What Are the Best Things to Do in Chattanooga, Tennessee?

Nestled near the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Chattanooga is a scenic city in the southeastern United States, offering a mix of outdoor activities, historic sites, and plenty of entertainment. Whether you’re a local or simply passing through, Chattanooga is rich in attractions and offers something for everyone. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Chattanooga, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to discover some of Chattanooga’s top attractions.

1. Tennessee Aquarium

The Tennessee Aquarium is one of Chattanooga’s most popular attractions, offering 10 galleries of indoor viewing, along with an outdoor plaza with interactive exhibits. The aquarium is divided into two main sections—the River Journey and the Ocean Journey. The River Journey takes visitors through freshwater habitats on a voyage from the mountains to the Gulf of Mexico. The Ocean Journey illustrates life in the seafloor and ocean depths to help visitors understand the importance of conserving this vital marine environment. From alligators and otters to jellyfish, seahorses, and marine mammals, the aquarium offers an expansive variety of wildlife from around the world.

2. Lookout Mountain

Lookout Mountain is one of Chattanooga’s most iconic attractions located just minutes from downtown and offering stunning views of the city and surrounding mountains. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy a wide range of activities on Lookout Mountain, including hiking, rock-climbing, hang-gliding, and fishing at one of several nearby lakes. Lookout Mountain also offers some cultural attractions, such as the historical site of a Civil War battle, Rock City Gardens, and Ruby Falls – the largest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States.

3. Creative Discovery Museum

The Creative Discovery Museum is a great spot for family-friendly fun in Chattanooga. With over 14 galleries filled with hands-on activities and exhibits, this museum is designed to spark creativity, exploration, and discovery. The museum encourages young visitors to become involved in science, arts and culture, music & performance, and world cultures. After visiting all 14 galleries, children can unwind in My Town—a colorful, miniature city complete with streets, stores, banks, and more!

4. Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park

Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park is a National Park located in northern Georgia that offers visitors a chance to explore one of America’s defining moments in history. The park commemorates several Civil War battles, including the Battle of Chickamauga and Battle of Lookout Mountain. There are more than 10 miles of driving trails to explore within the park that provide interpretive sites along the way. Along with informational placards and markers throughout the park detailing the importance of this historical event, there are interpretive programs available that take visitors even further into the importance and legacy of these battles.

5. Coolidge Park

If you’re looking for some fun outdoor family activity in Chattanooga, Coolidge Park is a great spot to visit. With its large fountain as its centerpiece that kids can jump and run around in, it’s an outdoor paradise for children. The park also offers plenty of green space for picnicking and activities; a walking bridge connecting the downtown area with North Chattanooga; and an outdoor interactive museum—perfect for getting kids interested in science!

6. Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum offers visitors an interesting glimpse into the history of railroading in Chattanooga. With antique trains dating all the way back to the 1800’s, this museum shows visitors the evolution of locomotives and railroad technology throughout its history. Take a ride on one of the museum’s vintage train cars through local Tennessee Valley towns or explore one of the many exhibits ranging from artifacts and photographs to railway artifacts and equipment.

7. Imax Theater

Imax Theater is one of two 3D movie theaters in Chattanooga located at the Tennessee Aquarium complex near downtown. Enjoy some of Hollywood’s latest blockbusters on an 85-foot wide screen with advanced digital projection system and floor-to-ceiling surround sound. Audience members sit comfortably in theater chairs with stadium seating for optimal viewing angles during movies on the large IMAX screen or regular movies on the standard size theater screens.

8. Experience Chattanooga

Experience Chattanooga is a passenger-driven tour company that takes riders on guided tours to explore some of Chattanooga’s best attractions—all while riding in style onboard one of their vehicles! Choose from two different tours: a one-hour city tour or two-hour adventure tour filled with stories, history, music, and more! Experience Chattanooga also offers custom packages tailored to your interests while giving you VIP access to some of the area’s top sites and attractions.

9. Chattanooga Zoo

The Chattanooga Zoo is ranked as one of America’s best places for family fun filled with animals from around the world. Home to more than 900 animals from over 100 distinct species—including red pandas, giraffes, kangaroos and elephants—you’re sure to encounter some entertaining critters along your visit! The zoo also offers behind-the-scenes experiences for getting up close with some of its exhibits and animals as well as kids’ camps for your little zookeepers-in-training!

10. Chattanooga Craft Brewery Walking & Beer Tasting Tour

For those looking for a unique experience while in Chattanooga, consider booking a tour with Get Your Guide on their Chattanooga Craft Brewery Walking & Beer Tasting Tour. Led by an experienced guide, you’ll visit three different breweries while tasting commentary beer samples along the way while also learning about local beer production and its history in Chattanooga. One notable stop on this tour even includes a lesson on what makes sour beers unique! It’s an excellent tour for those who are interested in craft beer as it provides insight into craft brewing culture in Chattanooga and is sure to be an enjoyable night out for those looking for something unique off the beaten path!

At the end of your day exploring all that Chattanooga has to offer, you’ll surely have plenty of stories and photo ops from this southern midwestern gem. With so many attractions—from outdoor activities and family fun to animal encounters and beer tastings—you can guarantee that your trip to Chattanooga will be anything but boring!