Guidebook for Chattanooga
Food Scene
Mojo Burrito
3950 Tennessee AveWonderful and affordable burrito place right down the road!
Described as a funky-fusion taco bar. One of the more popular drop in restaurants in Chattanooga
132 locals recommend
Taco Mamacita
109 N Market StDescribed as a funky-fusion taco bar. One of the more popular drop in restaurants in Chattanooga
Probably our favorite place for brunch (only served on Sundays and opens at 10). Also a wonderful place to have dinner and sit outside at the foot of Lookout Mountain.
117 locals recommend
1885 Grill
3914 St Elmo AveProbably our favorite place for brunch (only served on Sundays and opens at 10). Also a wonderful place to have dinner and sit outside at the foot of Lookout Mountain.
Community Pie
850 Market StOur favorite local pizza place!
My husband's favorite restaurant in Chattanooga. Serves breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Saturday. Very popular. When you go, tell Joan Marie that Red sent you.
102 locals recommend
Bluegrass Grill
55 E Main StMy husband's favorite restaurant in Chattanooga. Serves breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Saturday. Very popular. When you go, tell Joan Marie that Red sent you.
Nestled in the North Chatt neighborhoods, Aretha's is a unique place to eat breakfast. Known for their legendary pancakes, Aretha's is one of the "local" places to go. Be prepared for long waits on the weekends, it is a very popular place.
79 locals recommend
Aretha Frankensteins
518 Tremont StNestled in the North Chatt neighborhoods, Aretha's is a unique place to eat breakfast. Known for their legendary pancakes, Aretha's is one of the "local" places to go. Be prepared for long waits on the weekends, it is a very popular place.
One of my two favorite places to eat in Chattanooga and serves fancy southern cuisine. Try the pot roast, it's probably the best dish in town.
68 locals recommend
Public House Restaurant
1110 Market StOne of my two favorite places to eat in Chattanooga and serves fancy southern cuisine. Try the pot roast, it's probably the best dish in town.
Probably my second favorite restaurant in town. The Boathouse is right off the Tennessee River with a wrap around porch where you can watch the river while you eat. Considered a rotisserie and raw oyster bar (the oysters are shipped in from the Gulf daily), the best thing on the menu is the Lotta Lotta Garlic Chicken.
113 locals recommend
Boathouse Rotisserie & Raw Bar
1459 Riverside DrProbably my second favorite restaurant in town. The Boathouse is right off the Tennessee River with a wrap around porch where you can watch the river while you eat. Considered a rotisserie and raw oyster bar (the oysters are shipped in from the Gulf daily), the best thing on the menu is the Lotta Lotta Garlic Chicken.
Arts & Culture
Chattanooga's largest art museum. Situated on a cliff overlooking the Tennessee River. Go to the museum and walk around the Bluff View. You can also grab a meal or coffee at the shops around it.
268 locals recommend
Hunter Museum of American Art
10 Bluff View AveChattanooga's largest art museum. Situated on a cliff overlooking the Tennessee River. Go to the museum and walk around the Bluff View. You can also grab a meal or coffee at the shops around it.
Entertainment & Activities
The Tennessee Aquarium focuses on the ecology of the Tennessee River and features the largest fresh water aquarium in the world. My husband could spend days in the aquarium, but it will probably take your family 3-5 hours if you visit both buildings. It's a true landmark for Chattanooga, and you won't be disappointed.
There are plenty of places to eat right around the aquarium.
481 locals recommend
Tennessee Aquarium
1 Broad StThe Tennessee Aquarium focuses on the ecology of the Tennessee River and features the largest fresh water aquarium in the world. My husband could spend days in the aquarium, but it will probably take your family 3-5 hours if you visit both buildings. It's a true landmark for Chattanooga, and you won't be disappointed.
There are plenty of places to eat right around the aquarium.
The other landmark on Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls is a 145 foot underground waterfall. Make a day of it and do Ruby Falls when you see Rock City!
410 locals recommend
Ruby Falls
The other landmark on Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls is a 145 foot underground waterfall. Make a day of it and do Ruby Falls when you see Rock City!
The Incline Railway (or just the Incline if you live here) is a very steep railway from that travels from the base of Lookout Mountain to the top. It has a grade of 72.7%. You can park at the bottom station, ride the Incline to the top, and the go to Ruby Falls and Rock City. They sell combo tickets to do all three.
249 locals recommend
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway station
3917 St Elmo AveThe Incline Railway (or just the Incline if you live here) is a very steep railway from that travels from the base of Lookout Mountain to the top. It has a grade of 72.7%. You can park at the bottom station, ride the Incline to the top, and the go to Ruby Falls and Rock City. They sell combo tickets to do all three.
Parks & Nature
Laurel-Snow State Natural Area is one of our favorite hikes around Chattanooga. The hike features two different waterfalls. The hike begins fairly easy and flat, allowing you to walk along a creek for about 1.5 miles. To reach either waterfall, you will have to climb some switch backs. Both waterfalls also feature sport climbing areas.
It can be hard to find for some people. Use rootsrated.com for a better explanation of how to get there:
https://rootsrated.com/chattanooga-tn/hiking/laurel-snow
11 locals recommend
Laurel Snow State Natural Area
1098 Pockett Wilderness RoadLaurel-Snow State Natural Area is one of our favorite hikes around Chattanooga. The hike features two different waterfalls. The hike begins fairly easy and flat, allowing you to walk along a creek for about 1.5 miles. To reach either waterfall, you will have to climb some switch backs. Both waterfalls also feature sport climbing areas.
It can be hard to find for some people. Use rootsrated.com for a better explanation of how to get there:
https://rootsrated.com/chattanooga-tn/hiking/laurel-snow
In a town surrounded with a lot of natural beauty, Lula Lake stands out. It's one of the most beautiful places in the entire southeast. To preserve the beauty, the property is only open on "Open Gate" days, which is typically the first and last Saturday of the month. We can encourage you enough, if you are in Chattanooga on one of the days it is open, take the time to go to Lula Lake and hike the trails there. It's free but donations are encouraged.
https://rootsrated.com/chattanooga-tn/hiking/lula-lake
77 locals recommend
Lula Lake Land Trust
5000 Lula Lake RdIn a town surrounded with a lot of natural beauty, Lula Lake stands out. It's one of the most beautiful places in the entire southeast. To preserve the beauty, the property is only open on "Open Gate" days, which is typically the first and last Saturday of the month. We can encourage you enough, if you are in Chattanooga on one of the days it is open, take the time to go to Lula Lake and hike the trails there. It's free but donations are encouraged.
https://rootsrated.com/chattanooga-tn/hiking/lula-lake
Drinks & Nightlife
Local hole in the wall pub with live music and a style all it's own. It will provide you with one of the more unique nights of your life.
17 locals recommend
J J's Bohemia
231 E M L King BlvdLocal hole in the wall pub with live music and a style all it's own. It will provide you with one of the more unique nights of your life.
Wonderful little bar located near the University. Expect a younger crowd, but a very friendly atmosphere.
91 locals recommend
The Bitter Alibi
825 Houston StWonderful little bar located near the University. Expect a younger crowd, but a very friendly atmosphere.
One of the most beautiful buildings in Chattanooga, the Flying Squirrel is a great place to grab a drink. They also serve lunch and dinner and brunch on the weekends.
196 locals recommend
Flying Squirrel
55 Johnson StOne of the most beautiful buildings in Chattanooga, the Flying Squirrel is a great place to grab a drink. They also serve lunch and dinner and brunch on the weekends.
OddStory Brewing Company
1604 E M L King BlvdLocal brewery, bar and restaurant.
This is literally an old school, coin operated arcade. Not really a kid friendly place, but if you are looking for nostalgia, this place has it.
11 locals recommend
The Coin-Op Arcade
1400 Market StThis is literally an old school, coin operated arcade. Not really a kid friendly place, but if you are looking for nostalgia, this place has it.