Cultural attractions & outside spaces

Bustling at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Chattanooga continues to be a major destination for outdoor enthusiasts and urbanites alike with numerous cultural attractions.

Here are a few of our personal faves:

Tennessee Aquarium

Itinerary writers such as Frommer’s are in agreement about the Tennessee Aquarium, listing this attraction as a must-see during a stay of any length. Engage with hundreds of regional and exotic animals who normally make their homes in the ocean’s depths or mountains’ rugged terrains.

Creative Discovery Museum

Among the country’s foremost institutions for children, the Creative Discovery Museum helps toddlers and growing kids learn through sight, sound, and touch. Families can build towering sculptures of clay, scoop up dinosaur bones, and even direct a piece of musical theater.

Coolidge Park

Allow your gaze to jettison out over the majestic Tennessee River from Walnut Street Bridge, a pedestrian footbridge spanning the rushing river below. There’s perhaps no better vantage point from which to begin your descent into downtown Chattanooga, or take in the setting sun’s glow.