The city of Chattanooga, TN sits along the Tennessee River very close to the Appalachian Mountains. Such a great location can only mean that there are so many fun things to do!
Whether you’re planning a girls getaway, a family vacation, or a romantic weekend trip, Chattanooga is sure to have plenty for you to enjoy. Here are some of the best things to do in Chattanooga that I experienced on my latest weekend trip!
Whitewater Rafting
I had never been whitewater rafting before this trip, and it was probably one of my favorite activities that we did!
That’s me in the back, sitting closest to the guide!
We took the Middle Ocoee River Trip (half-day trip) with Quest Expeditions. As you can see, the boats hold 6 people and a guide. We were all a little nervous, but there was nothing to be afraid of. Our guide was great, and none of us even fell out of the boat.
I would definitely use this rafting company again! Check their website for operating hours and trip schedules.
Puckett’s Grocery
After a tiring but fun day rafting, you’ll be looking for a good place to eat. We ate dinner at Puckett’s Grocery in downtown Chattanooga.
I’ve eaten at Puckett’s before in Franklin, TN. In fact they have 6 different Tennessee locations. They host live music on certain nights, so be sure to check their schedule!
As for the food, Puckett’s has some of the best Southern food around. I got the skillet macaroni and cheese, and it was great!
Incline Railway and Lookout Mountain
There are three main tourist attractions all within a few miles of each other. These are the Incline Railway, Ruby Falls, and Rock City. Of course, there are plenty more things to do in Chattanooga, but these are great to do all on the same day since they are so close together.
The Incline Railway has been in operation since 1895. These unique rail cars take you up to the top of Lookout Mountain where you can enjoy the view and then ride back down when you’re ready.
The photo above is the view from the top of Lookout Mountain. On a clear day, you can even see more mountains in the distance.
Just FYI, you can drive up to Lookout Mountain if you want to skip the railway, but it’s a fun experience! It’s the steepest passenger railway in existence. The windows provide beautiful views all the way up and down the mountain.
Ruby Falls
Ruby Falls is probably the most famous attraction in the Chattanooga area. This waterfall is in a cave over 1000 ft underground and was discovered in 1928.
You can see Ruby Falls by taking a cave walk tour which lasts a little over an hour. This tour tells you the backstory of Leo Lambert and how he discovered Ruby Falls. Besides just the falls you can also see many interesting cave formations, some of which are named for their unusual shapes.
If you’re scared of caves, there’s really nothing to be afraid of here. The paths and rock formations are well lit, and the tour guides make sure the whole party can keep up.
Rock City
Because of timing and weather, we weren’t able to visit Rock City this trip. This area on the top of Lookout Mountain has huge rock formations and views where you can see 7 states at a time! I’ll definitely be putting this on my list for my next trip to the area.
Big River Grille
After exploring the caves and mountains, stop for lunch at Big River Grille and Brewing Works. This restaurant has 2 Chattanooga locations (and even 1 in Disney World!). We ate at the downtown location.
The side of the building has a large, colorful mural that says “Change Starts in Your Own Backyard”. You can’t miss it! It’s right across the street from Puckett’s Grocery.
Big River Grille had a ton of tasty options to choose from. I went with the Beer-Battered Fish and Chips. This may have been my favorite meal of the trip!
We decided to park in one of the paid parking lots by the Big River Grille and walk to the aquarium after our meal. The central location of Big River Grille and Puckett’s Grocery is great!
Tennessee Aquarium
The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga is actually 2 large buildings: River Journey and Ocean Journey. Both buildings are included with admission.
The River Journey building had many freshwater species including many kinds of turtles and fish. Some of the larger fish were truly impressive! There were many reptiles and amphibians as well.
I really loved watching the river otters and penguins play and swim!
I couldn’t take very good photos of most of the sea creatures because it was so dark inside most of the building. If taking photos is something you’re interested in, don’t get your hopes up. You’d be better off just enjoying the experience and watching the fish!
The Ocean Journey building was also fun! There were several large and impressive tanks filled with sharks, fish, and sea turtles. Some of the smaller tanks had more unusual creatures such as jellyfish and an octopus.
The Tennessee Aquarium is located on the Chattanooga Riverfront within walking distance of the downtown area. It took us about 2 hours to walk through the entire thing, but our group of 4 didn’t have small children. Visiting with kids or large groups would probably take longer.
Umbrella Alley
This adorable alley is a great spot for taking photos! One of the most Instagrammable places in Chattanooga, Umbrella Alley is located in West Village right across the street from Peet’s Coffee.
Here is the address for the coffee shop: 819 Chestnut St, Chattanooga, TN 37402. Look in the alley behind the Read House Hotel to see these colorful umbrellas!
Market Street Bridge and Walnut Street Bridge
There are 2 famous bridges in Chattanooga, and they are located right next to the aquarium. The one in the photo above is the Market Street Bridge (or John Ross Bridge). Not pictured is the Walnut Street Bridge, but it is right next to the Market Street Bridge.
Both bridges span the Tennessee River and are walkable. In fact, the Walnut Street Bridge is the longest pedestrian bridge in the world! The Market Street Bridge can be driven over or walked across.
Bluff View Art District
The art district of Chattanooga is only minutes from downtown, and sits in a historic neighborhood. This beautiful area has views of the Tennessee River, a bed and breakfast, art galleries and museums, and some great places to eat.
We ate lunch at Tony’s Pasta Shop and Trattoria. This quaint restaurant came highly recommended, and we enjoyed sitting in the outdoor eating area!
Before our meal we chowed down on some of the complimentary fresh bread. I loved the Baked Penne with Italian sausage, and I didn’t have room for dessert!
During my weekend trip, I only scratched the surface of things to do in Chattanooga. There are so many more activities and restaurants I’d like to try on my next trip!
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