Chattanooga
United States and Canada · United States
See also
Knoxville
United States35.96°N 83.92°W · 270 m
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
United States35.60°N 83.51°W
Nashville
United States36.16°N 86.77°W · 182 m
Asheville
United States35.58°N 82.56°W · 650 m
Overview
Chattanooga played a key role in the Civil War and has since revitalized its downtown and riverfront. It offers a mix of historic battlefields, outdoor attractions like Rock City and Ruby Falls, and family-friendly museums.
Languages: English
Why go?
Chattanooga played a key role in the Civil War and has since revitalized its downtown and riverfront. It offers a mix of historic battlefields, outdoor attractions like Rock City and Ruby Falls, and family-friendly museums. The city has won awards for livability and boasts the fastest internet in the world.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting in
The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) is served by American Eagle, Delta Connection, and Allegiant Air. Greyhound and Megabus provide bus service from nearby cities. For boaters, several marinas are available on the Tennessee River.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting around
CARTA buses provide public transportation, including route 4 from the Greyhound station to downtown. The city is walkable in the downtown area, and the Walnut Street Bridge connects to the Northshore district.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Accommodation options range from the Crash Pad hostel (dorms $27, privates $70) to budget hotels like Hotel Bo (from $60/night) and upscale options like The Read House (from $110). The Chattanooga Choo Choo offers unique train car rooms from $160.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
Chattanooga offers diverse dining, from Southern home cooking at Bea's Restaurant and Zarzour's (famous for burgers) to international options like Sushi Nabe, Lupi's Pizza, and Thai at Sweet Basil. For drinks, Rembrandt's Coffee House and the Stone Cup serve coffee, while Hair of the Dog pub offers over 50 beers.
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Things to do
Key attractions include Rock City ($45), Ruby Falls ($28.95), the Incline Railway, Tennessee Aquarium, and Creative Discovery Museum. Outdoor activities include climbing the Walnut Street Bridge wall ($5/hour), riding the Coolidge Park carousel ($0.50 for kids), and walking the Riverwalk. Sports fans can catch a Chattanooga Lookouts baseball game (general admission $4).
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Safety
The Chattanooga Police use patrol cars without roof emergency lights; blue lights in grill and rear window. Red Bank employs photo-enforced traffic lights; rolling right on red may result in a citation. Panhandling is rare in downtown parks.
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Connectivity
Free WiFi hotspot is available at Miller Plaza Pavilion, sponsored by the city and AirNet Group. The city is known for its fast internet infrastructure.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Budget
For backpackers, dorm beds at The Crash Pad start at $27/night. A Lookouts game costs $4, and many attractions have moderate entry fees. A meal at a meat-and-three restaurant can be inexpensive.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trips
Nearby day trips include Ocoee (white water rafting), Sewanee (University of the South), Cleveland (30 min north), Dalton (carpet capital), and further: Great Smoky Mountains National Park (2 hr), Knoxville (1.5 hr), Nashville (2.5 hr), Atlanta (1.5 hr).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Onward destinations include Nashville, Knoxville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- eat
Acropolis
Blvd. Serving a large menu of Greek fare in a family-style restaurant.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Amigo's
Standard Mexican fare featuring fifty cent tacos and one dollar domestic beers on Monday nights.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Bea's Restaurant
A little off the beaten path, Bea's offers real home cooking. Take a seat at a table, any table, occupied or not, and start grabbing what you'd like off the lazy susan in the center of the table.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Boathouse Rotisserie & Raw Bar
Located 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga on the site of the old Sand Bar Restaurant, the Boathouse features oysters on the half shell along with plenty of Gulf Coast fare such as catfish and shrimp. On Mondays, Gulf Oysters are half price. Main courses average $15 - 18, excluding dipping into the raw bar.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Clumpie's
A great little ice cream shop on Frazier Avenue in the heart of the Northshore.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Hair of the Dog, An English Neighborhood Pub
With the look and feel of an old English pub, this is quickly becoming a local favorite. A custom hand operated dumb-waiter delivers food and drinks to their second level where there are dart boards, pool tables and a great jukebox. A full bar with an assortment of over 50 beers compliments their small but exceptional "un-ordinary" menu. Be sure to check out their rotating specials.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Hana Steak & Sushi
Blvd. Hibachi style Japanese cooking as well as sushi.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Ichiban Japanese Steak House
Located in the Bi-Lo shopping complex, this restaurant has hibachi style cooking and a light sushi menu.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accommodation
The Crash Pad hostel offers dorms from $27/night and privates from $70.
Connectivity
Free WiFi at Miller Plaza Pavilion downtown.
Money
Credit cards widely accepted; major attractions charge admission fees.
Safety
Chattanooga Police use unmarked cars with blue lights; photo enforcement in Red Bank.