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 enormous 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 just do that.
One of many areas we now have visited just lately is town of Chattanooga, Tennessee. It’s just a few hours’ drive from the place we reside, making Chattanooga a simple 1- or 2-day journey. Jess had visited earlier than, however as a baby, so didn’t have a lot reminiscence of it apart from seeing an underground waterfall.
Earlier than we visited, we reached out to our publication subscribers for tips about what to see and the place to eat. Many Chattanooga locals obtained again to us and gave us some superior solutions.
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 all the pieces town has to supply (which is quite a bit, by the best way, there’s even a museum of Worldwide Towing and Restoration).
Nevertheless, should you’re visiting town for a brief break, as we have been, this can cowl the must-see spots and highlights of Chattanooga. We’ll additionally provide our suggestions of the place to remain, and tips about getting round. Hopefully, all the pieces you might want to plan your individual fast getaway to Chattanooga.
Let’s get began!
1 Day Chattanooga Itinerary
In the future in Chattanooga gained’t allow you to see all the pieces town has to supply, however you’ll be capable to see lots of the highlights. As all the time, be happy to regulate this itinerary primarily based by yourself private preferences and pursuits!
We additionally advocate 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 numerous causes. For points of interest with tickets, a few of these will probably be cheaper if bought prematurely.
Breakfast: 9am
In the event you’re lodge or lodging doesn’t provide 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 provide an important number of southern breakfast choices, with objects akin to Shrimp and Grits and Fried Hen and Waffles. Naturally they each even have a superb espresso choice to begin your day proper.
Discover Downtown Chattanooga: 10am
After breakfast, we’d recommend getting down to discover town’s downtown. With restricted time in your fingers you gained’t have time to go to all of the downtown points of interest, however it’s best to be capable to embody at the very least one in your go to. In fact, in case you are extra within the downtown points of interest than a few of the different areas we advise afterward within the day then you definitely would possibly contemplate switching a downtown attraction with one in all 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 fundamental sights we advise testing can be the Tennessee Aquarium, the Hunter Museum of American Artwork or the Inventive Discovery Museum. That final one can be an important choice should you’re visiting Chattanooga with youngsters.
When you’re executed 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 a number of miles southwest of the Chattanooga metropolis heart. It’s dwelling to a few of Chattanooga’s hottest points of interest, in addition to strolling trails and viewpoints providing wonderful views of the encircling panorama. There are additionally numerous locations to remain on the mountain itself.
A lot of Lookout Mountain is taken up by the Lookout Mountain Battlefield, which varieties part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga Nationwide Navy Park. This was the situation of main occasions throughout the American Civil Warfare, and people thinking about army historical past might need 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 in all our different choices!
The remainder of the Lookout Mountain Battlefield space is free to go to and it’s dwelling to round 30 miles of trails. So if you wish to simply discover nature and do some mountain climbing, that’s actually an choice. Simply discover a parking spot, select a path, and get going. There’s a superb path map on the Nationwide Parks web site right here.
Introduction to Lookout Mountain apart, let’s dive into the points of interest that we advocate you go to in your first journey to Lookout Mountain. These are paid, however we expect they’re undoubtedly value it.
Incline Railway: 12pm
The primary cease we advocate in your Lookout Mountain journey is the Incline Railway. Inbuilt 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’ll get nice views of town.
There’s a viewing platform on the higher station, and the journey on this historic railway is properly definitely worth the admission worth.
The journey takes round 10 minutes every approach, and also you’ll need 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.
In the event you’re hungry, there are additionally a number of eating choices across the decrease station. It’s additionally right here the place you’ll discover the subsequent cease on our itinerary, dwelling to a tasty deal with which can preserve you going together with your Chattanooga sightseeing journey!
You may guide tickets for the Incline Railway right here. There’s a car parking zone on web site, which has a small price for parking. Notice that pets should not allowed on the railway.
Ice Cream at Clumpies: 1pm
Clumpies Ice Cream was extremely really helpful as a Chattanooga native favourite to attempt from our readers, and we’re so glad that we took them up on that suggestion.
Based in Chattanooga in 1999, Clumpies deal with handmade ice cream made with contemporary substances in small batches. As of the time of writing, it’s out there 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 advocate stopping off to do this basic dish out.
Ruby Falls: 1.30pm
As I discussed in 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 may see what it’s all about.
Ruby Falls has been some of the widespread sights in Chattanooga because it opened to the general public in 1930. The principle 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 finest 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 study concerning the historical past of how the attraction was developed, which is fairly fascinating.
The path is just below a mile spherical journey, and there are many fascinating cave formations to see on the best way, which your information will level out. The path is simple to observe and pretty even, though this being a cave there are after all 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 go.
In fact, 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 properly.
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 images we wished and in addition to simply get pleasure from watching the water.
Now, you may be questioning if visiting Ruby Falls is value it. We personally loved it, however it’s clearly a reasonably busy attraction the place you must observe a set path and itinerary.
I believe a variety of how good your expertise will probably be will come all the way down to your information. The teams should not enormous, however with 30 or so individuals stretched alongside a slim pathway, it would be best to attempt to be close to the entrance of your group to listen to all the pieces your information has to say as you go. There are factors the place your group will cease and the information will discuss to you all, however there are additionally factors of curiosity alongside the best way which you will miss should you’re close to the again of the group.
Our information was okay, however we now have learn evaluations 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 all the time love to go to points of interest which were drawing a crowd for many years, because it seems 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 wonderful!
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 widespread paid attraction on Lookout Mountain we advocate 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 widespread 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 obtained 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 after all advanced somewhat over time. The principle attraction although are the strolling trails, which wend their approach across the attractive rock formations, main you to spectacular viewpoints.
From one in all these viewpoints it’s stated that you could see seven states, though you will have 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 a variety of element to see, from underground dioramas to a waterfall to swing bridges to these aforementioned views. It actually seems like of a variety of love and a focus went into creating this attraction, with the identical household operating it at this time 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 very vital 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 advocate reserving on-line prematurely. Costs range relying on the time slot you select and the day you go to, and it’s normally cheaper to guide prematurely on-line somewhat than purchase tickets in individual.
See extra and guide 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 certain to be hungry by now. So it may be 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, operating the gamut from BBQ, hearty southern fare, via to world flavors.
There are undoubtedly too many choices to record, 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 hen 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 need to go to a neighborhood brewery like Oddstory or Hutton & Smith, Chattanooga is certain to have one thing to sate your thirst. For mocktails, take a look at Sleepyhead Essential+Dodds which has a everlasting alcohol-free cocktail menu.
Sundown: Lookout Mountain or Walnut Road Bridge
To spherical off your day in Chattanooga, we expect you would possibly need 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 wonderful too!
Nonetheless, should you do determine to see the sundown, there are some good choices.
First, should you’re downtown, then we advocate heading out onto Walnut Road Bridge for a pleasant view of the sundown over the river. Courting 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.
In the event you’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 contemplate is the aptly named Sundown Rock. That is discovered on the west facet of the mountain, and from right here you may get an important view throughout the encircling 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 remember that the car parking zone solely has 9 spots and may replenish.
Relying on the time of yr you go to, sundown will probably be at various instances. You should use this web site to verify when sundown will probably be throughout your go to, nevertheless 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 must plan your meal time round that relying on if you find yourself visiting.
In fact, there are many different locations you possibly can watch the sundown from. I noticed a stunning 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.
Methods to Get to Chattanooga
You will have a number of choices for attending to Chattanooga.
First, Chattanooga has an airport, code CHA, which is served by numerous American carriers and presents direct flights to many cities, together with main airport hubs like Atlanta, Dallas and Charlotte. So whether or not you’re 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 after all, which is how we normally 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 fascinating cities inside straightforward driving distance, which means you may simply embody Chattanooga on a street journey of the US south.
By way of bus and prepare, 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 at the moment in Wildwood, GA, which is about 10 miles southwest of town heart.
Methods to Get Round Chattanooga
You will have a number of choices for getting round Chattanooga.
First, in case you are staying downtown, then lots of the downtown points of interest will probably be inside straightforward strolling distance. Chattanooga is a pleasant metropolis to stroll round and we are able to undoubtedly advocate 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 helpful should you’re staying within the Choo Choo district, as we did on one in all our visits to Chattanooga. We took the bus proper to the Aquarium, which was actually handy.
Journey sharing can be an choice in Chattanooga, however do remember that many journey sharing platforms have restrictions on working in a unique state, particularly round selecting up individuals. This could be a difficulty for someplace like Rock Metropolis, which is in Georgia. So, you would possibly be capable to get a journey 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 best technique to get round goes to be to drive your self. This provides you with essentially the most flexibility to your go to. There’s usually loads of parking, which is both free or pretty low value.
The place to Keep in Chattanooga
Chattanooga has plenty of choices for lodging, starting from extra price range pleasant choices via to high-end and boutique resorts.
We’d advocate first deciding the place you need to keep. We’d advocate selecting both downtown, the Choo Choo district (which supplies you quick access to downtown with the free shuttle), or simply exterior of city on the chain resorts you normally discover round interstate exits.
There are execs and cons to each choices. With the downtown resorts, 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 resorts are usually costlier, and parking normally carries a price, which you’ll should issue into your price range.
The Choo Choo district could be a good choice as properly, it’s a historic district with good eating and lodging choices, and you’ll simply attain the downtown space through the free electrical shuttle bus. However resorts will nonetheless be on the pricier facet with a further price for parking generally.
Lastly, you possibly can decide to remain at one of many many chain resorts 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 possible should drive a bit extra, however as many points of interest require a automotive anyway, this possible gained’t be an enormous deal.
In the event you do determine to remain somewhat out of city, we’d recommend the resorts off I-24 round exit 174 or exit 175 can be your only option. There are additionally choices round exit 178, that are nearer to downtown, however are likely to obtain extra combined evaluations.
We all the time recommend studying latest evaluations previous to reserving any lodge as issues can change.
Listed below are some choices to contemplate to your go to. These are ordered roughly by worth, however after all worth can range so we all the time advocate checking and evaluating costs to your dates to get one of the best deal.
Downtown Chattanooga / Choo Choo Resort Suggestions:
- Resort Bo Days Inn – It is a well-reviewed choice providing good worth within the downtown space. Rooms have tea/espresso making amenities, and meals can be found. Parking is offered 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 choice. It’s simply throughout from the Aquarium and inside a simple stroll of nearly all of downtown sights. Breakfast is included, on-site parking is offered for a price.
- The Learn Home Resort – this luxurious historic lodge in downtown Chattanooga presents Twenties type 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 Resort Chalet at The Choo Choo – We stayed right here on one in all our visits to Chattanooga and actually loved it. It’s discovered within the Choo Choo district, dwelling of the previous railway station. The lodge has a pool and on-site parking, a superb on-site restaurant, and is inside strolling distance of numerous bars and eateries. Uniquely, you possibly can decide to remain in a transformed railway carriage, which is fairly neat, however word that some reviewers famous these could be a little noisy.
- The Dwell Resort – It is a beautiful luxurious boutique lodge which dates from 1909. It solely has 16 rooms and usually books out, so that you’ll need to guide properly prematurely for this one. Every room is individually designed with a retro really feel. There’s a full-service bar and a lightweight continental breakfast is offered. Parking is offered close by for a price.
Outdoors Chattanooga Suggestions
These resorts are discovered somewhat exterior of city on the key interstate exits. You may 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 – it is a price range pleasant choice providing free parking and an inclusive breakfast on the base of Lookout Mountain. Breakfast is included.
- Days Inn by Wyndham Chattanooga Lookout Mountain West – one other good worth choice 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 somewhat deceptive as it is a couple of miles from downtown. Nevertheless, it places you conveniently between downtown and the Lookout Mountain points of interest, so may be a superb choice. Breakfast is included and there’s free parking on web site. This lodge tends to get one of the best evaluations of the choices on this freeway exit.
You may see many extra choices for lodging throughout a spread of worth factors on reserving.com right here, together with resorts and condo leases.
Additional Studying
That’s it for our information to find out how to spend a day in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Earlier than you head off although, I simply wished to share some extra assets we’ve put collectively that will help you plan your journey to town, and journey within the USA generally.
- Questioning how a lot a go to to Omaha may cost a little? 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 a variety 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 need 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 in search of inspiration for the remainder of the USA, take a look at our USA part, which has heaps extra inspiration
Do you have got any questions on visiting Chattanooga? As all the time, we’re joyful 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 are able to.
