A Guide to Visiting the "Scenic City" of Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Advisor - Alanna Zappariello
Curated By

Alanna Zappariello

  • Chattanooga

  • Active Travel

  • Arts & Culture

  • Family Travel

  • Outdoors

  • Local Culture

  • History

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Curator’s statement

With a mix of outdoor activities, cultural and historical experiences, Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a great destination to visit year-round. Nicknamed the "Scenic City," Chattanooga is surrounded by mountains, ridges and valleys, offering stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, rock climbing and white-water rafting.

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Insider knowledge

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Where to stay in Chattanooga

The Read House

Stylish property from 1872 with refined rooms and suites offering views of downtown Chattanooga.

The Edwin Hotel, Autograph Collection

Waterfront accommodations with elegant rooms and a full-service spa.

Kinley Chattanooga Southside, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Kinley Chattanooga Southside, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, offers a unique blend of modern luxury and Southern charm in the heart of downtown Chattanooga.

SpringHill Suites Chattanooga Downtown/Cameron Harbor

SpringHill Suites Chattanooga Downtown/Cameron Harbor is a modern all-suite hotel offering spacious accommodations, riverfront views and convenient access to Chattanooga’s downtown attractions and the Tennessee River.

The Dwell House

The Dwell House is a boutique vacation rental in Chattanooga, Tennessee, offering stylish and thoughtfully designed accommodations, blending modern amenities with historic charm for a unique and intimate stay experience.

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Things to do in Chattanooga

A building with glass triangular structures on top.

For its scenic beauty alone, Chattanooga is a must. Lookout Mountain is famous for its panoramic views and includes various additional attractions such as Rock City (a botanical and rock garden), Ruby Falls (a series of underground waterfalls totaling 90 feet) and the Incline Railway (the steepest passenger railway on the world). There are numerous hiking trails and various other places to explore within the Appalachian Mountains, all within 30 minutes of town.

Chattanooga is also one of the premier destinations for rock climbers. With its mild temperatures, climbing can be a year-round activity. Some areas include Tennessee Wall, Foster Falls, Stone Fort and Rocktown. For those of you not yet ready for outdoor lead or bouldering, High Point Climbing Gym is a great indoor facility that even has one wall exposed to the natural elements!

Chattanooga sits on the Tennessee River. The riverfront area is beautifully developed and includes parks, walking trails, paved bike paths and the Walnut Street Bridge, one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world. This bridge provides walkers and bikers easy access between downtown Chattanooga and the North Shore District. I recently watched Ironman 70.1 participants take the area by storm!

Some other things to do while visiting Chattanooga include:

  • Explore the Tennessee Aquarium, known as one of the best in the country, featuring both fresh and saltwater exhibits.

  • Swing by the Chattanooga Choo Choo, now a historic train museum and bar, which was once a vital transportation hub connecting the city to its visitors.

  • Visit the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park located at the site of two Civil War battles.

  • Spend a day at the Hunter Museum of American Art.

  • Check out the red pandas, a personal fave of mine, at The Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park.

  • Watch a baseball game at the Chattanooga Lookouts.

Places to eat & drink in Chattanooga

Meat burgers on a wooden tray.

  • Urban Stack (burgers)

  • Alleia (Italian)

  • Main Street Meats (butcher shop/restaurant)

  • Aretha Frankenstein's (breakfast)

  • Cashew (vegan)

  • Kai (Asian fusion)

  • Feed Table and Tavern (southern)

  • Basecamp Bar and Restaurant (Pub)

Advisor - Alanna Zappariello

Travel Advisor

Alanna Zappariello

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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Chattanooga. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Explore Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.