Today on American Nomad we’re exploring one of my favorite cities to visit repeatedly: Scenic Chattanooga. Located in southeastern Tennessee on the banks of the Tennessee River, Chattanooga is surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. From its river city roots to its railroad ‘choo-choo’ heritage and vibrant downtown districts, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a destination with as much to offer. It was recently named as the country’s ‘First National Park City’ for its conservation efforts, historic sites and natural scenery. The city truly has something for everyone. In addition to its mainstay attractions like The Tennessee Aquarium and Riverfront Parks, Chattanooga hosts world-class events throughout the year. In fact, starting in September 2025, it will be the official home of the IBMA Bluegrass Festival (previously held in my hometown of Raleigh, NC). In today’s post, I’ll list a few of my favorite ‘Must-Sees’ in Chattanooga and provide helpful resources to aid in your vacation planning.
Chattanooga’s Downtown Cultural Hub
Downtown Chattanooga is a web of interconnected neighborhoods each with their own personality and quirk that invites you to explore local shops, restaurants, museums, live music and more. The heart of downtown is located on the riverfront of the majestic Tennessee River, which winds through town. The Walnut Street pedestrian bridge allows you to cross from one end of Downtown across the Tennessee River to Coolidge Park and the surrounding neighborhoods. Each section of downtown Chattanooga is filled with history and culture.
Chattanooga’s downtown is filled with museums and theatres, restaurants, riverfront access and tons of fun festivals and events throughout the year.
Tennessee Aquarium
Tennessee Aquarium is a crown jewel of museums. Recognized as one of the best aquariums in the country, it provides an interactive journey through river and ocean ecosystems. What truly sets it apart for me is its unique riverfront location, directly connecting the aquatic stories within Chattanooga’s own vital ecosystem.
The Aquarium is thoughtfully divided into two connected buildings. The original River Journey building, dating to 1992, is a 130,000-square-foot structure dedicated to rivers. This experience takes visitors on an exploratory trip through aquatic environments from around the world. My favorite part of this wing is learning about the unique ecosystems of the southeastern United States’ interconnected rivers and tributaries, vital to communities throughout the region. You’ll trace the path of a raindrop from the high Appalachian Mountains as it joins a river on its journey to the Gulf of Mexico, explore an Appalachian Cove Forest, meet playful River Otters, and observe native songbirds. As the rivers deepen into the Mississippi Delta, you’ll encounter alligators and alligator snapping turtles in a ‘Mississippi Bayou.’ The “Rivers of the World” exhibit is particularly electrifying, as you meander through famous waterways like the Amazon, Congo (Zaire), and Fly River, even featuring the museum’s electric eel. Fun fact: in December 2019, this very eel’s electricity was used to power the lights on a Christmas tree – perhaps it’s more qualified than Clark Griswold! This strong focus on river habitats truly brings the story and importance of river conservation to life, relevant to every community impacted by watersheds.
As the river meets the ocean, you can continue on the Ocean Journey. These exhibits showcase a variety of sea and oceanside habitats, including a fascinating touch tank with small sharks and rays, adorable penguins, and vibrant birds like hyacinth macaws. This wing also features a tranquil butterfly garden. Beyond the exhibits, the Aquarium’s staff demonstrates a strong focus on the local ecosystem and is always ready to answer questions! For those who enjoy immersive films, the museum also houses an IMAX theatre on-site featuring educational films.
*Pro Tip – I recommend purchasing your tickets in advance here: https://tnaqua.org/
Hunter Art Museum: An Art Maven’s Delight
As an art museum maven myself, one of my favorite museums in the Southeast is Chattanooga’s fantastic Hunter Art Museum. It’s housed in interconnected buildings right on the Chattanooga Riverfront within the Bluff View Art District, perched 80 feet above the Tennessee River below. This museum is home to an impressive collection of American Art Masters like Childe Hassam and Edward Moran, along with wonderful traveling exhibitions.
The two museum buildings are strikingly different. The original structure is a magnificent 1904 Classical Revival Mansion, designed by President Garfield’s son, Abram Garfield, for the Faxon family. They eventually sold it to the Thomas family in 1920. Benjamin F. Thomas was one of the founders of Coca-Cola – Chattanooga has deep roots with Coke and its early production, a topic I hope to dive into on a future podcast or blog because it’s so interesting!
Eventually, Thomas’ nephew, George Thomas Hunter, who had also made his fortune in Coca-Cola, would own the house. Hunter was known as a beloved Chattanoogan and philanthropist, readily giving to the poor and establishing the Benwood Foundation Charitable Trust. After his death in 1951, the home was donated to become the Chattanooga Museum of Art.
Eventually, the museum outgrew its space in the historic home. In 2002, a new, very modern wing was built next door overlooking the riverfront. While architecture is always in the eye of the beholder, suffice it to say this style was a bit controversial at the time. The interior, however, is magnificent for displaying the art. If possible, I highly recommend taking a tour; our docent was incredibly knowledgeable, seamlessly weaving together the history of both the art and the historic home.
Buy your tickets and plan your visit here
The Hunter Art Museum sits in the heart of the Bluff View Arts District. Chattanooga’s first art district, this charming neighborhood stretches over 1.5 city blocks, set high atop stone cliffs that offer breathtaking views of the riverfront below. Here, you’ll discover amazing local spots like Rembrandt’s Coffee Shop and eateries such as Tony’s Trattoria, alongside nearby art galleries, the historic Bluff View Inn Bed and Breakfast, and rejuvenating gardens.
Creative Discovery Museum: Also on the Chattanooga Waterfront, not far from The Tennessee Aquarium, kids will fall in love with this interactive children’s museum that contains interactive exhibits and activities centered around art, music, field science, inventor’s workshop and even a water-themed zone called RiverPlay. Perfect for Ages 2-12. For more information click here
See a show at The Tivoli Theatre…nicknamed the “Jewel of the South,” this gorgeous theatre opened in 1921 and continues to be a hub for only the best in music and theatre in the region. Fun fact: it was one of the first buildings in the United States to have air conditioning. Buy your tickets for a night of theatre here
Crossing The Tennessee River:
One of my favorite pastimes in Chattanooga is to walk Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge from the Riverwalk area, across the Tennessee River to the other side of downtown at Coolidge Park and the surrounding area. This Bridge is amazing. It offers fantastic walkable views of the mighty Tennessee, allowing you to watch kayakers and boats pass through the river below. It also connects two different sides of historic Chattanooga in a fun and scenic way.
Coolidge Park
Located near the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge on theNorth Shore of Chattanooga, on banks of the Tennessee River, this awesome family-friendly park is the perfect spot for a summer fun day! Coolidge Park includes multiple playspaces for kids (and adults) from the interactive water fountain, rock climbing, picnic areas, military memorial and a lovely pavilion, which hosts concerts and festivals throughout the year.
The jewel of Coolidge Park is its 1894 Dentzel antique carousel with 52 hand-carved animals, a calliope band organ, and gold leaf branches.
The Northshore Neighborhood around Coolidge Park is very artsy and locally grown with cool shops and restaurants. My must stop during every Chattanooga trip (after walking across the bridge to burn my calories off) is Clumpies Ice Cream. Some of the best ice cream you’ll find east of the Mississippi. My personal favorite is their coffee toffee. (they ship their ice cream across the US fyi)
All Aboard Chattanooga Choo-Choo:
Delve into Tennessee’s rich railroad history at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Here, you can learn about the city’s early railroads, dating back to the 1850s, through the grand age of the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, and beyond. The museum also offers the unique opportunity to ride historic railcars, immersing you in this fascinating past. Plan you TVRM exhibit here
You can also dive into railroad history at the repurposed downtown ‘Choo Choo’ terminal, which now has a hotel, shops and eateries. Book your Choo-Choo stay
Go WILD at the Chattanooga Zoo:
Since 1937, The Chattanooga Zoo has been protecting animals and allowing zoo visitors to learn about species from around the world like red pandas, desert sand cats, meerkats, prairie dogs, giraffes, camels and hundreds of other animals. They just opened up a brand new Cape of Africa expansion with servals, warthogs, tortoises and more. Plan your visit here
Scenic and Natural Wonders
Lookout Mountain: Only minutes from downtown Chattanooga, and a world apart, beautiful Lookout Mountain’s rocky outcroppings rise 2000 feet above sea level, providing stunning views of the surrounding area, and geologic wonders carved by the hands of time. I recommend blocking off 1-3 days to explore The Lookout Mountain area of greater Chattanooga, because between the natural beauty, family attractions and historical sites, you’ll be amazed with all you can see.
Ruby Falls: One of the most beautiful caves I’ve ever visited. This is a rare one of a kind geologic wonder. At Ruby Falls you descend 260 feet by elevator through a limestone cavern in the heart of Lookout Mountain. Led by a knowledgeable guide you traverse the cavern trail to see a thundering waterfall that cascades 145 feet, 1120 feet underground. The waterfall and its stream are fed by rainwater that percolates into the cave from the surface. It collects in a pool in the cave floor and continues through the mountain, through a second deeper pit and finally resurges as a natural spring to the Tennessee River at the base of Lookout Mountain. In addition to the majestic falls, the cavern trail also shows off other unique stalactites, stalagmites, columns, drapery and flowstone.
- Above ground you can grab a relaxing meal in the Ruby Falls stone castle built in 1929, which provides dramatic overlooks of the Cumberland Plateau and Tennessee River below.
- Purchase your tickets and plan your Ruby Falls Adventure here
See Rock City: No visit to Chattanooga would be complete without a visit to the iconic Rock City. I never tire of visiting this fairytale-like attraction in the clouds. Set high atop Lookout Mountain, you’ll experience jaw-dropping views with waterfalls, chiseled rocks and vistas where on a clear day you can ‘see seven states.’ In addition to the natural wonders you can meander through an enchanted journey through gardens filled with gnomes, fairies and storybooks come to life. Plan your Rock City Enchanted Adventure here.
Rockin’ history: While the scenery of Rock City has been a place of wonder to locals for generations, Rock City became ‘America’s Attraction’ in the Great Depression, when it was developed into a family friendly destination. To advertise the owners had ‘the See Rock City’ message painted on barns across the country. Many of these historic Rock City signs are still visible from TN to Missouri and beyond. Learn about the history of Rock City here.
Climb Lookout Mountain on The Incline Railway. Since 1895, visitors have taken in the views and traveled atop Lookout Mountain on this engineering wonder where you go up an inline railway 1 mile in seemingly vertical suspension of gravity. Sadly a fire from a mudslide damaged the tracks in December 2024, but it is expected to reopen in July 2025. Click here to learn more
Another beautiful show cavern worth exploring is Raccoon Mountain Caverns, a true treasure trove of natural formations with over 5.5 miles of underground wonders. Considered one of the most active limestone caverns in the Southeast, it’s known for its abundant active speleothem growth, fascinating fossils, and resident wildlife. The cave is notably home to salamanders and a unique spider species called the Crystal Caverns Cave Spider, which exists only within Raccoon Mountain Caverns (previously named Crystal Caverns). Official Website
Native American Roots:
The area around Chattanooga is rich in Native American history. You can learn about the early Native peoples at Moccasin Bend National Archaeological Historical Park. “Moccasin Bend is a peninsula formed by a prominent bend in the Tennessee River and is directly across the river from downtown Chattanooga. The area contains nationally significant archeological sites that chronicle approximately 12,000 years of American Indian occupation. These sites are associated primarily with Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian cultural periods. The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail follows the route of the Brown’s Ferry Road that crossed Moccasin Bend and commemorates the forced removal of Cherokee Indians from their ancestral homelands. Important Civil War-era earthworks and associated resources constructed by US forces are located along Stringers Ridge, which effectively screens most of the Moccasin Bend unit from downtown Chattanooga. The 768-acre district became a unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in 2003.” – NPS description. Official Website
Chattanooga and its surrounding area played a critical role in the Civil War, highlighted by the decisive Battles of Lookout Mountain and Chickamauga in 1863. This crucial victory, achieved through a series of engagements collectively known as the Battle of Chattanooga, saw the Union gain control of a vital railroad junction. This crippled Confederate supply lines and ultimately paved the way for General William T. Sherman’s decisive Atlanta Campaign in 1864, marking the Union’s deep penetration into the South.
To begin your immersive journey into this history, I recommend starting at the Point Park Visitor Center at Lookout Mountain. For a comprehensive understanding of this critical period, consider taking one or two of the excellent Park Service tours that cover both battlefields. Learn about tours here.
*Fun Fact: Did you know that Chickamauga-Chattanooga Battlefield became the first National Historic Battlefield Site that was protected as a park in 1890. You can learn the story on the Georgia side of the park (Chickamauga) at the Gordon-Lee Mansion
Near the Point Park Visitor Center, enhance your understanding at Battles for Chattanooga. Updated in 2016 with cutting-edge digital projection-mapping technology, this immersive show brings the city’s Civil War history to life in a dynamic panoramic display. You’ll hear and see vivid accounts of Chattanooga’s “Battle Above the Clouds” and Sherman’s assault on Missionary Ridge, a prelude to his historic March to the Sea. Don’t miss the excellent relic and weapon collection, and browse the bookstore for well-known works on the Civil War. After the show, be sure to take a walk over to Point Park itself – the very site of the famous Battle Above the Clouds.
Regional Scenery:
The region around Chattanooga is filled with scenic mountain trails, waterfalls, reservoirs, state parks and natural history ready to explore. Here are a few of the area natural sites you’ll fall in love with.
Enjoy boating? Spend the day at The Nickajack Reservoir. When I was in high school, my friend invited me on a weekend trip to Chattanooga to go boating on Nickajack Lake. I still remember floating on the beautiful lake. It’s a beautiful spot worth exploring.
Ready for river adventures – Nantahala Outdoor Center in Chattanooga offers guided tours.
Harrison Bay State Park: This 1200 acre state park with 40 miles of Chickamauga Lake shoreline is a haven for campers, golfers, boaters and fisherman. Prior to the creation of the lake, there was a town called Harrison here as well as old Cherokee Campground, which used to consist of three villages, which were ruled by one of the last great Cherokee Chieftains. Harrison Bay became the first Tennessee State Park in 1937. Official Website
Hike Snooper’s Rock – 6 mile out and back hike is a local favorite that offers amazing views of the surrounding plateau. Located in Prentice Cooper State Forest.
Outdoor Chattanooga Website has tons of great resources about area hiking trails and outdoor access. You can check out their website here.
More outdoor adventure ideas from Visit Chattanooga here.
Planning Chattanooga Adventure:
Where to Stay:
Chattanooga has tons of wonderful hotels for every budget. I like to stay downtown where you can walk area restaurants, museums and explore the riverfront. A few hotels I recommend:
- Bed and Breakfast – experience the charm of historic Chattanooga with a fabulous view at the Bluff View Inn: “Located in three turn-of-the-century homes overlooking the Tennessee River, Bluff View Inn offers Chattanooga’s premier Bed & Breakfast accommodations. Seamlessly blending modern convenience and historical beauty, Bluff View Inn provides a relaxing retreat with an array of restaurants, activities and attractions at your fingertips.” Book your stay here.
- Read Historic Hotel: Located in the heart of Chattanooga near the Convention Center, this hotel exudes history and charm. Providing hospitality since 1872, The Read is the longest continuously operating hotel in the Southeast. The Read House has played host to the likes of Elvis Presley, Winston Churchill and even Al Capone. Book your stay here.
- Springhill Suites Chattanooga Downtown – Riverfront Views and easy access to downtown attractions. Book your room here
Good Eats – Chattanooga is a foodie’s paradise. This guide by Visit Chattanooga provides a list of the best restaurants in Chattanooga. Two personal favorites of mine of STIR and Sticky Fingers
Chattanooga Travel Resources
Visit Chattanooga – Official Tourism Hub
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Hi, I’m Adele Lassiter, the travel enthusiast behind American Nomad Traveler. This blog where I share my love for history, cool museums, art, and travel tips. When I’m not writing, I’m a singer-songwriter with a passion for Americana music. Her new album is available here: adelelassiter.bandcamp.com
