Location: Chattanooga
Top Things to do in Chattanooga
The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Chattanooga, Tennessee (TN)
The name "Chattanooga" comes from the Creek Indian word for "rock coming to a point." This refers to Lookout Mountain, one of the city's major attractions. Here visitors can explore extraordinary rock formations, see a roaring enclosed waterfall and travel by train to the top of the mountain for truly awesome vistas. Back down on the ground, don't miss the world's largest freshwater aquarium, the Tennessee Aquarium. History enthusiasts will love the city's museums dedicated to Civil War, Native American and 20th-century history. More than anything, Chattanooga is a scenic city, full of natural wonders waiting to be explored by foot, car, bike or train.
Restaurants in Chattanooga
1. Chattanooga National Cemetery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 397 reviews
Reviewed By ISC624 - Acworth, United States
A maliciously maintained National Cemetery, and the final resting place of a family member. There are several areas of historical interest in the cemetery, including the grave of Corporal Desmond Doss; awarded the MOH for his actions at Hacksaw Ridge.
2. Coker Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 144 reviews
The Coker Museum is open with a new entrance in Honest Charley Speed Shop. This is a self guided tour with a $10.00 general admission ticket sold at the front desk of the speed shop. Each general admission ticket has a $3.00 coupon towards any one Honest Charley apparel item. Veterans, first responders, anyone 65 and up and children 6-12 are $8.00. Children 5 and under are free!!
Reviewed By WooBa07 - Murfreesboro, United States
This was a self guided tour so you can look at items you like as long as you want. Largest collection of old motorcycles I have ever seen that were very well presented.
3. Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 918 reviews
Opened in March of 2015, the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery is making the first legal whiskey in Chattanooga is over 100 years. Daily tours include insight into our history, education on the production process and rounds out with a whiskey tasting! Come learn how we're building upon tradition and bringing whiskey back to the people. Our tasting room is now open Friday and Saturday evenings as a full-service whiskey lounge featuring seasonal cocktails made with Chattanooga Whiskey!
Reviewed By bostonbound-1 - Huntsville, United States
In addition to making great whiskey, Chattanooga Whiskey offers guided tours of the distillery and a whiskey tasting. Our guide was Smiley, who was friendly, courteous, and incredibly knowledgeable on the history of whiskey in Tennessee, the history of the Chattanooga Distillery, and the whiskey making process. She answered all our questions in detail, and her infectious enthusiasm made the tour all the more enjoyable. After the tour the distillery offers a whiskey tasting, which in our case featured their 91 and 111 Whiskeys, a white whiskey barely aged (one week), a coffee liquor, their new rye whiskey, a cocktail (Sazerac) made with the 91 Whiskey, and an experimental whiskey. Each offering was explained in detail by our server, Alex, who also showed both detailed knowledge and an enjoyment of his job. Knowing that I would enjoy the 91 and 111 Whiskeys, I was pleasantly surprised by the rye and the coffee liquor, while the experimental whiskey was phenomenal. Needless to say I left with a case of mixed bottles of the three offerings I cannot purchase at home. I highly recommend this tour to any whiskey lover, and for a great time ask for Smiley as your tour guide and Alex as your bartender. P.S. They were also kind enough to care for our standard poodle, Sofia, while we took the tour. I don't know how they could be more friendly.
4. Enterprise South Nature Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By Pismomomma - Chattanooga, United States
Thank you, Volkswagon, for this gorgeous nature preserve to enjoy! We hike, bike, and take visitors here all the time! The beauty is every-changing. This is a TREASURE BEYOND MEASURE!!!
5. Creative Discovery Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 965 reviews
Creative Discovery Museum is a hands-on children's museum in the heart of downtown Chattanooga that inspires all children to explore, innovate, create, and play. Our exhibits are designed to both entertain and educate as children discover the world around them and all it has to offer including art, music, dinosaur digging, water exploration, and science. Rated the #7 children's museum in the U.S. by Trekaroo in 2015.
Reviewed By kellypM5119NE - Munfordville, United States
We had a blast with our two year old this morning! Three levels of exhibits to learn and play through; lots of opportunities for pretend play! The highlights for us were the splash zone and the dinosaur area. The more involved you are with your kid, the more fun they’re going to have! Some exhibits geared toward older kids; I wouldn’t expect this location to appeal to a kid over 10. The 2-8 crowd though will be ecstatic ???? Covid stuff- timed entry, temp checks, masks inside pretty well-enforced. The staff are making a great effort to keep things clean in an impossible environment—It’s a hands-on museum; thousands of things for kids to touch and feel everywhere you look. So fellow parents, before you go, make sure your little understands to not touch their face, not put their hands in their mouth and to sanitize often.
6. International Towing and Recovery Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 232 reviews
A museum commemorating the history of the tow truck.
Reviewed By Rhonda4713 - Moss Point, United States
We found the museum to be VERY interesting. Lots of history and timelines of vehicles and their history. Before entering the museum you are shown a brief video which reveals dates and history of this amazing towing industry. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. A big plus to their interesting gift shop! We highly recommend this museum.
7. Tennessee Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,874 reviews
More than 9,000 animals swim, fly and crawl through this aquarium dedicated to educating visitors about freshwater ecosystems.
Reviewed By kphil27 - La Vergne, United States
My husband and I have been several times and we have a blast every time we go! I could spend all day just watching the fish swim around it's so relaxing. There is a new exhibit called "island life" which is so cool! There's more fish and turtles and lizards in this exhibit. If you go during March, April, or May be prepared to fight off armies of little dudes on their school field trips ???? Be sure to look for Oscar the sea turtle when you're in the ocean journey building! ????????
8. Lookout Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,246 reviews
Reviewed By C8004SFlt
Whether for the usual attractions or exploring this beautiful mountain, it is worth the short trip from Chattanooga. You can ride the incline to the top or drive to see the beautiful historic homes, famous Rock City with Lovers Leap, Point Park, Ruby Falls or explore nature at Lula Lake Falls or watch the Hang-gliders jump from the cliffs and soar over the valleys. Great day trip!
9. Ross's Landing Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Walk over the world's longest pedestrian bridge
Reviewed By beatrive - Dortmund, Germany
One of Chattanooga's best spots to enjoy the riverfront. Just a few blocks from great food and lodging. There are always events going on to bring locals and tourists downtown.
10. Bluff View Art District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 424 reviews
Perched on the bluffs overlooking the Tennessee River, Bluff View Art District is widely known as Chattanooga's premier spot for quality dining and culinary delights made on site throughout the District's many kitchens, bakery and coffee roaster. Its location provides for a breathtaking destination in the heart of the city where locals and travelers alike may view equally stunning works of art, horticulture and architecture, all of which define the District's unique atmosphere.
Reviewed By glennmcf - Washington DC, United States
When visiting Chattanooga, you don’t want to miss this part of town, even if you only have one day. The Hunter museum is here and worth a visit but if the weather is nice, why not spend your time walking through the acres of art on the River Walk? Although the art displayed is privately owned it is publicly displayed for all to see for free. You can also pop into a wide variety of restaurants serving up delicious fare from artisan coffee to fine dining for dinner with a view of the river and the surrounding city. If you plan to spend a night or two, the Edwin Hotel is an amazing boutique hotel which boasts a huge collection of local only arts that would make any city envious.
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