Chattanooga is located in the state of Tennessee in the eastern part of the United States. The city became known to the world after the release of the famous film “Sun Valley Serenade” in 1941. Performed by the American Glenn Miller Jazz Orchestra, “Train to Chattanooga” became extremely popular. It is believed to have been the first “gold” record in recording history. In the city you can see the famous train station built in 1908, which today has been turned into a hotel. You should also take a trip to Mount Lookout to see the main attractions – Rock City Gardens with a 27-meter waterfall, 55-meter suspension bridge and the cliff “Lovers’ Leap”; Ruby Falls underground waterfall, which spews its water with a noise from a height of 44 m; passenger railroad with the steepest angle of elevation in the world – 72.2%.
What a tourist should do in Chattanooga
- Explore the three main attractions of Mount Lucout – Rock City Gardens, Ruby Falls (America’s largest underground waterfall), and the Incline Railroad. The latter is literally the steepest in the world, as it climbs up Mount Lucaut at a 72% grade. You can buy a single ticket to all three places.
- Treat yourself to a bottle of fine spirits and a tour of Chattanooga Whisky, the first distillery to open in the city in a century. Before Prohibition, the region was famous for its distilleries. And in 2015, Chattanooga Whisky was the first to embark on a journey to regain its former glory. Its guests will be treated to an interesting tasting tour.
- Succumb to the allure of the Bluff View Arts District. Explore the iconic sculptures that adorn the landscape, grab a bite to eat at Rembrandt’s Coffee House, and see three iconic museums showcasing their treasures. River Gallery is famous for its stunning sculpture garden. The Houston Museum of Decorative Arts has a collection of rare Victorian art glass and antiques. The Hunter Museum of American Art features works by Ansel Adams, Elizabeth Catlett and Andy Warhol.
- See with your own eyes the famous Chattanooga Choo Choo, an old train station converted into a hotel. Here you can even book unique sleeping quarters – furnished and converted railroad cars.
- Test your strength and courage while rock climbing. Chattanooga is the perfect place for this, thanks to the sandstone cliffs that surround it. In addition, the city has a High Point Climbing, which is one of the ten largest in the United States. Another place to practice is the High Point Climbing, which has 30 runs. It is built on the piers of the famous Walnut Street Bridge, an important historic landmark.
- Spend a day interacting with underwater life at one of the largest freshwater aquariums in the world, the Tennessee Aquarium, which opened in Chattanooga in 1992. It is famous for its most interesting exhibits – River Journey and Ocean Journey.
- A visit to the Chattanooga Zoo is the perfect complement to a visit to the aquarium. It is home to dozens of species of the world’s most exotic animals on an area of 52609 m². A special pride of the zoo is the Himalayan Passage area, which is home to many red pandas.
- Embark on one of the most exciting cruises on the Tennessee River on the legendary Southern Belle. Built in 1985, it faithfully reproduces the exterior and interiors of late 19th century American steamboats. The program includes great views of the city, lunch and entertainment. Those more drawn to the history and nature of the region will appreciate the leisurely journey from Chattanooga Pier to the scenic Tennessee River Gorge aboard the River Gorge Explorer. Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, interesting narration by an experienced guide, and plenty of enjoyable experiences.
- Find out why the Chattanooga Craft Market is called one of the best in the country. It’s open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the First Horizon Pavilion. More than 200 vendors offer visitors art, handmade jewelry, earthenware, natural cosmetics, local produce, clothing, wood furniture and more.
