40+ Things to Do in Downtown Chattanooga (2024)

  • Chattanooga Guides

By

Cassidy

-

FacebookTwitterPinterestReddItEmail

    40+ Things to Do in Downtown Chattanooga (1)40+ Things to Do in Downtown Chattanooga (2)

    40+ Things to Do in Downtown Chattanooga (3)

    Are you looking for some fun and exciting activities right outside your front door? Downtown Chattanooga is a hive of culture and activity, so it makes for the perfect place to explore. Whether you’re having a staycation or just want something new to do, your needs will be met downtown.

    Events

    Sports

    Arts

    Sights

    Events

    TheMoon River Festivalhas quickly become a staple in Chattanooga. Offering music and entertainment from multiple artists, this event held in Coolidge Park almost always sells out. With areas and activities designated for children, this is a fun event for everyone.

    Nightfallis a free concert series hosted in Miller Park every Friday night through the summer. The streets are shut down making it kid friendly, and there’s vendors of all kinds set up for the whole family.

    The Chattanooga Market has tons of annual festivals each year. Checkout what they have to offer each season!

    Riverbend is on of Chattanooga’s biggest events each year! Kick off your summer with great music and entertainment!

    The 4 Bridges Art Festival is a great way to celebrate art and culture every spring.

    JFest is another annual music festival that takes place in the Scenic City.

    Wine Over Water is a popular event every fall.

    Sports and Recreation

    TheChattanooga Lookoutsare a staple in the Scenic City. The field sits right along the Tennessee River, so you can hit up any of the wonderful restaurants or ice cream shops before the first pitch is thrown.

    The University of Tennessee at Chattanoogais in the heart of downtown Chattanooga, and they have a wide variety of sporting events you can watch year-round. Go Mocs!

    AChattanooga Red Wolvesgame makes for a fun evening for the whole family. With the stadium located right byChampy’s, you can make a night of it.

    The Chattanooga Football Club is another great soccer team in Chattanooga. They play their home games at Finley Stadium.

    If your crew loves climbing,High Point Climbing and Fitnessis the perfect spot! Located right by theTennessee Aquarium, this prime location is within walking distance to many fun downtownactivitiesand hot spots.

    TheChattanooga Downtown YMCAis another great place to get moving. There are classes and activities for the whole family.

    If you love the water,paddling boardingis a popular option among Chattanoogans.L2 Outsideis a great place to rent a board if you need one.

    TheChattanooga Riverwalk is another popular place to get outside and exercise. This 16 mile stretch of pavement runs right along the Tennessee River. You can find runners, walkers, bikers, and more along this hot spot.

    If you want to explore theScenicCity on a bike,Bike Chattanoogamakes it easy.

    Miracle League of Chattanoogais another great, inclusive option for everyone to get out and be active.

    Arts

    The Hunter Art Museumis a great spot to explore art and culture. It’s located right above the Tennessee River, and the location is just as beautiful as the art inside.

    The Bluff View Art District is an art lover’s paradise. You can enjoy food, bakeries, coffee, galleries, and sculptures in this quaint area of town.

    The Chattanooga Theatre Centre is Chattanooga’s hub for all things theater.

    The Tivoli, Memorial Auditorium, and the Walker Theatreare great venues to watch live music and shows.

    The University of Tennessee at Chattanoogaoffers many performances on campus.

    Sights

    The Walnut Street Bridgeis one of Chattanooga’s most visited spots. The view is spectacular.

    Old Stone Church Toweris one of the oldest and prettiest sights in Chattanooga.

    Second Presbyterian Churchis a beautiful sight to behold downtown.

    Coolidge Parkis a stunning park that everyone will love.

    Ross’s Landing is a breathtaking park right on the Tennessee River.

    The West Villageis a cool area for the whole family with some stunning scenery.

    The North Shoreis a beautiful area with tons of restaurants and shops.

    The University of Tennessee at Chattanoogahas a spectacular campus that is worth exploring.

    Tourist Attractions

    Even if you’re a local, these downtown tourist hot spots are great for a day of entertainment!

    The Tennessee AquariumandChattanooga Zooare perfect for animal lovers!

    The Creative Discovery Museumis a child’s paradise.

    The Chattanooga Choo Choowill make your train lovers happy!

    The Incline Railwayis a great way to see Lookout Mountain.

    Land and Boat Tours

    Chattanooga Ducksis a great combination of land and river exploration.

    The Southern Belleis one of the most historical ways to explore the Tennessee River.

    Blue Heaven River Toursmakes your boat ride loads of fun.

    Pints and Pedalsmakes for a fun adult tour night.

    Chatt Taste Tour: Taste all that the Chattanooga restaurant scene has to offer.

    If you’re up for a spooky night on the town,Chattanooga Ghost Tours andChattaBOOga Ghost Walkare the way to go.

    For theadventuroustype,Chattanooga Segway Toursmake for a fun outing.

    Missionary Ridge Train Rides: Take a train ride to learn about Chattanooga’s history.

    Tennessee River Sunset Tours: Paddle board or kayak down the Tennessee River.

    Chattanooga Carriage Company: See the beauty of the city on a horse drawn carriage.

    Whatever you and your family may be craving, downtown Chattanooga can definitely serve it up!

    Don’t forget to check out our Ultimate Guide to Chattanooga Fun

    Ultimate Summer Fun

    Lavender Farms

    Pick-Your-Own

    Vacation Bible Schools

    Summer Camps

    Lake Winnie

    Festival Fun

    Swimming Holes

    Family-Friendly Hikes

    Outdoor Dining

    Bald River Falls

    Date Night Ideas

    40+ Things to Do in Downtown Chattanooga (4)40+ Things to Do in Downtown Chattanooga (5)

    RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

    Chattanooga Area Sunflower Fields

    2024 Chattanooga 4th Of July Events

    Chattanooga Area Beaches

    40+ Things to Do in Downtown Chattanooga (2024)

    FAQs

    Does Chattanooga have a walkable downtown? ›

    Chattanooga has an incredibly walkable downtown and offers additional great ways to get around the city. So, ditch the car and ride the shuttle, walk, or easily rent a bike for the day as you enjoy Chattanooga.

    How many days should you spend in Chattanooga? ›

    As you can see, there's SO much to do in Chattanooga that one weekend would never be enough to see it all. You can customize your 3-day Chattanooga itinerary based on what interests you.

    Is Chattanooga famous for anything? ›

    We're home to the nation's first and largest military park, the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park; Ross's Landing on the riverfront, a Cherokee removal site now memorialized by The Passage; a digital and electronic map displaying the battle of Lookout Mountain at Battles for Chattanooga; the National ...

    What is the best side of Chattanooga? ›

    If you're relocating to the area and looking for the best places to live near Chattanooga, take a look at these areas/communities:
    • Lookout Mountain, TN and Lookout Mountain, GA.
    • North Chattanooga/Riverview/Stuart Heights.
    • Ooltewah.
    • Red Bank.
    • Signal Mountain.
    • Soddy Daisy.
    • Southside.
    • St. Elmo and Lookout Valley.

    Is Chattanooga Riverwalk safe at night? ›

    Yes, we feel very safe about walking around the riverwalk and to the walking bridge that goes over the river. There are some restaurants close to the riverwalk, but the majority we have found are on the main streets that the buses go on.

    How long is the Chattanooga Riverwalk? ›

    Spanning 16.1 miles along the southern banks of the Tennessee River, with additional legs stretching into Chattanooga and beyond, the paved path lets you immerse yourself in nature, culture, and cuisine all in one family-friendly adventure.

    What is the most walkable part of Chattanooga? ›

    Downtown

    Downtown is the most walkable neighborhood in Chattanooga, with a Walk Score of 69. Known for its vibrant city life, residents and visitors alike can explore the area and take advantage of its walkable layout. Notable attractions include the Tennessee Aquarium and the Chattanooga Riverwalk.

    Why do people love Chattanooga? ›

    A: People are drawn to Chattanooga for its affordable living, scenic beauty, local culture, and growing job opportunities in diverse sectors like technology and healthcare.

    Can you walk downtown Chattanooga with alcohol? ›

    Having an alcoholic beverage is prohibited in public spaces — like streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and schools — unless “a temporary beer permit issued by the Beer Board of the City” or “...a special occasion license issued by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission” has been given, according to Sec. 5-87.

    What food is Chattanooga, Tennessee known for? ›

    MoonPies were invented in Chattanooga. For those unfamiliar, MoonPies are graham cracker marshmallow sandwiches covered entirely in melted chocolate. The name originated when a local coal miner asked a traveling salesman for a snack "as big as the moon" at the beginning of the 20th century.

    Is Chattanooga safe during the day? ›

    Crime and Public Safety as Major Issues

    A third of Chattanooga residents feel unsafe when shopping, even during the daytime. Just over a fifth feel unsafe in their local park (Figure 3). This is by no means a purely partisan issue. For example, half of Democrats say they feel unsafe downtown at night (Figure 4).

    Who is the most famous person from Chattanooga? ›

    Chattanooga's famous alumni
    • Bessie Smith. Born in 1894. Known for: Singing the blues.
    • Dennis Haskins. Born in 1950. Known for: “Saved by the Bell”
    • Lori Petty. Born in 1963. ...
    • Leslie Jordan. Born in 1955. ...
    • Samuel L. Jackson. ...
    • Reggie White. Born in 1961. ...
    • Terrell Owens. Born in 1973. ...
    • Usher. Born in 1978.
    Nov 25, 2019

    Where can I walk around in downtown Chattanooga? ›

    Miles of paved running pathways starting in downtown and extending to Chickamauga Dam. Great place to stroll in downtown Chattanooga, soak in the river views, access the Passage, Walnut Street Bridge, Ros...

    What is the richest part of Chattanooga? ›

    The ZIP codes with the highest household incomes in the Chattanooga area were: 1. Lookout Mountain, Tennessee — ZIP code 37350, with a median household income of $130,446 and 59.3% of households earning more than $100,000.

    Does Chattanooga have a downtown? ›

    Explore. That's right - Downtown Chattanooga has been voted the “Best Outdoor City” TWICE! Additionally in Downtown, you'll discover the Tennessee Aquarium, Double-A baseball and professional league soccer teams along with the Chattanooga Market and much more!

    How to get around Chattanooga without a car? ›

    To get around downtown, use the free Electric Shuttle. It has two routes: Downtown and North Shore. The Downtown service runs from Shuttle Park North (by the aquarium) through the downtown area to Shuttle Park South on Market Street, next to the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

    How long does it take to go through Rock City Chattanooga? ›

    When visiting Rock City, most people plan on 1-1/2 to 2 hours. However, since the tour is self-guided, you can spend as long as you like walking through the gardens, relaxing in a rocking chair while enjoying the breathtaking views, having a bite to eat at one of our restaurants, and browsing the various gift shops.

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Barbera Armstrong

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6372

    Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

    Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Barbera Armstrong

    Birthday: 1992-09-12

    Address: Suite 993 99852 Daugherty Causeway, Ritchiehaven, VT 49630

    Phone: +5026838435397

    Job: National Engineer

    Hobby: Listening to music, Board games, Photography, Ice skating, LARPing, Kite flying, Rugby

    Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.