When You Can Only Spend One Day In Chattanooga Tennessee
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In 2018 Chattanooga Tennessee was named by Lonely Planets as the “Best in the U.S.” and “10 U.S. destinations you need to see”. The question is, is spending one day in Chattanooga Tennessee enough?
With so many outdoor adventures and attractions in and around the city await you, I admittedly say it’s not enough. Not to mention rows of museums, galleries, restaurants, and shopping opportunities. But, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Chattanooga in one day.
When we visited Chattanooga in mid June, that’s what we had: one day only. Our road trip schedule was tight, then we lost an hour when we got there, because Chattanooga is in Eastern Standard Time. We came from Huntsville, Alabama that is in Central Standard Time and the distance between the two cities is not even 2 hours! So we arrived slightly after 11 a.m. Chattanooga time.
As a family who prefers outdoor adventures and attractions, here are my 3 things to do in Chattanooga when you only have one day in the city.
Things to Do In Chattanooga: 3 Must-Do Outdoor Adventures and Attractions
POINT PARK BATTLEFIELD at LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN
Drive all the way to the top of Lookout Mountain for a magnificent view of Chattanooga. But that’s not all. Point Park is also the site of Civil War battle that oftentimes referred to as “The Battle Above The Clouds”. You will learn about the battle from the small museum down at the end of the park and the Visitor Center. Or, join the Walking Tours of Point Park with the ranger at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., or 4 p.m.
Point Park is a unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. So, admission is free with your National Park Pass. Or, $7 for adult visitor (16 and up) and FREE for 15 and younger. Open daily from 8.30 a.m to sunset, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Visitor Center (closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day.) Restrooms and picnic area are available, and pets are allowed in the park.
Address: 110 Point Park Road, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350.
Note: After reading a few posts about Chattanooga, we decided to skip the more famous Rock City and Ruby Falls. Both are crowded in the summertime and one blogger even said the queue to Ruby Falls was long and you will walk elbow to elbow. Besides, you will spend $$ per person. Four shaded, fenced kennels available with no charge on a first-come, first-serve basis though. In my opinion, it’s better to visit these places during low season.
CHICKAMAUGA NATIONAL MILITARY PARK
We decided to learn more about the Civil War during our road trip by visiting Chickamauga National Military Park. Our son just finished 6th grade, and soon he will learn about US History deeper. This park is actually in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, but only around 20 minutes from Chattanooga.
Take the Car Caravan Tours offered daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for a basic overview of the battle (we did the 2 p.m.). It lasts around two hours, and dogs are welcomed in the tour. Also, make sure you stop at the Visitor Center to view the exhibits and a film about the battles. On the opposite wing you will see an impressive large collection of military weapons.
There is no entrance fee to Chickamauga. The Visitor Center open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
Address: 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742.
Note: apply sunscreen and bug spray before the tour.
WALNUT STREET PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
Before the sun set, we drove to the north shore of Chattanooga to walk the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge. Erected in 1891, it is one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges. It is about half a mile long, connecting downtown Chattanooga and the north shore.
We joined locals and tourists walking along the bridge. Some with their dog like us, and some on their bikes. I spotted someone charging his phone on one of the electric outlets there. Haha…
When I looked down to the river, a group of people were doing SUP on the Tennessee River. I read about this activity when I searched about things to do in Chattanooga. Another note to myself, to do this next time we’re back in town.
I highly recommend this activity. You can walk all the way to the end or turn around half way, then sit on one of the benches waiting for the sunset. It’s really a wonderful experience.
Note: We arrived on the shore after 6 p.m., and found out the meter parking is stop charging after 6. We also stopped at Clumpies Ice Cream, but we think they didn’t taste special. (Maybe we ordered the wrong ones?) Our picky eater son tried a hot dog from Good Dog and he gave it a thumbs-up.
Before we crossed the bridge to the shore, we visited the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel on an old Terminal Station in downtown. When you walk in, you will feel like in a train depot without the crowds. Lobby will be on the left side with the gym behind it, and to the right is a bar. A beautiful building, but you can skip a visit to this hotel. Use the time to do other things. But, if you plan to spend a night or two in one of their train cars, I’m sure it will be a different experience.
A Few Notes On One Day In Chattanooga:
- One day in Chattanooga is not enough. Stay at least for a couple of days.
- Go to Chattanooga, Tennessee Visitors Bureau and dig in the information provided here. Use their suggestions for making your own itinerary.
- If you want to visit the popular attractions, like Ruby Falls, Rock City, or Incline Railway, buy the ticket online and make sure to visit when they just opened in the morning.
- If you drive to Chattanooga, stop at the Visitor Center before entering the city. Talk with the attendance for some locals tips. The attendance at the Visitor Center helped us flipping our itinerary. Instead of going to the bridge first, we went to Point Park because it’s just on the next exit after the center.
- It’s good to read a few blogs about Chattanooga to get reviews on places you want to visit. That way you know what to expect when you visit places of interest in and outside the city.
- Eat at local restaurants, skip the national chain as best you can.
Have you been to Chattanooga, Tennessee? How long did you stay there? If you have any suggestion for a one day visit, please leave it on the comments below for others to read. Thank you for stopping by and I really appreciate your help by spreading this article to your family and friends on your social media.
Enjoy Chattanooga! Enjoy traveling!
We have never spent any time in Tennessee. So good to know we should plan some time in Chattanooga. I would not have though this would make the Lonely Planet list of U.S. destinations. We love to start with a panoramic view so would definitely head up Lookout Mountain. We would certainly join the procession along the pedestrian bridge. Good tip to check for online tickets to key tourist sites in advance online.
We were surprised with what we saw in Chattanooga. Whenever we heard friends or families that would travel around the area, we always recommended them to visit Chattanooga.
Great tips about the Visitor’s Bureau. They always have the latest info and sometimes special deals on their website.
And locals tips that they don’t always put in their website.
I’ve only driven through Chattanooga, but next time, I’m gong to have to stop! I would prefer to spend numerous days there, like you mentioned, but at least 24-hours lets me get my toes wet on all the wonderful things Chattanooga has to offer! I love your tip about stopping at the visitors center. I think that’s so essential to get information from a local to really had to your trip and the authentic experience. They definitely are able to help you reorient yourself and figure out the best time schedule for your visit. I think I would be most excited to visit Point Park Battlefield. Not only is that view impeccable, I would really like to learn more about the Civil War and how it shaped history. I think it’s so important to learn about history so we don’t repeat our mistakes. I’d love to hear more about the local cafes that you ate at!
I agree with you about learning from history. Oh, if you like hiking, you might check the trail at the Point Park Battlefield. It will lead you to the top for enjoying sunset.
What a great post! I will definitely be referring back to this! Thanks 🙂
I’m glad you found this informative.
We spent one day there when we moved cross country, but we went to Ruby Falls and Rock City when it wasn’t super busy. I loved Chattanooga’s downtown, and I’ll check out these spots next time we visit!
So, we visited on the opposite season. I would like to check downtown Chattanooga more next time we go there.
Very cool! We use Chattanooga as our stopping point when we’re on our way to Florida, and it is great to read about a few highlights that we could fit into a short time in and around the city.
Yes! Try to fit in one or two of these recommendations.
I love the views here. The bridge is really pretty. I love the sight so much!
Surprisingly it’s so beautiful there! I never thought about it before.
I haven’t been out to Tenessee except once on a stopover at the airport in Nashville. I would love to visit here though. I love learning about the history of a place and it appears there is so much history there. So cool.
This is our first visit to this part of Tennessee and we were thinking about coming back. There are so much that we haven’t got to visit and do. And yes, the state is rich in history.
Wow! I would love to take a walk at the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge. It looks really beautiful and a nice place to take some photos.
Thank you for sharing this post. I totally agree with you that its ideal to stay in Chattanooga for a couple of days. There’s so much to see and do.
I will go back to the bridge again when we find ourselves in the city.
That is a lot to see in one day! I love it! Go big or go home! Looks like such a beautiful place, I have never been there!
When I think about the trip again, yes, we did see lots of things in a day. Actually, closer to half a day.
I have never heard about Chattanoonga until now.So, this post is quite an eye-opener for me. The views from the Point Park is indeed breathtaking. Being a military wife,Would definitely love to visit the miltary park for sure!
You will enjoy the military park for sure.
Chattanooga is really beautiful. Your article is a great guide. Thanks.
You are welcome!
I’ve never heard of Chattanooga but it seems lovely! I especially liked the Point Park Battlefield at Lookout Mountain, there’s such a great view from there, truly stunning! I’ll add Chattanooga to my bucket list right away!
I admitted it’s not as famous as some cities in the U.S., but you won’t be disappointed when visiting the city.
I love that you centered your guide around nature and being outdoors. Walking a place you get a much stronger experience and are able to fully place yourself in someone else’s shoes (especially a historic site). Chickamauga National Military Park sounds neat and right up my alley. Hopefully, I’ll be able to visit Chattanooga soon!
Yes, hopefully you’ll find yourself in Chattanooga soon!
Amazing that one can charge the mobile phone along the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge, talk about user friendly! Point Park provides such a great look out of the river and banks. This was interesting reading as I only heard of Chattanooga choo choo (the song) , was enlightening that this is an actual place!
Haha… everything is wonderful in Chattanooga choo-choo!
I haven’t been to Chattanooga, Tennessee. If I have seen this post earlier while I was in the US, I could have visited it. I am really amazed with the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge. It looks so pretty! I hope I can walk here too. It’s now in my bucket list!
Well, Chattanooga is happy to have you on your next visit to the U.S.
I love the view of Chattanooga from Point Park! Low season is always the best time to avoid the crowd. Chickamauga National Military Park is definitely an interesting place to learn more about the civil war, especially when you can see the collection of military weapons. A free entrance is a big bonus!
I love the view point from the Point Park, too. When I get to do it again, I will hike there and wait for sunset to come.
So the US is obviously on everyone’s bucket list, including mine. Marked this post for my future. I hope I also get to see someone charging their phone on the electric outlets on the bridge. Ruby falls sounds so cool, we have some good falls in the northeast of India. If you do check out the SUP on the Tennessee River, then would love to read about that too.
Oh, I will surely write about SUP in the Tennessee River when I get to do it.
Hmmm… you made me really curious about visiting Chattanooga. For one, it has an incredibly beautiful setting, but not only that. It also has some interesting attractions, like the site of Civil War battle.
You know what? We didn’t have expectations on what we would get from Chattanooga. The city surprised us, and we want to go back.
The view from Point Park is incredible! I think I would like to watch the sunset or sunrise from there. Also how pretty is the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge!?
I read it’s best to get to Point Park during sunset. There’s a hiking trail that you should take if you like hiking. Next time we must do this.
Aren’t they? We’re glad we decided to make a stop there even though it was only for a day.