So, here’s my travel logic: If I’m already driving two hours somewhere, then I might as well drive another two hours to do something fun or see something pretty. And…if I’m driving that far, well, I might as well drive another forty minutes or so to pet some sweet animals. That’s how I ended up in Chattanooga. =) This is a list of nine fun things to do in Chattanooga, and three bonus places at the end that are within an hour or so of downtown, but well worth the drive.
1) Take a tour with Experience Chattanooga
Experience Chattanooga is a husband-and-wife team, Ryan and Hope, who have lived in the area most of their lives. Hope has lived there her entire life and has been hiking in the area for just as long. So they know their trails. They know which ones are easier, which ones have the prettiest views, and have the proper permits and training to be on those trails. They are also a lot of fun to hang out with for the day!
They have several different packages, based on your budget and time, but all of them offer you the chance to see a part of Chattanooga that a lot of people don’t know exists. Originally, I didn’t think of the Chattanooga area as a place to hike, but there are a ton of trails within an hour of the city. And there’s something for every skill level.
The trail that they took me on was for Glen Falls (TN-58, Chattanooga, TN). It was a fairly easy walk to see the waterfall and the cascades above it. There are some hills to go up and down, a few stone stairs, and some rocks to walk on or around, but if you take your time, it isn’t bad at all. (If you’d like to see how I rate trails, click here.) There was a storm the night before we hiked, so there were a lot more branches on the trail than normal. We also had to climb over a tree, but I’m not sure that’s completely normal either.
The good news is, Hope and Ryan knew what to expect and exactly where to go so that I didn’t have to fully pay attention. I, of course, had to watch where I was going, but since I wasn’t in charge of directions, I could spend my time enjoying the views, touching the moss, and relaxing. It was also really nice that they took pictures while we were out and about. (Which is included in the package they offer.)
2) Rosie Mae’s Alpaca Farm and Boutique – 550 Old Birmingham Hwy., Wildwood, GA 30757
Photos by Ryan Maum
This was a stop on the tour with Experience Chattanooga, but it’s also something that you could do on your own as well. Even though the farm is in GA, it’s only about fifteen minutes from downtown Chattanooga.
They also have a coffee bar, with beverages named after their adorable alpacas.
3) See Rock City Gardens – 1400 Patten Rd., Lookout Mountain, GA 30750
(Rock City’s address is in Georgia, but it’s on the same road as Ruby Falls, and in the same area as the Incline Railway – the St. Elmo neighborhood of Chattanooga.)
I honestly avoided going to Rock City for a long time because I thought that it was just a kitschy tourist trap. But it’s actually a really beautiful place to spend an afternoon. The rock formations are spectacular, there is a waterfall, and the views are amazing.
Rock City began as Frieda Carter’s effort to create “a rock garden to end all rock gardens.” She planted beautiful plants and flowers all around the garden, created a pathway that led to the waterfall, and even placed gnomes here and there along the way. Her interest in European folklore is what led to the fairytale-like feel of the gardens.
It officially opened to the public on May 21, 1932. The Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village were added some time later, in keeping with Frieda’s love of stories. There are now “more than 400 different species of native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.” They have special events throughout the year, including their Enchanted Garden of Lights during the holiday season – which I’d love to go see in person.
4) Ruby Falls – 1720 S. Scenic Hwy., Chattanooga, TN 37409
Ruby Falls was discovered by accident in 1928 by a man named Leo Lambert. He was working to open the Lookout Mountain Cave to the public and in digging out the limestone to create an elevator shaft and an entrance, his crew stumbled upon the waterfall. The cave, and the Ruby Falls Castle, opened in December of 1929 and the Ruby Falls Cave opened six months later, in June 1930. It is the “tallest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States.”
5) The Incline Railway – 3917 St Elmo Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37409
Note: The Incline Railway is currently (as of March 2025) closed because of a wildfire that caused severe damage to the railway’s tracks and cable system. They are (tentatively) set to reopen in June of 2025, but double check that before you go.
Riding on this roughly one mile long track up the incline is such a unique experience. You get some beautiful views of the city along the way and at the top of the mountain.
6) The Tennessee Aquarium – 1 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN 37402
The Tennessee Aquarium is two buildings. I think you can technically start in either one, but if you start in the River Journey building (on the left) you get to follow the waters path from the top of the mountain all the way to the ocean. Even the way the building is designed it helps with that illusion. Of course, my favorite part was all of the adorable turtles along the way.
Make sure to stop by the Butterfly Garden as well. I thought at first that this was in a separate building entirely, but it’s not. It’s included as part of the tour of the two main buildings.
7) Hunter Museum of American Art – 10 Bluff View Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403
When I originally looked at going to the Hunter Museum, I thought that it was only one building. It is, in fact, three buildings that join to create a beautifully curated museum.
Note: They have free parking for those who go to the museum. When you enter the museum and have them scan your pre-purchased tickets, or you purchase tickets, you give them your tag number and they will set the parking meter for you.
Their temporary exhibit when I was there was called “Conservation to Sustainability” and it was very interesting. To see how artists of all kinds actually helped in the creation of the National Park System and how they are continuing to help raise awareness today.
Artists were responsible for many people getting the only views of the American West that they ever saw. In the same way that I can live vicariously through the artists that hike deep into the forests or travel to certain places that I may never get the chance to, people back in the day who didn’t have the opportunity to travel to the West still got the chance to see it and experience it.
The different techniques that artists use is always interesting to see. From creating with raw iron oxide that was taken from polluted waters, to metal, to glass, to fabric, to paper, and more. And all of the different ways that they use these raw products to create their vision.
Also, extremely fascinating to me are the subjects that people choose to focus on. One of my favorite pieces was done by an artist who finds random, everyday people on the street, shows them history books and lets them choose how they want to be represented. Some artists focus on landscapes while other focus on urban settings. Some fruit, some animals, some furniture, and everything in between.
And it’s all beautiful in its own way. It all tells a story somehow. Of a place, a person, a time, a feeling, a dream, or something important to the artist.
8) Coolidge Park – 150 River St., Chattanooga, TN 37405
I didn’t spend nearly as much time at this park as I wanted to. It’s a great place to take pictures of the bridges, the Hunter Museum of American Art, and the river. But there’s also a restored 100-year-old carousel, a beautiful walking path, and plenty of space for things like picnics, concerts and other special events.
9) The Walnut Street Bridge – 1 Walnut St., Chattanooga, TN 37403
Note: This bridge is currently (as of the time of this writing) closed for repairs. So be sure to double check before you go.
The Walnut Street Bridge was constructed in 1890. It was originally used for automobiles, but closed because they were worried about the structural integrity of it. It was unused for many years until the community got together to raise the money to restore it in 1990. In 1993 it reopened to the public as a solely pedestrian bridge and has been that way ever since.
It is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the country, at 2,376 feet (almost half a mile).
Three bonus things to do, that are within an hour or so of downtown Chattanooga.
1) Blessing Creek Farms – 3400 Bronco Rd., LaFayette, GA 30728
Blessing Creek Farms is only about forty-five minutes away from downtown Chattanooga and it is well worth the drive. Not only do you get to see some adorable highland cows, you also get to pet and feed them, and interact with goats, sheep, bunnies, a miniature donkey, and the sweet Great Pyrenees dog that helps protect them. If your timing is right, you’ll even get to cuddle with some of the babies.
This family-owned farm is constantly having special events, so be sure to check out their website for more information.
2) Fall Creek Falls State Park – 2009 Village Camp Rd., Spencer, TN 38585
This park is home to five different waterfalls, including its namesake waterfall – Fall Creek Falls – that is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States at 256 feet.
There’s also Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls, Rockhouse Falls, and Cane Creek Cascades. And you can see all of these waterfalls fairly easily. With over 56 miles of trails, campsites, cabins, and a lodge, there are plenty of opportunities to spend a few hours or several days exploring.
I really liked that large sections of this park are part of the “Old-Growth Forest Network”. Meaning many of the trees haven’t been cut down and replanted over the years. They’ve never been cut down. So they are some of the oldest trees in the United States.
3) Spend a few days at Hiwassee Acres
Hiwassee Acres has hiking/walking trails, kayaking, horseback riding, adorable farm animals that you can interact with, and several other things that you can do without ever leaving the property. The rooms are all beautifully decorated, have comfortable beds, and their own bathrooms.
But…if you want to venture out one day, Gee Creek Falls is nearby and it’s a fairly easy to no joke hike. (See how I rate trails, here.)
A few places I ate and really enjoyed:
Near Rock City, Ruby Falls, and the Incline Railway…
The Hummus Bowl – 3931 St Elmo Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37409
Goodman’s Coffee Roasters – 3913 St Elmo Ave. Suite B, Chattanooga, TN 37409
Mr. T’s Pizza and Ice Cream – 3924 Tennessee Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37409
Clumpie’s Ice Cream – 3917 St Elmo Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37409
Near the Hunter Museum of Art…
Rembrandt’s Coffee House – 204 High St., Chattanooga, TN 37403
Near Coolidge Park…
Milk and Honey – 135 N. Market St., Chattanooga, TN 37405
If you’re looking for even more to do in and around Chattanooga, check out Hope Maum’s Instagram (co-owner of Experience Chattanooga). She has a ton of great ideas for things to do, places to eat, and posts about many of the special events going on in the area. Her genuine love for Chattanooga is what got me interested in visiting to begin with.