The Perfect Weekend in Chattanooga- The Adventuring Millennial

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, Chattanooga is my favorite city in Tennessee.

I know, Nashville is Tennessee’s hot spot right now. And Memphis offers some delicious food + plenty of history. But Chattanooga is a special gem that often gets overlooked.

What makes Chattanooga so special? Where should I begin! If you want to get outside, this is the place to be. Chattanooga (aka Scenic City) is surrounded by mountains that are crossed with hiking and biking trails. The Tennessee River flows through the heart of the city, meaning you can kayak or paddleboard past many of the city’s iconic spots. It’s really no wonder that Chattanooga was the first city to win Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Live competitive TWICE!

Besides all of the outdoor adventures, Chattanooga is a great place for foodies. Stroll along Northshore to sample some of the city’s best eats (don’t knock hot dogs until you try this Chattanooga institution). And please don’t leave before you get a scoop of chocolate chocolate chunk ice cream from Clumpies!

When you are in Chattanooga, you will feel a warm, Southern hospitality that doesn’t seem forced or over-the-top. Locals are welcoming, friendly, and always up for an outdoor adventure.

Ok, have I professed my love for Chattanooga enough? What can I say, I went to college & got married in this city. It holds a pretty special place in my heart. Ready to check it out for yourself? Keep reading for my complete guide to a Weekend in Chattanooga. I love this city and before creating this guide, I spent a long time thinking about what I would tell a first-timer to do with 48 hours in Chattanooga. I spent years discovering the best things this city had to offer and I’m so excited to share my itinerary with you! Let’s get started. Next stop: the ‘noog!

The Perfect Weekend in Chattanooga Guide

Where to Stay

As you guys probably know by now, I am a budget traveler. I look for deals on Priceline Express, hotels.com, and Airbnb before booking my place to stay. Luckily for me (and all the other budget travelers), Chattanooga is a pretty inexpensive place to visit.

Unfortunately, some people have the impression that Chattanooga isn’t safe. I can say during the 4 years I lived in this city, I never felt unsafe or in danger. Of course, like with anywhere you travel, remember to be smart and research where to stay before going.

Wondering where to stay during a weekend in Chattanooga? Here are the four neighborhoods I recommend:

North Shore– This is my top pick! This neighborhood sits along the Tennessee River and features multiple parks, the pedestrian bridge and plenty of delicious eateries.
Downtown– Another great pick. Downtown is pretty lively (but in a family-friendly way). Here you will find the Tennessee Aquarium, a unique rock climbing wall, and some great restaurants.
Bluff View– Romantics will enjoy staying in this quaint art district. Spend a leisurely morning at Rembrandt’s Coffee House before checking out the Hunter Museum of Art. The historic bed & breakfasts in this neighborhood are perfect for a couple’s weekend.
Southside Historic District- Plenty of visitors want the experience of staying in the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel. And who can blame them?! This hotel used to be a train terminal and now operates as a tourist destination complete with a hotel, upscale shopping, bars, and great restaurants.

How to Get Here

Chattanooga is accessible by flying, driving, or taking a bus.

The Chattanooga Airport is pretty small and I honestly haven’t used it before. But, I’ve heard of people getting some great flight deals in and out of here, so it’s worth checking before your trip.

Chattanooga is serviced by both Megabus and Greyhound, so consider taking a bus if you want to save some money on transportation. Otherwise, you will need to get to the city by driving. Luckily, the city is pretty easy to navigate and it’s not too hard to find parking in the city. It is a quick drive from some major cities, like Atlanta (2-hour drive), Nashville (2.5-hour drive), and Birmingham (2.5-hour drive).

Transportation in Chattanooga

To get around Chattanooga, it’s best to have a car (or to use car-sharing services). Unfortunately, public transportation options are limited in this city.

Chattanooga does offer a bus service known as CARTA. You can learn more about the routes and schedules on their website.

Many areas of Chattanooga are very walkable. You can easily get around downtown, Northshore, and Bluff View on foot. The city is very pedestrian-friendly and many of the main sites are within walking distance of each other. You can also rent a bike with Bike Chattanooga, the city’s bike-sharing service. A day pass costs $8 or you can get a 3-day pass for $15.

Fun Fact

Chattanooga has many different nicknames. Scenic City, Gig City (the city has some of the fastest internet service in the country), Nooga, ‘noog, Chattown are just a few that immediately come to mind!

Day 1

Ready to kick off your weekend in Chattanooga? Here we go!

Breakfast: Rembrandt’s Coffee House

Start your day with a relaxing breakfast in the Bluff View Art District. Rembrandt’s is a popular and cozy cafe with a large, shaded outdoor patio. Enjoy a coffee and pastry or order a more filling breakfast off their full menu.

My picks: Mocha & a pastry (we’re on vacation, right?!)

Hunter Museum of American Art

After a leisurely breakfast, head to the nearby Hunter Museum. This large art museum includes 3 very different buildings. The main entrance is located in the modern building, which overlooks the Tennessee River (walk to the left of the entrance for an overlook with a great view of the pedestrian bridge). The second section of the museum is housed in a historic 1904 classic revival mansion. The last wing is housed in an interesting brutalist building.

Even if you don’t decide to go into the museum, it is worth a stop to take in the three very different buildings.

Explore the Art District + Walk Across the Walnut Street Bridge

After visiting the museum, take in the rest of the Bluff View Art District. This neighborhood is located on a bluff above the Tennessee River and provides some of the best views in the city. Around the museum, you will find art galleries, gardens, and outdoor sculptures.

When you are ready, it’s time to make your way across the Walnut Street Bridge. This pedestrian-only bridge is one of Chattanooga’s main iconic sites. Stroll across the blue bridge and enjoy the views of the Tennessee River and Cooledge Park.

Once you get across the bridge you will be in the North Shore neighborhood. This area is filled with some of my favorite eateries in the city. If you are ready, it’s time to grab lunch at Good Dog!

Lunch: Good Dog

If you are thinking that hot dogs aren’t your thing, don’t scroll past just yet. This Chattanooga institution has been serving “hot dogs for all” since 2008. Here you can enjoy all-beef hot dogs, chicken sausages, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes. Plus, you have to try the frites. These Belgian-style fries dipped in the delicious frite sauce is worth the trip to Chattanooga! (Pro tip: ask about the special Sriracha frite sauce).

Good Dog is a funky eatery with mish-mashed decor and plenty of Chattanooga charm. Enjoy your lunch in the cafe or take your food to the nearby Coolidge Park. Honestly, if you want to go to Good Dog twice during your weekend in Chattanooga I totally get it.

My picks: A Good Dog with onions, ketchup, dog dust, and frite sauce + a side of frites

Relax in Coolidge Park + Get Clumpies!

Do as the locals do and spend some time in Coolidge Park. I’ve spent hours of my life lounging in the beautiful park. Bring a soccer ball or frisbee. Or, lounge in a hammock or on a picnic blanket. This park sits under the shadow of the Walnut Street Bridge and is the perfect place to relax.

When you are ready for dessert, head back towards the North Shore shops for the best ice cream in the city. Clumpies is one of my all-time favorite dessert shops (it was served at my rehearsal dinner!). During the summer, be prepared to wait in line before getting the chance to order. But don’t worry, that will give you more time to study the menu and enjoy the smells of freshly baked waffle cones.

My pick: Chocolate Chocolate Chunk in a waffle cone

Visit Sunset Rock

One of the best ways to end an afternoon in Chattanooga is with a visit to Sunset Rock. This gorgeous overlook on Lookout Mountain (one of the two in the city) is popular with locals and UTC college students. You can easily reach this overlook by parking in the lot on West Brow Drive (which does fill up) and following the 0.1-mile trail to the overlook. If you need to look for overflow parking, head to the Cravens House. For more of a hike, take the 3-mile round trip loop from Cravens House to Sunset Rock and back.

Dinner: Universal Joint

For dinner, make your way to Universal Joint. This neighborhood-favorite spot serves Tex-Mex and American diner classics in a revamped service station. This is a great spot to go if the weather is nice. Sit on the outdoor patio to enjoy the sunset and a round or two of corn hole.

My picks: Sunset Dip & Salsa and Southwest Chicken Quesadilla

If the weather isn’t great or you want something a bit nicer, consider Tony’s Pasta Shop & Trattoria. This upscale Italian eatery is back in the Bluff View Art District and is a popular date night spot.

Drinks: Flying Squirrel

If you want to end the night with drinks, head to the 21+ bar Flying Squirrel. They have a great selection of draft beers + plenty of creative cocktails to choose from. Check the events calendar online to see if there will be live music when you are there.

For a few other evening alternatives, consider taking a Ghost Tour if you want to get spooked while also learning about Chattanooga’s history. Or, check the Chattanooga Lookouts schedule and spend the evening cheering on the local minor league team.

Alright, that was a pretty full day! Get some rest before part 2 of your weekend in Chattanooga starts!

Day 2

Breakfast: Aretha Frankensteins

Ready to start your second day of your weekend in Chattanooga? Start your morning with a stop at the quirky Arethra Frankensteins for some crave-worthy pancakes. This eatery is located in a North Chattanooga house + patio (it’s a very classic Chattanooga restaurant). On the weekends, this popular and tiny brunch spot fills up. So come early or be prepared to wait. But, the pancakes are worth the wait (Rachel Ray agrees!)

If you fall in the love with the pancakes, you can bring home a box or two of the mix to make them again at home!

My picks: Slim Stack of pancakes with chocolate chips

Visit the Aquarium

The Ultimate Weekend in Chattanooga, Tennessee- The Adventuring Millennial

I don’t usually recommend aquariums or zoos, so this suggestion might seem a bit out of the ordinary. But hear me out, the Tennessee Aquarium is a huge part of Chattanooga. This aquarium opened in 1992 and helped to completely revitalize downtown Chattanooga and the city’s waterfront. This area was much seedier back in the day and honestly, without the aquarium, we might not be talking about Chattanooga as a tourist destination right now. The aquarium really had that big of an impact on the city!

Besides the history, the Tennessee Aquarium is just pretty dang cool! There are two buildings that make up the aquarium: The River Journey and the Ocean Journey. (Tickets cover both buildings). The aquarium is home to hundreds of species including otters, penguins, frogs, sharks, turtles and more. If nothing else, at least check out the architecture of the aquarium. The glass-roofed structures are major Chattanooga landmarks.

Explore the Chattanooga Choo Choo

So if you don’t already, you will now have the Chattanooga Choo Choo song stuck in your head. You’re welcome.

The Chattanooga Choo Choo is a historic hotel located in the site of a former train station. Guests can stay in the former station or in an old Pullman train car. Even if you are not staying at this hotel, spend some time exploring the lobby and checking out the old trains.

Around the hotel, there are some great shops and eateries. Check out Warehouse Row for some upscale boutiques or shop around Main Street for local and vintage items.

Lunch: Terminal Brewhouse or Frothy Monkey

For lunch, enjoy a meal at the nearby Terminal Brewhouse. Here you can enjoy a selection of delicious lunch offerings, like pizza, burgers, and salads. Plus, they are a brewhouse, so you can enjoy a variety of brews with your meal.

If you want something a little lighter, check out the Frothy Monkey Coffeehouse. This spot is connected to the Chattanooga Choo Choo’s lobby. This large, airy coffee house has a full menu of brunch and lunch options like salads and soups.

My picks: I’ve only had breakfast at the Frothy Monkey, but I would pick the Gail Salad (Mixed greens, grilled chicken breast, feta, avocado, cucumbers, walnuts, lemon garlic vinaigrette with a strawberry)

Get Outdoors

After lunch, spend the rest of your afternoon outdoors. Chattanooga was voted one of the best places to live by Outside Magazine for a reason! There are so many options for spending time outside during a weekend in Chattanooga. Here are a few of my favorites:

Go for a hike– Signal Mountain and Lookout Mountain both offer plenty of great hiking trails. One of the best (and shorter) options is the Rainbow Lake Trail.
Rent a kayak or paddleboard– Spend some time on the water. Stop by the L2 Outside shop to rent equipment or to book a guided tour.
Go for a swim– In the summer, The Blue Hole at the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge is a popular place to cool off. After less than a 1-mile hike, you will reach the natural swimming area.
Slide down cardboard hill– This small hill near Coolidge Park is a favorite with families and college kids. Bring some cardboard (or you will likely find some pieces scattered around the hill), climb to the top, and slide down. Pure, simple fun!
Stroll along the River Walk– This greenway is 13 miles long and offers some great views of the Tennessee River.

Dinner: Lupi’s or Taco Mamacita

After a full day, you’ve earned dinner at one of the city’s best pizza spots. I loved Lupi’s when I was in college and I highly recommended making this a stop during your weekend.

Another great option is Taco Mamacita. This lively Tex-Mex spot is also a great place to enjoy a margarita.

My picks: Enchiladas Suizas and a Pomegranate Margarita

End Your Evening with Music

If your night isn’t over yet, consider checking out the lineup at Songbirds. This venus is located near the Choo Choo and often hosts some great local talent.

I hope you enjoyed this weekend in Chattanooga guide. Depending on when you visit Chattanooga, there will probably be events, festivals, or concerts going on. It seems like this city is always hosting an event. The Chattanooga Market is open on Sundays from 11-4 and here you can sample some of the city’s best eats + usually hear some live music. And speaking of music, Nightfall is an annual summer music festival that draws thousands to the city.