Chattanooga for a Mid-Range Trip

A mid-range Chattanooga trip is where the city really shines — the paid attractions here are genuinely good, and a comfortable downtown base puts you walking distance from the river and the aquarium.

The Tennessee Aquarium

Downtown on the river, the Tennessee Aquarium is the city's signature attraction — two buildings (River Journey and Ocean Journey), around 12,000 animals across some 800 species, and an IMAX 3D theater next door. Budget a half-day; it's a strong rainy-day anchor and a family favorite. See the aquarium guide below.

Lookout Mountain's Three Attractions

Just outside downtown, Lookout Mountain holds Rock City, Ruby Falls, and the Incline Railway — a mountaintop garden with a seven-state view, the tallest public underground waterfall in the country, and a 130-year-old railway up one of the steepest grades in the world. Combo tickets make a mid-range day of it.

Get on the River

Chattanooga is a river town, so get on the water — a sightseeing riverboat cruise on the Tennessee River is an easy mid-range add, and kayak or SUP rentals put you on the river for an afternoon. It's the best way to see the bridges and bluffs from below.

A Comfortable Base

Mid-range hotels concentrate downtown near the aquarium and riverfront, and in the walkable Southside near the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Both put you in easy reach of the food, the river, and the attractions without a long drive.