If you want the ultimate girlโs trip to the Southeast United States, look to Chattanooga. Sure, Nashville, with its lively nightlife scene, might seem like an ideal choice for a girlโs getaway.
Still, Chattanooga, just 130 miles southeast of Music City, is worth investigating, especially if youโre seeking to build an itinerary thatโs more outdoor adventure and culture-focused and less about the party bus and shots. And thatโs not to say you canโt enjoy epic bars and cocktails in Chattanooga because you absolutely can.
Hereโs a list of fun things you can explore during a girlsโ weekend getaway in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
1. Explore Walkable Downtown Chattanooga
Chattanooga is a fun, walkable city. Whether you fly in for a city break or visit as part of a road trip, itโs easy to fill your time exploring restaurants, bars, and other attractions that downtown has to offer within easy walking distance of several choice downtown hotels. I recommend the historic Read House Hotel, which has a fun, haunted history if youโre into that vibe. If you stay at the Read House or the trendy Hotel Clemons (formerly the Bode Hotel) just down the street, you can walk just about everywhere.
Downtown Chattanooga has plenty of fun things to explore, such as the Tennessee Aquarium, walking or biking along the riverfront, or taking a stroll across the pedestrian bridge over the Tennessee River. Whether youโre looking for a cute coffee shop to grab a morning latte or an afternoon pick-me-up, a place to grab an ice cream, or a full meal, downtown is full of fun things to discover.
Donโt Want To Walk? Chattanooga Has Options
Thereโs a free electric streetcar to whizz you around downtown. My experience was that the actual wait times were a bit longer than the posted wait times, so ensure youโre allowing yourself plenty of time to get where you need to be. Thereโs also a citywide bike rental program with 42 locations to grab bikes or drop them off when youโre done.
Explore the Iconic Chattanooga Choo Choo
The famous Chattanooga Choo Choo is not a train but a building. The Choo Choo opened in 1909 as a train station and closed in 1970. Local investors bought the property and reopened the space in 1973 as a hotel and vacation complex.
Today, the space honors the railroad history Chattanooga is famous for alongside fun, modern hangouts, such as the restaurant STIR, American Draft, where you can pour a beer inside a vintage train car, and more.
2. Adventure the Day Away at Lookout Mountain
While Lookout Mountain isnโt technically in Tennessee – it sits at the northwest corner of Georgia and the northeast corner of Alabama, it sits right on the Tennessee state line, and is just a few minutes from downtown Chattanooga.
Rock City Gardens
Start your day at Rock City Gardens. Take in breathtaking rock formations, a 140-foot waterfall cascading down Lookout Mountain, and a viewing deck where you can see seven states on a clear day. While most people find walking easy to moderate, some steps and a few tight spaces exist.
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
After Rock City, ride the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, the world’s steepest passenger railway. Also known as โAmerica’s Most Amazing Mile,โ this short train ride takes you up Lookout Mountain at a 72.7% grade. The ride to the top takes about 10 minutes, and you’ll see spectacular panoramic views of the valley from the train’s roof. The sheer novelty of the super-steep train ride is what makes it fun.
Explore the Top of the Mountain
Thereโs a gift shop at the top and a selection of historical photographs of the train. Extend your adventure by walking through Point Park, part of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, and take in the beautiful view of Chattanooga from above. If you want more of a workout, there are hiking trails. Check out the Bluff Trail/Sunset Rock on Lookout Mountain.
Take the train back down the mountain when youโre done exploring. Don’t lose your ticket. Youโll need it for the return trip.
Ruby Falls
Chattanooga is home to America’s deepest commercial cave and tallest underground waterfall open for public view. The highlight of the guided tour, which lasts about an hour, is a 145-foot waterfall 1,120 feet beneath the surface of Lookout Mountain. It’s a great outdoor adventure in the area.
Be sure to make reservations for your guided tour. Ruby Falls is one of Chattanooga’s most popular attractions, and tours sell out. There’s also zip lining available on-site for an extra charge if youโre seeking something a little more adrenaline-charged.
3. Other Active Options in Chattanooga
If youโre into outdoor adventure and want something different than the activities offered around Lookout Mountain, here are some other options.
See Bats from a Kayak or Paddleboard
This is a summer activity, and a donโt miss if youโre in Chattanooga in late spring through the summer. Outshine Adventures offers guided excursions to Nickjack Cave at sunset to watch thousands of endangered gray bats emerge at dusk for their nightly feeding. This is perfect for beginners or intermediate paddlers and Outshine Adventures provides all the equipment you need.
Book a Tandem Hang Gliding Session
Flight Park is located minutes from downtown Chattanooga. Book a tandem session that allows you to fly at a high altitude with a certified instructor.
Be warned weather conditions can interfere with scheduled flights, so if youโre set on doing this, book earlier in your visit to give yourself wiggle room to reschedule in case your flight is canceled due to winds or other weather.
4. Shop โTill You Drop
If you and your besties fancy some retail therapy, the Chattanooga shopping scene wonโt disappoint. Here are some local donโt-miss spots to check out.
Eros Hat Co.
Eros Hat Co. is Chattanoogaโs premier hat bar and permanent jewelry outfitter. Reservations highly suggested.
Wildflower Tea Shop & Apothecary
Wildflower Tea Shop & Apothecary makes small batch, hand-blended loose-leaf tea. This is a great stop for anyone who loves tea and homeopathic healing – or both!
Book & Cover
If you need to check out an indie bookstore when you hit a new city, Book & Cover is the place for you. Check out their events page to see what might be happening during your time in Chattanooga.
Good Fortune Soaps & Spa
Check out Good Fortune Soaps & Spa to make and take your own scent creation. Thereโs also an onsite spa. Make reservations in advance.
The Hot Chocolatier
Hot Chocolate-inspired gifts that include drink mixes, truffles, and other chocolaty delights. The Hot Chocolatierโs products are made without preservatives and should be consumed within 10-14 days of purchase, so keep that in mind for your gift-giving strategy.
5. Learn Something New
Take a class at the Chattery. Classes are available to teach you how to do everything from candle and cocktail-making to outdoor sketching classes held at the lake – and that only scratches the surface of whatโs available.
6. Enjoy the Local Cocktail Scene
Although Chattanooga might not have the party reputation as larger nearby cities like Nashville and Atlanta, there are plenty of places to enjoy a drink or two while youโre in town.
Chattanooga Whiskey offers distillery tours, tastings, and opportunities to buy real Tennessee whiskey. Dusk is a fun cocktail space attached to the Bode Hotel. Their a.m. coffee shop is called Dawn, and the two venues share one very Instagram-worthy space. Whiskey Thief is a popular rooftop bar serving various upscale cocktails and small bites. The Read House Hotel also has a fun lobby bar with a speakeasy vibe. You donโt have to be a hotel guest to stop in and enjoy a drink.
Sip Local Beers
Chattanooga has several spots where you can sample brewed-in-Chattanooga beer. In addition to American Draft at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, check out Naked River Brewing Company, Oddstory Brewing Company, or Hello Monty.
7. Take a Ride On the Chattanooga Wine Train
This two-hour dining excursion includes a three-course dinner with specially selected wines from sommelier John McCune. The Chattanooga Wine Train has select available dates, so if you want in on this, you might have to plan your trip around availability.
8. Go to Brunch
A great girlโs trip isnโt really a great girlโs trip without brunch. Ladies who brunch will find lots of great restaurants in Chattanooga.
Hello Monty
Hello Montyโs Brunch Lunch Menu includes a brunch burrito, Monty French toast, and a slew of other delicacies.
STIR
Shrimp & grits, chicken & waffles, and a variety of brunch goodies await. Want a mimosa, Bloody Mary, or other brunch drinks? STIR has all of these and more.
Aretha Frankensteinโs
Located in Chattanoogaโs residential Northshore neighborhood, Aretha Frankensteinโs has brunch delights such as a customizable breakfast burrito and inch-thick pancakes.
Milk & Honey
Milk & Honeyโs brunch offerings are extensive. Youโll find everything from breakfast sandwiches to omelets and healthier options such as porridge and protein bowls. This Northshore spot is famous for its ROSร WAFFLES.
This list of fun things to do with your girlfriends will keep you busy and help you explore this eclectic small city.
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