Things to do in Chattanooga, TN

While you are visiting Ruby Falls, just outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee, you will discover that this city has a lot to offer.

Chattanooga is the fourth largest city in Tennessee and is bustling with museums and other attractions. Chattanooga sits right on the border of Tennessee and Georgia.

We’ve stayed in this city several times as it is within driving distance of many waterfalls for a fun day trip, or two. While in the city, there are a lot of things you can do as well.

Waterfalls Near Chattanooga

Ruby Falls – a 145 foot underground waterfall. It is America’s deepest commercial cave and largest underground waterfall. Ruby Falls and parts of the caverns are lit by full color LED lights that change colors making this attraction truly one of a kind.

Lover’s Leap – gets its name from the Cherokee legend of two young lovers, a brave named Sautee and a beautiful maiden named Nacoochee, from two feuding tribes. According to the legend, Sautee was captured and thrown from the top of Lover’s Leap. Nacoochee, distraught from the loss, jumped to her own death.

Festivals

Several times a year Chattanooga will host different festivals including:

• Chattacon – a science fiction and fantasy literary convention held in January.
• Nightfall – free weekly concert series in Miller Plaza on Friday nights that features an eclectic mix of rock, blues, jazz, reggae, zydeco, funk, bluegrass, and folk music from Memorial Day until the end of September.
• Riverbend Festival – an annual nine-day music festival held in June in the downtown area.
• Chattanooga Dulcimer Festival – features musical workshops and champion performers from across the nation held each June.
• Bessie Smith Strut Festival – a one-night showcase of blues and jazz music named for the city’s most noted blues singer.
• Southern Brewer’s Festival – held each summer, features beer from over 50 breweries, food from many vendors and live music

Museums & Performing Arts

Chattanooga has many museums to choose from. Some of its most popular include: the Hunter Museum of American Art, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, the Chattanooga History Center, the National Medal of Honor Museum, the Houston Museum, the Chattanooga African American Museum, and the Creative Discovery Museum.

Chattanooga is also home to the Tivoli Theatre, the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, the Chattanooga Theatre Center and the Memorial Auditorium.

Other Attractions

The Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park covers 13 acres and features jaguars, cougars, serval, chimpanzees and meerkat. While the Tennessee Aquarium is home to more than 12,000 animals representing almost 800 species.

The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is a one mile ride up Lookout Mountain on its steep railroad tracks. Also on Lookout Mountain is Ruby Falls, a large underground waterfall and cavern, and Rock City located a few minutes away just across the Georgia border.

The Tennessee Riverwalk is an approximately 13-mile (21 km) long trail running alongside the river. We’ve walked part of this paved trail, and had dinner at one of the cafes that are nearby.

Heritage Park has a bocce ball court, a playground complete with swings, an off-leash dog park, and a paved walking trail. Coolidge Park and Renaissance Park are located across the river from downtown in the North Shore district.