Destination: Chattanooga

Located in Southeast Tennessee, this thriving metropolis is also a hub for outdoor tourism and has a great landing spot for amphibious aircraft: the Tennessee River.

Sara Withrow

Friday, September 02, 2022 at 02:41 PM ET

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The Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge connects the Northshore District to downtown Chattanooga. It is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world. [Photo: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Chattanooga has transformed from a historic railway hub into a modern, thriving metropolis recognized for its vibrant outdoor tourism and urban appeal.
The city offers extensive outdoor recreational opportunities, including paddling on the Tennessee River Blueway, world-class fishing on Chickamauga Lake, whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River, hiking, and rock climbing in the surrounding mountains and gorges.
Beyond its natural attractions, Chattanooga boasts a rich cultural scene with museums, a renowned aquarium, unique dining, a lively nightlife, and significant historical sites, including Civil War battlefields and the iconic Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel.

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Chattanooga, Tennessee, has changed a lot since the song “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” recorded by the Glenn Miller Band in 1941, put it on the world map. Known then as a railway and steamboat shipping hub—its Terminal Station was the first railway station in the South—today, Chattanooga is an outdoor tourism destination and a thriving metropolis.

The city’s redeveloped riverfront and downtown beckon you to travel its scenic pathways and bridges along the Tennessee River—one reason it was named “Best Town Ever” by Outside in 2015. With six neighborhoods, visitors enjoy unique dining, shopping, and attractions, which include the Chattanooga Lookouts minor league baseball team and the Tennessee Aquarium.