Nestled at the base of Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo is a small neighborhood with a big personality. With a variety of local restaurants and eclectic shops, as well as iconic local attractions, this part of town blends historic charm with family-friendly entertainment..
Want to explore the area for yourself? Here’s some things to do for a perfect day in St. Elmo.
Morning: Start Your Day Off Right
Welcome to St. Elmo! With a busy day ahead, it’s important to start the day off right with a cup of joe. Luckily, The Hot Chocolatier opened a second location in St. Elmo in 2023, and this local chocolate shop offers an expansive menu of coffees, teas – and you guessed it – hot chocolate! Seasonal drinks, like spiced apple cider and pumpkin spice lattes, can also be enjoyed in the cooler months.
And we can’t forget about a hearty breakfast! Head to Common Table, located on Broad Street, for Southern-inspired cuisine. With options like the CYO (choose your own) breakfast, hot honey chicken biscuit, and biscuits and gravy, everyone can find their perfect bite.
Once you’ve fueled up, spend the rest of the morning getting your steps in. The 16.1-mile Tennessee Riverwalk runs directly through the heart of St. Elmo, offering plenty of space for those who enjoy walking, running, or biking.
Afternoon: Explore the Incline Railway & More
Now it’s time to explore some of the iconic tourist attractions in St. Elmo. Up first, head to the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, one of the world’s steepest passenger railways with a maximum grade of 72.7%. Over 125 years old, visitors can board the railway in St. Elmo and journey up the side of Lookout Mountain, enjoying breathtaking views of the Scenic City along the way.
Time for lunch! St. Elmo has plenty of local eateries to choose from. Mediterranean lovers will enjoy The Hummus Bowl, a Greek-inspired eatery offering gyros, bowls, and wraps. If pizza is more your speed, check out Mr. T’s Pizza & Ice Cream, a great spot for families to take a break in between activities.
After lunch, it’s time for more relaxing entertainment. Head just down the street to the Naughty Cat Cafe – Chattanooga’s first and only cat cafe. Guests can grab a complimentary beverage, purchase a baked good, and hang out with more than 30 adoptable cats in a comfortable lounge atmosphere.
Evening: Try Out St. Elmo Restaurants
After hanging out with cats all afternoon, it’s time for dinner. Opened by Chef Erik Niel, two-time James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef: Southeast, Little Coyote offers a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere and mouthwatering Tex-Mex fare. Dinner options include carnitas, pork ribs, brisket, smoked chicken, and more, all prepared in a wood fire pit in the back of the restaurant. For those who wish to imbibe, explore the restaurant’s cocktail list, including zero-proof options
We can’t forget about dessert! Head just across the street to Clumpies Ice Cream Co., an iconic Chattanooga stop for hand-crafted ice cream. Classic flavors include butter pecan, chocolate chocolate chunk, and more, and the shop offers unique featured flavors each season.
We hope you enjoyed your perfect day in St. Elmo. Come again soon!
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.
