Chattanooga, TN- A Weekend Getaway With Kids

How To Spend a Terrific Weekend In Chattanooga With Kids- A 3 Day Itinerary

Chattanooga has no shortage of things to do for the family and is an excellent choice for a family vacation. This 3 Day Chattanooga, TN itinerary covers a weekend, but you could easily spend more days exploring downtown and nearby recreation areas.

Because of its proximity to our hometown of Knoxville, TN, we’ve spent many weekends in this fun and entertaining city. We share everything you need to know to plan a fantastic family vacation- where to stay, favorite restaurants, and fun activities for the whole family.

Why We Love Chattanooga, TN With Kids

Chattanooga Is A Fun City With Plenty Of Things To Do With Kids

Sometimes all it takes is a weekend away from home to reconnect, recharge, and reset. Chattanooga, TN is a fantastic place to do just that.

This is a unique city where you can climb in one of the largest climbing gyms in the country, walk across one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world, visit Civil War battlefields, admire a jellyfish exhibit at a fantastic aquarium, plus enjoy a pleasant downtown with great shops, theaters, and restaurants.

Its “Best Outdoor Town” Distinction

In addition to a fun downtown with a variety of good local restaurants and breweries, Chattanooga’s many outdoor opportunities earned it Outside Magazine’s “Best Town” twice. So, as you can see, there’s plenty to entertain the whole family.

Ditch The Car And Walk Everywhere

If you want to park the car and leave it for the entirety of the weekend, you could do so easily. Chattanooga has a compact and walkable downtown with good sidewalks, bike lanes, and a really nice Riverwalk along the Tennessee River.

Many sites and activities such as the Tennessee Aquarium, High Point Climbing, and the Creative Discovery Museum are within walking distance of the downtown hotels.

If the kids are tired of walking, the entertainment continues with a ride on a free downtown electric trolley that will shuttle you from point to point. Or Uber is an easy way to get around as well.

Best Area To Stay In Chattanooga

For this itinerary, staying downtown is the way to go. Unfortunately, there aren’t many Airbnb or VRBO listings for this area. We have always stayed in hotels directly downtown and walkable to everything (restaurants, museums, aquarium, the river, etc.) 

Tip: It is worth the extra money to be downtown and not have to find parking each day. 

Our Favorite Hotels In Chattanooga

Here are some of our favorite downtown hotels. My first choice is the Holiday Inn and Downtown Suites, but it generally comes down to which hotel has the best rate. All of the hotels listed below are excellent choices and have wonderfully convenient locations along Chestnut Street.

Tip: Check with your hotel to see if they offer a Lodging/Aquarium Package.

Heads up: We are not sponsored in any way and have never received compensation at the behest of any organization or company. If you book one of our recommended properties from our VRBO or booking.com links, you won’t pay a penny more but we may get a small commission which helps support this website. Thanks! Disclosure Statement.

Holiday Inn and Downtown Suites- Located at 434 Chestnut Street. A relatively new hotel. It has an indoor pool and an adjacent outdoor rooftop patio with a fire pit. Kids eat free. Note that valet parking is required here for $15/day. There is no self-parking option. This hotel is usually the best price point around $140 per night. It is generally our first choice.

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown– Also located on Chestnut Street (200 block), this is your typical Courtyard conveniently located within walking distance of everything downtown. Indoor pool.

Hilton Garden Inn- Downtown– Another good option with an excellent location and indoor pool. 311 Chestnut St.

Hampton Inn Downtown-It offers a free hot breakfast, but I would hate to miss out on Maple Biscuit Co. Again, an excellent location walkable to all of downtown. It has an outdoor pool. 400 Chestnut St.

DoubleTree by Hilton Downtown- Good location with an outdoor pool. 407 Chestnut St.

Need More Room? Hotels In Chattanooga With 2 Bedrooms

Springhill Suites is riverfront and a 15 minute walk to the Aquarium. Studio, 1 and 2 bedroom suites with sleeper sofa. Some rooms have balconies overlooking the Tennessee River. Nice outdoor terrace area with fire pit and an indoor pool. Mini fridge and microwave. Expect to pay closer to $200. 495 Riverfront Parkway.

Staybridge Suites is a 25 minute walk (about a mile) from the Aquarium, but you can catch the free trolley at the stop outside the hotel. Indoor pool. Has studio, 1 and 2 bedroom suites, all with sleeper sofas and kitchens. 1300 Carter St. (Next to the Convention Center.)

Trolley Info For Downtown Chattanooga

Tip- Chattanooga offers a free electric shuttle that covers all of downtown. Running daily about every 5 minutes from the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel to the Tennessee Aquarium with stops every block in between. Click here for a downtown shuttle map.

Day 1 – Things To Do In Chattanooga With Kids

If it works out for you in terms of time, stop at two of Chattanooga’s famous tourist spots: Rock City and the Incline Railway on your way in to town. They are located just 6 miles outside of downtown and within an 8 minute drive of each other. (You can tour Ruby Falls as well as it is also in this area, but we find that one skippable. See our thoughts below.)

By visiting these attractions on the way to your downtown lodging, you can then leave your car behind for the rest of the trip after checking in to your hotel. All other attractions and restaurants will be within walking distance of your hotel.

Rock City Gardens

Today, you’ll “See Rock City” just like all those painted barn roofs having telling you to all your life. I wasn’t sure what to expect here and am delighted to report that it’s a really fun and pleasant outdoor destination. 

It was a favorite event for our kids, and it only took an hour to walk the trail. The views are fantastic, and on a clear day they claim you can view 7 states from the lookout point (but I have my doubts about Kentucky).

Overall, Rock City got the “thumbs up” from both kids and adults. Tip: It has a a reasonably priced nice outdoor cafe near Lookout Point if you need a refreshment.

See our blog post “See Rock City! Sure, What Is It? for more info about this surprisingly fun activity.

That pretty much sums it up. Sometimes these tourist sites are all hype and not worth the entrance ticket, but we thought Rock City was a fun mix of actual rock formations that were pretty cool, fantastic views, and just enough hokeyness to make you smile.

Take The Incline Railway To Point Park

The Incline Railway is super fun and definitely a unique experience. A trolley-style railroad car will slowly take you up and back down Lookout Mountain following a 72.7% grade. That’s REALLY STEEP people.

It takes about 20 minutes to load and go up the mountain and includes an interesting recorded narration of its history. This attraction was a big hit for the younger kids (under 10). Important note: It is HOT in the summer with little ventilation inside the railway car.

If you go during the summer, consider going either early in the morning or around sunset. Open 8:30am-9:30pm daily during the summer. Check their website for current hours.

COST- Adult: $15 round trip; Child (ages 3-12): $7 round trip Parking info: There is an ample parking lot at the lower St. Elmo station. 3917 St. Elmo Avenue-$2.00 parking fee (pay at the kiosk).

If you decide to skip the Incline Railway, do not skip Point Park which resides at the top of Lookout Mountain.

Point Park On Lookout Mountain

When you reach the top of the railway, exit the station and turn right on E. Brow Rd. Take a short 5 minute stroll to Point Park to experience some Civil War history and learn about the “Battle Above the Clouds.” 

Inside the park, you’ll find wonderful views of the Tennessee River and Chattanooga complete with cannons and placards explaining its history.

The stroll to the park takes you by spectacular homes perched on the side of the mountain. This is where Chattanooga’s fanciest live and makes for a lovely walk.

The far end of Point Park houses the small Ochs Museum which has great photos. (It’s located near the observation deck.) With its long pathways, Point Park is also a good place to get the wiggles out for the kiddos.

COST- Open Monday-Sunday 8:30am-9:30pm. Cost=$5. An entry fee is charged per person, ages 16 and older, ages 15 and under enter the park for free. Tickets are purchased at the fee station at the entrance to the park.

Tip: If you have an annual National Park Pass, you can use it here. Parking is $3 an hour payable by credit card at a parking kiosk. Point Park Address- 1110 East Brow Road Lookout Mountain, TN

Tip: Clumpies Ice Cream store is located just outside the entrance to Point Park at 1110 E. Brow Rd. Open 11am-9pm.

NOTE TO HIKERS: You’ll find some good hiking trails all around and up/down Lookout Mountain. From Point Park, you can hike 1 mile to Sunset Rock (relatively flat). Or, from Ochs Highway, you can hike a one mile roundtrip trail to Glenn Falls, a small waterfall where the kids can play. Beyond that, many of the trails involve lots of elevation gain so it may be too much for young kids. See the National Park Services’ Lookout Mountain Battlefield Trail Map for more info on these hikes.

Ruby Falls

If you like caverns, Ruby Falls is another popular attraction in Chattanooga and located at the base of Lookout Mountain near where the parking area is for the Incline Railway.

One of the unique features of this cavern is its underground waterfall. It is really cool, but we have to say that Ruby Falls, however, was our least favorite due to the 2+ hour time commitment, most of which was standing and waiting for other tour groups to pass. It would, however, be an excellent rainy day excursion or save it for the winter when it is less busy than it is during the summer.

Day 1 – Dinner

Lupis Pizza. Located downtown at 406A Broad St., Lupis has been awarded Chattanooga’s best pizza over numerous years. It’s a fun atmosphere and they have a very good beer selection.

Tip: If the kids are tired, order take out from here and enjoy at the hotel.

Day 2 – Things To Do In Chattanooga, TN

Breakfast Day 2

Maple Street Biscuit. You get to pick the toppings for your biscuit which makes this a fun dining experience for everyone. If you think one biscuit won’t be enough to fill you up then you haven’t seen the size of their biscuits yet!

They also have salads and entrees for lunch and dinner. I recommend the mac ‘n cheese! Opens at 7am but closed Sundays. 407 Broad St. 

Tennessee Aquarium

The Tennessee Aquarium is definitely a worthwhile visit for the family. Located downtown near the banks of the Tennessee River, it is comprised of two separate buildings: River Journey (fresh water) and Ocean Journey (sea water).

Make sure to see the sea horses, the jellyfish exhibit (my personal favorite), sharks, the butterfly room, the new lemur exhibit, the playful river otters, and the hands-on activities touching sturgeons and horse-shoe crabs.

How Long To Spend At The Chattanooga Aquarium?

Plan for at least 1 hour for each building but you could easily spend all day if you try to see everything and read all the signs at each tank. It’s a lot. You can take a break between buildings or go to lunch and come back to resume your visit. This is a great option for kids who start getting a little glassy-eyed after awhile.

Tip: Arrive early for less crowds. Also, evening is less crowded. Entry times are from 10am-6pm daily but you can enter at 6pm and stay until 7:30pm. We’ve often had the place to ourselves doing this.

Aquarium Tickets

You can buy tickets on site: $29.95 for adults and $18.95 kids (3-12). You also have the option of upgrading to add the 45 minute IMAX movie for $37.95 adults and $26.95 kids (3-12). 

Tip: For $175, you can get the 2 adult and 5 kid family pass (can be any 5 kids but the adults are specific) which grants you unlimited visits for a year to the aquarium.

The pass will also get you discounts on IMAX, Discovery Children’s Museum, High Point Climbing Wall, Big River Grill and other Chattanooga restaurants. Might be worth it depending on your family size and proximity to Chattanooga for return trips. We have done this and easily paid for itself with just 2 trips to Chattanooga in a year.

Parking

There are several paid parking lots near the Aquarium and a free shuttle runs daily in downtown Chattanooga. It is walkable from all of the hotels listed in this itinerary.

Address: One Broad Street.

Day 2 – Lunch In Downtown Chattanooga’s Northshore

After visiting the Aquarium, walk over the Tennessee River on the Walnut Street Bridge, one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges.

This is a fun activity in itself! This will bring you to Chattanooga’s Northshore historic district, which offers several boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. Access the beginning of the bridge at the intersection of Walnut Street and 1st Street.

After crossing the bridge, turn right on Frazier Ave to have a fun time at the German restaurant Brew Haus -224 Frazier Ave. Share a pork schnitzel and an order of bavarian pretzels with mustard. So good! They also have burgers and salads if you’re feeling less Deutsche. The Brew Haus is a 15 minute walk (0.7 miles) from the Tennessee Aquarium.

And if you’re still hungry, Clumpies Ice Cream is just a 2 minute walk away at 26 Frazier Ave.

If you decide to skip the walk over the Walnut Bridge, consider eating at Mellow Mushroom Pizza adjacent to the Aquarium. Great pizza and a fun atmosphere.

Day 2 Afternoon

Return to the Aquarium to finish your tour and revisit your favorite spots.

Day 2 Dinner

Big River Grill and Brewery. Located across from the Aquarium at 222 Broad St. A great stop for locally crafted beer and good food. They have a children’s menu as well. Also a good place to relax with snacks and a drink. Tip: The kids dessert menu features an Oreo ice cream pie for $1.99 (inexpensive and delicious!)

If you sit outside, you can sometimes watch High Point’s climbers scale the outside of the building across the street. Remember: An Aquarium Family Pass gets you a 15% discount here.

Day 3- What To Do In Chattanooga, TN

Breakfast

Within walking distance of the Chattanooga Aquarium, Puckett’s Grocery is a great stop for a classic southern breakfast. Also serves lunch and dinner.

Before hitting the road, walk along the Tennessee Riverwalk or spend a couple of hours at the indoor climbing wall at High Point or the Creative Discovery Museum. Depending on your departure time, you could do all 3!

High Point Climbing Wall

Trust me that your kids will not want to leave the Kid Zone, designed especially for the young climber. Plan 2 hours here to get your money’s worth.

A day pass costs $15 for adults and $14 for kids. $5 gear rental and a brief 5 minute orientation will get your started if it’s your first time.

Next time we visit Chattanooga, we are going to buy our pass early in the day and hop in and out between our activities. It is located across the street from Big River Grill and Brewery at 219 Broad Street.

Opening hours vary by the day (alternating between a 6am and 10am opening), so be sure to check the High Point Climbing website.

Creative Discovery Museum In Chattanooga

You will love visiting this 2 story hands-on museum where kids can splash in a manmade “river,” dig for dinosaur bones in the sand or make music with a Djembe or auto harp. On the upstairs outdoor patio, kids can hoist themselves up with simple pulleys and levers at the Rooftop Fun Factory.

Best suited for kids 10 and younger. Plan for 2 hours.

Cost: $13.95 for both adults and children over 2.

Hours: Open daily 10-5. Hours change seasonally, so double check the Creative Discovery Museum’s website.

Address: 321 Chestnut St. (Corner of Chestnut and 4th).

Tip: Your Aquarium ticket stub will get you a $2 discount on each ticket or use your Aquarium Family Pass if you have one for a discount.

Tennessee RiverPark

The Tennessee RiverPark is an 11.5 mile paved, scenic, flat, urban greenway that follows the Tennessee River. Although Chattanooga has an excellent bike share program, you have to be 16 years or older to use it. If you didn’t bring kid bikes, enjoy a nice stroll before heading home.

From downtown, access the trail at Ross’s Landing behind the Aquarium. If you did bring bikes, you can ride 7.5 miles upriver to the Chickamauga Dam on fully paved greenway. The pathway has plenty of water fountains and restrooms along the way if needed. Click here for the RiverPark Map.

I have ridden this whole thing and was impressed by the city’s commitment. The whole path was nicely paved. Not all of it is super scenic as some goes through industrial areas, but all of it is separated from the road making it safe for kids with adult supervision as there are some street crossings. It wasn’t a difficult ride as it is pretty flat for the most part. And there are some great sections along the river.

Day 3 – A Treat To Bring Home

Rainy Day Indoor Activities- Chattanooga

Many of the activities in this itinerary can be done in any weather condition: The Tennessee Aquarium, the Creative Discovery Museum, and High Point Climbing Wall are all terrific indoor activities in Chattanooga.

In addition to these, you could visit Ruby Falls Cavern, the IMAX theater, or the downtown Regal Movie Theater. The Hunter Museum of American Art could also be a good excursion if needed. Rock City apparently hands out free ponchos on rainy days, but it would be better to go on a clear day for the views.

• Ruby Falls Cavern-1720 Scenic Highway.
• IMAX-One Broad St.
• AMC Movie Theater-311 Broad Street.
• Hunter Museum of American Art– Children under 17 free. 10 Bluff View Ave.

Happy Trails! Hope you enjoy all the fun Chattanooga has to offer! – Amy