Chattanooga in 3 Days: The Best Things to See, Do, and Eat
Chattanooga is one of those places that sneaks up on you. It is a mountain city wrapped around a river, packed with Civil War history, underground waterfalls, and a downtown that has reinvented itself into one of the most fun riverfronts in the South. We gave it three days, climbed a mountain or two (and sweated through about 100-degree heat doing it), and came away with a list of the things you genuinely should not miss.
Here is exactly how to spend a weekend in Chattanooga, from the Lookout Mountain classics to the riverfront to where to eat and stay.
What are the best things to do in Chattanooga?
The headliners are all on or near Lookout Mountain: Ruby Falls (an underground waterfall), the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, Point Park, and Rock City Gardens. Down in the city, walk the Walnut Street Bridge to the North Shore and Coolidge Park, visit the Tennessee Aquarium, and eat your way through Southern spots like Tupelo Honey and Puckett's. Three days is the sweet spot.
Lookout Mountain: the must-do attractions
Most of Chattanooga's signature sights sit on Lookout Mountain, just outside downtown. You could spend two of your three days up here and not run out of things to do.
Ruby Falls
Start underground. Ruby Falls is a 145-foot waterfall deep inside Lookout Mountain, and the story behind it is half the fun. Back in 1928, a cave enthusiast named Leo Lambert was working to open the cave to the public when a crew member with a jackhammer felt a sudden rush of air. They followed it and found the hidden waterfall. Lambert named it after his wife, Ruby, and it is one of the tallest underground waterfalls open to the public in the country.
To see it, you take a roughly one-mile round-trip walk through the caverns to the falls. Wear closed-toe shoes, it gets damp and uneven down there. It is a genuinely unique experience and a great way to beat the heat on a hot day.
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
Next, ride the steepest passenger railway in the world. The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway opened in 1895 and still runs today, hauling two counterbalanced cars up the side of the mountain by cable and electric motor. At its steepest, the grade hits an absurd 72.7 percent, so you are basically lying back in your seat watching the mountain drop away.
You board at the lower station in the St. Elmo neighborhood (paid parking there), ride about a mile straight up, and find gift shops at both ends. From the top station you can walk right over to Point Park. One heads-up from us: the cars are heated but not air-conditioned, so a hot day is a sweaty ride.
Point Park
At the summit, Point Park is the payoff. This is the site of the 1863 Battle of Lookout Mountain, better known as the "Battle Above the Clouds," when fog rolled in and shrouded the fighting. It is part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, and today it is a peaceful memorial with winding paths, monuments, and some of the best views over the city and the river you will find anywhere.
If you collect National Parks passport stamps like we do, bring your book. Point Park has a stamp station with both regional and national stamps, and we happily added a few to ours. Just know it can get hot and exposed up there, so bring water.
Rock City Gardens
Cross over to the Georgia side of Lookout Mountain for Rock City Gardens. The 4,100-foot Enchanted Trail winds you through massive ancient rock formations, gardens, caves, and bridges out to Lover's Leap, where, on a clear day, the famous overlook lets you see seven states at once (Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Virginia).
A few practical notes: parts of the trail are tight squeezes (you will understand when you get there), and the whole path is not fully accessible, though there are accessible routes that cover most of the garden for wheelchairs and strollers. There is a restaurant and gift shop on site and a Starbucks across the street. Give yourself about one and a half to three hours depending on crowds and how many photos you stop for.
Downtown and the riverfront
When you come down off the mountain, Chattanooga's riverfront is where the city really shines.
Walnut Street Bridge
The Walnut Street Bridge is one of the longest pedestrian bridges around, stretching about half a mile across the Tennessee River. It is an easy, scenic stroll with a wide spot in the middle and sidewalk space along the sides where you can stop, sit, and take in the views of the Hunter Museum of American Art, the Veterans Bridge, and the skyline. It connects downtown to the North Shore, so it doubles as your route across the river.
North Shore and Coolidge Park
On the far side of the bridge, the North Shore is full of restaurants, shops, and great views back toward the art museum, the aquarium, and downtown. Right there you will find Coolidge Park, home to a historic carousel, splash fountains, and wide green space that is perfect for a pickup game of football or soccer, or just a quiet picnic by the river.
Around downtown
We capped our evenings wandering downtown and hitting the sights, including the Tennessee Aquarium, a climbing gym, and a very worthwhile fancy ice cream shop. Downtown Chattanooga is walkable and lively, and it is an easy place to fill the gaps between the bigger attractions.
Where we ate
Chattanooga punches above its weight on food. Three spots we loved:
Tupelo Honey. We did brunch here, at Warehouse Row. It is Southern cooking built on simple ingredients from local farmers, and it is a great way to start a day.
Puckett's. For dinner, this is the move. Think slow-smoked barbecue and Southern staples, live music, and a laid-back, down-home atmosphere.
STIR. Tucked in the Chattanooga Choo Choo complex, STIR is known for artisanal cocktails and fresh oysters, but we went for the weekend brunch and it was divine.
Where to stay
We stayed at The Chattanoogan Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, on Broad Street in the Southside district, within about five minutes of most downtown attractions. It has a full-service restaurant, a fitness center, a spa, and two bars, including a rooftop. The lobby has tons of comfy seating, which made it easy to relax or catch up with people outside the room.
We booked a Courtyard View Suite, a roomy 635 square feet. It came with a wet bar and mini fridge, a coffee maker, a small dining area, and a big living room with a sleeper sofa. The bedroom had a king bed, a big-screen TV, and a desk, and the updated bathroom had a walk-in shower, a large vanity, and a separate water closet. Plenty of space to spread out as a family.
A unique alternative: the Chattanooga Choo Choo. The old early-1900s train terminal has been turned into a whole complex with a hotel, a distillery, restaurants, music venues, a comedy club, and shops. You can even book a restored Pullman train car instead of a standard room, which is a fun, only-in-Chattanooga way to stay.
Tips for visiting Chattanooga
Go early on the mountain. It gets hot and crowded. We hit 100-degree heat, so morning is your friend.
Wear good shoes. Between Ruby Falls, Point Park, and Rock City, you are on uneven ground a lot.
Bundle the Lookout Mountain attractions. Ruby Falls, the Incline, and Rock City are close together, so knock them out together. Check for combo tickets.
Bring your passport book. Point Park has National Parks stamps.
Budget for admission. Several of the big attractions have separate tickets, and prices change over time, so check current rates before you go.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Chattanooga?
Three days is ideal. It gives you a full day or two for the Lookout Mountain attractions and time to enjoy the riverfront, downtown, and the food.
What is the most famous attraction in Chattanooga?
Ruby Falls, the underground waterfall inside Lookout Mountain, along with the Incline Railway and Rock City, are the signature stops.
Is Chattanooga good for families?
Very. The aquarium, Coolidge Park, Rock City, and Ruby Falls are all family favorites, and the riverfront is easy to explore with kids.
What's the best way to get up Lookout Mountain?
The Incline Railway is the fun way, the steepest passenger railway in the world, and it drops you near Point Park.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring and fall are most comfortable. If you go in summer like we did, start early and pack water for the heat.
The Verdict
Chattanooga gave us underground waterfalls, the steepest railway on the planet, Civil War history with a view, seven states from one overlook, a gorgeous river walk, and some seriously good Southern food, all in three days. It is the rare city that mixes outdoor adventure, history, and a fun downtown without feeling like you have to choose. Sweaty hundred-degree afternoons and all, we loved it, and we think you will too. Give it a long weekend and let the mountain city win you over.
Want to see it all in motion? Watch our full Chattanooga trip on YouTube: Explore Chattanooga Tennessee in 3 Days, and subscribe to Finding Our Forte for more weekend guides like this one.
