Plan Your Getaway to Chattanooga

Chattanooga is lauded as Scenic City because the great outdoors are easily accessible from downtown. Paddleboard, hike and see the scenic views that stretch out around the city, but then soak up the amazing food, culture and attractions that have visitors coming back for more. 

Where to stay in Chattanooga

The Edwin Hotel 

The Edwin Hotel blends Southern hospitality and modern touches easily with light-filled rooms, comfortable beds and boutique decor. Choose from a king room or a double room with queen-sized beds. Enjoy Chattanooga’s first rooftop cocktail lounge, Whiskey Thief for whiskey straight from the barrel or a cocktail like the Snack Break – Chattanooga Whiskey 111, peanut butter, Coca-Cola syrup and orange. The Ama Spa helps you fully relax with therapies such as the River Rock Massage with heated rocks, deep tissue massage and the Whiskey & Wellness which includes a Chattanooga Whiskey-infused sugar scrub, orange warming body wrap and a full-body custom pressure massage. 

The Read House

The Read House is Chattanooga’s historic luxury hotel, now featuring newly-renovated rooms and suites. For a truly luxurious stay, book one of the Historic Tower rooms which include an executive king suite that has a king bed, custom bathroom and separate sitting room, premiere king, double queen and queen rooms. If you’d like a bit of a scare during your stay, tour Room 311 noon to 2 p.m. daily, where rumors of Annalisa Netherly’s ghost – a guest of The Read House - is said to still haunt the room. 

Things to Do in Chattanooga

Lookout Mountain Incline Railway 

Ride the Incline Railway, touted as “America’s Most Amazing Mile,” to see scenic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys on the way up and then panoramic views from the observation tower at the Incline’s top station. With new air-conditioned cars, you can fully relax in style as you ride the more than 100-year-old funicular railway system.

Ruby Falls

Stand in awe at Ruby Falls, the nation’s tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public. You’ll ride an elevator 260 feet below into the historic Lookout Mountain. Explore the underground cavern with its unique formations as you make your way to the falls. Daytime and nighttime tours by lantern light are available. Also of note, a special viewfinder outfitted with an innovative lens designed to enable people with protanopia and protanomaly, also known as red-green color blindness, can enjoy the views from the Ruby Falls Scenic Overlook. 

North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park

North Chickamauga Creek Gorge, formerly a natural area, has been officially designated as a state park. Just 15 miles north of Chattanooga, this stunning park safeguards nearly 6,000 acres of dramatic sandstone bluffs and North Chickamauga Creek—a Tennessee State Scenic River. A sanctuary for wildlife, including rare and endangered species, this breathtaking area is yet another gem in Tennessee’s system of state parks.

Charles H Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center

Learn about the first Medal of Honor recipient Private Jacob Parrott who served in “The Great Locomotive Chase” that ended outside of Chattanooga and the other 3,500 soldiers, Marines and sailors after him who showcased patriotism, citizenship, courage, integrity, sacrifice and commitment in their service to the U.S. The heritage center is home to more than 6,000 items that commemorate military heroes such as firearms, uniforms, personal scrapbooks, dioramas and more. 

Songbirds Guitar & Pop Culture Museum

Newly reopened Songbirds Guitar & Pop Culture Museum brings the music history of the guitar to Chattanooga's Southside District. Experience interactive, hands-on exhibits that dive into the history behind the guitar and legendary artists who played. Concerts, master classes and guitar lessons are also offered. When you visit Songbirds Foundation Museum you can help make a difference - every $100 that is raised provides a child in the South a guitar and 10 weeks of free lessons who otherwise would be without a musical education.  

Explore NorthShore and Bluff View Art Districts

You’ll find art, shopping, a variety of restaurants and entertainment in the NorthShore District. Browse the artworks on display at In-Town Gallery and AVA – Association for Visual Arts. Find trendy and classic fashions at boutiques like Emmaline’s and Belle Rive Boutique. In the Bluff View Art District, art lovers around the world love the fine arts on display. Check out the Houston Museum of Decorative Arts for an array of ceramics, textiles, wood and glass artwork. Have a moment of serenity at the River Gallery Sculpture Garden, a two-acre space that overlooks the Tennessee River and recognized in the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Gardens. It features a meditation area, formal garden and an informal garden with a recycling stream. 

Chatt Taste Food Tour 

Get a well-rounded look at Chattanooga’s community and culture by signing up for a Chatt Taste Food Tour where you’ll visit 3-4 restaurant locations that call Chattanooga home. Choose from three tour options: West Village (signature tour), taco Tuesday and the new Art & Southern Cuisine. You’ll learn the rich history of the city while experiencing some of the best culinary offerings.

Greeter Falls - Altamont

For a great day trip from Chattanooga is Greeter Falls in Savage Gulf State Park. Greeter Falls is a stunning waterfall featuring a 15-foot upper ledge that flows over a 50-foot lower ledge in a plunge pool. With miles of hiking trails in the state park, bring a picnic and enjoy the views.

Where to Eat in Chattanooga

Sleepyhead Coffee

Sleepyhead Coffee’s space is vibrant with greenery from cacti to dreamy vines, perfect for a photo-op. Order a crafted cold brew, Americano, espresso, cappuccino or latte like the turmeric/cinnamon latte or beetroot/ginger latte. All their pastries are vegan and delicious from the lemon lavender donut to the chocolate croissant and cranberry orange scone. 

State of Confusion

Enjoy fresh air and a great meal at State of Confusion. Savor made-from-scratch meals like crispy pan-seared chicken, 12 oz ribeye, pecan crusted rainbow trout with wood-fired vegetables and yellow rice. You’ll love the sweet potatoes stuffed with seasoned cauliflower, avocado sauce, lettuce and pico, serrano salsa and grilled vegetables and low country shrimp and grits. Ceviche, sandwiches like muffuletta and bison burgers are also on the menu. Top it off with one of the many mini desserts like mini Snickers pie and Peruvian lucuma ice cream. 

Proof Bar and Incubator Restaurant

A memorable experience can be had at Proof Bar and Incubator Restaurant which includes a restaurant residency program, cocktails and a shared commercial kitchen incubator. Creativity comes alive here with spicy crab noodles, cocktails and charred spiced Kabocha squash from Lil Oso; and smoked brisket meatball Yakamein, fried oyster mushroom Po-boys, smoked pork hot sausage po-boys and black garlic beef cheek debris po-boys from Neutral Ground. Vegan cheesecake, brownie bites and more are served up by Poppytons Patisserie and cocktails flow like the Rosemary Bijou – rosemary infused Old Dominick Gin, Green Chartreuse, Dolin Rouge, orange bitters and lime – and The Spritz Quarter – Cocchi Americano, prosecco, peach and sugar. 

Kenny’s Southside Sandwiches

Watch the scenes of Chattanooga as you enjoy local-ingredient dishes in a casual atmosphere at Kenny’s Southside Sandwiches. House-made meats and sides include meatball subs with melted provolone, parmesan and basil, turkey and Tallegio cheese with apple butter and lettuce on sourdough bread and shrimp rolls spread with aioli and topped with b&b pickles, lemon, dill, red onion, celery and capers. Order sides like mac and cheese, fries, Riverview Farm grits, braised greens and more. Kenny’s also serves breakfast with fried chicken biscuits, avocado toast, Croque Madame, and breakfast burritos. 

You can discover even more of the Scenic City’s attractions, restaurants and entertainment. Plan your excursion to Chattanooga.