Chattanooga is known for being both an outdoor lover’s paradise and a modern tech city; home to a Volkswagen plant, the Choo Choo Hotel, and a major cache of Native American and Civil War history.
Downtown Chattanooga typically refers to the Riverfront and Bluff View districts, and the Northshore district across the Tennessee River.
Check out my blogs about Chattanooga’s Southside and Historic Big 9 / MLK District if you are interested in stepping outside the main tourist attractions.
NORTHSHORE
The Northshore District runs along the Tennessee River opposite Ross Landing and the Riverfront, from Coolidge Park over to Highway 27.
It extends north up to Stringers Ridge Park and northeast of Hill City, but we only visited a few places closest to the river.
Coolidge Park and Renaissance Park are closest to the river, and Coolidge Park has an awesome carousel.
When I tell you we had a BLAST riding the carousel, I am not exaggerating.
Imagine two grown ass women cackling and singing along to a cranky pipe organ rendition of Dolly’s “Nine to Five” while gliding through the air, especially me on a giant frog that wears trousers, a jacket, and penny loafers.
Outside the carousel is a wide circle of animal statues, looking a bit more somber than the ones indoors.
This doubles as a splash pad during warmer weather.
See if you can find this awesome blue rhino sculpture in the park.
There are some boutiques, antique and vintage shops, restaurants, and loads of art between Coolidge Park and the entrance of the Walnut Street Bridge.
Verre Noir is a beautiful shop with books, metaphysical resources, dark art, home décor, and plants.
We were SO excited to visit after learning that you can buy High Garden Tea herbs there. I met the rad couple who owns High Garden at an herbalist conference last summer and I can not wait for them to open their new tea house.
Sadly, the dude working at Verre Noir that day (not one of the women who owns it) had a real ‘tude so we left, quickly, and empty-handed. I plan to go back another day.
Chalk Alley is a fun stop for anyone who needs to let out some creative energy or to keep themselves busy for a while.
It is located to the right of the building that Verre Noir is in. Most days, you can take your pick of any hue of chalk and draw your heart out.
WALNUT STREET BRIDGE
The Walnut Street Bridge was built in 1891 and has been reserved for pedestrians only since 1978.
At nearly 2,400 feet long, it is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world. It was the first civilian bridge built across the Tennessee River and was the first truss bridge of its kind, frequently used as a model for future constructions.
Notice Maclellan Island, a birdwatching haven and nature preserve of nearly twenty acres, as you cross the bridge. Visitors can only access it by water, and I would encourage you to read/review warnings and to make a reservation with the Chattanooga Audubon if necessary before you go.
BLUFF VIEW ART DISTRICT
On the south side of the Walnut Bridge is the Bluff View Art District, a small cluster of cultural spots just south of the Tennessee River.
One of the first sites you will see is the Ed Johnson Memorial, just across from the end the Edwin Hotel.
The Edwin Hotel has a gorgeous lobby full of art, and shares its lobby with White Bird Restaurant.
Go up to the fifth floor lobby for more art and to access Whiskey Thief, the hotel’s rooftop bar.
My favourite painting in the hotel is this one of Bessie Smith, Empress of the Blues.
Give yourself a few hours to visit Bluff View highlights including the Hunter Museum, Houston Museum of Decorative Arts, Rembrandt’s Coffeehouse, the River Gallery & Sculpture Garden, a few shops, and some pretty green spaces.
Rembrandt’s Coffeehouse is the kind of old European(style) coffeehouses I love visiting overseas, with the feel of those coffeehouses I spent most of my free time in during the late 90s and early 2000s.
They are so hard to find anymore.
I believe my sentiments are common, based on the number of people who are always packed into this place.
Rembrandt’s has some incredible looking pastries and sweet drinks, and still serves a perfect plain and simple latte.
Outside there is a large courtyard and various other ivy and wisteria-draped pergolas, small gardens, and winding stone steps.
Next door is the Bluff View Bakery with a large demonstration window and across the street is the Houston Museum of Decorative Arts, which displays the collection of Great Depression era glass, serving utensils, furniture, and other antique items owned by a late Chattanooga resident Anna Safley.
Bluff View Bakery is a unique and eye-catching building.
You will recognise it by these amazing windows.
On the backside, it has a gorgeous circular covered patio with spokes jutting out. I am so envious.
The bakery is not open to the public but they sell their bread, pastries, and sandwiches at the Chattanooga Market and local restaurants.
The River Gallery Sculpture Garden begins with a paved path, just across from the bakery and along the river.
The path extends along the water and is lined by sculptures on both sides.
Just when I thought I knew all of Chattanooga’s gems, my bestie suggested that we walk the path again and I squealed when I saw this installation by Arnaldo Pomodoro!
I love his work and had no idea that one of his pieces was in Chattanooga, after all this time. I have tracked his work down in other cities like Charlotte and Dublin in the past.
In the cul-de-sac of this street is the Hunter Museum of American Art. Even if you do not go inside, there is quite a lot to do on the property.
From other locations in the city, this giant stone structure sitting high on the hill could be part of a scene from Beetlejuice.
The museum looks out over the river and the rest of the town, and has an insane hairpin path leading up to its ground level and other parks and trails nearby.
After walking around for hours on end, consider lunch at Brewhaus whose motto is “Alles hat ein ende, nur die wurst hat zwei” meaning “everything has an end, only sausage has two.”
We shared the honey-bacon deviled eggs appetizer, Heidelberg patty melts, German potato salad, roasted Brussels with bacon marmalade, and a few ice cold lagers.
The Ice Cream Show is the perfect place for a sweet treat after, or instead of, a meal.
RIVERFRONT
The Riverfront District is the area between Ross Landing to the north and 4th Street at its southern boundary, and from the AT&T field over to Walnut Street. Of course, the highlight is the stretch that runs along Riverfront Parkway parallel to the Tennessee River itself.
Park and walk the Tennessee Riverwalk trail and visit Ross Landing or the Riverfront Park/Playground to take in the views.
In this area, you will find the Tennessee Aquarium and IMAX theatre, several big chain hotels and restaurants, and a great pub called Hair of the Dog.
Tennessee Aquarium is a dream come true, especially on days where it is too hot, too cold, or rainy.
I wish I lived closer and could just put in my earbuds, find a cozy space in one of the dark rooms, and watch the fish swim around in the massive floor to ceiling multi-story tanks.
Watching the jellyfish is mesmerizing.
One of the coolest places in the Riverfront is The Passage and Weeping Wall, an interactive monument to the Cherokee & Trail of Tears.
The Passage is a pedestrian walkway connects the Tennessee Aquarium to the Tennessee River.
Its Weeping Wall, a series of stairs under running water is in tribute to the Cherokee who suffered and died during the Cherokee Removal Act, usually called Trail of Tears as an understatement.
Embedded in the walls of the Passage are giant discs designed by Cherokee artists.
There has been serious controversy over the style of art chosen, accusing the Cherokee of cultural theft of the Mississippian/Yuchi/Muskogean tribe they fought and conquered prior to the Cherokee Removal.
Read more about that story and what each disc symbolizes here.
Ross Landing is considered to be the start of the Trail and one of two most significant related sites, second to Blythe Ferry.
Several plaques and statues tell more about the tribe members and mark specific points of interest near Ross Landing.
Watch this video if you are interested in learning more about Cherokee history in the area and the early days of Chattanooga:
Despite its grim history, this area is a popular location for families to run, play, climb, and splash around in the water. I would venture to say most tourists are blissfully unaware of its purpose or the symbolism.
You can definitely get a workout exploring all the stairs, walkways, and trails downtown.
The Tivoli Theatre is an Art Deco masterpiece that opened on Christmas in 1928. It was the second theatre in the entire country to be built specifically for talkies, and still boasts a packed schedule today.
Chattanooga Market is technically closer to the Southside District, just west of Southside Social and Finley Stadium. It is a hip downtowner thing to do though, and one of the largest outdoor markets I have been visited.
Unlike most farmers markets, this is a permanent fixture that partners with other venues and festivals.
Chattanooga Market is currently open on Sundays from 1-4 pm but hours vary in the summer and different times of year.
Local honey and produce, homemade jams, fresh-baked bread, spices and gourmet mixes are staples.
Handmade bath and body products, pottery, paintings, jewelry, and other goods are on display as well.
Several food trucks and vendors are set up inside but primarily outside the main building on the pavilion.
You can catch additional extensions of the Chattanooga Market over near Erlanger Hospital, the Riverfront, during the Street Food Festival or Chattanooga Oktoberfest, or check out their daily schedule here.
Sculptures, murals, and mosaics are EVERYWHERE you look in downtown Chattanooga.
You can view this interactive art map to find every single piece, or you can filter it down to just one or a few types of art.
I really love the sculptures on the south end of the Market Street Bridge, each lady representing one of the four seasons.
Even the power boxes are interesting and lively.
Dwell Hotel
Boutique hotels are known to showcase as much art as any museum or gallery. One of my favourite places in Chattanooga is the Dwell Hotel, gorgeous boutique hotel embellished with botanical and astrological motifs.
The lobby is split into several large seating areas that wrap the front desk and lower level on all sides. You can chill out, order drinks, snacks, or go to the back for full meals.
Each room is uniquely vibrant and lush.
People often reserve parts of the lobby or individual rooms for photoshoots so mind your manners.
Mid-Mod meets tropical tiki-style in lobby and restaurant, without the wooden masks or tacky cartoon accents. Sunlight fills the room, and everything is made with fresh fruit and flowers.
Syrup & Eggs restaurant was the restaurant in residence for quite some time but that website is no longer active.
It was called Solarium Cafe after that, also with an inactive website, and they seem to be in the process of changing names again as of January 2025.
To the left of the entrance is a more low-lit, spooky romantic side. They called it Night Pearl for a while, but now it is called Matilda Midnight. We enjoyed their fancy cocktails like The Void, Retrograde, Luminary, Zodiac, On the Cusp, or Midheaven.
I like that there have been so many changes and always look forward to visiting again.
READ HOUSE HOTEL
In contrast, the Read House Hotel is a historic gem of hospitality. Where Dwell is modern and artsy, Read House Hotel is a timeless classic.
Read House Hotel was originally the Crutchfield House in 1872. it was destroyed and rebuilt, and then became this version in the 1920s.
It is a self-proclaimed “an icon of Jazz-Era opulence and a bastion of southern hospitality” and I would not argue.
It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is also longest continuously-operating hotel in the southeastern region of the US.
There is a functional telephone room, various lounges and themed rooms throughout the hotel.
The Silver Ballroom is especially opulent, with real silver molded onto the ceiling and forming the elegant wall sconces.
The carpet throughout guest hallways is made to look like strands of pearls, yet another motif I love.
We were given the honour of a personal tour by a man in a bowler hat and dazzling gold vest who magically appeared out of nowhere.
This is when we learned about the infamous Room 311.
Room 311 is where Al Capone was held overnight during transport to trial in Chicago, and it is the only room in the hotel with bars on the window.
Room 311 is also allegedly haunted, ever since 1927 when Annaliese Netherly’s husband found out she had been with another man while he was away on business so he decapitated her while she was in the bath tub.
This bath tub.
GREAT OUTDOORS
Chattanooga is surrounded by beautiful mountains, and two of the most beloved places in nature are the Prentice Cooper State Forest and Harrison Bay State Park.
Prentice Cooper State Forest is a rough gravely ride with teeth shattering potholes all the way up to Snooper’s Rock, and that is just the drive up, but the view makes you forget about it.
Harrison Bay State Park is a serene location with much gentler paved access and a nice playground, so it is great for the whole family.
We took the kids on a nature hike and saw a whole family of deer.
MOCASSIN BEND
One last place I want to mention is the Moccasin Bend National Archeological District access is primarily restricted to the “Gateway” which is the meadow below that looks over the river, or visitors can take the Blue Blazes Trail or the Brown’s Ferry Federal Road Trail that leads around the site.
If you are more interested in reading about the history and archeological findings here, check out the website. You can also visit the Lynn H. Wood Archaeology Museum a few miles outside of town.
There are so many other sites to see in downtown Chattanooga, and I hope you enjoy these as much as we did.
Chattanooga has a free downtown CARTA trolley that goes back and forth between its downtown terminus near the IMAX theatre to its southern terminus near the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel.
The route makes as loop around the downtown library which gives you a chance to take in all the art and architecture and scope out where you want to go next, without being distracted in traffic or worrying about parking.
On 28F days like our last visit, a trolley ride also gives you a break from walking out in frigid winter weather.
You can also pay for a guided hop on/hop off type of tour as well.
Nothing beats some fancy footwork around town, though.
In the area for a while? Follow me to Chattanooga’s cool Southside District and the Historic Big 9 / MLK Neighbourhood.
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