Where to stay

History-rich Chattanooga survived the Civil War to become the "Dynamo of Dixie" by the 1940s, but then fell into decline before stunning new architecture has brought the city back to life. To explore Chattanooga's past, stay in East Ridge and visit the 6th Cavalry Museum at Fort Oglethorpe. Accommodations here are a 15-minute drive to the City of Chickamauga and Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park. Back in the city center, hotels in the MLK District are close to Ross's Landing, established by a Cherokee chief in 1816. Walk through the neighborhood park to see clay medallions representing aspects of Cherokee history. Book a room in Downtown Chattanooga for the Chattanooga Choo Choo Terminal Train Station Complex in the Southside Historic District.

Appreciate the city's great cultural attractions by staying in Downtown Chattanooga. Hotels here offer easy access to the Tivoli Theatre on Broad Street. The weekly Chattanooga Market on Reggie White Boulevard is considered one of the best places in America to buy artisan food. Watch street performers providing live entertainment and then stroll along the streets of arty Southside. For the Hunter Museum of American Art, housed in a classical revival mansion, accommodations in the MLK District are a good option and are also near the creative Bluff View Art District. See living history exhibits and handmade crafts at the Prater's Mill Country Fair; choose accommodations in Ooltewah or East Ridge, each a 30-minute drive from this historic site.

Named one of the best places in the U.S. for outdoor activities, Chattanooga is a haven for active visitors who want to ride horseback, white water raft, or stroll along the Riverwalk next to the Tennessee River. Stay in hotels in Downtown Chattanooga or near the MLK District to make the long hike to Chickamauga Dam. Alternatively, accommodations in Tyner are a 10-minute drive from the dam. Walk in the opposite direction and enjoy a picnic before arriving at Bluff View Art District. Audubon Acres provides hiking trails and is closer to lodgings in East Ridge. Consider staying in hotels in Tiftonia to fly across treetops at Ruby Falls on Lookout Mountain.