7 Incredible Things to do in Chattanooga with Kids
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When we started planning our trip to Chattanooga, Rock City was at the top of my list.
It had been on my bucket list for years, but once I started researching the area more, I realized there were so many other great things to do with kids nearby too.
Between the mountain views, unique attractions, walkable areas, and outdoor adventures, Chattanooga ended up being such a fun family destination.
If you’re planning a family trip to Chattanooga, these are the attractions and experiences that stood out the most to us.
Chattanooga with Kids Quick Guide
Best for: Families who love outdoor adventures, scenic views, and unique attractions
Time needed: 2–4 days
Top attraction: Rock City
Most walkable areas: North Shore and downtown Chattanooga
Great for ages: Toddlers through teens
1. Rock City
The number one attraction I would recommend visiting on your trip to Chattanooga is Rock City.
Rock City is a place I had wanted to visit for years, but I honestly had no idea what to expect.
It ended up being my favorite attraction of the entire trip.
Located atop Lookout Mountain, Rock City is filled with stunning views, winding pathways, unique rock formations, and surprises around every turn.
The kids loved exploring all the different pathways and discovering what was next, and honestly, I loved it just as much.
Every area feels a little different, which kept our kids interested the whole time.
Wear comfortable shoes since there is quite a bit of walking throughout Rock City.
I recommend purchasing your tickets online ahead of time. Parking at Rock City is also completely free, which is a huge plus for families.
Plan on spending around 2–3 hours exploring Rock City.
You can stop for a snack or lunch at Cafe 7 near Lover’s Leap, which has incredible views overlooking seven states.
While visiting Rock City, don’t miss Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village. Our kids especially loved searching for the gnomes hidden throughout Rock City.
Planning a visit to Rock City? Read my full Rock City Guide here.
2. Ruby Falls
Ruby Falls is another one of Chattanooga’s most well-known attractions.
If you are not familiar with Ruby Falls, it is a stunning underground waterfall located inside a cave on Lookout Mountain.
To see the waterfall, you’ll need to purchase tickets ahead of time for a guided cave tour.
The cave tours last about 90 minutes, and the entire experience will likely take around 2 hours total.
I have been on quite a few cave tours over the years, and while Ruby Falls is beautiful, the overall tour experience was not one of my favorites.
There was a lot of waiting throughout the tour because so many groups were moving through the cave at the same time. At times, we were even stopping to let other groups squeeze past us.
That said, if you’ve never done a cave tour before, this could still be a really fun experience for your family.
The waterfall itself really is impressive once you reach it, and honestly, I completely understand wanting to experience it since it is such a famous thing to do in Chattanooga. I felt the exact same way.
There is also a gift shop, restaurant, and observation tower at Ruby Falls.
3. Incline Railway
The Incline Railway is another fun and unique thing to do in Chattanooga with kids.
The railway runs up Lookout Mountain between the lower station in St. Elmo and the upper station on Lookout Mountain.
You can purchase tickets and board the Incline Railway from either the top or lower station.
We personally liked starting at the lower station in St. Elmo and riding up the mountain first because it added to the excitement of the experience.
If you park at the lower station in St. Elmo, parking currently costs $3 for 3 hours in the lot next to the railway. The upper station has metered street parking nearby as well.
I recommend purchasing your Incline Railway tickets online ahead of time. You’ll receive a timed entry ticket, but you can board up to 30 minutes after your scheduled time.
The ride itself takes about 10 minutes each way, and the kids especially loved how steep it felt going up the mountain.
Once you reach the top, there is a small gift shop, snack area, and observation deck.
You can also stay up there as long as you like unless you are visiting close to closing time. Just make sure not to miss the last ride down.
One thing I highly recommend is walking a few blocks to Point Park after riding the Incline Railway.
The Incline Railway itself will likely take about an hour or less. If you combine it with Point Park, plan on spending around 1.5–2 hours total.
One important thing to know is that you cannot walk to Rock City or Ruby Falls from the Incline Railway.
After your ride, the St. Elmo area has several great walkable restaurants nearby, making it a fun area to spend a little extra time.
We ate at Tap House after riding the Incline Railway, and it was a great casual spot for families.
4. Point Park
Point Park ended up being one of the biggest surprises of our trip to Chattanooga.
Located on Lookout Mountain, this beautiful National Military Park combines scenic views, history, and easy walking paths, making it a really enjoyable stop for families.
The paved walking paths wind beneath the trees and throughout the park, making it a peaceful place to explore.
Our kids especially loved spotting all the cannons throughout the park and learning about some of the Civil War history connected to the area.
Make sure to stop by the Ochs Memorial Observatory. The views from here are incredible and some of the best we saw on Lookout Mountain.
You can also see the New York Peace Monument while walking through the park.
Point Park is only a few blocks from the upper station of the Incline Railway, so it pairs really well with riding the Incline Railway up Lookout Mountain.
There is a $10 entrance fee for visitors ages 16 and older. Children under 16 are free.
Plan on spending about 45 minutes to an hour visiting Point Park.
5. Coolidge Park and Walnut Street Bridge
Another fun thing to do in Chattanooga with kids is visit Coolidge Park and walk across the Walnut Street Bridge.
Coolidge Park is a beautiful riverfront park located in Chattanooga’s North Shore area along the Tennessee River.
This area has such a fun atmosphere and is a great place to slow down for a bit during your trip.
The kids loved running through the large open field, and we also rode the carousel while we were there.
There is also a splash pad, which looked like so much fun for kids. We didn’t have swimsuits with us when we visited, but it definitely made us wish we had planned ahead for it.
While visiting Coolidge Park, make sure to walk at least part of the Walnut Street Bridge. We had a blast walking across it together.
The Walnut Street Bridge connects downtown Chattanooga to the North Shore area and is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world.
The bridge is about .45 miles across and has beautiful views of the Tennessee River and downtown Chattanooga.
There are also plenty of restaurants, ice cream shops, and local stores nearby, making this a great area to spend an afternoon or evening.
Plan on spending about 1–2 hours exploring Coolidge Park and the Walnut Street Bridge area.
6. Tennessee Aquarium
The Tennessee Aquarium is one of the most popular family attractions in Chattanooga and is located right in downtown near the riverfront.
While we didn’t have time to visit the aquarium on this trip, we did spend quite a bit of time in the area since we parked nearby for several of our activities.
The aquarium has two main buildings: River Journey and Ocean Journey.
If you plan to visit, you’ll want to purchase tickets ahead of time. Tickets are valid for the one-hour entry window you select when booking.
From everything I researched while planning our trip, most families will want to allow at least 2 hours to explore the aquarium.
One thing I really liked about this area is how walkable it felt. There are several restaurants nearby, plus other attractions within walking distance.
A few nearby restaurant options include Puckett’s Restaurant, Burger Republic, and Mellow Mushroom.
This area makes a really easy and fun family outing for an afternoon or evening in Chattanooga.
It is also a great indoor activity option for hot or rainy days.
7. Creative Discovery Museum
Another fun thing to do in Chattanooga with kids is visit the Creative Discovery Museum.
Located in downtown Chattanooga, the Creative Discovery Museum is a mix of a children’s museum and science museum with exhibits for a wide range of ages.
Our kids LOVE children’s museums, so of course we had to check it out.
My younger two boys, ages 3 and 1, especially enjoyed the Little Farmhouse exhibit. It was such a cute space for younger kids to play and use their imagination.
The older boys spent most of their time in the STEM zone, and my oldest’s favorite part was the robotics section.
One of my personal favorite exhibits was the bee exhibit. It was really well done and such a fun way to learn more about bees.
Another big hit for our kids was the outdoor Treehouse Adventure area.
They also had so much fun in the Tennessee RiverPlay exhibit pretending to pilot a riverboat and climbing throughout the structure.
Plan on spending about 2 hours exploring the museum.
The Creative Discovery Museum is only a few blocks from the Tennessee Aquarium. We parked in the aquarium parking lot and then walked over to the museum.
Just like the aquarium area, there are several walkable restaurants nearby that make it easy to grab lunch or dinner afterward.
More Family-Friendly Things to Do in Chattanooga
Clumpies Ice Cream Co.
Clumpies Ice Cream Co. is a local favorite with locations in both the North Shore and Southside areas.
The North Shore location would make a really fun stop after spending time at Coolidge Park or walking across the Walnut Street Bridge.
Explore the St. Elmo Area
The St. Elmo neighborhood has several walkable restaurants and such a fun atmosphere. This ended up being one of our favorite areas to spend time after riding the Incline Railway.
We ate at Tap House, which was a great casual spot for families. We also noticed that Mr. T’s Pizza and Ice Cream looked like another really fun family-friendly option in the area.
Tennessee Riverwalk
The Tennessee Riverwalk is another great outdoor area to explore along the riverfront, especially for families who enjoy walking or biking.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Chattanooga with Kids
Chattanooga ended up being such a fun and memorable family destination for us.
Originally, Rock City was what brought us to the area, but once we started exploring, we realized Chattanooga has so much more to offer families.
Between the mountain views, unique attractions, outdoor adventures, walkable areas, and great food, there really is a lot to do here with kids.
Whether you are exploring Lookout Mountain, walking across the Walnut Street Bridge, riding the Incline Railway, or spending the afternoon at one of Chattanooga’s museums, this city has such a fun mix of adventure and family-friendly activities.
If you’re planning more Tennessee family trips, you might also love my Gatlinburg Family Vacation Guide.
Planning a Nashville trip too? Gaylord Opryland Resort is one of the most unique family-friendly hotels in Tennessee.
If you are planning a trip to Chattanooga or other Tennessee destinations like Gatlinburg or Nashville, my Travel Itinerary Planner can help you organize your days, map out attractions, and make the planning process feel much less overwhelming.
May you love your adventure. KW
