An exciting crossroads of gorgeous landscapes, jaw-dropping views, and bustling city life, Chattanooga is perfectly positioned on the Georgia-Tennessee border to entice visitors from both states and the rest of the south. In one weekend, we strolled, hiked, drove, and explored the charming riverfront, picturesque bluffs, historic attractions, and more. Below are our recommendations for the 10 best attractions in Chattanooga for couples to do on a weekend escape.
Note, Chattanooga is conveniently located a mere two-hour drive from Atlanta (GA), Nashville (TN), and Huntsville (AL), and four hours from Greenville (SC) or Asheville (NC).
Chattanooga at a Glance
- State: Tennessee
- County: Hamilton
- Population: 183,000
- Size: Tennessee’s 4th-largest city
- Elevation: 680 feet
- Climate: Humid Sub Tropical
- Official Nickname is “Scenic City”,
- Song: “Chattanooga Choo Choo” (1941)
Brief History
During the Civil War, Chattanooga served as a hub connecting the Confederacy’s arsenals in Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, and Macon, transporting raw material to processing plants that produced ammunition for the Confederates.
Following the Battle of Chickamauga, the defeated Union Army retreated to safety in Chattanooga. On November 23, 1863, the Battles for Chattanooga began when Union forces led by Major General Ulysses S. Grant reinforced troops at Chattanooga. Subsequently, at the Battle of Lookout Mountain Confederates were driven off the mountain.
Chattanooga marks one of three defining moments that turned the Civil War to the Union’s favor, serving as the doorway to the Deep South.
10 Refindery
The Refindery is located in the historic 1910 building on McCallie Street. The 15,000 square foot warehouse is filled to the brim with antiques, vintage collectibles, handicrafts, and quirky finds nestled in individual booths of some 45 individual vendors. We had fun strolling through and admiring the large inventory of unique wares.
9 Bluff View Art District
The Bluff View Art District was our favorite place for a leisurely afternoon stroll! The trendy 1.5 blocks of historic downtown sits high atop a bluff that overlooks a lovely sculpture park on the banks of the Tennessee River. In full bloom in spring, you’ll find a charming array of courtyards with flowering canopies, bistros, coffee shops, an art gallery, and a historic B&B with stunning views. In addition, you’ll find museums filled with fine art as well as shops selling local handmade arts and crafts.
8 Audubon Acres
If you’re looking for a great place for an easy hike, Audubon Acres is a tranquil-filled park located along a creek that offers over five miles of gorgeous nature trails filled with seasonal wildflowers, wildlife viewing, and great natural backdrops for photography buffs.
Depending on the season, you can also enjoy tubing, swimming, canoeing, hiking, birdwatching, kayaking, and so much more in this attractive natural setting.
7 Incline Railway
For the best view in town, hop aboard the trolley-style passenger railway for what is known as America’s Most Amazing Mile. The steep incline track climb from the historic St. Elmo neighborhood offers birds-eye views of the mountains and valleys until you get to the top of Lookout Mountain. At the top, you can visit the observation deck as well as observe Civil War points of interest.
6 Southern Belle Chattanooga
Channel your inner Mark Twain on a riverboat cruise along the lazy Tennessee River. The 1.5 or 2-hour scenic cruises include 45 minutes of live narration…and a Moon Pie so who can resist? The Southern Belle Riverboat offers day, sunset, and dining cruises along with spectacular views out on the water.
5 National Military Park
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is a U.S. Civil War landmark located on the border of Tennessee Georgia.
In 1863, Union and Confederate forces fought for control of Chattanooga, known as the “Gateway to the Deep South.” The Confederates were victorious at nearby Chickamauga but subsequent fighting in Chattanooga gave Union troops victory and control of the city. After the fighting, a Confederate soldier ominously wrote, “This…is the death-knell of the Confederacy.”
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, the nation’s first of its kind, was created in 1890 to preserve and commemorate these battlefields. Stroll back in time with a guided or self-guided tour of the grounds where so much blood was spilled.
4 Ruby Falls
A must-see attraction, Ruby Falls is a series of up to 145-foot natural underground cascading waterfalls on Lookout Mountain. Leo Lambert discovered the falls in the 1920s and named it after his wife Ruby.
You can get a look at the tallest and deepest underground waterfall during a guided scenic walking tour where you will also get a brief history of the ancient cavern and see stalagmites, stalactites, drapery formations, and experience the dazzling waterfall light show.
If you are claustrophobic or you are afraid of the dark, this is not the tour for you.
3 The Riverfront
We ended up staying on the Riverfront, and while it wasn’t our first choice of the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel, it provided convenient walking access to a lot of attractions and restaurants.
Built in 1890, the iconic 2,376-foot long Walnut Street Bridge is the longest pedestrian bridge in the world and offers a panoramic view of the Tennessee River. The old trestle bridge is also one of the best places to catch a sunset over the river.
Part of the Tennessee Riverwalk on Chattanooga’s North Shore, Coolidge Park gets its name from World War II Army veteran and Chattanoogan Charles Coolidge. You can access the public green space by walking across the Walnut Street Bridge. The park hosts concerts and festivals as well as a restored 100-year-old antique carousel, interactive water fountain, galleries, shops, and a military memorial.
You’ll definitely want to take in the ever-changing neon lights of The Block during your stay! The Block is one of the largest adaptive reuse projects in Chattanooga’s history, turning the old Bijou Theatre into a vibrant urban centerpiece.
2 Rock City
Opened in 1932, Rock City Gardens is a famous tourist attraction on Lookout Mountain just six miles outside of downtown Chattanooga (it’s actually just over the state line in Georgia). In fact, if you want to get to the famous “Lover’s Leap,” you’ll have to buy a ticket and meander through Rock City to get there. It’s totally worth the price to see Chattanooga’s top two attractions.
The picturesque 4,100-foot walk will lead you through quiet woodland paths, ancient rock formations, caves, narrow crevices, sprawling gardens, and ultimately to magnificent views of the surrounding area, passing some 400 native species of plants, flowers, and shrubs.
We had lots of fun as Kary squeezed through Needle’s Eye and Fat Man Squeeze passages, as well as my venture out onto the swinging (it was windy!) suspension bridge (see top photo).
At the end of the path, we were rewarded with the view of Lover’s Leap in the near distance.
Lots of great places here for your “Instagram Moments!”
1 Lookout Mountain
The pièce de résistance, of course, is Lookout Mountain. Accessed solely through Rock City, the spectacular panoramic view at Lover’s Leap claims to offer a seemingly impossible expansive view of seven states: Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
There are several “Lovers Leaps” all over the world. The one in Chattanooga is based on a Native American couple from different tribes. After eloping, Sautee (groom) was captured and thrown off the mountain. Heartbroken, Nacoochee (bride) avenged her husband by hurling herself off the mountain, hence gaining the moniker “Lover’s Leap.”
Lookout Mountain is should be at the top of your list of attractions in Chattanooga to visit!
Where to Stay
In 1909, the golden age of railroads, the Chattanooga Choo Choo was a working Terminal Station, transporting thousands of travelers. Today, Terminal Station serves as the lobby of the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel.
Because of Covid, we could not stay in our intended accommodation, the one-of-a-kind Chattanooga Choo Choo. Well, full transparency, we could have stayed in one of the motel-style rooms, but that’s not what we wanted. The cozy, authentically restored Pullman sleeper cars at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, outfitted with authentic Victorian-style fixtures and once reserved only for the rich and famous, were not available for booking during our stay.
Conclusion
The variety of attractions in Chattanooga are perfect for a fun couples’ weekend. It’s one of the most romantic getaways in Tennessee!
Photos by Kary Kern
Click below to PIN so you can find attractions in Chattanooga again!
About the Author
Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials.” Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled six continents looking for fabulous places and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer (and Gen X!) tribe.
Leave a reply