Chattanooga, TN Travel Guide
Chattanooga, TN Travel Guide
Plan Your Trip
Downtown Chattanooga packs a surprising amount into a walkable core, and there are plenty of things to do in Chattanooga whether you have an afternoon or a full weekend.
None of the main stops require advance tickets, though the Tennessee Aquarium sells timed entry online if you want to skip the line during busy weekends. There's no need to move your car all day—park once in a downtown garage or lot near the Aquarium or MLK Boulevard and walk everywhere from there. Bring comfortable shoes, water, and a little cash or a card for admission fees along the way.
Here's a pro tip: save your visit to Walnut Street Bridge for late afternoon, so you can watch the sunset over the Tennessee River from one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world.
Top Things to Do
1. Bessie Smith Cultural Center and Chattanooga African American Museum—honors the "Empress of the Blues" and the achievements of local Black Chattanoogans, including Bessie's own stage costume.
2. Tennessee Aquarium—one of the largest freshwater aquariums in the world, home to playful river otters and the dramatic Secret Reef shark tank.
3. Tivoli Theatre—a grand historic downtown theater still hosting shows today.
4. Walnut Street Bridge—one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world, with sweeping views of the Tennessee River.
5. Ross's Landing—Chattanooga's riverfront park and the birthplace of the city itself.
6. Classic Arcade Pinball Museum—unlimited old-school arcade and pinball play for one admission price.
7. Ed Johnson Memorial—a powerful riverfront memorial to a man wrongfully convicted and lynched in 1906, and the Supreme Court case that followed.
8. National Medal of Honor Heritage Center—tells the stories of America's bravest heroes, including a full-size replica of a Vietnam-era Cobra helicopter.
Download the Complete Travel Guide
Includes:
-
✓ Complete travel guide
-
✓ Printable map
-
✓ One-day itinerary
-
✓ Hidden gems
-
✓ Travel tips
-
✓ Offline access
-
✓ Bonus recommendations not included on this page
Our Self Guided Tour
Want to hear these stories brought to life as you walk?
Take our Chattanooga Blues to Bridges Walking Tour. It's a self-guided, location-aware audio tour that starts at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center and ends at the foot of the Walnut Street Bridge, weaving through downtown's music, history, and civil rights landmarks along the way.
Free Things to Do
1. Ross's Landing—Chattanooga's free riverfront park, with public art and river views.
2. Walnut Street Bridge—free to walk, day or night, with some of the best views in town.
3. Ed Johnson Memorial—no fee to visit this moving riverfront memorial.
4. Patten Parkway—a lively downtown plaza with historical markers and public art, free to explore.
5. The Passage—a free outdoor art installation honoring the Trail of Tears.
6. Cooper's Alley—a free public art alley tucked between downtown's brick buildings.
THINGS WITH ADMISSION FEES
1. Bessie Smith Cultural Center and Chattanooga African American Museum—twelve dollars for adults.
2. Classic Arcade Pinball Museum—fifteen dollars for adults, unlimited play included.
3. Tennessee Aquarium—about forty dollars for adults, covering both aquarium buildings.
4. National Medal of Honor Heritage Center—about fourteen dollars for adults.
Food!
Hennen's
Upscale seafood and Angus steaks in the heart of downtown, right next to the Tennessee Aquarium, with a 2,400-bottle wine cellar.
Tony's Pasta Shop and Trattoria
A longtime downtown favorite for fresh, made-in-house Italian pasta in a casual setting.
Whitebird
A modern American restaurant right at the foot of the Walnut Street Bridge, perfect for a meal before or after crossing.
Where to Stay
Budget
Hampton Inn and Suites Chattanooga/Downtown and Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Chattanooga Downtown both offer comfortable, reliable rooms within easy walking distance of downtown, generally $150 to $220 a night.
Moderate
Chattanooga Marriott Downtown, The Westin Chattanooga, and The Read House Hotel combine solid downtown locations with recently renovated rooms, generally $180 to $280 a night.
Luxury
The Edwin Hotel, The Dwell Hotel, and The Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo offer boutique luxury and standout design in and around downtown, generally $250 a night and up.
1 Day Itinerary
1-Day Itinerary
Morning: Start at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, then walk through Patten Parkway and past the Dome Building and Old Stone Church Tower.
Afternoon: Explore the Tennessee Aquarium and National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, then wander Ross's Landing.
Evening: Visit the Ed Johnson Memorial and end at the Walnut Street Bridge for sunset, with dinner at Whitebird nearby.
2-Day Itinerary
Day 2: Add the Classic Arcade Pinball Museum, browse Cooper's Alley, and cross the Walnut Street Bridge to explore the Northshore and Coolidge Park.
Extra Time: Ride the Chattanooga Riverwalk by bike, tour the Hunter Museum of American Art, or take the incline railway up Lookout Mountain.
FAQ's
1. How long does the Chattanooga self-guided walking tour take?
Most visitors complete the full route in about one to one and a half hours, longer if you stop inside the museums along the way.
2. Is downtown Chattanooga walkable?
Yes. Downtown Chattanooga is compact and pedestrian-friendly, with most major attractions within easy walking distance of each other.
3. Do I need a car in downtown Chattanooga?
Not for the downtown core. Park once in a downtown garage or lot and everything on this tour is reachable on foot.
4. Is Chattanooga good for kids?
Yes. The Tennessee Aquarium, Classic Arcade Pinball Museum, and Walnut Street Bridge are all popular with families.
5. What's the best time to visit Chattanooga?
Spring and fall bring the most comfortable weather for walking downtown and along the river.
6. Where does the self-guided walking tour start and end?
It starts at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center and ends at the start of the Walnut Street Bridge.
7. Is the Walnut Street Bridge free to walk?
Yes, it's a free pedestrian bridge open day and night, connecting downtown to the Northshore.
8. What is Chattanooga best known for?
Chattanooga is known for its railroad heritage, its role in the blues music scene through artists like Bessie Smith, and landmarks like the Tennessee Aquarium and Walnut Street Bridge.
9. Can I visit the Tennessee Aquarium and the Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden together?
Yes, aquarium admission includes entry to the Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden.
10. Is Chattanooga a good day trip or does it need a full weekend?
A single day covers the downtown highlights, but a weekend lets you add the Northshore, Lookout Mountain, and more of the riverfront at a slower pace.
Recommended Tours
More Resources
