You’ve probably heard about all of the outdoor adventures Chattanooga has to offer – hiking, biking, fishing, and simply enjoying the beauty of the city’s natural surroundings. But when the weather doesn’t cooperate, there are still plenty of indoor activities that Chattanooga visitors and locals alike can enjoy.
Whether you’re trying to escape the rain or beat the heat in the summer, this list of fun indoor activities Chattanooga has to offer will help you make the most of your day. From museums and waterfalls to whiskey and shopping, there’s something here for every interest. So when the skies open up, hop in the car and check out one of these 10 great spots.
Tennessee Aquarium
Get face to fin with thousands of aquatic creatures at the Tennessee Aquarium, which consistently ranks among the top aquariums in the country. Since opening in 1992, the Tennessee Aquarium has been an anchor of Chattanooga’s vibrant downtown and a home to more than 12,000 animals, including sharks, otters, penguins, and the largest collection of freshwater turtles in North America. When you’re done exploring the River Journey and Ocean Journey buildings, grab your umbrella for the short walk to the Aquarium’s IMAX 3D Theater for another rainy day activity in Chattanooga.
Hunter Museum of American Art
If you’re traveling to Chattanooga for the scenery, you can still enjoy some stunning views at the Hunter Museum of American Art. Part of the quaint Bluff View Arts District, the Hunter houses a collection of American art from the 1700s until present day. With paintings, sculpture, mixed media, photography, and decorative arts all on display, as well as rotating exhibits, there’s always something interesting to see! This makes it a perfect addition to the list of indoor activities that Chattanooga offers. Make sure to hit up all three buildings – the mansion, the 1970s-era east wing, and the 21st-century waterfront west wing – that collectively represent 100 years of architecture.
Ruby Falls
Looking to avoid the rain? Then head underground! It’s always dry – and a cool 60 degrees – at Ruby Falls, which is home to the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States. At this iconic Chattanooga attraction, guests descend 260 feet via a glass-front elevator into the mountain, where a winding trail filled with ancient cave formations awaits. When it comes to the rainy day activities that Chattanooga offers, Ruby Falls is one of the most memorable and photo-worthy.
High Point Climbing and Fitness
If you’re looking for an active and fun indoor activity in Chattanooga, this one is a crowd-pleaser. High Point Climbing and Fitness brings Chattanooga’s world-class rock climbing indoors with two separate locations in the Scenic City to explore. The Broad Street location boasts 30,000 feet of climbing space including beginner-friendly auto-belay walls, a top-roping room, a lead-climbing pit, and two boulder areas, plus the Kids Zone for the gym’s youngest climbers. If you’re looking for active and fun indoor activities Chattanooga has in its lineup, this one is a crowd-pleaser. Day passes are available, and High Point also offers cross-training via fitness and yoga classes.
Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery
If you’re hoping to learn more about the history of whiskey in Chattanooga, you’re in luck. Southside’s Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery offers tours every day of the week beginning at noon. The one-hour tour covers the distillery’s origins, its craft production process, and its distinctiveness among other distilleries in the United States. At the end, guests get to sample the award-winning whiskey for themselves with a one-of-kind whiskey flight featuring the distillery’s latest offerings – a perfect pick for adults seeking indoor activities in Chattanooga with a grown-up twist.
National Medal of Honor Heritage Center
Opened in February of 2020, the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center is a 19,000-square-foot facility dedicated to telling the stories of Medal of Honor recipients past and present. In fact, the country’s very first Medal of Honor was awarded right here in the Scenic City. Permanent exhibits span the Civil War to the War on Terror conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, with immersive experiences that bring recipients’ stories to life. For history buffs, this is an indoor activity in Chattanooga that you won’t want to miss.
Creative Discovery Museum
Got kids in tow? Downtown’s Creative Discovery Museum is sure to be a big hit. This award-winning museum aims to provide a safe space for learning and exploration – and a safe space from the rain, too. Some of the popular permanent exhibits include Tennessee RiverPlay (with water tables for making a splash), Performing Arts Gallery (where you can start your own family band), and Excavation Station (for acting out your paleontology dreams). There’s even Little Yellow House, a play space designed specifically for the museum’s youngest visitors! For parents in search of a fun indoor activity for children, it doesn’t get better than this.
Warehouse Row
Do some shopping with a side of history at Warehouse Row in Southside, a mixed-use development with roots tracing back all the way to the Civil War. Nowadays, Warehouse Row is one of the Southeast’s premier shopping destinations for everything from clothing and cosmetics to eyewear and home furnishings. Retail stores such as Madewell, Anthropologie, J. Crew, and Lululemon, as well as Chattanooga-based offerings like Embellish and Hemline are available at this stop. When you’re in need of a bite to eat, you won’t have to travel far; enjoy Southern fare at Public House, ramen at Two Ten Jack, or brunch at Tupelo Honey Café, all conveniently located on-site.
Naughty Cat Café
Did you know that Chattanooga is home to one of the largest cat cafés in the world? For all things furry and four-legged, head to Naughty Cat Café, where there are always at least 30 adoptable rescue cats ready to be loved on. In addition to the kitties, you’ll find posh furniture, art from around the world, jazz music, baked goods, and a large selection of drinks. It’s one of the most unique indoor activities that Chattanooga has for animal lovers—and it’s purr-fect for a rainy day. An entry fee of $15 serves as a direct donation to the café’s cats, and it includes your choice of any nonalcoholic beverage.
Classic Arcade Pinball Museum
For an afternoon steeped in nostalgia, you won’t find a better locale than the Classic Arcade Pinball Museum. Here, you can take advantage of approximately 50 machines – both pinball and classic arcade games – that appeal to players of all ages. Featured games include Frogger (1981), Pac-Man Plus (1982), and Mario Bros. (1983), as well as pinball favorites Dungeons and Dragons (1987), Twilight Zone (1993), The Addams Family (1992), and Star Trek: The Next Generation (1993). With admission to the museum comes unlimited free play with “come-and-go” wristbands – perfect for dipping in and out throughout the day as the weather changes!
Ali Lemmons, BS, Summa Cum Laude
Ali Lemmons is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication with a minor in computer science. While at UTC, Ali also earned the distinction of Summa Cum Laude, the Outstanding Senior Award for the communication department, and was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society. Now, as editor/digital content specialist for CMC Media & Marketing Group, Ali leads the ideation, conceptualization, and development of numerous health, wellness, business, sports, and lifestyle articles published in print and online for HealthScope®, CityScope®, and Choose Chattanooga® magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia. She is also involved in content creation for Digital Smart Marketing customers and is the lead copywriter for the company’s social media sites.
