How to Vacation in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Natural wonders, Civil War history and a revitalized downtown riverfront district are just some of attractions awaiting visitors in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The city of around 150,000 situated in southeastern Tennessee on the Georgia border has so much to offer travelers that a two-day weekend just isn’t enough to take it all in.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Head down to the river. Chattanooga sits on the Tennessee River and the city has made the most of its riverfront area. Revitalized in 2005, the riverfront now includes the Tennessee Riverwalk and the city pier for romantic moonlight strolls on a warm summer night (or a place to fish for the less romantic); the Passage, an underground passageway leading to the river that celebrates the Native American heritage of the area; and the Southern Belle Riverboat, offering dinner cruises on the river.

2. Explore downtown Chattanooga. In addition to fine shopping and eating opportunities, the downtown area will tempt vacationers with the Tennessee Aquarium, where exhibits include everything from alligators to butterflies; kids can be kids at the Creative Discovery Museum, one of the top children’s museum’s in the nation; and, of course, the famous Chattanooga Choo-Choo, now surrounded by a vacation complex of specialty shops surrounding formal gardens.

3. Walk the longest wooden pedestrian bridge. Walnut Street Bridge spans the Tennessee River just and takes pedestrians to the NorthShore district where visitors find even more dining and a multitude of eclectic shops, as well as Coolidge Park where you can pass the time riding an antique carousel.

4. Travel just a few minutes away from downtown to reach the foot of Lookout Mountain. Here, you can ride the Incline Railway a mile up to the top of the mountain on a grade that tops 72 percent.

5. See Rock City. Ruby Falls, too. While visiting Lookout Mountain, two natural wonders should get your attention. Water plunges nearly 150 feet at the underground Ruby Falls, a waterfall named for the wife of the man who discovered it while sinking an elevator shaft to Lookout Mountain Cave. Known for its rock formations and the plant life growing in its gardens, Rock City also offers one of the most unique views you’ll find anywhere: seven states can be seen from the summit of Lookout Mountain.

6. Learn about the region’s role in the Civil War at Chickamauga-Chattanooga Military Park. This consists of two battlefields: Chickamauga, south of Chattanooga; and Lookout Mountain overlooking the city. The military park was the first to be built in the United States and commemorates a Confederate victory over the Union army.