Chattanooga: A Comprehensive Guide For Travelers
Are you looking up ‘things to do near chattanooga,’ ‘things to do in chattanooga for adults,’ or just curious about things to do in chattanooga in general, then you are in the right place. Here in this guide, we will bring you some of the most iconic places that you need to visit, next time you are in the area. Let’s dive right in.
Why Visit Chattanooga?
Chattanooga is popularly lauded as a ‘Scenic City’ for its absolutely stunning geographic location. Nestled between the mountains of Southeast Tennessee and along the Tennesse River, it provides exalting scenic beauty and a perfect break from the urban monotony. However, things were not always so good for this place. At one point in time, the Department of Health named the city one of the most polluted in America. But, things did turn around for the city, as officials made sustainability their priority concern. This gave the city a much-needed moral and economic boost. All this was done while retaining the small-town feel of the city, which was the masterstroke.
Historically, Chattanooga played a major role. Chattanooga served as the battlefield of the historic Civil War. Subsequently, it played a seminal role in the Southern railway system in the 19th and 20th Centuries. And now, it is probably the only place in the mainland United States where citizens can access a 2 GB per second internet service.
Apart from the historical and technological advancements, this city has also been a haven for travelers. Boasting an insurmountable amount of attractions throughout the city, this is a place where you can kick back and enjoy a full day of activity. Whether you are a foodie, a solo traveler, or a tech tourist, here are some of the best things to do in Chattanooga.
Iconic Things To Do Near Chattanooga
Before we proceed further, with our list of things to do in Chattanooga, we would like to clarify that this place boasts countless activities for all kinds of travelers, so we decided to streamline the list to suit you better. Any place you visit, you are primarily concerned about the things to do. How to fill your days with activity. If you are planning to travel to Chattanooga, the city got you covered. In fact, travelers say that ‘boredom’ is an alien concept in Chattanooga. So sit back and let us educate you on the top three places that you can visit in Chattanooga this weekend.
Tennessee Aquarium
As of the time of writing this article, the Tennessee Aquarium is one of the world’s largest freshwater aquariums. Wow! This attraction is the crown jewel of the tourist attractions located in and around Chattanooga. It contributes a whopping $115 million to the city’s coffers. Therefore, as you can gather, it is not your run-of-the-mill fish tank with four goldfish and a stingray. It is a perfect spot if you are looking for things to do in Chattanooga with kids. The marine life hosted by the aquarium is surely going to mesmerize your young ones and further their curiosity.
The general theme of the aquarium is to record the journey of a raindrop. Therefore, you would come across two different exhibits effectively recording the aforementioned journey of a raindrop. The first is the River Journey exhibit. Here, you will come across river-based ecosystems and animals like otters, chirping birds, alligators, etc. The second is Ocean Journey. This exhibit follows the journey and lifestyle of marine animals like sharks, jellyfish, reef fish, etc.
Bluff View Art District
This is the perfect place to visit for winding up your day. After taking in the sights and sounds of what Chatanooga offers, this is a perfect place to de-stress and chill. The Bluff View Art District is located atop a hillock overlooking downtown Chattanooga and the Tenessee River. You can barely call it a neighborhood since it stretches across around one or one and a half blocks. But, do not underestimate its size. It is perfect if you want to stuff your face with good food after a tiring day.
Bluff View Art District is absolutely true to its name. Boasting three major pieces of art installations The River Gallery, The Houston Museum of Decorative Arts, and the Hunter Museum of American Art, along with countless public art installations. Moreover, this small district also hosts some of the most popular eateries in Chattanooga like the ever-famous, Tony’s Pasta Shop & Trattoria, and the iconic Rembrandt’s Coffee House. Therefore, gastronomic travelers, rejoice!
Ruby Falls
Sources suggest that Ruby Falls is one of the most popular attractions in the Lookout Mountain Area. Located just 2.5 miles from the Chattanooga city center, this is a mesmerizing place that would surely take your breath away. In fact, this was discovered by a local cave explorer named Leo Lambert accidentally. In an effort to build elevators for tourists, the excavators mistakenly drilled an 18-inch hole, which led to this amazing natural marvel that is rare to come by.
The Ruby Falls is located around 1,120 feet below the surface of Lookout Mountain. In fact, it is speculated to be America’s largest waterfall located underground. Lambert’s vision came true, as visitors can use elevators to descend into the depths of the cave and come face to face with the natural marvel that is hidden away from the world. Apart from the waterfall itself, there are guided tours like the Lantern Tour, where visitors would be guided through the caverns with help of lanterns, like the old times. Subsequently, you can also partake in zip-lining adventures and visit the lookout tower, therefore making the cave filled with activities to keep the visitors engaged.
Final Thought
There you go, a list of all the iconic things to do in Chattanooga next time you decide to visit the place. Since the place is filled with iconic things to do throughout your visit, it is practically impossible to bring you all the activities you can indulge in. Still, we did our best and brought to you three of the most iconic places that you need to visit. For more travel content, keep following this page.
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