Things to do in Chattanooga
Spring and fall bring mild temperatures, blooming gardens, and clear ridge-top views; summers are warm and humid but ideal for river activities, while winters are cool and quiet.
Best months: April, May, September, October
What is worth your time in Chattanooga
Coolidge ParkDo not miss
A lively NorthShore riverfront park with an antique carousel, interactive fountains, and a great lawn beneath the Walnut Street Bridge.
Park · 1.4 hr4.7
Hunter Museum of American ArtDo not miss
A premier collection of American art spanning a classical mansion and a glass-and-steel addition perched on a river bluff in Bluff View.
Museum · 2.3 hr4.7
Point ParkDo not miss
A National Park Service overlook atop Lookout Mountain marking the Civil War Battle Above the Clouds, with sweeping bends-of-the-river views.
Historic Site · 1.4 hr4.7
Rock City GardensDo not miss
A trail through ancient rock formations and gardens to Lover's Leap, where you can famously see seven states on a clear day.
Nature · 2.3 hr4.7
Tennessee AquariumDo not miss
One of the country's premier freshwater aquariums, with two soaring peaked buildings full of river life, sharks, penguins, and a butterfly garden.
Activity · 3.3 hr4.7
Bluff View Art DistrictDo not miss
A cobblestone enclave on a river bluff packed with galleries, gardens, a coffeehouse, and Italian cafes overlooking the water.
Neighborhood · 1.8 hr4.6
Tennessee RiverwalkDo not miss
A 13-mile paved path tracing the Tennessee River past parks, public art, and fishing piers, perfect for a walk or bike ride.
Scenic Route · 2 hr4.6
Ruby FallsDo not miss
A 145-foot waterfall deep inside Lookout Mountain, reached by an elevator and a lantern-lit cavern walk past glittering formations.
Nature · 1.6 hr4.5
Lookout Mountain Incline RailwayDo not miss
One of the world's steepest passenger railways climbs the mountain at a 72.7 percent grade to a station with panoramic valley views.
Activity · 1.5 hr4.4
Lookout MountainDo not miss
Spend a full day atop the city's signature ridge taking in Ruby Falls, Rock City, the Incline Railway, and Civil War battlefield overlooks.
Day Trip · 8 hr
Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery
A downtown distillery that revived local whiskey-making, with tours, tastings, and a rooftop bar over the Southside.
Activity · 1.5 hr4.9
Sunset Rock
A rocky outcrop on Lookout Mountain with a beloved west-facing view over the valley, a favorite for sunset and rock climbers.
Viewpoint · 1 hr4.9
Chattanooga National Cemetery
A solemn 1863 national cemetery with rolling lawns and the graves of thousands of Union soldiers, including the Andrews Raiders.
Historic Site · 53 min4.8
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
The nation's oldest and largest military park, a sprawling Civil War battlefield with monuments, a visitor center, and driving and walking tours.
Historic Site · 3 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Downtown, the NorthShore, and the riverfront are tightly walkable and linked by the free electric shuttle, so park once and explore on foot.
- The Lookout Mountain attractions (Ruby Falls, Rock City, the Incline Railway) sit close together, so cluster them into one full day to save driving.
- Many of the best views come from ridge tops and bluffs, so plan outdoor highlights around clear-weather windows.
- The Tennessee Riverwalk and Walnut Street Bridge are best at sunset, when the river and skyline light up.
- A combo ticket covers several Lookout Mountain sites and saves money if you plan to visit more than one.