If Chattanooga was ‘just’ the first National Park City, it would be enough to put this East Tennessee city on the tourist map. But it also is under consideration for the Michelin Guide’s new American South edition.
So you can enjoy the outdoors and have a delicious, Instagram-worthy meal on the same trip.
Even the New York Times is taking note, choosing one of its many great restaurants as one of the 50 best in the country.
With its concentration of fine dining, intriguing casual restaurants and drool-worthy breakfast spots, you need a good stretch of time in Chattanooga.
The writer was hosted.
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Why Chattanooga is the first US National Park City
This worldwide honor belongs to Chattanooga because of its varied green spaces, from parks to mountains, riverfront and even underground. Some highlights are:
- Tennessee Riverwalk
- Stringer’s Ridge
- Rock City Gardens
- Ruby Falls
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Tennessee Riverwalk
The 25-mile Tennessee Riverwalk has a wide path for walking, running and biking. But if you use the local bike share program, Bike Chattanooga, be warned that there are not many docks along the way.
I picked up a bike right outside the Tennessee Aquarium (which has penguins, otters, giant catfish and a Butterfly Pavilion), but couldn’t find a place to dock it. I enjoyed riding, and seeing flowers and greenery along the river, but I wound up biking all the way to the same spot to end my ride.
You can also take a s pooky walking tour along the river or a sightseeing riverboat cruise.
Eating Near the Riverwalk
I walked over to Attack of the Tatsu, a Japanese Izakaya and Ramen shop, for vegan miso mazemen, like ramen with the broth, filled with noodles, pickled mushrooms and carrots, edamame and cucumbers.
Stringer’s Ridge: Urban Wilderness
This urban forest in North Chattanooga offers wilderness just minutes from luxury hotels. Stringer’s Ridge has hiking and mountain biking trails, some of which overlap. On certain days, hikers go clockwise, with bikers counterclockwise, and so on. I wonder if my kids, raised on digital clocks, even know what clockwise is. But on a Monday morning, I only met hikers and people taking dogs for a walk.
Fueling up: Milk & Honey
Before my hike, I had breakfast at Milk & Honey, nearby. Whatever your breakfast jam is, they have it here: Chicken and biscuits if you’re feeling Southern, bagels and lox if your heart is in New York, avocado toast if you’ve been to Los Angeles, and poutine if you’re missing Canada. I had a very filling ricotta toast with mushrooms and eggs on sourdough. I had no room to sample a biscuit.
Another Local Park
Coolidge Park, nearby, is a more manicured park, with an 1894 Dentzel carousel.
Lookout Mountain – Three in One
Lookout Mountain actually has three separate things to do. Don’t try to squeeze them into one day.
- Rock City Gardens
- Ruby Falls
- Incline Railway
Rock City Gardens
Spend a couple of hours walking around Rock City Gardens. In addition to the amazing natural rock formations, there are flowers, seasonal decorations, and illuminated caverns. There is a view of seven states (Tennessee and Georgia, of course, plus Alabama, Kentucky, and both North and South Carolina) and an almost 200-foot-long ‘Swing-ALong Bridge’.
SheBuysTravel Tip: While you can’t climb the rocks, the paths are mostly not stroller or wheelchair accessible, and you should wear closed-toe shoes.
Ruby Falls: Underground Wonder
To visit Ruby Falls, I had to weigh my severe claustrophobia against my love of waterfalls. The 145-foot waterfall is accessed by an elevator down 260 feet, plus a 1-mile round-trip walk. The falls are over 1,100 underground, so some of that walking is up and down stairs, with narrow openings and uncomfortably low ceilings. But the waterfall, and all the calcite formations along the way, are worth the abject terror.
Note to self: Seeing the Broadway show Floyd Collins, based on a true story of a Kentucky explorer who got stuck in a cave, did not ease my claustrophobia. Spoiler alert: it does not end well for Floyd.
After seeing the cave, head up in the sky. There is a Zipline, for an extra fee, or scenic view of Chattanooga, accessed by stairs or an elevator. Guess how I got up there.
Sit Back and Enjoy the Ride: Incline Railway
The Incline Railway takes you up – and down – one of the steepest funicular train rides in the world. Banish thoughts of recent accidents (not here, but I’m a fount of disaster memories) and enjoy the view. In fact, the 129-year-old tracks were damaged in 2024 by a wildfire and have been totally restored, so the ride is safe. AND handicapped accessible.
Little Coyote: Chattanooga Smoked BBQ
Across the street from the lower station of The Incline Railway, Little Coyote has smoked meats (and vegetables), homemade tortillas, and craft cocktails. The delightful outdoor patio gives you a view of the mountain.
Han Mi: Korean Meets American near Lookout Mountain
Han Mi has a spicy sauce called the Mongolian eradicator, which promises tears of joy and emotional damage. I wasn’t brave enough to try it, but I had spicy braised tofu in red pepper soy sauce, with a side of kimchi. I added oyster mushrooms to cut the spice a little. The mostly Korean menu has Bimbimbap and kimchi stew, along with ramen, fried chicken with Korean spices and noodle stir fry.
Where to Stay in Chattanooga
You can’t ride the Chattanooga Choo Choo, but you can stay at The Hotel Chalet, on Choo Choo Lane, and sleep in a vintage Pullman train car. But a train car with a king-sized bed, mini fridge and reliable WiFi. The hotel has an outdoor pool and a fitness center with a Peloton.
The hotel is part of a renovated complex that includes bars, a distillery and restaurants. A free electric shuttle bus takes you to area attractions.
For a moving train, take a trolley to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, where you ride a historic train.
Speaking of Hitting It Out of the Park
Niedlov’s Bakery & Cafe, around the corner from The Hotel Chalet, hits a home run with everything it touches. They have great coffee, spectacular sourdough bread, pastries, breakfast and lunch.
And The Chattanooga Lookouts, a minor league team for the Cincinnati Reds, moves into its new stadium next season. Keep an eye out for the Michelin Guide’s new American South edition to see where else in Chattanooga you should eat when you come for a game.
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