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Things to see and do in Chattanooga

Things to see and do in Chattanooga: When we have guests visit us in Atlanta, the first place we take them to is Chattanooga. Chattanooga is a town that is only 1/10th (if that) the size of Atlanta, but thanks to inspired leadership and a bucolic setting surrounded by small mountains, has 10 times more to do.

Chattanooga has so many things to see. Here is a partial list:

1. Rock City; it's overpriced, but worth doing at least once.
2. Ruby Falls - this cave and waterfall in a mountain is overpriced, but worth doing at least once.
3. Walk across the Walnut Street Bridge - the world's longest pedestrian bridge
4. Play in the large fountains and ride the Merry-go-Round at Coolidge Park
5. The Chattanooga Aquarium - book your tickets online and avoid the potentially long wait
6. The Chattanooga IMAX - right next to the Chattanooga Aquarium
7. Ride a horse carriage around Market Street from the Chattanooga Aquarium
8. Chattanooga offers hang gliding, spelunking and alpine sledding at Racoon Mountain
9. Visit Lookout Point Park at the top of Lookout Mountain
10. Hunter Museum of American Art - has a marvelous glass collection
11. Lookout Mountain Incline Railway

The following wonderful places are easy side-trips from Chattanooga

1. Chickamauga National Battlefield - one of the bloodiest battlefields of the Civil War
2. Missionary Ridge - also Civil War related
3. Lost Sea - underground cave with nice subterranean lake and boat rides
4. Cloudland Canyon

Chattanooga: Where to stay? I like the Holiday Inn (?) Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel. It's the beautiful old train station with about 10 tracks ending right there in the hotel. There are quite a few trains parked there permanently, including the famous Chattanooga Choo Choo itself that inspired the famous song "Pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo?" which earned Glenn Miller the first ever gold record. There are standard hotel style rooms - which are nothing exceptional except for the fact that they are right there - and they cost around $65/night. There are train wagon rooms right in the old trains. Each is half a wagon and they cost around $105/night. More places to sleep in Chattanooga are listed here.

Also be sure to make your first stop the Chattanooga Visitor's Center. See more photos here... Chattanooga Photos.