Accessible Chattanooga Itinerary

Day One

Day One Morning

Grab breakfast at Puckett's, where they serve up classic morning favorites like pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and omelets. Or go all out with one of their breakfast skillets. The skillet cinnamon roll (a massive cinnamon roll slathered in a cream cheese glaze) or Smoked Brisket Hash (beef brisket, peppers, and onions, served up on home fries with two sunny side eggs) will definitely fuel you for your morning adventure. 

Conveniently next door is your post-breakfast adventure, the Tennessee Aquarium. Spread out across two buildings--the River Journey and Ocean Journey--you're about to embark on a remarkable journey from the mountains to the sea. Highlights include river otters, touchable lake sturgeon and stingrays, penguins, a walk-through butterfly garden, a turtle nursery, and a spectacular immersive coral reef with sharks and more.

Day One Afternoon

Grab a slice (or salad, or calzone, or more!) at Lupi's Pizza Pies where they have a passion for pizza! Trust that your lunch will be made with only the freshest local ingredients (some even sourced from their very own Flying Turtle Farm) and served up with friendly service, colorful surroundings, and a hand-picked beer selection.

Spend your afternoon exploring the Hunter Museum of American Art. The museum showcases 100 years of architecture and houses the finest collection of American art in the Southeast. Their collection spans the history of American art from the colonial period to the present day and covers a wide variety of media including painting, sculpture, contemporary studio glass, and crafts. It also boasts diverse temporary exhibits and events!

Day One Evening

You won't even have to leave the Bluff View Art District to grab dinner. Located in the carriage house of a Victorian mansion, Tony's Pasta Shop and Trattoria features classic Italian cuisine in a casual atmosphere. The restaurant has gorgeous views of the Walnut Street Bridge, the Tennessee River, Maclellan Island, the surrounding mountains, and Coolidge Park.

Not ready to head back to the hotel just yet? Head to the Whiskey Thief rooftop bar at The Edwin Hotel to enjoy a cocktail with a view. Stop at JMac's Wine Bar, Chattanooga's wine destination with over 75 wines by the glass. Or snag a sweet treat from the Ice Cream Show at the south end of the Walnut Street Bridge.

Day Two

Day Two Morning

Start your day by grabbing breakfast in the Southside! Choose from Mean Mug Coffeehouse Southside or Niedlov's Bakery. Both are locally owned favorites featuring great patio spaces. Mean Mug offers a full espresso menu, drip coffee, Kyoto-style cold brew, and slow bar options. Their full breakfast and lunch menu is served all day featuring comfort food, diverse dietary options from vegan to paleo, and made-in-house baked items including cinnamon rolls, biscuits, muffins, and more. Niedlov's is a family-owned and operated wholesale bakery and retail cafe known for its delicious artisan breads. All bread and pastries are made by hand, from scratch, using centuries-old techniques and pure ingredients. 

Head to the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway's lower station for a ride up the mountain on the world's steepest passenger railway (with a 72.7% grade) and "America's Most Amazing Miles." You'll get to see spectacular panoramic views of the valley from the roof of the train, which can accommodate manual and electric wheelchairs/scooters. Your ticket is roundtrip, so when you're ready you can ride the Incline back down into St Elmo to your car!

Day Two Afternoon

Explore Rock City, known for its unique geological and botanical wonders. The Enchanted Trail features massive rock formations, a 140-foot waterfall that cascades down Lookout Mountain, and a panoramic view of seven states. Rock City is partially handicap accessible. Their entrance at Gardens Gateway leads to an ADA ramp and pathway. 

Enjoy lunch at Rock City's Cafe 7, a seasonal restaurant with a one-of-a-kind view of Lover's Leap. the menu has a variety of flavors, featuring chicken salad sandwiches, fried green tomatoes, BBQ nachos, and more.

Reserve an ASI Swincar Tour at Reflection Riding Arboretum Nature Center. You'll be exploring the trails of the nature center and up the side of Lookout Moutain with their SWINCAR e-Spider! The Swincar is a powerful and rugged four-wheeled electric vehicle designed for maximum safety, torque, and comfort; and it's adaptive and accessible for everyone. ASI is proud to be the exclusive distributor for North America--which also makes you one of the first to drive a Swincar in North America.

Day Two Evening

If it's baseball season, come out for an evening of fun and watch the Chattanooga Lookouts play ball at a riverfront stadium with incredible scenic views. The minor league baseball team is a member of the Southern League and is the AA Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Enjoy classic baseball snacks like hot dogs, peanuts, and ice-cold beer. Enjoy fireworks after every Friday night game!

Get a late-night bite at Agave & Rye with epic tacos and delicious handcrafted margaritas. Grab a sweet treat from Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream or Cold Stone Creamery. Or visit Chattanooga's Classic Arcade Pinball Museum, an interactive museum dedicated to nostalgia, history, science, and fun behind the fascinating game of pinball.

Day Three

Day Three Morning

Get a taste of New Orleans breakfast at Ruby Sunshine where there is nothing they won't put on an egg, where bacon is their muse, and their joy (drizzled with syrup) really stacks up. Ruby Sunshine's soulful menu features fried green tomatoes, shrimp & grits, french toast, a Spanish omelet, and more.

Catch a 65-minute train ride along the Missionary Ridge at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. This local trip begins at the Grand Junction Station and takes you over four bridges and through the pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel. After a 15-minute layover at the restoration shop in East Chattanooga (de-training is optional) you'll return to the station.

Day Three Afternoon

Soak in the iconic Chattanooga views from the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge. If all this adventure has worked up an appetite, join Whitebird for weekend brunch!  Conveniently located on the south end of the bridge, Whitebird's menu features regional flavors with locally sourced ingredients.

Day Three Evening

Spend your evening exploring the Chattanooga Choo Choo complex! Stop by Songbirds Guitar and Pop Culture Museum to learn all about this iconic instrument through play, immersive exhibits, and hands-on activities. See various rare vintage instruments as well as the stories and artists that brought them to life. There is an outdoor lift to get you to the main entrance and then an elevator takes you to the second-floor museum. Please call the museum for assistance. 

Options for food and drink abound. Within the Choo Choo complex visit Stir, Frothy Monkey, or Nic & Norman's for dinner. Visit Gate 11 Distillery and sample their small batch whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, absinthe, and agave. Catch a show at Comedy Catch. Or head down Station Street for dinner and drinks at The Flying Squirrel.

See some of this itinerary in action and more with Chelsea Bear's visit to Chattanooga!