How to Spend 2 Days in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee

~Carmen

While you could easily spend a whole week exploring Chattanooga and its surrounding natural beauty, our visits have normally been for weekend getaways. Being just 5 hours from our home in Memphis, it is a great destination for a quick 2-day romantic, or family-fun escape!

Chattanooga is located in southeast Tennessee along the Tennessee River and is at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The name Chattanooga came from a Native American word meaning “rock coming to a point.” One view of Lookout Mountain, located on the border of Tennessee and George, will show you immediately why Chattanooga was given that name.

How to Spend 2 Days in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Day 1 in Chattanooga- Lookout Mountain Area

Outside magazine’s readers has named Chattanooga “Best Town Ever” and for good reason. It is an outdoor lover’s utopia! No trip to Chattanooga is complete without exploring the area that gave Chattanooga its name. Because of its mountain ridges and strategic location between Atlanta and Nashville, Chattanooga was prime real estate for both the Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War.

Incline Railway- This is one of those activities, that you need to experience at least once, especially if you have children. On our last road trip, even though I’ve been on the Incline Railway several times, I had to take Joe! The 1 mile (1.6 km) railway was built over 100 years ago in 1895. With an incline that reaches up to 72%, it gives you a fantastic view of Chattanooga and the surrounding landscape.

At the top of the railway is an observation tower, gift shop (with delicious fudge), and you’re just a short 5-minute walk from Point Park, which is part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Once you are back down the railway, take some time to explore the historic St. Elmo neighborhood. My girls love Mr. T’s Pizza, which is on the opposite side of the street, facing the Incline Railroad.

Address: 3917 St. Elmo Avenue

Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-7pm

Admission: $15 round trip, or do like we did and buy a combination ticket for $49.90 that includes admission to the Incline Railway, Rock City, & Ruby Falls.

Incline Railway

Ruby Falls

Ruby Falls- I must admit that was my least favorite activity on our most recent trip to Chattanooga. Even though I’ve been to Chattanooga many times, this was my first visit to Ruby Falls. Ruby Falls is a 144 foot (44 m) tall natural waterfall that is located 1120 feet (341 m) below the earth’s surface.

One reason I had never been to Ruby Falls is that my daughter Rachel has a cave/underground phobia. If you don’t like tight spaces, don’t visit Ruby Falls. Not only are there some small cave walkways, but they also cram a lot of people in to see the waterfalls. That was my biggest dislike about the attraction. I felt like I was part of a large cattle herd being shuffled along.

Once you’re underground, it takes a while to get to the falls. The cave itself isn’t much to talk about. We’ve been in much more spectacular caves. However, the falls are absolutely beauty. It’s hard to believe that is exactly like it was discovered some 80 years ago. Of course they’ve added cool lighting effects, but that just amplifies the water’s majestic power. I’m glad I’ve finally seen Ruby Falls, but once is enough for me.

Address: 3917 St. Elmo Avenue

Hours: Daily 8am-8pm

Admission: $19.95 or combination ticket for $49.90 that includes admission to the Incline Railway, Rock City, & Ruby Falls.

Rock City- Rock City has been a public attraction since 1932. It is one of my favorite places to visit in Chattanooga, so I’ve been to Rock City numerous times. It was made famous largely in part due to the 900 “See Rock City” signs that were painted on the roofs of barns in over 19 different states from the 1930s-1960s.

Rock City mainly consists of trails that wind over and through massive boulders and native plants. This is a perfect place to let your kids stretch their legs and learn to appreciate the natural world.

Address: 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain, GA

Hours: Daily 8:30am-6pm

Admission: $19.95 or combination ticket for $49.90 that includes admission to the Incline Railway, Rock City, & Ruby Falls.

The man made waterfall is 140 feet (43 m) high. On our last visit, it was dyed green for St. Patrick’s Day.

Rock City Gardens

Joe “holding up” Balanced Rock

Aretha Frankensteins- For a delicious breakfast, lunch, or dinner, head to north Chattanooga to experience Aretha Frankensteins. Based on a friend’s recommendation, on our last visit to Chattanooga, we went for dinner to see if the pancakes were as good as described. They were! Have you ever since pancakes this fluffy? We even bought some of their pancake mix to take home.

Address: 518 Tremont Street

Hours: 7am-midnight.

Aretha Frankensteins–Great Pancakes!!!

Day 2 in Chattanooga- Downtown

Tennessee Aquarium- Rated as the best aquarium in America for overall guest satisfaction, the Tennessee Aquarium is a great way to spend a morning in Chattanooga. I love aquariums and have visited the Tennessee Aquarium several times, especially when rain has eclipsed our outdoor plans.

Housed in two separate buildings, River Journey and Ocean Journey, there’s something for everyone! Be prepared to spend several hours immersing yourself in fresh and salt water creatures, both big and small!

Address: One Broad Street

Hours: Daily 10am- 6pm

Admission: $29.95

Tennessee Aquarium

Shop Downtown- The downtown area is full of shops and restaurants, all within walking distance of the aquarium. One of our favorites (especially for Joe) is the Moon Pie General Store. Moon Pies have been produced in Chattanooga since 1929!

On Saturdays, the Chattanooga River Market holds an artist market right next to the Tennessee Aquarium. Another favorite, about a mile from the downtown area is the Sunday Market located in the First Tennessee Pavilion.

Get your Moon Pie fix at the Moon Pie General Store!

Walnut Street Bridge- The Walnut Street Bridge was built in 1890 to connect downtown Chattanooga to the northern shore of the Tennessee River. After sitting unused and in disrepair for several decades, the bridge was placed on the National Registry for Historic Places in 1990. The bridge has since been restored and turned into a pedestrian bridge. It is a great place to watch the sunset or cross the river to Coolidge Park. It’s dog friendly, too!

Walnut Street Bridge

View from the Walnut Street Bridge

Uncle Larry’s Hot Fish- For dinner on our latest trip to Chattanooga, we tried Uncle Larry’s for dinner. We went based on recommendations from friends and some locals. We love catfish, so it was a perfect choice for us! Portions are huge, so you might want to share (or not), and you have to try the “Smack-um Sauce!”

Address: 736 MLK Blvd
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 11am-7pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-8pm

Uncle Larry’s Hot Fish

Extra Time?

Want to spend some more time in the area? Check out the following sites not far from Chattanooga-

Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tour- 1 1/2 hours away, see Taking a Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tour
Nashville- 2 hours away, see How to Spend 4 Days in Nashville
Gatlinburg- 3 hours away, see How to Spend 2 Days in Gatlinburg
Whitewater Rafting- 1 1/2 hours away, see Whitewater Rafting on the Ocoee River
Fall Creek Falls- 1 1/2 hours away, see Tennessee Waterfalls Road Trip
Atlanta, George- 2 hours away, see 3 Days in Atlanta

Have you been to Chattanooga, Tennessee before? We’d love for you to add your thoughts and recommendations. Have any questions? Please ask by commenting below! Keep up with all of our travel, camping, and cycling tips by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Leave us your email (blue box at the bottom of the post) to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and never miss a post!