The Area
RECOMMENDATIONS, PICNICS, AND MORE
3-Day Itinerary
Home to the famous Chattanooga Choo Choo, Chattanooga is a fascinating, fun, and adventurous city to visit for people of all ages and interests. With so many fun things to choose from, it’s easy to get lost jumping from one attraction to the next, piling your vacation with many hurried moments and none of the fun and relaxation you came here for. With years of experience living on Lookout Mountain, just 10 minutes outside of Chattanooga, let us do some of the planning for you. We’ve compiled a sample three-day itinerary for the Chattanooga area, which covers many of the highlights and will at least help get you started on your road to a fun-filled Chattanooga adventure.
Day One: Exploring Lookout Mountain
It wouldn’t be a trip to Chattanooga without exploring the sites and history on beautiful Lookout Mountain, primarily since our Bed and Breakfast Inn is located right at the base of this unique attraction. Nowhere else can you see three stunning, not to mention historic, attractions all in one place.
Start your day by riding on the Incline Railway to the top of Lookout Mountain, where you’ll find breathtaking views, many points of Civil War interest, and plenty of other things to see and do. Afterward, head to Ruby Falls, a stunning waterfall over 1,120 feet below the surface, the largest and deepest waterfall open to the public.
Afterward, Rock City, put, is going to amaze you. You may always want to stay once you see the view from the top of Lookout Mountain. You’ll encounter massive ancient rock formations, gardens with over 400 native plant species, and breathtaking 7-States panoramic views. If you bring your walking shoes, you can even go for a lovely afternoon hike, ending your day with sunset over Point Park.
Day Two: Downtown Chattanooga
You can’t come to Chattanooga without “doing” downtown Chattanooga. Since there’s so much to do downtown, we’ve packed it in on day two, leaving days one and three for a more relaxing glimpse at the beauty our city is famous for. So get your walking shoes on and prepare for a fast-paced, jam-packed day of fun in the Scenic City!
If you have the kids in tow, you can’t miss spending a couple of hours at the Tennessee Aquarium, rated the #1 aquarium in the country. The Chattanooga Ducks along the scenic Tennessee River would also be a fun and different way for the family to see Chattanooga.
Walk over the Walnut Street Bridge to Coolidge Park, which features a water play fountain, a 100-year-old carousel, and ice cream and doughnut shops. If you don’t have the kids in tow, why not take a beautiful river cruise along the Tennessee River Gorge in the morning, either on the old-fashioned Southern Belle Riverboat or the faster River Gorge Explorer?
Grab some lunch at one of the many popular Tennessee barbecue joints, such as Sugar Rib’s, then head to the Tennessee Aquarium, followed by some beautiful shopping. You’ll find a variety of eclectic boutiques and restaurants on Frazier Avenue in Chattanooga’s trendy NorthShore Area, inside Warehouse Row, or even the newly renovated Southside of Chattanooga. The Chattanooga Market is also a fascinating place to browse if you’re in town on a Sunday or Wednesday.
The adventurous may even want to try rock climbing at High Point Climbing and Fitness. Finally, end your evening with a fun wine or whiskey-tasting round followed by dinner at Chattanooga’s 4-star restaurant, St. John’s.
Day Three: Reconnect With Nature
There is a reason Chattanooga has recently been hailed as the South’s top travel destination: It is breathtakingly beautiful. A trip here would not be complete without a trip into the outdoors, where you relish the lasting impact this trip will leave in your mind. Outdoor enthusiasts visiting Chattanooga can enjoy many activities, from rock climbing, road and mountain biking, and hiking to the more extreme white-water rafting, hang gliding, and more.
On land, choose from several beautiful places for either hiking or biking in the Chattanooga area. Cloudland Canyon State Park, or the Enterprise South Nature Park, is a local favorite. Both places feature a variety of hiking and biking trails fit for all levels of experience.
If you prefer to be on the water, try renting a kayak or stand-up paddleboard from River Canyon Kayak & Paddle, and explore the stunning Tennessee River Gorge at your relaxing place, seeing the city as you’ve never seen it before. After a morning adventure of your choice, head underground at Cumberland Caverns, Tennessee’s largest show cave, or the Lost Sea, America’s largest underground lake. If that isn’t enough to get your heart pumping, maybe your afternoon is better spent at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, where you can fight the Ocoee River rapids or speed down the zip lines.
No matter how you choose to spend your vacation in Chattanooga, we are here to help in whatever way we can. This is just a taste of the fun waiting for you in our beautiful city!
