Along the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and hidden in the southeastern corner of Tennessee is the little town of Chattanooga. Also known as Chatty, this outdoorsy destination offers hiking trails, museums, and innumerable food options. To be frank, we had no prior knowledge of Chattanooga before planning a road trip to Nashville. Smaller cities are often overlooked, but to our pleasant surprise, this mountain-town had more to offer than we expected. In this post, we’ll walk you through how to spend 48 hours in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The city’s name “Chattanooga” is derived from a Creek word meaning “rock rising to a point,” a reference to the nearby Lookout Mountain. Understandably so, as some of the most picturesque attractions in Chatty are in the mountain. For the most part, Chattanooga is a walkable city and is both pedestrian and bike-friendly. The different clusters of neighborhoods have varying vibes and activities. Chattanooga also offers visitors a free electric shuttle service that covers all of downtown. The shuttle runs from the Chattanooga Choo Choo and stops every other block or so. Here’s the shuttle map for more information.

Where to stay

Downtown Chatty is the best and most central place to stay. For budget lodging options, both the Residence Inn and the Holiday Inn are great choices. Feel like splurging? The Edwin Hotel right on the riverfront is fantastic. There are also a couple of interesting studios and lofts in the Southside area worth considering: this very hip loft, a minimalist townhome, or this beautiful loft. Now, let’s go through how to spend 48 hours in Chattanooga and the best way to explore each of its unique neighborhoods. 

Downtown Chattanooga

This is where all the action is, and thankfully it’s all easily explored by foot. The city center is well-known for the Tennessee Aquarium, Hunter Museum of American Art, the Chattanooga Riverwalk and the beautifully blue Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge. This cluster of museums is renowned for its intricate architecture and position overlooking the river. So, even if you don’t have an interest in visiting the museums themselves, the architecture alone is worth is a quick stop.

For a unique ride down the river, check out Chattanooga’s famous Southern Belle Riverboat cruises. And if you’re not up for the tour, we recommend walking around the waterfront park at Ross’s Landing, where you can still grab a view of the riverboats floating by.

The pedestrian bridge is an attraction in and of itself and has even made it to the National Register of Historic Places. The bright blue structure comes to life in the evening. Bike or walk across it during sunset and catch street performers entertaining passersby into the night.  Of course, the views are incredible, but the late-night ambience is just an added bonus. For even better views of the bridge, head over to Whiskey Thief, a fun rooftop at the boho-chic Edwin Hotel.

Bluff View Art District

Bluff view was perhaps our favorite little neighborhood to walk through and explore. This little slice of town is inundated with Victorian mansions and European styled homes, chic galleries, and cafes, making for the perfect start to any morning. It certainly didn’t feel like we were in Tennessee any longer. Get lost in the little alleys connecting the shops and enjoy the ample amounts of greenery and sculptures. Not just that, but this creative haven is perched at the top of a cliff overlooking the Tennessee River.

Enjoy a variety of cuisine at Back Inn Cafe or European style pastries and coffee at Rembrandt’s Coffee House. You can also stay in this chic neighborhood at the Bluff View Inn.

West Village

A cluster of trendy shops, restaurants and sometimes home to a pop-up market. West Village is pedestrian-friendly and is great for an afternoon stroll. Make sure to stop at the Umbrella Alley and for a little history check out the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church which served as a military hospital in the Civil War. Another winner in West Village, is The Westin Hotel, which has a rooftop with fantastic views of the city.

Southside Historic District

Famous for its Chattanooga Choo Choo, a former terminal station. Choo Choo is a major hit with locals and tourists, and we understand why. It’s now a huge complex that includes a hotel, a comedy club, distillery, shops and restaurants. If you’re looking for a quick bite, head over to Frothy Monkey for specialty coffee and small plates. Otherwise, we highly recommend, and so does everyone on the internet, having contemporary Italian food at Alleia.

North Shore

Now, let’s get back to Walnut Street Bridge. Where will you end up once you cross the magnificently blue structure? The answer is North Shore. You’ll actually land on Frazier Avenue, a strip lined with boutiques and restaurants. Be sure to look down the entire time as you promenade down Frazier. There are easy-to-follow, small bronze, footprints embedded in the ground. Position yourself, and maybe a partner, right on the imprints and you’ll be effortlessly dancing to popular dances such as the Waltz, the Cha-cha, the Tango and many more.

A couple of memorable bites in North Shore are, mouthwatering ice cream at Clumpies Ice Cream Co., and contemporary American food at the Beast + Barrel gastropub. Locals raved quite a bit about the local taco joint, Taco Mamacita and Milk & Honey’s gelato, although we didn’t have time to try them ourselves.

At the backside of Frazier, is Coolidge Park, a massive green space overlooking the river. It’s a family friendly space, known for its 1894 historic carousel and interactive fountain.

Lookout Mountain

For all the adventure seekers, Lookout Mountain will not disappoint. With plenty of outdoor activities, tours and attractions, plan to spend several hours hopping from one landmark to the other.

Ride the Incline Railway, the world’s steepest passenger railway. Enjoy a mile-long trip to the top of the mountain where you’ll peep panoramic views of downtown Chatty.

Explore the caves at Ruby Falls, home to the deepest waterfall open to the public. The falls are actually over one thousand feet below the surface. Isn’t that just wild? We suggest opting for the lesser known lantern tours for a truly authentic experience. The cavern and falls will be illuminated with only your hand-held lanterns and it’s quite the exploration.

Then there’s the Rock City lookout and gardens. Before actually reaching Rock City, you’ll have to journey through the Enchanted Trail and squeeze your way through several narrow pathways and rock formations. In the end, you’ll be welcomed by a massive cliff hugging the waterfalls.

You can purchase a bundle ticket for all three attractions here, or pick and choose which ones fit your interests and schedule.

A lesser known attraction, but just as fun to explore, lies at the very tip of Lookout Mountain. Beyond Rock City and Ruby Falls, is Point Park, a civil war battlefield. Although small, the park offers some of the best views of downtown Chattanooga for a few dollars. Walk along the trail and check out the placards explaining its history.

As you drive down Lookout Mountain, consider stopping by Sculpture Fields at Montague Park. The public park covers 33 acres of land and is populated with sculptures from all over the world. It’s an interesting little stop on your way back to downtown.

That’s a wrap, despite being a small town, as you can see Chattanooga makes up for its size with the abundance of activities available. Click here for more US travel guides.

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