Location: Ringgold
Top Things to do in Ringgold
- 1. Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
- 2. Lake Winnie Amusement Park
- 3. Historic Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel
- 4. The Georgia Winery
- 5. Chickamauga Battlefield
- 6. Tunnel Hill Heritage Center
- 7. Georgia Visitor Information Center - Ringgold
- 8. Clisby Austin House
- 9. Elsie Holmes Nature Park
- 10. Grumpy's Antiques
10 Things to Do in Ringgold That You Shouldn't Miss
Ringgold is a city in Catoosa County, Georgia, United States. Its population was 3,580 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Catoosa County. It is part of the Chattanooga, Tennessee–GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Restaurants in Ringgold
1. Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 455 reviews
America's first and largest military park is located just over the border from Tennessee.
Reviewed By RetiredTravelerTN - Nashville, TN
We spent most of a sunny September day visiting two national battlefield parks – Point Park at Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga and Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in Fort Oglethorpe, GA. The Chickamauga park is larger and requires some driving. We started at the visitor center where we viewed the informative 25-minute orientation video and spent time learning from the displays. Gun enthusiasts will enjoy the gun collection that is displayed.
We had the option for a ranger-led tour or a self-tour; due to timing, we chose to use the park brochure for a self-tour reading the battlefield information along the way. The battlefield view from the top of Wilder Brigade Monument is especially nice on a pretty day. We spent about six hours visiting the two parks and their visitor centers and highly recommend it to those interested in history.
2. Lake Winnie Amusement Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 415 reviews
Reviewed By LuckySpivey - Atlanta, Georgia
Great place for family with younger children. We took our 6, 4, and 3 year old grandkids there and we all had a blast. It doesn't compare to 6 Flags or Disney, it compares to an old fashioned State Fair - with a water park thrown in as a bonus.
3. Historic Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By Teresa B - Aiken, South Carolina
What a fascinating spot to visit! The site includes both the 1,400+ foot long, Civil War-era railroad tunnel, which you can walk through, and a Civil War battlefield.
You start your visit at the small visitor center and museum. They offer a guided tour, which takes you by golf cart-type vehicle through the battlefield and then the tunnel. But when we asked if we could just tour on our own, they gave us what appears to be the script the tour guide uses and happily sent us on our way. You can drive the short distance from the visitor center to the tunnel entrance.
We got there an hour or so after it opened and had the tunnel all to ourselves. It was fascinating to talk through and see the construction of the tunnel up close. In some areas, where they were digging through solid rock, you can see the chisel marks they made, as they dug the tunnel out by hand. In other spots, there's beautiful stone and brick masonry. Be sure to read the tour guide info before you get into the tunnel, so you can better appreciate what you're looking at. TIP: Bring a flashlight! The tunnel is lit by motion activated lights. But not all of them work and some don't come on until you're right on top of them. You'll appreciate having a light you can control! And it allows you to better examine the tunnel as you go. (Be sure to note the large indentations spaced throughout the tunnel - they were created so that if someone was working or walking in the tunnel and a train came along you'd have a spot to jump into and get out of the way!)
Photo Tip: As you're walking through the tunnel, look on the walls ahead of you. Occasionally, the lights will create great shadows of you on the wall. I took a photo of the shadow of my husband and I - it's one of my favorite pixs from our trip!
They do not provide a map of the site, so it's easy to miss the rest of what the park has to offer, if you don't know what to look for. But, from the parking lot near the tunnel's entrance, if you look across the road, you'll see what appears to be a private drive way, with a "road closed" sign. You can't drive down it, but you can walk down the road (the guide at the visitor center told us where to go.) Go past the private home, and then off to your right you'll see a Civil War era home that was used as a base during what became the battle of Tunnel Hill. Out behind the house is a lovely rolling field, where the battle was actually fought. We chose not to tour the house, but it is open to the public. If you're up for a pretty hike, you can leave the front of the house and walk out across a field and creek, which will take you back to the visitor center.
You could really leave your call at the visitor center and walk the entire park on a nice day, but for those unable or uninterested in walking far, it's nice to be able to drive fairly close to the entrance of the tunnel. Note, the path is not paved and the gravel/dirt is uneven. (But the guided tour golf cart is always an option!)
For train enthusiasts, the small museum has some interesting railroad-related artifacts.
4. The Georgia Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 349 reviews
GeorgiaCome discover the surprisingly flavorful wines of the Chattanooga Valley's oldest and most celebrated winery - The Georgia Winery and Vineyards. Established in 1983, the Georgia Winery is the first of its kind in Georgia and is the only winery in the North Georgia area. Georgia Winery is a family owned and operated facility producing award-winning fine wines. Specializing in capturing the fresh flavor of the fruit results in unique wines that explode with flavor and tantalizes taste buds across the nation.
Reviewed By deborahsullivan154 - Ringgold, Georgia
We had a wonderful time at the Georgia winery. We did the Wine & Paint. They were accommodating and a very friendly staff. We have booked another visit.Thank you for taking your time to review us. We are so pleased that you had a wonderful time and it was a birthday to remember. We look forward to seeing you again.
5. Chickamauga Battlefield
Overall Ratings
5 based on 297 reviews
Reviewed By Jennifer K - Chicago, United States
Our family visited the Chickamauga Battlefield (near Chattanooga). We had a wonderful time! The Visitor’s Center offers a 30-minute film to educate your about the battles fought their. The actual battlefield site itself is beautiful! You can tour various monuments through the park, each describingbtroop actions so you can understand what happened over the course of the three-day battle. While we were there, there was a Boy Scout Troop there and those boys had a great time. Please come visit this important historical site when you are in the area. It is free of charge and very powerful!
6. Tunnel Hill Heritage Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By Nancy L
Maybe if you are into the railway you would like this. Grounds are kept very nice and the people are very friendly. $6 for tour.
7. Georgia Visitor Information Center - Ringgold
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Official source for information on everything there is to do and see around Georgia. Open 7 days a week.
Reviewed By GreenLakerGA - Columbus, Georgia
This welcome center occupies many acres several miles south of Chattanooga. It has a very large building with multiple, clean bathrooms.
We were travelling with our daugher and her dog and were very pleased with the large expanse of open area available for dog walking.
We picked up a glossy brochure on places to see in Georgia and found some we had not visited even though we have lived in Georgia for almost 30 years. A great place to stop and relax before the onslaught of traffic heading to Atlanta.
8. Clisby Austin House
Overall Ratings
5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Jeff S - Gainesville, Georgia
Great Civil War history. Built in 1848 this house has experienced several events since it was built, mainly during the civil war. It has served as a hospital dring the battle of Chickamauga. It also has severed as head quarters of General Sherman during the battle of Dalton. Worth a visit to experience a little of GA. and Civil War era history.
9. Elsie Holmes Nature Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By appecruzer - Applecruzer
Aside from a few buildings and a playground near the parking area, this is an undeveloped parcel of Northern Georgia real estate criss-crossed by footpaths all of which seem to be steep--especially when you are coming up them. My grandson and I stopped here on a 99+ degree day as we were travelling through. First of all, it is only part of Ringgold, GA by zip code! You really need directions to find it. Secondly, take water with you--we had left ours in the car and should have had it along. The reward at the bottom is a frontage onto the South Chickamauga Creek with some nice little rapids but not a lot of viewing space. We did not try to climb the bluff, just getting back to the parking lot was enough that day!
10. Grumpy's Antiques
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By TNharleychick - Tennessee
We had been on the interstate for a while when we spotted a billboard advertising Grumpy's Antiques. We suddenly exited because we love antique stores.....except this was NOT your ordinary antique place!
There are 3 levels to explore and so many booths that you'll get lost in the maze. I promise that there is something here for everyone! I could literally write a novel if I attempted to list all the things we found.
One important thing - if you love classic cars, do NOT skip the 3rd floor! It's like an auto museum. It is hot up there, but worth it. I've attached pics.
They had really clean restrooms here. The bottom floor was air conditioned and the second floor wasn't too bad, but the third floor was very warm (unless you were in a booth that had a fan blowing).
We seriously spent hours here and totally lost track of time. I have a feeling we will always stop here as we are passing by on the interstate!
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