her reminiscence of what she noticed, and so I might see what it’s all about.
Ruby Falls has been one of the vital well-liked sights in Chattanooga because it opened to the general public in 1930. The primary attraction is the 90ft excessive waterfall, named Ruby Falls, which is definitely discovered over 1,000ft underground. An underground waterfall is certainly a neat attraction!
The Ruby Falls expertise works as follows. You join a tour time, which is greatest if booked prematurely on their web site right here. All visits are by guided tour, with tour group sizes ranging as much as round 30 individuals. On the tour time you’re taking an elevator down 260ft into the mountain, after which your information will lead you alongside a path to the waterfall. There’s additionally a video close to the beginning of the tour the place you’ll be taught concerning the historical past of how the attraction was developed, which is fairly attention-grabbing.
The path is slightly below a mile spherical journey, and there are many attention-grabbing cave formations to see on the best way, which your information will level out. The path is simple to comply with and pretty even, though this being a cave there are in fact low factors, outcrops and a few steps to navigate. There are additionally instances when you’ll have to let one other group going the opposite approach cross.
After all, the spotlight of the journey is the waterfall, which is fairly spectacular. It cascades down round 90ft, and the chamber it’s in is a lot giant sufficient for the group. It’s additionally illuminated with completely different colours and there’s music as nicely.
For us your complete underground expertise lasted round an hour, with the time on the falls lasting round 8 to 10 minutes. This was loads of time to get all of the photographs we needed and likewise to simply get pleasure from watching the water.
Now, you is perhaps questioning if visiting Ruby Falls is price it. We personally loved it, however it’s clearly a reasonably busy attraction the place it’s a must to comply with a set path and itinerary.
I believe lots of how good your expertise will probably be will come right down to your information. The teams aren’t large, however with 30 or so individuals stretched alongside a slender pathway, it would be best to attempt to be close to the entrance of your group to listen to every thing your information has to say as you go. There are factors the place your group will cease and the information will speak to you all, however there are additionally factors of curiosity alongside the best way which you’ll miss should you’re close to the again of the group.
Our information was okay, however we now have learn critiques the place individuals discovered the guides to be very entertaining and verbose, which wasn’t the case with our information. Nonetheless, we did benefit from the expertise general, which was fairly distinctive. It additionally has historic attraction curiosity – we at all times love to go to points of interest which have been drawing a crowd for many years, because it looks like we’re following within the footsteps of many different vacationers.
That stated, should you favor to have a bit extra time to discover at your leisure, are claustrophobic, or if the sound of an underground waterfall doesn’t float your boat, then that’s completely high quality!
E-book your tickets on the official Ruby Falls web site right here. Parking at Ruby Falls is free.
Rock Metropolis / Lookout Mountain: 4pm
The opposite well-liked paid attraction on Lookout Mountain we suggest visiting is Rock Metropolis, which is definitely simply throughout the state line in Georgia. This has additionally been a preferred attraction in Chattanooga for a few years, opening approach again in 1932.
It turned well-liked attributable to a advertising and marketing marketing campaign which contain portray the slogan “See Rock Metropolis” on the roofs and partitions of barns throughout the US. By 1969, over 900 barns had been adorned throughout 19 states, and it’s protected to say that this acquired the phrase out concerning the attraction pretty comprehensively.
As we speak, Rock Metropolis presents an identical expertise to that which guests would have discovered again within the day, though it has in fact advanced a bit over time. The primary attraction although are the strolling trails, which wend their approach across the attractive rock formations, main you to spectacular viewpoints.
From one among these viewpoints it’s stated you could see seven states, though you’ll need a really clear day to realize that. Nonetheless, the view is spectacular, whatever the variety of states you really see.
We actually loved visiting Rock Metropolis, it was our favourite attraction on high of Lookout Mountain. It’s actually neat to have the ability to wander round and beneath all of the rocks, and there actually is lots of element to see, from underground dioramas to a waterfall to swing bridges to these aforementioned views. It actually looks like of lots of love and a spotlight went into creating this attraction, with the identical household working it at the moment who initially created it.
We’ve put your go to to Rock Metropolis later within the day so it’s a bit cooler, which is particularly necessary should you’re visiting Chattanooga in the summertime months. Nevertheless, it’s a year-round vacation spot, with themes all year long, together with an Irish pageant in March, and lights for Christmas.
For this one we undoubtedly suggest reserving on-line prematurely. Costs differ relying on the time slot you select and the day you go to, and it’s often cheaper to ebook prematurely on-line somewhat than purchase tickets in particular person.
See extra and ebook your tickets on the official Rock Metropolis web site right here. We’d recommend round 90 minutes to 2 hours for this attraction. Parking is free.
Dinner: 6pm
In spite of everything that exploration, you’re sure to be hungry by now. So it is perhaps time to go for some meals!
There’s an enormous vary of eating choices to select from in Chattanooga, from quick informal via to upscale experiences. You’ll additionally discover a vary of cuisines to select from, working the gamut from BBQ, hearty southern fare, via to world flavors.
There are undoubtedly too many choices to checklist, however some choices to contemplate embody Barque for wonderful BBQ, St. John’s Restaurant for upscale eating, Elsie’s Daughter for a bistro eating expertise, Champy’s for wonderful fried rooster and the Bridgeman Chophouse for steaks and seafood.
In addition to eating choices, Chattanooga has some nice spots to drink. Whether or not you’re planning on watching the sundown with a cocktail (head to the rooftop Whiskey Thief) or wish to go to an area brewery like Oddstory or Hutton & Smith, Chattanooga is sure to have one thing to sate your thirst. For mocktails, try Sleepyhead Primary+Dodds which has a everlasting alcohol-free cocktail menu.
Sundown: Lookout Mountain or Walnut Avenue Bridge
To spherical off your day in Chattanooga, we expect you would possibly wish to get pleasure from watching the sundown. Though should you’d favor to loosen up or skip it and head to a bar, that’s completely high quality too!
Nonetheless, should you do resolve to see the sundown, there are some good choices.
First, should you’re downtown, then we suggest heading out onto Walnut Avenue Bridge for a pleasant view of the sundown over the river. Relationship from 1890, this pedestrian solely bridge is an iconic landmark within the metropolis and a very good place from the place to benefit from the sundown.
If you happen to’d favor to look at the sundown from nature, or are nonetheless up on Lookout Mountain when the solar is setting, then the opposite location you would possibly think about is the aptly named Sundown Rock. That is discovered on the west facet of the mountain, and from right here you will get an excellent view throughout the encompassing panorama from an elevated location.
There’s a small free car parking zone simply close to the trailhead, and it’s solely about 200 yards from the parking location to the perspective. Simply bear in mind that the car parking zone solely has 9 spots and might replenish.
Relying on the time of 12 months you go to, sundown will probably be at various instances. You need to use this web site to test when sundown will probably be throughout your go to, however it varies from round 5.30pm in mid-winter, via to 9pm in the summertime.
So if you wish to see the sundown, you would possibly have to plan your meal time round that relying on if you end up visiting.
After all, there are many different locations you possibly can watch the sundown from. I noticed a beautiful sundown from simply exterior our lodge within the Choo Choo district for instance!
That wraps up our information to what to do in a day in Chattanooga! Let’s now take a look at some sensible ideas that will help you plan your go to.
Tips on how to Get to Chattanooga
You may have just a few choices for attending to Chattanooga.
First, Chattanooga has an airport, code CHA, which is served by a variety of American carriers and presents direct flights to many cities, together with main airport hubs like Atlanta, Dallas and Charlotte. So whether or not you might be visiting Chattanooga from the USA or abroad, it’s best to be capable to fly right here comparatively simply.
You can even drive to Chattanooga in fact, which is how we often 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 possibly can see, there are many different attention-grabbing cities inside simple driving distance, that means you may simply embody Chattanooga on a street journey of the US south.
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 Birmingham and Atlanta.
As of 2023, Chattanooga now not has a Greyhound cease within the metropolis both. The closest Greyhound cease is presently in Wildwood, GA, which is about 10 miles southwest of the town middle.
Tips on how to Get Round Chattanooga
You may have just a few choices for getting round Chattanooga.
First, in case you are staying downtown, then lots of the downtown points of interest will probably be inside simple strolling distance. Chattanooga is a pleasant metropolis to stroll round and we will undoubtedly 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. Nevertheless, this doesn’t embody different Lookout Mountain areas 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 should you’re staying within the Choo Choo district, as we did on one among our visits to Chattanooga. We took the bus proper to the Aquarium, which was actually handy.
Trip sharing can also be an possibility in Chattanooga, however do bear in mind that many trip sharing platforms have restrictions on working in a unique state, particularly round selecting up individuals. This might be a difficulty for someplace like Rock Metropolis, which is in Georgia. So, you would possibly be capable to get a trip share to Rock Metropolis for instance, however then not be capable to discover one to take you again!
For the sights exterior of Chattanooga, significantly these on Lookout Mountain, the simplest option to get round goes to be to drive your self. This will provide you with probably the most flexibility to your go to. There’s usually loads of parking, which is both free or pretty low price.
The place to Keep in Chattanooga
Chattanooga has a number of choices for lodging, starting from extra price range pleasant choices via to high-end and boutique accommodations.
We’d suggest first deciding the place you wish to keep. We’d suggest selecting both downtown, the Choo Choo district (which provides you quick access to downtown with the free shuttle), or simply exterior of city on the chain accommodations you often discover round interstate exits.
There are execs and cons to each choices. With the downtown accommodations, you get the benefit of being within the coronary heart of the motion, and it is possible for you to to stroll to many points of interest. There are additionally some very nice distinctive lodging choices. The draw back can be that these accommodations are usually dearer, and parking often carries a price, which you’ll should issue into your price range.
The Choo Choo district is usually a good possibility as nicely, it’s a historic district with good eating and lodging choices, and you may simply attain the downtown space through the free electrical shuttle bus. However accommodations will nonetheless be on the pricier facet with an extra price for parking usually.
Lastly, you possibly can choose to remain at one of many many chain accommodations 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 simply’ll seemingly should drive a bit extra, however as many points of interest require a automotive anyway, this seemingly gained’t be an enormous deal.
If you happen to do resolve to remain a bit out of city, we’d recommend the accommodations off I-24 round exit 174 or exit 175 can be the best choice. There are additionally choices round exit 178, that are nearer to downtown, however are likely to obtain extra blended critiques.
We at all times recommend studying latest 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 Lodge Suggestions:
Lodge Bo Days Inn – This can be a well-reviewed possibility providing good worth within the downtown space. Rooms have tea/espresso making services, and meals can be found. Parking is out there on-site for an inexpensive price.
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 possibility. It’s simply throughout from the Aquarium and inside a straightforward stroll of nearly all of downtown sights. Breakfast is included, on-site parking is out there for a price.
The Learn Home Lodge – this luxurious historic lodge in downtown Chattanooga presents Nineteen Twenties fashion 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 price) and two wonderful eating places. One to contemplate should you’re after a conventional upscale lodge expertise.
The Lodge Chalet at The Choo Choo – We stayed right here on one among our visits to Chattanooga and actually loved it. It’s discovered within the Choo Choo district, house 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 a variety of bars and eateries. Uniquely, you possibly can choose to remain in a transformed railway carriage, which is fairly neat, however word that some reviewers famous these is usually a little noisy.
The Dwell Lodge – This can be a beautiful luxurious boutique lodge which dates from 1909. It solely has 16 rooms and frequently books out, so that you’ll wish to ebook nicely prematurely for this one. Every room is individually designed with a retro really feel. There’s a full-service bar and a light-weight continental breakfast is out there. Parking is out there close by for a price.
Exterior Chattanooga Suggestions
These accommodations are discovered a bit exterior of city on the foremost interstate exits. You possibly can generally save by being out of city, with the comfort of free parking. Many even have breakfast included.
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Chattanooga Lookout Mountain – this can be a price range pleasant possibility 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 possibility 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 a bit deceptive as this can be a couple of miles from downtown. Nevertheless, it places you conveniently between downtown and the Lookout Mountain points of interest, so is perhaps a very good possibility. Breakfast is included and there’s free parking on website. This lodge tends to get one of the best critiques of the choices on this freeway exit.
You possibly can see many extra choices for lodging throughout a spread of worth factors on reserving.com right here, together with accommodations and condominium leases.
Additional Studying
That’s it for our information to how you can spend a day in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Earlier than you head off although, I simply needed to share some extra assets we’ve put collectively that will help you plan your journey to the town, and journey within the USA basically.
Questioning how a lot a go to to Omaha may cost? Try our information to how a lot it prices to journey within the USA that will help you plan your journey price range.
I’ve written a information that includes a few of my high ideas for driving within the USA to assist get you happening the street!
We’ve visited lots 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 should you’re on the lookout for inspiration for the remainder of the USA, try our USA part, which has heaps extra inspiration
Do you’ve gotten any questions on visiting Chattanooga? As at all times, we’re blissful to reply any questions you might need, simply pop them within the feedback beneath and we’ll get again to you as quickly as we will.
