The Ultimate Family Friendly Chattanooga Itinerary

Tucked between the mountains of Southeast Tennessee, along the beautiful Tennessee River, Chattanooga is one of America’s most breathtaking cities. It’s also one of the most family-friendly destinations. There are more than 50 family-friendly attractions to explore year round, and endless family-focused Chattanooga hotels and accommodations. Athena and I recently spent 4 days in Chattanooga discovering underground waterfalls and panoramic views and we created the ultimate Chattanooga itinerary that will impress your entire family.

Family Friendly Chattanooga Itinerary

Day 1 – The Arrival

Check into SpringHill Suites by Marriott Chattanooga Downtown

SpringHill Suites by Marriott is the only riverfront hotel in Chattanooga. It’s an 11-minute walk from the Tennessee Aquarium and 4.8 miles from Ruby Falls. All suites have free WiFi, iPod docks and flat-screen TVs, plus living areas with pull-out sofas and desks with ergonomic chairs. They are equipped with minifridges, microwaves and coffeemakers, and some feature balconies and/or river views. There’s a free hot breakfast buffet, a riverfront bar and a patio with a fire pit, as well as a 24-hour convenience store. Other amenities include an indoor pool, a whirlpool and a fitness room, plus a business center, 4 meeting rooms and laundry facilities. In the morning, if you’re too rushed for breakfast, they offer to-go bags with fruit and water and there are various snacks next to the front desk throughout the day.

Dinner at Blue Plate Restaurant

Enjoy dinner at Blue Plate Restaurant. Contemporary comfort food, mixed drinks, and house desserts are their specialties. Their food is prepared from scratch using homegrown ingredients from local farms, bakeries, and ice cream shops. I opted for the Pineapple Chicken. It includes
grilled fresh, natural chicken basted with house honey mustard, topped with fresh pineapple salsa and served with whipped potatoes
and cole slaw. The potatoes have southern gravy, which is a must, and the pineapple salsa was scrumptious.

Day Two – Fall in Love with the Natural Beauty

Ruby Falls

Ruby Falls is home to American’s deepest commercial cave and tallest underground waterfall open for public viewing. It’s our favorite Chattanooga itinerary item. It features a 145-foot waterfall located 1,120 feet beneath the surface of Lookout Mountain. A tour guide will lead the way to the falls and although it is in a cave, you can walk the entire way without crawling or bending. At less than a mile round trip, it’s great for all ages and there is a children’s playground on the property that’s a great stop after viewing the falls.

Lunch at Mojo Burrito

A Chattanooga owned Tex-Mex favorite, Mojo Burrito offers healthy, fresh, and delicious food in a hip environment as well as artwork by local artists, designers, and photographers. Their menu includes vegan and vegetarian options as well as plenty of meat choices.

Explore Rock City

Known for its unique geological and botanical wonders, Rock City is an enchanting 4,100-foot walking trail featuring massive ancient rock formations, a 140-foot waterfall, panoramic views, a bridge that spans nearly 200 feet, and dining options, and it’s a Chattanooga itinerary must. You could spend an hour or an entire day here. Be sure to check out their scheduled events because they offer unique encounters and family-fun activities.

Dinner at The FEED Co. Table & Tavern

Located in Chattanooga’s thriving south side, The FEED Co. Table & Tavern provides an artful combination of tavern and family dining with a stunning destination. The offer a seasonal menu of inventive farm-fresh cuisine.

Day Three – A Day of Interaction and Discovery

Tennessee Aquarium

The Tennessee Aquarium offers two buildings where can you interact with scuba divers and have animal encounters; you can discover beavers, otters, alligators, electric eels, sharks, stingrays, colorful reef fish, penguins, butterflies, and so much more. They also offer a Backstage Pass where you get a behind-the-scenes tour with special access to animals.

Lunch at Big River Grille & Brewing Works

Located in downtown, the cuisine at Big River Grille & Brewing Works is all-American favorites, award-winning ales and lagers and a spacious outdoor patio along with billiards, a working brewery and bar. I ate the Mexican Honey Chicken Salad. It’s a spring mix with roasted Santa Fe chicken, grilled pineapple & red peppers, cucumber, candied Mexican mango, toasted almonds and cotija cheese, tossed in roasted jalapeño ranch dressing and
finished with a honey mango drizzle and crispy tortilla chips.  Don’t even consider anything else. It was one of the best salads I’ve ever eaten.

Visit the Creative Discovery Museum

Kids can dig for dinosaur bones, create music and theater, discover new cultures, create clay sculptures, climb a two and a half play structure, and interact with other children at the Creative Discovery Museum. It’s a massive space with interactive exhibits that are fun for all ages. The music options will even draw in the parents and the bean bag toss on the roof is one of my personal favorites.

Day Four – Wild History

Visit the Chattanooga Zoo

With over 300 animals representing 130 different species, the Chattanooga Zoo brings you face-to-face with some of your favorite animals. They also offer camel rides, a carousel, and interactive exhibits. Children will love the locally carved animals on the carousel. Don’t forget to spend some time there before you leave.

Sightseeing Lunch on Southern Belle Riverboat

The Southern Belle Riverboat is a 500-passenger, climate controlled riverboat that takes a scenic tour of the Tennessee River. It has spectacular views of downtown Chattanooga and includes a buffet lunch with local favorites. The fresh bread and cookies are not to be missed.

Take a Ride Aboard the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

Take a ride aboard the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum‘s restored vintage trains. It’s a trip into history on a rolling time machine. The trips begin at the Grand Junction Station and take passangers along one of the original railroad lines in Chattanooga, crossing four bridges and passing through pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel.

Depart Chattanooga with Lasting Memories

Chattanooga airport is about 20 minutes from downtown Chattanooga. Evening flights are available to many connecting international airports.

Other Options

High Point Climbing and Fitness is an excellent option, especially for older children. It’s a rock climbing facility that includes 30,000 square feet of climbing and bouldering space.

Coolidge Park is a place where you can overlook the beautiful Tennessee River, play in an interactive water fountain, stroll across the world’s largest pedestrian bridge – the Walnut Street Bridge, test your rock climbing skills, and picnic with your family.

Other Tennessee Options

If you’re looking for other great options in Tennessee, check out what to do in Nashville this weekend.