Chattanooga is such a fun city to visit! With the perfect mix of nature and city life there is something to do for everyone. Spend your days hiking scenic trails, exploring riverfront attractions, and indulging in delicious meals at local restaurants.

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Where to Stay in Chattanooga

Chattanooga offers plenty of great places to stay. Booking a stay downtown lets you walk around and fully experience the city’s vibrant atmosphere. If you prefer a quieter stay, booking a place just outside the city keeps you close to all the attractions while offering a more relaxed setting.

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center

This 317-acre nature center is the perfect place to relax and reconnect with nature. The arboretum features over 1,000 different types of trees and plants, including some rare and endangered species. Take a walk on one of the 15 miles of trails which take you around the lake and through the property. The treehouse built over the wetlands was my favorite spot to explore. If you are feeling up to it, you can also rent a canoe to take out on the lake.  

Tennessee Aquarium

Animal lovers will not want to miss the Tennessee Aquarium, the top-rated aquarium in the United States! Start off in the freshwater exhibits in the River Journey Building, which focuses on the freshwater sea life of the southeastern United States. The river monsters exhibit was my favorite in this area, it feature some of the world’s largest river fish!

Once you’re done here, head to the Ocean Journey building, which focuses on the marine ecosystems of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Aside from sea life, you’ll also find some monkeys hanging around when you first enter the building. You also can’t miss butterfly garden, which is home to more than 1000 butterflies! 

Hiking Trails near Chattanooga

Chattanooga has over a 100 miles of trails within 30 minutes of downtown. There are a variety of lengths and difficulties, so whether you are looking for a casual walk or more of a challenge, you are sure to find something! Below are just a few of my favorites!

Foster Falls

Foster falls is just a short 40 minutes north west of Chattanooga. This 60 ft waterfall is an impressive one. Just a short walk from the parking lot is a view platform that offers a stunning view of the waterfall.

If you’re up for a little longer of a hike, follow the trail 0.3 miles down to the base of the waterfall. Here you’ll have gorgeous views of this waterfall up close. This is a great hike year round, but in the summer I’d recommend going either in the morning or late afternoon to beat the heat. 

Julia Falls Overlook

Located at Signal Point park, this trail is a short 1 mile trip to Julia Falls Overlook! You can get a view of the gorge by the parking lot, but continue on the trail to the right for even better views. The trail is a little rocky, so take your time, but before you know it you’ll come to a clearing where you can see Julia Falls in the distance.

Fall Creek Falls

If you don’t mind a little longer of a drive, head to Fall Creek Falls State Park. Its only 1 hour from downtown and is well worth the trip! The state park offers numerous hikes but my favorite is Fall Creek Falls trail.

It a very impressive waterfall at 256 feet tall, it’s one of the largest waterfalls in the east! The view from the platform gives you a great idea of how tall the waterfall is, but to really experience it up close, I recommend hiking to the base of the falls!

Lookout Mountain

Its not a trip to Chattanooga without visiting Lookout Mountain. Just a quick drive from the city, Lookout Mountain rises to 2000 ft elevation and overlooks the city. Check one (or all!) of these fun things to do at Lookout Mountain.

Incline Railway

Incline Railway is one the steepest passenger railways in the world, with a grade of 72.7% incline towards the top! Grab your tickets at the bottom then enjoy the ride to the top. At the top grab some ice cream or fudge then take the stairs to the top of the station for incredible views of Chattanooga!

Rock City Garden

Just 6 miles from downtown, Rock City Garden is not to be missed! The path takes you all through out the gardens. You can expect to see:

• Lover Leap- a dramatic cliff with views of seven states.
• Rainbow Falls- a 170 ft waterfall cascading down the mountainside.
• Fairyland Caverns- a magical cave filled with life-size sculptures of nursery rhyme characters.

If possible, visit on weekdays to miss the crowds and be sure to buy your tickets online. 

Ruby Falls

While in Chattanooga make sure you grab a ticket for Ruby Falls, the tallest and deepest underground waterfall in the US! You’ll descend 260 feet into the cavern by elevator, then walk a short 0.4 mile through the cave to reach the waterfall! Included in your ticket is access to Lookout Tower, which offers incredible views of the city.

Sculpture Garden

Sculpture Fields at Montague Park is a 33-acre sculpture park located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It is home to over 50 large-scale sculptures from a variety of artists. The park is free to visit and guests are welcome to wander around and explore the park at their own pace. This makes it a great place to get some steps in and fresh air while taking in the beautiful artwork.

Sunday Market

Located in the First Horizon Pavilion with over 150 vendors each weekend, the Sunday Market is a must visit! They have everything from food trucks and fresh produce, to jewelry and local art. The market is open every Sunday April- November from 11:00am- 4:00pm.

Things to do in Chattanooga

Chattanooga and the surrounding areas have so much to offer—this is just the beginning! While you’re in town, make sure to check out some of the amazing local restaurants.