Choose Chattanooga, Tennessee, for a Weekend of Fun

Set along the Tennessee River and tucked between the mountains, Chattanooga, Tennessee, offers some of America’s most varied natural attractions: With its scenic overlooks, waterfalls and ancient underground rock formations, the city was made for outdoor enthusiasts.

But the so-called City of Lights has plenty of cultural and culinary scenes, too. There are top-notch restaurants, historic sites and a thriving nightlife that rivals its more famous cousin, Nashville, just 130 miles away.

As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.

Friday: Visit Local Attractions and Popular Outdoor Spaces

Prep yourself for an activity-packed day with a hearty Southern-style breakfast at Puckett’s Chattanooga, known for its rich history and humongous French toast stuffed with peanut butter cream cheese fluff and bananas (aptly named “The King’s French Toast”).

Less than a five-minute walk away, you’ll find the Tennessee Aquarium, home to 10,000 different animals and an IMAX theater that’ll take you on a 3D excursion around the world. Then there’s the Hunter Museum of American Art — a seven-minute walk away — where you’ll be greeted by an impressive collection of American art dating back to the 1700s.

Next on the itinerary is Rembrandt’s Coffee House for a quick energy boost. But take your latte to go and stroll around the Bluff View Art District, which includes the Bluff View Sculpture Garden.

Head west to the historic pedestrian-only Walnut Street Bridge and cross the Tennessee River into Coolidge Park (about a 15-minute walk from Bluff View). Here, you can ride the famous 1894 carousel, which has 52 hand-carved animals to choose from.

Now that you’re in the popular North Shore neighborhood — which is known for its independent boutiques, restaurants and gastropubs — you might as well do some shopping and grab lunch. Walk along Frazier Avenue for a great selection of unique stores (Locals Only Gifts & Goods, All Things Groovy, Collective Clothing) and restaurants and bars (Brewhaus and Basecamp Bar & Restaurant).

Note: For all you vegans out there, Cashew offers a menu of savory, plant-based dishes that are really top-notch.

And for all you non-vegans out there, Clumpies Ice Cream Co. dishes up unbeatable scoops that make for a great walking snack. The “Brown Sugar + Walnut Brittle,” “PB Oat Dough” and “Pumpkin Buttermilk” are favorites.

Next, it’s off to explore the area’s green spaces. There’s Renaissance Park, with 23 acres of urban wetlands, and the Chattanooga Riverwalk, with 13 miles of trails along the southern banks of the Tennessee River.

The North Chickamauga Creek Gorge, just 20 minutes from downtown in Soddy-Daisy, is a stunning destination in its own right, where you can go swimming at the Blue Hole or simply admire the natural area. (Rock climbers: This is where you’ll find Little Rock City, a world-class bouldering field.)

Next it’s on to Whitebird for a stylish fine-dining experience with ingredients sourced straight from the Tennessee River Valley, and then walk or drive to the iconic Tivoli Theatre for a show (most start at 8 p.m.).

To keep the entertainment going, stop by Sing It or Wing It, an upbeat karaoke bar, or shoot some pool at Hair of the Dog Pub. And if you end up staying out late, City Café Diner serves up an impressive menu of munchies and is open 24/7.

Saturday: Satisfy Your Taste Buds and Dance the Night Away

The Southside Historic District is one of Chattanooga’s most eclectic urban neighborhoods and the place to go for entertainment, cuisine, culture and art (outdoor sculptures even dot Main Street, thanks to the Art on Main Street program).

To begin the day, order a serving of crêpes at Adelle’s Creperie or head to Bluegrass Grill for made-from-scratch dishes. Milk & Honey offers an all-day brunch that’s a local favorite, and Mean Mug Coffeehouse has locally roasted coffee and unbeatable buttermilk biscuits.

Stroll along Main Street until you hit the Sculpture Fields at Montague Park — 33 acres of parkland showcasing more than 40 large-scale sculptures from around the world.

From here, cross Market Street for a sampling at the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery. Stay for the one-hour tour or just grab a seat at the bar. Not a big whiskey fan? For some nonalcoholic sips, the Wildflower Tea Shop & Apothecary is just a couple of steps away, featuring a wide variety of organic and biodynamic teas.

Around the corner is HiFi Clyde’s Chattanooga, a honky-tonk bar with simple dishes and live music. But if you’re in the mood for something a bit more filling, Blue Orleans serves up authentic Creole staples like gumbo and jambalaya.

End the day by immersing yourself in the vibrant nightlife scene along Station Street, where there’s no shortage of bars, music venues and live comedy shows to keep you out all night.

Sunday: Explore Epic Mountains, Caves and Trails

Fuel up at 1885 Grill in St. Elmo, a historic neighborhood at the foot of Lookout Mountain. Hop on the Incline Railway for a steep trolley ride to the top of Lookout Mountain, where you’ll learn about the famous Civil War Battle of Lookout Mountain and take in impressive views of the mountains and valleys.

Ruby Falls is another favorite stop where you can take a glass-front elevator down 260 feet into Lookout Mountain to see the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States. Once inside, take a guided walking tour along the cavern trail and marvel at the ancient rock formations.

Then stop by Rock City, one of Chattanooga’s best attractions, which has a 4,100-foot Enchanted Trail with stellar views, diverse gardens and the Swing-a-Long Bridge.

Ready for lunch? Grab a table on the terrace at Café 7 (located at Lover’s Leap in Rock City) and feast on authentic Southern cuisine.

Head back to St. Elmo and rent a boat at Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center or embark on a hike to Sunset Rock — most people park at Cravens House and do the 3-mile round-trip version, while more ambitious outdoor enthusiasts tackle the 10-mile Big Daddy Loop.

If you skip the boating and hiking and still have time to kill, the Chattanooga Market is widely recognized as one of the top public markets in the country, with more than 130 artisans offering crafts, farm-fresh produce and many other local specialties. Plus, there’s often live music.

Finally, take a load off at the Tap House, St. Elmo’s local watering hole with 30 taps and a rotating menu of beers, ciders and kombucha. For dinner, drive downtown to Easy Bistro & Bar (it has a raw bar!) or Community Pie (a hip pub with vintage décor).