26 Things To Do in Chattanooga

Things to Do in Chattanooga

Travelling with friends, children or family? Or just wanting to get away for a weekend by yourself and meet new people? There’s definitely something for you in Chattanooga.

• Creative Discovery Museum

One of the top children's museums in the country. The Museum offers a variety of programs including art lessons, science demonstrations, storytimes, as well as "spur of the moment" activities. Science comes to life here with spectacular demonstrations of physical and chemical phenomena.

• Chattanooga Zoo

With their intimate, innovative exhibits, wide-ranging educational offerings and commitment to conservation, their vision is to be a top destination for residents and visitors alike and the pride of our community.

• Bike City Tours

Find the perfect bike for your commute today from Pedego Chattanooga! Whether you’re commuting to work or running errands around the city, these electric bikes are the best way to get around.

• Ghost Tours

A ghost tour is a walking tour where guides take you to locations that have a history of paranormal activity. You will hear documented tales of hauntings, as well as some of Chattanooga’s more entertaining history.

• Chickamauga Battlefield

The Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center is located at the north end of Chickamauga Battlefield. Inside are museum exhibits on the Battle of Chickamauga and Campaign for Chattanooga, as well as the Fuller Gun Collection.

• Bluff View Art District

A family-owned and operated historic neighborhood filled with restaurants, a coffee house, an art gallery, historic Bed & Breakfast, and plenty of gardens, plazas, and courtyards where you can relax and rejuvenate.

• High Point Climbing

One of the nation’s most unique climbing facilities with 30,000 square feet of climbing inside and outside. The outdoor climbing walls feature climbing on transparent climbing material that is like nothing else. There are lead, top rope, and auto-belay walls, as well as two 15 meter speed climbing walls. Climb while enjoying wonderful Chattanooga right over Broad Street!

• Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center is an environmental learning hub that reconnects Chattanoogans with nature. It offers about 14 miles of trails and roads to explore. Mountain slopes, meadows, a creek sidewalk, and wildflower paths – there are many different options. Come and try them all.

• Ruby Falls

Tour the cavern, see the falls and discover why this unique destination has been named one of the best things to do in Tennessee for over 90 years. Adventure awaits at Ruby Falls!

• Southern Belle Riverboat

Southern Belle Riverboat cruises year-round and carries well over 100,000 passengers per year! It is one of the top attractions in Chattanooga, and is still the only way to have sightseeing cruises, lunch cruises, and dinner cruises while cruising down the TN River and enjoying picture-perfect views of Lookout Mountain and all the beautiful nature this great city has to offer!

• Rock City Gardens

Located atop Lookout Mountain, just 6 miles from downtown Chattanooga, Rock City is a true marvel of nature featuring massive ancient rock formations, gardens with over 400 native plant species, and breathtaking "See 7 States" panoramic views.

• Tennessee Riverpark

The park includes over 150 acres along the Tennessee River with unique scenic vistas, naturalized areas, open green spaces, playgrounds, public art, recreational areas, fishing piers, historical sites, and facility rentals.

Highlighted CHA Guide things to do:

The Tastiest Restaurants of Chattanooga

You can only get to know the city in full if you try its food. Chattanooga created its own gastro identity and has plenty of delicious places to eat.

• Yellow Deli

Iconic place to eat in Chattanooga! Founded and ran by the group called Twelve Tribes, friendly and authentic group of people with their own culture and traditions.

• Market South

A full-service food hall on the Southside. It features a variety of concepts: Slowrise Pizza offers pizza by the cut on a light and crispy crust. Grand Trunk Railroad highlights a variety of Indian street foods. Chow Main features Asian foods from wontons to curry, while Five Wits Brewing Company offers craft beers brewed on site. The Green Room provides coffee, tea, wines and cocktails. And R&D Test Kitchen is an incubator where a rotating cast of chefs cooks up new dishes for diners.

• Public House

For the past ten years, Public House has offered customers a comfortable gathering place to enjoy dishes made from trusted ingredients and cocktails that are as vibrant as Chattanooga itself.

• Chattanooga Brewing Co.

The finest German-style beer in the southeast flowed from the taps of the Chattanooga Brewing Company at the turn of the 20th century. They serve food that’s as thought-out as their brews, using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

• STIR

It is all about the inventive, the artisan and the local. Using purified, artisanal ice that has been painstakingly hand-cut to complement each one of its imaginative craft cocktails, STIR is bringing an intense focus on artisan ice and craft cocktails to the Scenic City’s cocktail and dining scene.

• Flying Squirrel

The exposed trusses, giant cedar beams, and hand-blown glass showcase Chattanooga’s local craftsmanship. Seasonal cocktails and the local-farm driven menu celebrate the natural beauty of Chattanooga.

• Community Pie

Community Pie is a hip pub with vintage decor serving Neapolitan & New York-style pizza, craft beers & homemade gelati.

• Two Ten Jack

Two Ten Jack is a Japanese-inspired neighborhood pub, or izakaya, featuring artisinal ramen, yakitori (skewered & grilled items), sushi selections, and other Japanese-inspired comfort food that incorporates local, Southern ingredients.

• Lil Mama's Chicago Style Hoagy

The newest hoagy shop, full of spunk, flavor and 90s nostalgia. Lil Mamas will not only be providing quality, delicious food, they will be building community.

Highlighted CHA Guide Restaurants:

Places to Stay in Chattanooga

Once you get tired after exploring the city and want to sink into a soft confy bed. Here are some of the most comfortable and fun places to stay in Chattanooga.

• Chattanooga Choo Choo

What was once a crossroads for travelers is now one of downtown Chattanooga’s premier vacation destinations. Located in the great Southside neighborhood of Chattanooga, TN, the Chattanooga Choo Choo successfully blends history and style with unmatched comfort, with your choice of spacious traditional style rooms and cozy train car accommodations.

• The Read House

Discover a unique historic getaway at The Read House hotel, where modern-day comfort meets timeless Chattanooga charm.

• The Westin Chattanooga

Recharge in the middle of bustling downtown at The Westin Chattanooga. You are put in walking distance of local restaurants, the Tivoli Theatre and family attractions like the Tennessee Aquarium and Creative Discovery Museum.

• Moxy Chattanooga Downtown

Moxy Chattanooga is a stylishly chic hotel that focuses on the less while offering so much more! Made for the young and young at heart, the check-in experience is one of a kind.

• Kinley Hotel

Adventure lives at Kinley Chattanooga where the history and natural beauty of our surroundings are woven into the experience.

Highlighted CHA Guide hotels: