Walking downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee is a great way to see why this town has been dubbed the “Scenic City”. Overcoming its tough beginnings in 1839, Chattanooga is now a beautiful town offering stunning vistas, fun attractions and engaging events for all trekkers.
Andy Montgomery
Once a dirty industrial town, Chattanooga now boasts clean air, thriving tourism and gorgeous outdoor walkability locales that are filled to the brim with shopping, dining, eateries and paved paths. Whether your a power walker or just in the mood for a leisurely meander, Chattanooga offers a pedestrian many choices for getting out and stretching the legs.
Walkability is defined as the ability to be traveled by walking and Chattanooga has five excellent choices to do just that without a price tag attached.
Bluff View Art District
CLICK ABOVE IMAGE OF BLUFF VIEW INN AND RESERVE YOUR STAY OR
Here, the trekker can enjoy a turn of the century historic neighborhood. One of the reasons we love this area is because the air is filled with enticing aromas floating from the local coffee house, Rembrandt’s Coffee House, and the Bluff View Bakery.
For more serious eating, take a table at Tony’s Pasta Shop & Trattoria or make reservations for fine dining at the Back Inn Café.
AWESOME TOURS AND ATTRACTIONS OF CHATTANOOGA VIA TRIPADVISOR
Also along the Bluff View Art District is the breathtaking stately mansion of the HUNTER ART MUSEUM as well as numerous specialty shops filled with arts and crafts of local artisans. 
Chattanooga Riverfront
The Chattanooga Riverfront is a super popular walk and is especially loved by kids. This location is a mecca of restaurants, (both indoor and patio dining), chain and specialty shops and gardens that offer loads of meandering possibilities.
Walk the gardens and the creative artistically designed beauty of the Tennessee Aquarium courtyard where you can let the kids splash around in the landscaped pools and rivers or stop to pet the nose of a precious carriage horse. TENNESSEE AQUARIUM
Behind the Tennessee Aquarium, follow a stepping stone river down to the wading pool which will lead you to a walking area along the river. This is one of the most beautiful and hopping areas of our walk in downtown Chattanooga.
It is a lovely stroll even on a hot day as a breeze is typically blowing off the Tennessee River during summer and fall foliage is breathtaking in the crisp months of autumn.
Ross’s Landing is a medley of outdoor activities such as boating, biking, paddleboard and swimming as well as various scheduled events occurring all throughout the year. A popular event at Christmas is The Lighted Boat Parade.
Free to the public, the parade is a real treat during the holidays as boats cruise along the river decked out in sparkling Christmas decorations. Usually, this event occurs towards the end of November.
VRBO has a huge inventory on homes to rent while staying in and around Chattanooga. Ooltewah, Soddy Daisy, Hixson, Lakesite and Collegedale are a few safe good locations to also consider.
Ross’s Landing via GT.PHOTOS
North Shore
From the Bluff View Art District, you can cross the Walnut Street Bridge and enter The Northshore of Chattanooga. This highly walkable area will stretch out before you like a canopy of giant green lawn, quirky shops and eateries, a water fountain kids can play in and the pride and joy of Coolidge Park, the hand carved colorfully painted merry-go-round.
This park is extremely easy to navigate with paved paths and a mostly flat grassy area. Plus, there are benches for taking a break and trees for shade during hot months.
Coolidge Park is an excellent place for a picnic. The large expanse of green lawn is perfect for spreading out a blanket and opening a picnic basket. You can enjoy super pretty views of the river and the city while you relax and watch the boats go by.
Coolidge Park Carousel via JHP
Southside Downtown
Do not be afraid or ashamed to hum the popular big band hit The Chattanooga Choo Choo by The Glen Miller Band as you stroll along The Southside of Chattanooga. This is home to the famous and crazy popular Chattanooga Choo Choo, a must see when you come to this town.
In this highly visited locale, you will enjoy restaurants such as STIR, comedy clubs, an ice skating rink in the winter and some of the oldest buildings in Chattanooga. Stroll Glen Miller Gardens and check out the old rail cars and small shops.
CLICK ABOVE IMAGE AND RESERVE YOUR STAY AT THE CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO
JETRADAR SEARCHES ALL AIRLINES TO FIND YOU FLIGHTS WITH THE BEST DEALS
You cannot leave without wettin that whistle at The Chattanooga Whiskey, the only whiskey locally brewed in Chattanooga.
The Riverwalk
Walk or get the bicycles and begin your relaxing trip along The Riverwalk pathway, a paved 13 to16 mile route that winds parallel with the Tennessee River. Trail heads are available at various locations stretching from the Chickamauga Dam to downtown Chattanooga to St Elmo.
There are several attractions to stop at along this flat easy path such as Coolidge Park, Walnut Street Bridge and the Tennessee Aquarium via Ross’s Landing just to name a few. One of my favorite places along the way to stop and eat is BOATHOUSE which sits roughly at the halfway mark of the trail and offers a delicious menu with views of the river.
The Riverwalk is also a lovely and easy stroll, excellent for strollers and/or wheelchairs. Be sure to bring the pets along too for they are totally welcome to a Chattanooga experience as well.
While visiting, a gorgeous state park to check out for a beautiful day of swimming, hiking, picnics and just hanging out in nature is FALL CREEK FALLS.
RESERVE YOUR FAVORITE VEHICLE THROUGH RENTALCARS.COM
Plus, if you get a chance, see my Vacation Lifestyle Shopping page.
Too give you another option for finding a place to stay, EXPEDIA also has a great inventory to choose from.
SOME PERSONAL FAVORITES FOR A STAY IN DOWNTOWN CHATTANOOGA
THE WESTIN CHATTANOOGA: Booking.com THE WESTIN
THE EDWIN HOTEL: BookIng.com THE EDWIN HOTEL
THE READ HOUSE: Booking.com THE READ HOUSE
BODE CHATTANOOGA: Booking.com BODE CHATTANOOGA
1 Comment
Historic And Haunted Read House Of Chattanooga - Lite Wallet Traveler · September 19, 2021 at 4:09 pm
[…] City”. Chattanooga is gorgeous with excellent and inviting locales to visit. The Walkability Of Chattanooga provides a list of some of the most popular downtown attractions to walk and to […]