All aboard to Chattanooga! A town that was once known only by its railway system and civil war history has become a new age wonder of modern times.
Chattanooga is a bustling, lively city that embraces all the fun of a big city with all the comforts of a small town. Here you can visit fascinating museums, taste some of the best whiskey on the Southside, and explore caves, mountains, and gardens galore.
In Chattanooga, there is no one right way to explore the city, but rather an open invitation to all travelers who may venture in! Thinking about visiting? Be sure to check out these top tourist attractions in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
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Fun for the whole family! The Creative Discovery Museum is one of the best Chattanooga attractions to immerse yourself in the world of science and creativity. Here you and your family can enjoy some of the most stimulating interactive museums in the country.
Check out exhibits, interact with the numerous opportunities available, and learn something new. The Creative Discovery Museum is a great place to not just learn, but to have fun while doing it. All in the great city of Chattanooga!
Address: 321 Chestnut St, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Is it really a trip to Chattanooga if you haven’t tasted some of the finest whiskey to grace a glass? Chattanooga is nationally famous for housing some of the best distilleries on this side of the country and offer a wide myriad of options for all sorts of tasting fun.
The golden gem of the city is its whiskey tasting, but that doesn’t mean you should confine yourself to just one treasure. Check out some of the other distilleries in town for spirit and wine tastings that will leave you thinking of Chattanooga brews for years to come.
Address: 1439 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Take your vacation with an extra side of adventure and trek into the glorious Raccoon Mountain Caverns found on the outskirts of town. Here you will follow a knowledgeable and friendly tour guide through some old Tennessee caves --- learning about history from not just the cave and its expeditions but about the city as a whole.
There is even a crawl segment for those who want to get deeper into the action, and many other optional additions to keep the fun going all day.
Address: 319 W Hills Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37419
Also Read: Top 10 Most Amazing Caves & Caverns in the USA
Settled just beneath Lookout Point is one of the most majestic and awe-inspiring sights in all of Tennessee. Here you will find Ruby Falls: America’s largest underground waterfall. Found by accident after excavators in the early 1900’s Ruby Falls has been a testament to natural beauty throughout the history of Chattanooga.
Address: 1720 Scenic Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37409
Visit one of the largest freshwater aquariums in the world in Chattanooga! It is also one of the most unique ways to learn about life down under. Here you can follow a rain drop from where it falls on a mountain, all the way down to the depths of the unknown.
There are numerous species, exhibits, and events that make the Tennessee Aquarium the perfect place to spend the day. The Tennessee Aquarium is famously regarded as one of the best in all of America, and well worth the high praise it receives.
Address: 1 Broad St, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Lookout Mountain is itself one of the best places to visit in Chattanooga, but a railway trip up just seals the deal! Here you will ride up one of the steepest passenger railways in the world to be deposited at the best vantage point of downtown Chattanooga for miles.
Commonly referred to as “America’s Miracle Mile” the Incline Railway is a staple not only to the city, but for tourists who want to literally see all that Chattanooga has to offer. The ride may be short, but if there’s one thing not to miss in this Tennessee town it’s the view from up there.
Address: 827 East Brow Rd, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350
One surprising fact you may not have known about Chattanooga is that it is an artistic hub! Influences from faraway places and back home inspirations come alive through some truly dazzling Tennessee art.
No better place to marvel at this spectacle than the Bluff View Art District! What’s especially nice about this location is that there is even a path to walk that provides some of the best views of both the Tennessee River and downtown Chattanooga. Enjoy your art with a view.
Address: 411 E 2nd St, Chattanooga, TN 37403
Chattanooga is one of many cities in the Eastern United States that was once a civil war battleground. Here, they’ve constructed a park in honor of those who lost their lives to the fight as well as the struggle that took place on that same land. It is currently one of the largest and oldest civil war monument parks in the United States and is visited frequently by tourists from all over.
Address: 3370 Lafayette Rd, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
Also Read: Top 10 American Civil War Sites You Must Visit
With over 4,000 feet of trails winding and branching off, the Rock City Gardens extends past and into Chattanooga. This is a wildlife preserve known for being well maintained and effortlessly beautiful.
One of the best things about the great state of Tennessee is its wildlife, and Rock City Gardens is a great place to get acquainted with nature! Perhaps most popular in Chattanooga is the “Needle’s Point”, which locals and tourists alike hike to.
Address: 1400 Patten Rd, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750
Nestled inside of an unsuspecting hotel comes some of Chattanooga’s finest gems! Here there is an intricate entryway with a truly jaw-dropping artistic ceiling display, as well as a testament to the old Chattanooga train station.
This train station helped put Chattanooga on the map and has a few detailed displays as well as an old, stationary train for patrons to walk through. Along with the diverse array of history, a restaurant is just next door that serves up some of the best coffee and dinner to be found in town.
Address: 1400 Market St, Chattanooga, TN 37402