Chattanooga Travel Tips
Outdoor Activities
There’s tons of hiking here! We particularly love Rainbow Lake for its shady trails, and the hike from Craven’s House to Point Park is a Chattanooga classic. For a memorable overlook of the city, check out Stringer’s Ridge. Download Alltrails for more!
Chattanooga is also a rock climbing destination. For the indoor climbers, High Point has a great kids’ area, and Synergy features both climbing and ninja.
If hiking isn’t really your thing, stroll the Riverwalk or the extensive Chickamauga Creek Greenway. Chattanooga city bike rentals are easy to use if you want to explore on two wheels.
Many families enjoy the “beach fronts” at Chester Frost (lots of shady trees) and Chickamauga Dam Day Use Area. Pioneer Frontier Park and Coolidge Park have free splash pads. For a fee, Warner Park Pool has swimming, a splash pad, and an inflatable obstacle course (call to confirm).
To get out on the water, rent a Stand Up Paddleboard and explore Maclellan Island. Or take one of these amazing guided adventures (we can personally recommend the bat cave kayak trip).
Sightseeing & Family Fun
The main sites you might want to check out while in Chattanooga are:
The Incline Railway // Rock City // Ruby Falls // Southern Belle Riverboat // Chattanooga Choo Choo
Then there’s the Tennessee Aquarium’s educational foray into local flora and fauna and beyond. There’s a free kiddie pool and waterfall stairs on the aquarium plaza.
Nearby is the Hunter Museum of Art and it’s magnificent overlook onto the Tennessee River. Taking a stroll over the Walnut Street Bridge has never been cooler – grab a sweet treat downtown at Ice Cream Show or check out the shops of North Shore with a Clumpie’s cone in hand.
The Creative Discovery Museum is fun for the younger kiddos, and the Chattanooga Zoo is small but pleasant. For unique (and deeply shaded!) playground, head up Signal Mountain to the Pumpkin Patch. Mayfly Coffee is located nearby!
For some off-the-beaten-path adventures, check out the beloved International Museum of Towing and Removal, or take your train fanatic to the TVA Train Museum. You can ride to a real working turntable or go on a longer scenic journey. The Duckboats are an unusual way to get out on the river, and kids are often invited to steer the boat!
Food & Drink
Some of our favorite coffee shops are Velo, Mad Priest, and Milk & Honey. If you need a quick drive-through option, then Be Caffeinated is a winner. But beware: the drinks at those last two spots run sweet!
Our favorite place for a cocktail without the kids is Rosecomb, but if you have kiddos in tow then Odd Story Brewery is where you want to be. If you’re mostly wanting a cocktail and nibbles with the kids, then try Stir at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
There are many great restaurants in town. We particularly enjoy Kenny’s, Niedlov’s, The Daily Ration, State of Confusion, and FEED. Taconooga has some amazing authentic Mexican food, and the brisket nachos at Taco Mamacita are too good to pass up.
While we haven’t been there, we’re sure that getting the kids a milkshake at the Whistlestop Cafe would be a memorable event. For the best ice cream in town check out Clumpie’s!
Weekend Excursions
For city explorations, both Atlanta and Nashville are 2-2.5 hours away and offer great museums, historical sites, music venues, and foodie experiences.
A little closer to your home-away-from-home, you’ll find Cloudland Canyon and Fall Creek Falls which offer beautiful waterfall hikes. If you have a dedicated rockhound in the family, the Tellus Museum in Cartersville, GA offers a dazzling display of local gemstones and meteorite finds. It’s quite small, but does offer some fossil displays, a few hands-on kid exhibits, and planetarium shows to round out your visit.
If you fancy a thrill, check out the whitewater rafting opportunities in nearby Ocee, GA. We have particularly enjoyed kicking back and relaxing at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, where you can start an adventure or watch others on theirs! There’s a restaurant, bar, and treetop climbing net for the kiddos!
Take the kids camping at Smoky Mountains National Park where they can earn a Junior Ranger Badge and enjoy tubing as a family. There are spots to rent the inflatable tubes and rafts scattered around the area.
Drive over to Cherokee, NC for a memorable visit to Oconaluftee Indian Village. Not only can you tour this living historical site, but there’s also an outdoor theater presenting historical and popular dramas on the grounds.