Begin your exploration of Chattanooga with a visit to the magnificent Ruby Falls. This 145-foot underground waterfall is an impressive and unique natural wonder. The journey takes you through a stalagmite-filled cave before you reach the falls. Make sure to bring comfortable shoes and expect to spend at least two hours exploring. The tour guides are knowledgeable and will provide you with fascinating historical and geographical insights. The cave is dimly lit so you can focus better on the spectacular waterfall. For a memorable experience, try the Lantern Tour for a guided tour under the romantic light of lanterns.
After an inspiring morning at Ruby Falls, take a short drive to the Tennessee River to enjoy a nice lunch with beautiful views. The various establishments offer a wide variety of food options to suit your preferences, from delicious BBQs, sandwiches to seafood, and cold drinks. Some of the best choices include The Boathouse, a seafood joint that serves mud pies for desserts; the Public House, which has a beautiful riverside patio; and Puckett's Grocery, a historic building that transforms into an upscale eatery, which serves authentic southern-style cuisine.
Spend your second day of the trip exploring Lookout Mountain. Home to fascinating American Civil War stories, epic beauty sights, and enchanting hiking trails. You'll find numerous activities all year round. Among the must-visit sites include Rock City Gardens, Incline Railway and Point Park. Start with Rock City Gardens with its beautiful natural rock formations, before taking the Incline Railway to the top of Lookout Mountain to the Point Park, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Chattanooga from above. The Incline Railway is an attraction in itself, being one of the world's steepest railways.
Chattanooga offers a variety of transportation options for tourists, including public buses, rideshares, and car rentals. However, the most convenient option for visiting all the attractions is by renting a car. Chattanooga is easy to navigate, and almost all the tourist attractions are a short distance from downtown, where hotels are concentrated. The total transportation costs to visit all of the attractions will be around $50.
If you have more time, you may want to explore other attractions in Chattanooga, such as the Hunter Museum of American Art, the Chattanooga Zoo, Walnut Street Bridge, and Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Conversely, If you only have one day, choose one of the attractions featured above and spend more time exploring its depth.
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) is the airport serving the city. It is located four miles east of downtown Chattanooga, and the distance from the center of the city to the airport usually takes 15-20 minutes by car or rideshare. The airport offers flights from major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines to popular destinations like Charlotte, Atlanta, and Chicago.