Living in a city like Chattanooga means that one thing is certain: Your friends and family will always want to come visit you. After all, you’re a resident of the place that was named “Best Town Ever” twice. And while people who live elsewhere might worry about how to entertain out-of-towners, the biggest problem you’ll face is figuring out how to squeeze all the must-do activities into their visit. Here are a few ideas of great hotels that pair nicely with all the fun activities guests will get to do. Unless of course, you want them to stay with you. We know what you are thinking and that is exactly why we created this list!
Show Off The Views
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It’s called the Scenic City for a reason, so show your guests just how apt that name is. Head to the top of Lookout Mountain to soak in the infamous 7 States View at Rock City, at the top of the tower at Ruby Falls, or one of the easy-to-get-to overlooks such as Sunset Rock, Snooper’s Rock, Signal Point, and Stringer’s Ridge.
Have Fun With the Kids
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The great thing about Chattanooga’s kid-friendly activities is that they’re equally fun for adults. Take the kiddos to marvel at the Tennessee Aquarium, scale the rock walls at High Point Climbing & Fitness, feed the giraffes at the Chattanooga Zoo, or splash around in the Riverplay exhibit at the Creative Discovery Museum for children.
Explore the Outdoors
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Show those out-of-towners what Chattanooga is all about by taking them to one of the incredible waterfalls such as Foster Falls or Cloudland Canyon; hiking to scenic overlooks including Sunset or Snooper’s Rocks; paddling on the Tennessee River downtown or the incredibly scenic Tennessee River Gorge; or climbing and bouldering at Stone Fort, T-Wall, or Rocktown that all offer some of the top climbing in the country.
Explore Outdoor Art & The Walnut Street Bridge
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Chattanooga is known for its eclectic pieces of art—and some can be found in unexpected places. Check out all the incredible sculptures around the Hunter Museum of American Art, Bluff View Art District, Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, Passageways, and Main Terrain Park. Everyone who visits Chattanooga MUST cross the Tennessee River by walking across the Walnut Street Bridge to experience some of the best scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
Catch a Show
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Finding music, outdoor festivals, and holiday shows in Chattanooga is almost too easy. Take them to a Broadway show at Memorial Auditorium, a concert at The Signal, a great performance at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, or a restaurant offering live music during brunch. There’s also an awesome Motorcar Festival in October featuring vintage cars, races, and more.
Enjoy a Classy Cocktail
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Impress your visitors with an evening at one of Chattanooga’s most spectacular bars and local hotspots. Sip on a one-of-a-kind, exotic cocktail at Matilda Midnight at the Dwell Hotel, The Company speakeasy in The Kinley Chattanooga, Unknown Caller, or The Rosecomb. Or have your cocktail at a rooftop bar offering incredible views at Whiskey Thief or Paloma Bar de Tapas.
Chattanooga Travel Inspiration Magazine
A version of this story was previously published in the 2023 Fall & Winter edition of our Travel Inspiration Magazine.
