Chattanooga, TN

Travel Guide
Chattanooga featuring forest scenes, fall colors and mountains
This city in Tennessee offers outdoor adventure, historic landmarks and family fun. Visit mountain tops and riverside parks to find out why they call this the Scenic City.

With Civil War monuments, an aquarium, interactive museums, nature and arts, Chattanooga has a diverse range of attractions. After a successful redevelopment of its downtown area and waterfront, Chattanooga now also boasts a scenic riverside walkway. Head to the nearby mountains to get a view of it all.Chattanooga straddles the Tennessee River in the southeast of the state. The river divides the city into north and south, with four bridges connecting the two districts. Among these bridges is the pedestrian-only Walnut Street Bridge. Cross it to get to the North Shore and visit Coolidge Park, a great place for kids, with a fountain to splash in and a carousel to ride.Attractions in the waterfront area include the Tennessee Aquarium and the Creative Discovery Museum. Nearby, art lovers will appreciate the sculpture garden and Houston Museum of Decorative Arts between Market and Veterans bridges. From here, do the Tennessee Riverwalk or join a river cruise.Just a 20-minute drive from Chattanooga city center, Lookout Mountain offers outdoor activities. Stare in awe at the towering Ruby Falls and take in the views from Rock City Gardens. For an adventure, step aboard the Incline Railway, one of the world’s steepest passenger railways. See remnants of the American Civil War at Point Park and the Battles for Chattanooga Museum. Extending across the Tennessee-Georgia border is Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, which honors the 1863 Civil War battles.Back in downtown Chattanooga, getting around is easy. A free electric shuttle runs all day along Broad Street, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, to the parks on the north side of the river. The route starts at the landmark Chattanooga Choo Choo, the train station named after Glenn Miller’s famous song. The terminal is now an entertainment precinct with plenty of dining options.With Mexican and barbecue street food, traditional burger joints and fine-dining restaurants, Chattanooga’s culinary scene is as diverse as its attractions. If you can, visit the free Chattanooga Street Food Festival in summer and the Chattanooga Chili Cook-Off in autumn. This is when Chattanooga is at its best!

Where to stay in Chattanooga

Sonesta Select Chattanooga Hamilton Place
Sonesta Select Chattanooga Hamilton Place
3 out of 5
2210 Bams Dr, Chattanooga, TN
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is $84 per night from Oct 12 to Oct 13
$84
per night
Oct 12 - Oct 13
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Chattanooga. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the overall value ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Dee
"Outside of the slamming door everything was great. Also, Lindsey was a great and very professional to help me out during checkout along with what scenic locations I could checkout on the rest of my trips."

Reviewed on Sep 30, 2023

Sonesta Select Chattanooga Hamilton Place
The Read House
The Read House
4 out of 5
107 West Martin Luther King Blvd, Chattanooga, TN
The price is $127 per night from Oct 17 to Oct 18
$127
per night
Oct 17 - Oct 18
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Chattanooga. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the pool and the spacious ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,500 reviews)
"Classic old world hotel as I remember it-- but even better -- renovated"

Reviewed on Oct 1, 2023

The Read House
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Chattanooga Choo Choo
3 out of 5
92 Choo Choo Avenue, Chattanooga, TN
The price is $94 per night from Oct 16 to Oct 17
$94
per night
Oct 16 - Oct 17
Stay at this 3-star historic hotel in Chattanooga. Enjoy free WiFi, 4 restaurants, and 4 bars/lounges. Popular attractions Ruby Falls and Songbirds Guitar Museum ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"They are remodeling so be aware. Other than that, room was great and staff were very friendly and helpful. Area is great to walk around and explore."

Reviewed on Oct 2, 2023

Chattanooga Choo Choo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Authentic log cabin mins from chatts best sites
Authentic log cabin mins from chatts best sites
Chattanooga
Stay at this cabin in Chattanooga. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and a TV. Popular attractions Ruby Falls and Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center are ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (61 reviews)
Trip
"It was an amazing location so close to all the attractions. Very beautiful cabin. I have zero complaints!"

Reviewed on Sep 23, 2023

Authentic log cabin mins from chatts best sites
20% Fall Discount - Fenced yard - Pets - 1 mile The Venue - 10 min to Chattanooga-Lookout Mountain
20% Fall Discount - Fenced yard - Pets - 1 mile The Venue - 10 min to Chattanooga-Lookout Mountain
Chattanooga
Stay at this vacation home in Chattanooga. Enjoy barbecue grills, a patio, and a TV. Popular attractions Ruby Falls and Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (33 reviews)
Great Space to Relax!
"We stayed one night and found the experience to be perfect! The house is easy to get to off the highway and had everything we needed. Our pups enjoyed running around the huge fenced yard and the yard is a nice place to just sit and relax. We would definitely recommend and plan to stay here again ..."

Reviewed on Oct 2, 2023

20% Fall Discount - Fenced yard - Pets - 1 mile The Venue - 10 min to Chattanooga-Lookout Mountain
Little Avalon in North Chattanooga- 5 minutes from downtown!
Little Avalon in North Chattanooga- 5 minutes from downtown!
Chattanooga
Stay at this vacation home in Chattanooga. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and a TV. Popular attractions Ruby Falls and Champions Club are located nearby. Discover ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (27 reviews)
Peace and Quiet
"Good location, very clean and quiet..would not recommend though for anyone with mobility issues, the hill is quite steep"

Reviewed on Sep 1, 2023

Little Avalon in North Chattanooga- 5 minutes from downtown!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Chattanooga

For eco-friendly travel on a tight budget, the Chattanooga Area Regional Transport Authority offers two electric shuttle buses which ferry people across downtown. There is also a network of hybrid trolleys and a bus system which serves the rest of the city. Downtown Chattanooga is easy to walk around, while the North and South shores are connected by one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges. Visit the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority website.Browse Chattanooga rental cars.

Best time to visit

You may associate beautiful fall colors with New England more than Tennessee, but Chattanooga is beautiful at this time of year when the temperatures are pleasant; October sees average highs of around 73 F (22 C). Winters are chilly and wet, while summers can be hot and sticky, not to mention more expensive than other times of year. Spring is another good time to visit, with similar temperatures to fall.

Popular places to visit

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