Chattanooga Area Links

Our City

Chattanooga is like a beautiful tapestry laced with colorful threads that make it an outstanding location for raising a family. We're proud to be one of the threads that makes Chattanooga a special place.

• Chattanooga City Government
• Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce
• Chattanooga Matters
• Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Hamilton County Government
• WRCB - Webcams
• TDOT Traffic Cams

Our Attractions

• Rock City. Located on Lookout Mountain, Rock City has been an attraction in some form or another since 1823. However, when Garnet Carter, inventor of miniature golf, and his wife opened Rock City Gardens in 1932 it became a huge draw with "See Rock City" barns found throughout the world.
• Ruby Falls. This thundering 145 foot waterfall inside Lookout Mountain has been a popular attraction since 1929. Named after the founder's wife, Ruby Falls was found by Leo Lambert in 1923 as he was drilling a shaft to open the historic Lookout Mountain cave to the public. During the drilling, a small opening was located and after a 17 hour trip, Leo emerged with tales of beautiful rock formations and a spectacular waterfall.
• Incline Railway. In November of 1895, the Incline, in its second incarnation, made its first ascent up Lookout Mountain on what is the steepest passenger incline in the world. Traveling at a 72.7% grade, the trolley-styled cars pass at the midpoint of the 45 minute one-way trip.
• Chattanooga Choo Choo. Erected in 1908 with a magnificent dome rising majestically over the concourse, the terminal station served thousands of passengers until 1970 when the trains stopped running. In 1973, after a $4,000,000 renovation, it was reopened to the public.
• Tennessee Aquarium. The Tennessee Aquarium features two buildings, " Ocean Journey" and "River Journey." The River Journey focuses on freshwater environments, carrying you through mountains forests, swamps, valley and lakes, both in the Tennessee Valley and throughout the world. The Ocean Journey building offers opportunity to touch stingrays, visit a butterfly garden and see sharks and other ocean creatures.
• Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park. Also referred to as the "Warner Park Zoo", it is located on 6 acres in the middle of Warner Park.

Our Museums

• International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum. Chattanooga was chosen as the site of the museum because the first tow truck was built here at the Ernest Holmes Company. You'll find dozens of antique tow trucks and pictures of "Hall of Famers."
• Chattanooga Regional History Museum. A museum featuring regularly changing exhibits concerning regional history.
• Hunter Museum of American Art. Perched on an 80-foot bluff on the edge of the Tennessee River, the Hunter Museum of American Art offers stunning views of the river and the surrounding mountains. This panorama is equaled only by the exceptional collection of American art inside recognized as one of the country's finest.
• Children's Discovery Museum. Search for lost dinosaur bones, take apart stuff that works, create your own music, walk through a picture, and play with the water works! The Children's Discovery Museum isn't just for children, although it was designed for them in mind. There are lots of interactive exhibits here, enough to keep even the most hyperactive of kids entertained. The CDM was voted as one of the top 20 children's museums in the nation by Child magazine.
• Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Ride the 50 minute Missionary Ridge Local for a guided tour of their restoration shop or grab the 4 hour roundtrip ride into Chickamauga, Georgia. Special tours like the Autumn Leaf special or the Steam All the Way are available seasonally.
• Houston Museum of Decorative Arts. Located in a century-old Victorian house in the Bluff View Art District. It is home to antique glass and ceramics, as well as antique furniture, music boxes, coverlets and other rare pieces from the collection of the late Anna Safley Houston. It boasts the world's largest collection of pitchers.

Our Parks

• Coolidge Park. This park features a beautifully restored carousel, a pavilion, an interactive play fountain, and lots of open space where the Navy and Marine Reserve Center once stood. A short walk across the Walnut Street Bridge allows visitors to enjoy Chattanooga's most popular park. It is part of the Tennessee Riverpark, a 22 mile long public park along the Tennessee River.
• Walnut Street Bridge. The renovation of this 113-year old historic bridge as a linear pedestrian park was completed in May 1993. It is the oldest and largest surviving truss bridge in the South. The Walnut Street Bridge was condemned and slated for demolition when local citizens convinced the City of Chattanooga to commit the funds earmarked for the bridge's demolition to its restoration, providing the balance of the renovation cost could be raised. As the World's longest pedestrian bridge, it serves as the link between downtown Chattanooga and the now thriving Northshore District.
• Renaissance Park. Adjacent to Coolidge Park, this 23 acre urban wetland park is a product of Chattanooga's 21st Century Waterfront project. Plans are underway to create an outdoor center to promote outdoor activities in the Chattanooga area, as well as a nature trail through the park.
• Tennessee River Walk is a continuous 10 mile path stretching from Ross's Landing in the heart of downtown Chattanooga to the Tennessee Riverpark and the Chickamauga Dam, stopping various times along the way to open up into picnic areas. Start the trail in any number of places along Amnicola Highway, Riverside Drive, or downtown. This linear greenway continues to grow and expand through several different projects.
• Ross's Landing. A site of great significance for its relevance in Cherokee Indian and Chattanooga history, Ross's Landing, founded by Chief John Ross, has recently been renovated, adding a large pier, natural amphitheatre and a large greenspace. Wrapping underneath Riverfront Parkway is a unique water feature for visitors to cool off in. Several mooring posts are available for boaters to make a stop off at this beautiful space.
• Miller Park. The park, one-acre in the middle of downtown, is very popular with the downtown lunch crowd. It has an outdoor amphitheater, a large fountain and beautiful grassy areas.
• Miller Plaza across from Miller Park is a pavilion, outdoor stage and a fountain. This site is used a couple of regular, free concert series: "Nightfall" and "Rhythm & Noon."
• Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department ? Parks.
• Chattanooga Nature Center. Established in 1979, the Chattanooga Nature Center includes a 1,400 foot boardwalk meandering through seasonal wetland and lowland forest. The CNC sponsors summer camps each year.
• Reflection Riding, located at the Chattanooga Nature Center. This is a 300-acre arboretum, botanical garden. The seasons are most evident as you travel through the grounds, with summer's wildflowers and autumn's changing of colors.
• Maclellan Island, located under Veteran's Bridge in the middle of the Tennessee River. It is an 18 acre island that was granted by Robert J. Maclellan to the Chattanooga Audubon Society with the intent for it to be used as a wildlife sanctuary. Tours of the island are available through the Chattanooga Ducks.
• Chattanooga Ducks. Climb aboard a World War II era amphibious vehicle for a tour of downtown Chattanooga before it glides into the water for a tour of the Tennessee River.
• River Gallery Sculpture Garden. Located in the Bluff View Art district, this piece of greenspace on the bluff near the Veteran's Bridge offers a little peace and a lot of beautiful art.

Our Theaters and Auditoriums

• Chattanooga Theatre Center. It was founded in 1924 as the "Little Theatre", but this community theater has grown up: it has a modern facility. Classes, as well as auditions for the more than 15 productions are held year round.
• IMAX 3D Theater. This six-story high IMAX 3D Theater features two 3D films that change regularly, often themed closely to the latest special attraction at the Tennessee Aquarium.
• Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium. It opened on February 22, 1924 as a living memorial to Hamilton County war veterans. It is now home to dozens of events throughout the year, from graduations to live music.
• Tivoli Theater. Chattanooga is home to the Tivoli Theatre, a spectacular historic showplace known as the "Jewel of the South." For 90 years the grand old theater has entertained Chattanoogans, offering everything from silent movies to Broadway blockbusters. One nugget of its history: in 1926 the Tivoli became one of the first public buildings in the country to be air conditioned. The Tivoli was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and received a $7 million renovation that was revealed to an excited audience in 1989. Recently the Tivoli has installed a movie projector, calling back to its early days a first class movie house.

More You Can Do

• Climb the Walnut Street Bridge Climbing Wall. Climb on one of the limestone towers that supports the Walnut Street Bridge. Located within Coolidge Park, the wall is open seasonally to the general public and for groups on a reservation basis. There are as many as 30 distinct climbing routes perfect for novices to experienced climbers. All equipment is provided!
• Ride the Carousel in Coolidge Park. All of the various animals represented on the carousel were hand carved in St. Elmo, a historic neighborhood in Chattanooga.
• Play in the fountain at Coolidge Park. If you've got kids, be sure to bring them either a change of clothes or a swimsuit as the fountain is nearly irresistible. If they are still in diapers, swim diapers are required. Water spouting animals ring the fountain area and are fair game for climbing.
• Take a ride on the Southern Belle Riverboat. The Southern Belle is a lovely paddlewheel boat that cruises the Tennessee River near Chattanooga. Lunch, Dinner or just sightseeing cruises are available. The "Dixeland Dinner Cruise" features fantastic slow-cooked prime rib, shrimp creole and live music. Starting in mid-October, the fall leaf cruises allow you to take a ride up the river and marvel at the changing colors of the trees. The Riverboat is also available for private parties.
• Attend the annual Riverbend Festival. An annual nine-day music festival that consumes the riverfront part of downtown. Six stages, including one on a barge, and vendors are set up all over the area.
• See a Chattanooga Lookouts baseball game at Bellsouth Park. The Chattanooga Lookouts, an AA farm team for the Cincinnati Reds, have moved from Historic Engle Stadium into the brand new, $10 million dollar, Bellsouth Park.
• Enjoy Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park. Lake Winnie, as it's referred to amongst the locals, has been putting smiles on faces for 80 years. There are rides for the whole family and concerts featuring famous country artists.