From mountain views to award-winning museums, world-class attractions, and fascinating historic sites, Chattanooga has something for all ages. Whether you’re looking for a vacation getaway or considering relocation, Chattanooga is a great place for families with entertainment at every turn.

In 2022, Chattanooga made WalletHub’s list for “Best Places to Raise a Family” due to its broad range of family-friendly attractions and general affordability, and U.S. News & World Report named Chattanooga one of the top four “Best Places to Live in Tennessee.” While locals already know this to be true, it’s fun to see the excitement of more than 15 million visitors each year for this gem of a city.

One of the area’s coolest attractions for animal lovers is the Tennessee Aquarium, ranked No. 9 on USA Today’s 2022 list of the Best Aquariums in the United States and home to more than 12,000 animals, including penguins, sharks, otters, and the largest collection of freshwater turtles in North America. At the Chattanooga Zoo, guests can learn about animals from all over the world, including giraffes, chimpanzees, jaguars, red pandas, and snow leopards. The Zoo also recently launched the Hiwassee Hellbender Research and Education facility to help preserve the disappearing species. Also protecting wildlife is the 317-acre Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center. Focusing on plants and animals native to East Tennessee, the center offers gardens, hiking trails, an animal exhibit, and educational experiences. 

Lookout Mountain offers several popular attractions. At Rock City, guests can enjoy the beautiful gardens, rock formations, and incredible views, as well as see sustainability in action. Rock City recently partnered with EPB and Seven States Power to install an educational solar arbor that helps power the ticket booth. 

Ruby Falls is the country’s tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public, located 1,120 feet below ground. The attraction also features High Point ZIP Adventure’s 40-foot climbing tower and over 700 feet of ziplines for the more active adventure seekers. 

Chattanooga’s history is well-preserved with attractions like the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Here, visitors can spend the night in addition to enjoying a the train-themed escape room and Glenn Miller Gardens. Train buffs will also appreciate the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, which illuminates Chattanooga’s rich railway history and offers a variety of trips on vintage trains. Additionally, the historic Incline Railway sits at the base of Lookout Mountain. In operation since 1895, the ride takes passengers up the mountain at an impressive 72.7% grade.

Another of Chattanooga’s oldest attractions, the Southern Belle, offers scenic tours of the Tennessee River, and guests can take a ride around downtown in a WWII amphibious landing craft before heading straight into the Tennessee River with the Chattanooga Ducks. 

For families with children, the Creative Discovery Museum displays hands-on exhibits that encourage creativity and learning with a focus on sustainable living and alternative energy. The 2022 renovation of the RiverPlay exhibit includes water tables with a functioning lock and dam system as well as a hydropower plant that lights a town. 

The fun doesn’t stop with museums or historical and wildlife attractions, though. For athletes, sports enthusiasts, and active adventurers, there are plenty of options. The expansive Tennessee Riverwalk offers 16.1 miles of paved greenway for a picturesque walk, jog, or bike ride. Downtown, High Point Climbing and Fitness features a unique outdoor climbing wall that overlooks Broad Street as well as plenty of climbing and bouldering space for all ages and skill levels. 

There are also numerous recreational facilities in the area, including golf and tennis clubs, bowling alleys, and paintball fields. The Scenic City offers a plethora of opportunities to watch a sporting event with roller derby bouts, rugby and professional soccer league matches, and minor league baseball games happening throughout the year.

For folks looking for something a little more unusual, Chattanooga can do that too. Guided tours are aplenty, ranging from ghost tours to food tours, and on vehicles from horse-drawn carriages to segways to trolleys. There are several axe throwing facilities, trampoline parks, and niche museums, including the interactive Chattanooga Selfie Museum, the Classic Arcade Pinball Museum, and the International Towing Museum. 

Offering fun for everyone from the outdoor enthusiast to the history buff, Chattanooga’s varied attractions promise to deliver an unforgettable experience for the whole family.