If you’re looking for a family-friendly destination that mixes outdoor adventure with hands-on fun, Chattanooga, Tennessee is such a great option.
It’s one of those places where you can spend time exploring nature, visit unique attractions, and still keep things manageable with kids.
Here are some of the best things to do in Chattanooga with kids.
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
Our first stop and one of the most unique things we did in Chattanooga was riding the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway.
This isn’t just a train ride. It’s one of the steepest passenger railways in the world, which makes it feel like a whole experience from start to finish.
As you go up the mountain, the incline gets surprisingly steep, and you can really feel it. That alone made it fun and a little exciting for the kids.
At the top, you can get out, walk around a bit, and take in the views before heading back down.
This was one of those experiences that felt simple, but really memorable, especially because it’s something you don’t do every day.
Warner Park Pool
We had a beautiful weather day so we stopped by the Warner Park Pool, which was a really nice, easy stop with kids. The best part was, it was open to the public to stop in and swim at a low cost.
It had a great splash pad area that was perfect for younger kids, especially if you just want something simple and low-pressure. The pool itself had multiple areas suited for different ages, so it worked well no matter what stage your kids are in.
One thing we really appreciated was that they had life jackets available, which made it feel a little easier and more relaxed with 3 young kids at the pool.
It’s also conveniently located right by the zoo, so it’s an easy add-on if you’re already planning to be in that area.
Tennessee Aquarium
We really enjoyed our time at the Tennessee Aquarium. It ended up being one of our favorite stops in Chattanooga.
There was a lot to do and interact with, which made it feel more engaging than just walking through and looking at exhibits. Between the penguins, sharks, sea turtles, and all the different fish, there was always something that caught our attention.
It’s split into two main buildings right along the river, which actually worked really well with kids because it helped break things up and made it feel more manageable.
We also saved some money by packing and bringing our own lunches. There was a small outdoor area with tables where we could sit and eat, and it worked out really well as a mid-day break.
Overall, it was definitely worth the stop and an easy one to recommend if you’re visiting Chattanooga with kids.
Ruby Falls
We visited Ruby Falls while we were in Chattanooga, and it ended up being a fun change of pace from everything else we were doing.
This is an underground waterfall located deep inside Lookout Mountain, and getting to it is part of the experience. You take a guided tour through the cave, walking through narrow paths and interesting rock formations before reaching the waterfall at the end.
What we liked:
A guided experience that keeps things simple
A fun “underground” adventure
A big payoff at the end with the waterfall
When you finally reach the waterfall, it lights up and feels pretty impressive, especially knowing you’re deep inside a mountain.
A couple things to keep in mind:
The paths can be narrow in spots
It’s a guided tour, so you move at a set pace
It can feel a little dark for younger kids
Overall, it was a fun stop and something we were glad we did while in Chattanooga.
Chattanooga Zoo
We also spent some time at the Chattanooga Zoo, and it was a really easy stop to enjoy with kids.
It’s a smaller zoo, which honestly worked in our favor. It didn’t feel overwhelming, and we could take our time without feeling like we had to rush to see everything.
The layout made it easy to get around, and there were plenty of opportunities to see animals up close, as well as a small train ride around a part of the zoo.
One of my favorite parts was doing a meerkat encounter. I was able to go right into their exhibit, feed them, and learn more about how they live in groups, including which female was the dominant one of the group. I even got to let them climb all over me and watch them interact in such an up-close way.
At the time, it was during COVID protocols, so I did have to wear a mask while inside the exhibit.
Meerkats are my favorite animal, so I loved every second of this experience and would do it again and again.
The zoo isn't really a full-day activity, but that’s part of what made it so nice. It was easy to fit into our day.
Coolidge Park + Sweet Treat Stop
After the zoo, we headed over to Coolidge Park, and it was perfect!
There’s a big fountain splash area that’s perfect for cooling off, plus tons of open green space for kids to just run around and play. They also have a carousel, which is always a hit.
It was a great way to let our kids burn off some energy after walking through the zoo.
Not far from the park, we also stopped at No Baked Cookie Dough, which serves edible cookie dough. It was a fun little treat and a perfect way to wrap up that part of the day.
Creative Discovery Museum
We visited the Creative Discovery Museum with all three of our kids, and it was the perfect morning activity before making a long drive back home.
There was so much for them to do, and it worked really well across different ages. Each of our kids was able to find something they were interested in, which made it feel easy for us as parents.
There are a lot of hands-on exhibits where kids can build, explore, and interact instead of just looking at things. We especially liked the water play areas and the open-ended spaces where they could move around and just play.
It’s one of those places where you can easily spend a few hours without feeling like you’re forcing anything. The kids were engaged the whole time, and it gave us a nice break from being outside for part of the day.
Overall, Chattanooga ended up being such a great family trip.
It had a really nice mix of outdoor activities, hands-on experiences, and simple moments. Nothing ever felt too overwhelming, and it was easy to move at a pace that worked well for our kids.
With all three kids, we still felt like there was plenty to do without overpacking our days, which made the whole trip more enjoyable for everyone. Chattanooga is a place we could go back and visit again.