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15 Things to do in Chattanooga in 2023

It’s more than a bit ironic that Chattanooga, a city nicknamed Scenic City, is one of the most overlooked cities in the country.

Sure, it’s not as big as some of the more popular cities in the Deep South, but it definitely punches way above its weight when it comes to its tourist attractions.

While the city is known primarily for its great outdoors (from the scenic Tennessee River to its surrounding mountains and valleys, to its caverns and subterranean waterfalls), the city also has a rich and colorful history.

The city was a convergence point for multiple railroads (choo choo!) and played a significant role during the American Civil War. After the war, the same railroads transformed Chattanooga into one of the South’s biggest industrial hubs.

Aside from its scenic beauty and history, the city has a great music scene, as well as a thriving culinary scene (albeit still primarily towards typical Southern fare).

While the city has progressed significantly over the years, it’s still very much a small town in spirit, which only adds to the city’s charm.

If you’ve never been to Chattanooga, read our list below and see what you’ve been missing out on!

About this guide

We gave our Travel Editors one job:
Find the best things to do and the most popular places in Chattanooga.

Our city guides always review the best new attractions, great places to eat, and unique experiences.

The Authors:

Joseph Lim

Staff writer at DIVEIN.com

Born and raised in a small coastal town, Joseph loves all things related to nature and taking the route less traveled.

Bradley Axmith

Editor at DIVEIN.com

Seeing the world and writing about it is the only way to understand it.

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Quick guide to Chattanooga:

Before being settled by Europeans, the area that is now known as Chattanooga was originally home to the Cherokee Indian tribe. In around 1815-1816, the area was settled by missionaries and experienced settlers, and developed shortly thereafter as a trading post on the river.

In the years to follow, the Indian Removal Act would be signed into law by President Andrew Jackson, forcing thousands of Cherokee in and around the area to move west to make room for new settlers. The Cherokee chief, John Ross, was forced to facilitate his tribesmen’s exodus.

The area was then renamed Chattanooga in 1838, derived from a Creek word for Lookout Mountain.

The arrival of railroads and steamboats in the 1840s and ’50s ushered in great economic growth. The first Western and Atlantic train would travel through Chattanooga in 1850, and a rail line linking Chattanooga to Nashville would follow shortly after. Other major railroads would follow, including a line from Memphis to Charleston, which gave Chattanooga access to the Mississippi River, further enhancing river trade.

In the outset of the Civil War in 1861, Chattanooga and Hamilton County were pro-Union and voted against secession. This was unsuccessful, however, and by June of the same year, the City of Chattanooga voted in favor of secession, while the rest of Hamilton County remained pro-Union.

Chattanooga was strategically important to the war due to its location and surrounding geography. Refugees flooded the city, and Chattanooga struggled to respond. The war devastated Chattanooga’s economy.

As if that wasn’t enough, cholera struck the city in 1873, followed by an outbreak of smallpox and measles. However, the city would eventually recover.

In 1885, Chattanooga was designated as a port of delivery by the federal government, and it quickly grew to become the economic center of the area for rural residents and others looking to trade their goods.

Telephones gained popularity, electric lights replaced gas lamps, and the first incline train ran on Lookout Mountain in 1887.

In the 20th century, Chattanooga was home to a number of industries–from large textile mills to iron and steel mills. While the area experienced great economic growth, it was also around this time that air pollution within the area became a problem. By the end of the 20th century, however, Chattanooga made bold steps towards revitalizing itself.

In 1992, the Tennessee Aquarium opened as the world’s largest freshwater Aquarium. The development of the Tennessee Aquarium and the Riverpark spurred interest and private investment in the downtown area.

New attractions would soon follow, such as Civil War battlefield sites on Lookout Mountain, the Creative Discovery Museum, and the Bessie Smith Cultural Center.

The city was the first to launch one-gigabit-per-second Internet service (earning it the unofficial nickname, Gig City) in 2010, and the first to develop its own typeface (called Chatype) in 2012.

Today, while the city may still be primarily known for its natural wonders, it is among the more progressive cities in the country, attracting people from out of state and even out of the country.

There you go! The Best things to do in Chattanooga.

If you are looking for inspiration before your trip read these Short Travel Quotes!

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Chattanooga

Is Chattanooga worth visiting?

Chattanooga is definitely worth visiting! Obviously, Chattanooga’s great outdoors is its main attraction, but the city definitely has more to offer than Lookout Mountain and Raccoon Mountain Caverns. It’s one of the best places to visit if you want that perfect mix of outdoorsy with laid-back charm.

What is Chattanooga most known for?

Chattanooga is most known for Lookout Mountain and the attractions within Lookout Mountain, such as Ruby Falls and Rock City Gardens. That said, the city has other underrated natural attractions as well as cultural landmarks. Check out the list above for our top picks!

Is Chattanooga a walkable city?

Chattanooga is for the most part, walkable. That said, certain neighborhoods may not be as walkable as other neighborhoods in the city. The most walkable neighborhoods are Downtown, North Chattanooga – Hill City – UTC, and Cedar Hill.

15 Things to do in Chattanooga in 2023

Things to do in Chattanooga

Explore Lookout Mountain

Hop aboard a vintage train at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

Walk along Tennessee Riverpark

Check out the Chattanooga Choo Choo

Discover the fun, interactive exhibits at the Creative Discovery Museum

Bond with cute critters at the Chattanooga Zoo

Visit the Hunter Museum of American Art

Explore a variety of aquatic worlds at the Tennessee Aquarium

Have some of the best fried fish in Tennessee at Uncle Larry’s

Go hiking at Audubon Acres

Learn about the civil rights movement at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center

Go swimming at Chickamauga Lake

Tour Bluff View Art District

Explore Raccoon Mountain Caverns

Immerse yourself in nature at Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center

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Frequently asked questions about Chattanooga