Chattanooga Tennessee Aquarium Ruby Falls and Rock City

Why visit Chattanooga

Chattanooga's location made it a strategic prize during the Civil War, when it was a key rail junction for the Confederacy. The battles fought around it in 1863, at Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, opened the way for the Union advance on Atlanta, and the battlefields are now preserved as the first national military park in the country.

After decades of industrial decline, a long-term effort to revive the riverfront transformed downtown, beginning with projects such as the Tennessee Aquarium and the restoration of the Walnut Street Bridge. Today you can spend the morning watching river otters, cross the river on foot for lunch, and finish the day watching the sun set from a mountain ledge.

Downtown, the riverfront and the North Shore

The compact downtown runs south from the river, and most of the main sights here can be linked on foot.

Tennessee Aquarium

Opened in 1992 at Ross's Landing, the Tennessee Aquarium is the anchor of the riverfront and home to around twelve thousand animals.

Walnut Street Bridge

Built in 1890 and stretching about 2,376 feet, the Walnut Street Bridge was the first highway bridge across the Tennessee River here. Closed to cars in the late twentieth century and restored for pedestrians and cyclists, it is now one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world and a symbol of the city.

Coolidge Park and the North Shore

At the north end of the bridge, Coolidge Park has a restored antique carousel, interactive fountains that children love in summer, wide lawns and a dock on the river. It forms part of the Tennessee Riverwalk, a paved riverside path of about thirteen miles that runs upstream to Chickamauga Dam.

Bluff View Art District and the Hunter Museum

On a high bluff east of downtown, the Bluff View Art District is a cluster of galleries, a sculpture garden and cafes overlooking the river. Next door, the Hunter Museum of American Art occupies a 1904 classical revival mansion joined to a brutalist wing and a striking 2005 steel and glass addition.

Southside and the Chattanooga Choo Choo

South of the center, the former Terminal Station, built in 1908 and topped by a large dome, now operates as a hotel and entertainment complex known as the Chattanooga Choo Choo, with restored railcars and gardens.

Lookout Mountain and its classic attractions

Rising above the city to the southwest, Lookout Mountain straddles Tennessee and Georgia and holds several of the region's most famous sights. Combination tickets for some of them are often available.

Incline Railway

From the historic St. Elmo neighborhood at the foot of the mountain, the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway climbs about a mile to the summit at a maximum grade of 72.7 percent, making it one of the steepest passenger railways in the world.

Point Park and the Battle Above the Clouds

A short walk from the upper Incline station, Point Park is part of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. It marks the site of the 1863 Battle of Lookout Mountain, nicknamed the Battle Above the Clouds, and offers sweeping views over Moccasin Bend, where the river loops beneath the city.

Ruby Falls

Deep inside Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls is a waterfall of about 145 feet, found by Leo Lambert while drilling a shaft into the old Lookout Mountain Cave and named after his wife, Ruby.

Rock City Gardens

On the Georgia side of the mountain, Rock City Gardens opened in 1932 and became famous through the See Rock City signs painted on barn roofs across the South.

Battlefields and the great outdoors

Chickamauga Battlefield

About ten miles south of downtown in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, Chickamauga Battlefield preserves the site of the September 1863 battle, one of the bloodiest of the Civil War.

Tennessee River Gorge and the ridges

West of the city, the Tennessee River cuts a deep gorge through the Cumberland Plateau, popular for paddling, scenic drives and hiking. Nearby Signal Mountain has overlooks above the gorge, while the region's sandstone cliffs and boulder fields draw climbers from across the country.

Food and local flavors

Chattanooga eats like the rest of the South, with a creative modern twist.

The Southside and Main Street area, the North Shore along Frazier Avenue and the streets around downtown hold most of the city's independent restaurants and craft breweries, with farm-to-table menus that draw on produce from the surrounding valleys.

Where to stay

Downtown places you within walking distance of the aquarium, the riverfront and the Walnut Street Bridge, and suits first-time visitors and families.

The North Shore appeals to couples and active travelers who want boutique shopping, cafes and easy access to Coolidge Park and the Riverwalk.

Lookout Mountain and St. Elmo suit visitors focused on the mountain attractions and hiking, with cabins and bed and breakfasts in a quieter setting.

Best time to visit

Spring is one of the best seasons, with dogwoods and wildflowers on the ridges and comfortable temperatures for hiking.

Autumn is many visitors' favorite time, as the forests on Lookout and Signal mountains turn gold and red, typically peaking from late October into early November.

Getting there and getting around

Chattanooga lies at the meeting of Interstates 75 and 24, about two hours by car from Atlanta and Nashville and under two hours from Knoxville.

Downtown and the North Shore are easy to explore on foot, and the regional transit authority, known as CARTA, runs local buses and a free downtown electric shuttle in the central area.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Spend the morning at the Tennessee Aquarium, then walk across the Walnut Street Bridge for lunch on the North Shore.

Second day

Drive to St. Elmo and ride the Incline Railway to Point Park.

Third day

Visit the Bluff View Art District and the Hunter Museum in the morning, then head to Chickamauga Battlefield for the driving tour.

Fourth day

With an extra day, paddle or hike in the Tennessee River Gorge, drive up Signal Mountain for overlooks, or bike a long stretch of the Riverwalk.

Practical tips

• Buy aquarium and mountain attraction tickets online in advance, especially on weekends and holidays.
• Ask about combination tickets for the Incline, Ruby Falls and Rock City.
• Remember that Rock City and Chickamauga are in Georgia, which is in the Eastern time zone like Chattanooga.
• Wear comfortable shoes for steep paths, cave passages and bridge walks.
• Carry water and sunscreen in summer, and plan strenuous hikes for early morning.
• Check the National Park Service website for current fees and conditions at Point Park and Chickamauga.

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