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Chattanooga lies in southeastern Tennessee along a bend of the Tennessee River, framed by ridges including Lookout Mountain. A railroad hub in the nineteenth century, it saw major Civil War battles and later became an industrial city. Since the late twentieth century it has transformed its riverfront and earned a reputation as an outdoor-oriented city with easy access to climbing, hiking and paddling.
Downtown, the Tennessee Aquarium explores river and ocean ecosystems in two buildings. The Walnut Street Bridge, a long pedestrian bridge, crosses to Coolidge Park and the North Shore, with shops and green space. On a bluff above the river, the Bluff View Art District includes the Hunter Museum of American Art. The Southside centers on the former terminal station associated with the Chattanooga Choo Choo. On Lookout Mountain, the Incline Railway climbs a steep slope, Point Park marks the Battle Above the Clouds, Ruby Falls is an underground waterfall inside the mountain, and Rock City Gardens offers rock formations and views across several states. Chickamauga Battlefield, just south in Georgia, preserves the site of a major Civil War battle.
Chattanooga suits families, outdoor enthusiasts, and history fans. It is walkable downtown, and spring and fall bring pleasant weather for hiking.
WiserMap travel guideChattanooga Tennessee Aquarium Ruby Falls and Rock CityExplore Chattanooga: the Tennessee Aquarium, Walnut Street Bridge, Lookout Mountain's Incline, Ruby Falls and Rock City, Civil War battlefields and more.Read the guide
One of the largest freshwater aquariums in the world, in two buildings on the riverfront. River Journey follows water from the Appalachian mountains to the Gulf, with river otters and turtles, and Ocean Journey has penguins, sharks and a butterfly garden. Buy timed tickets online and allow at least three hours.
A hands-on children's museum downtown, a few blocks from the aquarium, with play areas for science, art and music, a riverboat to climb, a rooftop play area and a dinosaur dig pit. It is designed mainly for children up to about 10. Look for combination tickets with other attractions, and check the hours before going.
A truss bridge from 1890 over the Tennessee River, now one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world at about half a mile. It links downtown and the Bluff View area with the North Shore and Coolidge Park. Walk it at sunset for river views, and stop midway for photos of the Market Street Bridge and the riverfront.
The city's 1909 Terminal Station, made famous by the 1941 Glenn Miller song, is now a hotel and entertainment complex in the Southside district. Visitors can see the grand domed lobby, vintage rail cars and gardens, and there are restaurants and live music venues. The surrounding Southside has more breweries and cafes.
One of the steepest passenger railways in the world, climbing Lookout Mountain from the St. Elmo neighborhood since 1895, with a grade of about 72 percent near the top. The ride takes about 15 minutes each way, and the upper station has an observation deck. From the top, Point Park is a short walk away.
A riverside park on the North Shore with a restored antique Dentzel carousel, an interactive play fountain, lawns for picnics and views of the downtown skyline. It sits at the end of the Walnut Street Bridge, and the nearby Frazier Avenue area has shops and restaurants. In summer, bring kids in swimwear for the fountains.
An art museum on a bluff above the Tennessee River, combining a 1905 classical mansion with modern wings. Its collection covers American art from colonial times to the present, including Hudson River School landscapes and contemporary glass. Next door, the Bluff View Art District has a sculpture garden, bakery and cafes.
A park at the top of Lookout Mountain, part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, marking the Civil War Battle of Lookout Mountain in 1863. Monuments, cannons and the Ochs observatory overlook Moccasin Bend of the Tennessee River and the city below. A small entrance fee is charged.
The first and largest unit of America's first national military park, south of Chattanooga in Georgia, marking a major Civil War battle in September 1863. A visitor center has a film and a large rifle collection, and a 7-mile driving tour passes hundreds of monuments. Climb the Wilder Brigade Monument tower for views.
An underground waterfall about 145 feet high, deep inside Lookout Mountain, discovered in 1928 and named after the wife of its discoverer. Guided walking tours follow a narrow cave passage past rock formations to the lit falls, taking about an hour. Book timed tickets in advance, and expect some crowding at peak times.
A garden attraction on top of Lookout Mountain in Georgia, with a trail through giant rock formations, a swinging bridge and Lover's Leap, where the views are said to cover seven states. The Fairyland Caverns show gnome scenes under blacklight. It is famous for its painted See Rock City barns across the South.
A sandstone bluff on the western side of Lookout Mountain, part of the national military park, with wide views over Lookout Valley toward Raccoon Mountain. It is a short walk from a small parking lot on West Brow Road, and is also a classic rock climbing spot. As the name suggests, it is best at sunset; parking is very limited.
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