After spending one weekend in Chattanooga, I fell in love with all there was to offer. I told my husband that we should move there asap…if only it were that easy. Anyways, I truly believe Chattanooga is such a gem hidden in the southeastern United States. With epic waterfalls, amazing hiking trails, wineries, and unique attractions, a weekend may not be enough. If that is the case, feel free to add to this 3-day Chattanooga Itinerary with the other ideas at the end!
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How do I get to Chattanooga?
There is an airport located just 5 minutes East of downtown Chattanooga. But if you cannot find any ideal flights or budget-friendly deals, you can also fly to Nashville or Atlanta. Both are just over 2 hours away. + It would make a good road trip adventure!
Although there is a free downtown shuttle, I do recommend renting a car for this weekend’s getaway so you can explore the nearby state parks and travel at your own pace.
What is the best time to visit Chattanooga?
With mild temperatures year-round and very little snow, there’s truly not a bad time to visit. Chattanooga does receive a lot of rain, so just be sure to pack your rain jacket!
I may be a bit biased due to my love for all the fall colors and hatred of the heat, but I believe October is the best time to visit (it’s when I visited and I absolutely loved the colors and temperature).
Chattanooga, TN Weather:
- Winter (Dec-Feb): 52/36
- Spring (March-May): 72/53
- Summer (June-Aug): 86/71
- Fall (Sept-Nov): 72/56
Fall Peak Colors? Colors typically peak from the last week in October to the first week in November, but this will vary from year to year. I monitored the leaves by using this website.
Rain? According to Bestplaces.net Chattanooga averages 51 inches of rain per year (the national average is 38) and 2 inches of snow. The winter months see the most rain.
Where should I stay in Chattanooga?
We stayed in this charming B&B. You will have your own private bedroom, but share a bathroom with one other room (if they are full). The hosts provided a DELICIOUS homemade breakfast each morning and additional snacks. The best part was a completely dog-friendly stay near Chattanooga.
Other recommended hotels/stays near Chattanooga:
- Riverview Inn: A super cozy mountain cottage resort with epic views, a free hot breakfast, and a heated pool.
- Moxy Chattanooga Downtown: This stylish hotel comes with a complimentary cocktail upon check-in…need I say more?
- Hotel Indigo: Located in West Village, this boutique hotel offers everything you could need.
Sample 3-Day Chattanooga Weekend Itinerary
Day 1 in Chattanooga:
Morning:
Although not directly in Chattanooga, the Jack Daniels Distillery is worth the slight detour. At just over 1.5 hours from the city, you’ll find the home of ol’ Jack Daniels. Once arriving in Lynchburg, you’ll get to tour this amazing working distillery, learn about its history, and even taste some different types of whiskey! Tours run from 9:00 am-4:30 pm and range from 70-90 minutes. It is recommended that you reserve your time online to ensure you get your first choice in time.
After your tour make sure to take the walking path “downtown” Lynchburg and grab some BBQ and check out the shops. Fun Fact! Even though Lynchburg is the home of the massive distillery, it’s actually a dry county!
Afternoon:
Next, head into the city and do some people-watching at Coolidge Park. If you didn’t already eat in Lynchburg, this is the perfect place for a picnic! After you relax for a bit, head for a stroll across the Walnut Street Bridge, the world’s longest pedestrian bridge. There’s a delicious ice cream shop on the other side! Motivation!!
Evening:
End your first day in Chattanooga with a fun dinner boat ride aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat. There are different rides to choose from ranging from 90-120 minutes. In the evenings, you can choose between the sunset tour or the twilight ride depending on what time works best for you! They both feature live music, great views, and onboard concessions. The boats typically run between May and November, but be sure to check the website for availability.
Day 2 in Chattanooga:
Morning:
Take a quiet morning to sleep in, have breakfast at your B&B or hotel and get ready for another day of adventure!
Afternoon:
After your quiet morning, hit the road and head to Rock City Gardens! This magical spot is located just 15 minutes away from downtown Chattanooga. In short, Rock City is a 4,100 ft trail that weaves in and out of a natural rock.
It’s no ordinary hiking trail though as it’s filled with things to do and see along the way. You’ll walk over a swinging bridge, look out at 7 states, see a magical waterfall (pictured above), walk through a fairy garden, and so much more. The best part about Rock City is it is completely dog-friendly!
If you do not have your dog with you, you can head over to the nearby Ruby Falls (a waterfall in a cave) for a guided tour as this part is not dog-friendly. You will need a timed reservation for both attractions and it can be made easily through their websites.
Evening:
Head back into Chattanooga and grab a bite to eat at Puckett’s Restaurant before you take off on a haunted ghost Ghost Tour. There are several different tour guides that offer 60-90 minutes nightly tours.
Most of the tours leave around 8:30 pm and cover about 1 mile. The guides will share researched ghost stories and history about Chattanooga. Some tours are dog and family-friendly, while others are a little spookier just for adults. Be sure to check with your specific tour to find your meeting place and time!
Not into ghost tours? Change the schedule around a bit and try a self-guided city scavenger hunt on your own before a later dinner. Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunt will take you around some of the very best sights in Chattanooga + you can make it a bit competitive!
You may also like: Dog-friendly Things to do in Chattanooga
Day 3 in Chattanooga:
Morning:
Up and at em this morning! Time for a full day of waterfalls, hiking, and adventure! Fall Creek Falls is located just over 1 hour out of the city and it remains one of my favorite waterfalls in the USA. Located just steps away from the parking lot is the 256 ft. waterfall. From the overlook, you are able to walk down to the base of the falls. It is a steep, but short walk. After admiring your first waterfall, you can also check out Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Cane Creek Cascades.
Afternoon:
At only 55 miles from Fall Creek Falls, you will be met with the equally beautiful South Cumberland State Park. Throughout this park, you will find waterfalls and 90 miles of hiking trails.
While here, I recommend hiking to Foster Falls (.3 miles) and the Denny Cove Trail (2.8 miles) which both lead to more epic waterfalls.
Evening:
After your day of adventuring outdoors, end it with a pizza and wine tasting at Lookout Winery (30 minutes away and back towards Chattanooga). And if you didn’t guess it…there is an amazing view…(hence the name).
You may also like:: 23+ Magical Waterfalls in Tennessee
Other things to do in Chattanooga:
- Racoon Mountain Caverns: Guided walking tours through an amazing cave. Looking for more adventure? Try a wild cave tour instead!
- Creative Discovery Museum: If traveling to Chattanooga with kids, the Creative Discovery Museum is a must! With countless hands-on activities, it could very well turn into an all-day festivity!
- Chattanooga Market: If visiting on a Sunday, you can check out the local vendors, fresh produce, and live entertainment.
- The Lookout Mountain Railway: Take a ride on this 1-mile funicular railway system to the top of Lookout Mountain!
- HighPoint Climbing: If you need a rainy day activity, check out the indoor rock walls at HighPoint!
3-day Chattanooga Weekend Trip Itinerary Recap:
- Day 1: Jack Daniels, Walnut Street Bridge, Southern Belle Riverboat
- Day 2: Rock City Gardens & Ghost Tour or Walking Scavenger Hunt
- Day 3: Fall Creek Falls, South Cumberland State Park, Lookout Winery
Keep Reading::: North Alabama Road Trip with Dogs!
One Weekend In Chattanooga Isn’t Enough
As you can see, there’s SO much to do in Chattanooga that one weekend would never be enough to see it all. You can customize your 3-day Chattanooga itinerary based on what interests you. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find plenty of entertaining activities to create your own fun-filled, jam-packed adventure weekend in Chattanooga.
What else would you add to this “One Weekend in Chattanooga” Itinerary?
Tip! Make sure to follow me on Instagram for more USA weekend getaways and dog-friendly adventures!
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