Kid friendly things to do in Chattanooga!
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My husband and I went to Chattanooga recently, a Christmas gift to me of a one on one encounter with the red pandas at the Chattanooga Zoo. We knew about Ruby Falls and Rock City, which are just outside the city, but everything else was a tremendous surprise.
With five days to explore, we saw a lot of the city, and I lost track of the number of times I said there are so many kid friendly things to do in Chattanooga.
Honestly, it’s a great city for a family vacation. Not too big. Not too small. It’s just right, with a great balance of indoor and outdoor activities and kid friendly surprises just about everywhere you go!
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Kid friendly things to do in Chattanooga, TN
Whatever your family enjoys, there are plenty of kid friendly things to do in Chattanooga to create wonderful vacation memories.
Downtown Chattanooga is quite walkable — we stayed in “Southside” and walked to the “Bluff View Arts District” along the river, about one mile, mostly flat. But, with its grid street layout, you can also drive from area to area as long as you don’t mind paying to park.
Outdoor attractions in Chattanooga for families
Nicknamed the Scenic City, there are lots of things to do in Chattanooga outdoors, all year long. The city was recently designated the first National Park City in North America, a recognition earned for the wide variety and number of parks throughout the city.
In my opinion, the outdoor spaces in and around Chattanooga are a much too well kept secret — especially for family vacations. The city sure surprised us in all the best ways!
These were our favorite outdoor activities in Chattanooga. Though, I have to say… we’ve got a lot more exploring to do!
Rock City
- ADDRESS: 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Muontain, GA (technically not Chattanooga, but it’s just minutes away!)
- PARKING: Free parking is offered onsite. The first parking lot is on the left as you approach from Chattanooga. We found that the lower parking lot on the right (just past the entrance) was less crowded.
- ADMISSION: Ticket prices vary throughout the year. And, special discounts are offered from time to time. Check the website for pricing.
- HOURS: Hours vary seasonally, so check the website for your dates. Rock City is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Rock City is one of the most popular attractions in Chattanooga. The attraction dates back to 1932, begun by Frieda Carter (and husband, Garnet). Frieda dreamt of creating the “rock garden to end all rock gardens.” Taking a red string, she wound it through the Lookout Mountain rocks, creating a path that she filled with German gnomes and wildflowers.
Today, Rock City’s trails take visitors through a number of different habitats and through whimsical displays including the gnomes, gardens, Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village. Along the way, don’t miss the amazing views from Lover’s Leap (where you can see seven states on a clear day). There’s something new to see around every corner!
As night falls, Rock City transforms into something different. Trails lit by lanterns and LED lights create a totally different world, but the gnomes are always a highlight.
We were provided free admission to Rock City, and it exceeded our expectations. It’s easy to explore, and quite fun. We enjoyed the surprises along the way, especially the Hall of the Mountain King, the gnomes hiding throughout the park, and the views from Lover’s Leap.
Rock City offers dining options, restrooms and shopping. Well behaved dogs on short leashes are welcome, but please clean up after them. And, a limited amount of trails are wheelchair accessible. I do not recommend strollers for Rock City.
Ruby Falls
- ADDRESS: 1720 S. Scenic Hwy. Chattanooga, TN
- PARKING: Free parking is available onsite.
- ADMISSION: Advance ticket purchase is required! Adults, $28.95; Kids (4-12), $18.95; Seniors (65+ with ID), $27.95; Kids under 4, FREE.
Ruby Falls is a cave attraction that takes visitors along an underground trail to a 90′ underground waterfall. Along the way, you’ll see stalactites and stalagmites and learn the history of Ruby Falls.
Each tour begins at the time specified on your entry ticket — in the EASTERN TIME ZONE. Guests should arrive at least 15 minutes before their tour time (allow a few minutes to park and walk up to the castle). You’ll take an elevator ride down about 250 feet to the start of the cave tour.
From there, your tour lasts about an hour. On your way to the waterfall, you’ll learn about Leo Lambert, who discovered the waterfall, realized its potential as a tourist attraction and opened it in 1929. He named it Ruby Falls in honor of his wife.
The waterfall and light show is the highlight of the tour. You’ll have about ten minutes to enjoy this spectacle before walking back to the elevator and up to the gift shop.
We have been on other cave tours, and this was not the most exciting cave tour. But, it was cool to learn about Leo and Ruby and see the waterfall light show.
While the tour is appropriate for all ages, there are areas where the path is uneven and wet. Some of the passages are quite narrow. We do not recommend this attraction for people who cannot comfortably stand and walk for 90 minutes or for those who suffer from claustrophobia.
If you only have time for one, I prefer Rock City to Ruby Falls for its unique whimsy. However, if you have never been inside a cave or the weather is bad, Ruby Falls may be the better choice. The two parks are minutes away from each other, and you can do both in about four hours.
Coolidge Park
- ADDRESS: 150 River Street, Chattanooga
- PARKING: Street parking is available for a fee (pay by app).
- ADMISSION: The park and children’s play fountain are free to use. The carousel is $1/ride.
- PRO TIP: If staying downtown near the Tennessee Aquarium or Bluff View Arts District, walk across the bridge to the park and leave the car at the hotel! The Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge is closed for refurbishment until late 2026, but the Market Street Bridge has sidewalks.
Situated on the north shore of the Tennessee River, Coolidge Park offers 11 acres of open, riverfront space to fly a kite, enjoy a picnic, toss a football or just relax. There’s also a restored carousel (rides are $1 per person) and a play fountain which operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
With restaurants and shops nearby, the north shore and Coolidge Park are a great way to spend a day.
Bluff View Arts District
Along the south shore of the Tennessee River, the Bluff View Arts District is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city. This beautiful neighborhood with its stunning architecture, has quiet streets with public art displays just about everywhere you look.
We enjoyed strolling the streets, admiring the homes, the gardens and the art — from majestic to whimsical to quietly thoughtful.
The Tennessee Riverwalk, which starts near the Hunter Museum of American Art, offers a peaceful break from city life as you wander from neighborhood to neighborhood.
Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge
Temporarily closed.
The Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge may be Chattanooga’s pride and joy. The bridge spans the Tennessee River, connecting the Bluff View Arts District to the North Shore and Coolidge Park. It offers spectacular views of the river and the city.
As of this writing (May, 2025), the Walnut Street bridge is CLOSED for renovation. As an alternate, the Market Street Bridge — just a block west — has sidewalks and can be used to cross the river. It’s not as picturesque, but it’ll get you there!
Chattanooga Zoo
- ADDRESS: 301 North Holtzclaw Ave, Chattanooga, TN
- PARKING: Free parking in the lots on site.
- HOURS: Open dailly 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Last admission at 4:30. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
- TICKETS: Adults, up to $17.95; Kids (ages 3-12), up to $14.95; children under 3, FREE.
- Purchase tickets online and save $2 off at the gate pricing!
BUDGET SAVING TIP: The Chattanooga Zoo participates in the AZA reciprocal zoo admission program. If you have a zoo membership close to home, you can save on admission!
The red panda exhibit at the Chattanooga Zoo was our main reason for this trip. I have always loved red pandas, and the exhibit here offers viewing from many vantage points.
The Chattanooga Zoo is small, but what they do, they do very well. At the back of the zoo, beyond my beloved red pandas, there’s a playground for kids with plenty of shade and a petting zoo nearby.
The Chattanooga Zoo has giraffes, porcupines, gibbons, camels, meerkats, monkeys and a warthog (to name a few animals popular with kids). Besides the petting zoo, kids can feed the giraffes (for a fee), attend animal meet and greets and enjoy a snack in the shade.
Allow a minimum of two hours to see the whole zoo. Animals tend to be more active earlier in the day — before it gets too hot.
Chattanooga Choo Choo
- ADDRESS: 1400 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN
- PARKING: There’s a paid parking garage and paid lot parking nearby. Check local parking apps for the best price.
- HOURS: Hours for restaurants, shops and bars vary by establishment.
The historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Terminal Station has been transformed into a vibrant entertainment complex in downtown Chattanooga. Discover history as you peek in at a restored train engine. Enjoy great dining and shopping or just relax outdoors.
The Chattanooga Choo Choo complex is also home to the Hotel Chalet, with a limited number of train car rooms available.
We loved exploring this area and seeing local families enjoying the Great Lawn at the terminal and the shops and restaurants that surround it.
Chattanooga Lookouts (minor League Baseball)
- ADDRESS: 201 Power Alley, Chattanooga, TN
- HOURS AND TICKETS: Vary by game. Visit their website for schedule and ticket availability.
BUDGET TRAVEL TIP!!! When purchasing minor league baseball tickets (for the Lookouts or any team), use the OFFICIAL team page. Resale tickets have a ridiculous markup! (Regular tickets start around $10 and resale tickets start around $50. Who wants that?)
The Chattanooga Lookouts, a Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, is the Minor League Baseball team in town. A popular draw with locals and baseball fans visiting Chattanooga, a Lookouts game is a great option for families. But, buy tickets in advance as they sometimes sell out!
Sculpture Fields at Montague Park
- ADDRESS (Use this address in GPS or it will take you to the office, not the park): 1800 Polk St.
Chattanooga, TN - HOURS: Dawn to Dusk 365 days per year — approximately 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. in winter and 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. in summer.
- ADMISSION: FREE! (Special Events may cost extra).
When we lived in Raleigh, we made regular visits to the Art Park at the North Carolina Museum of Art, but I have never seen a sculpture park like the one in Chattanooga.
The Sculpture Fields at Montague Park is a delightful surprise! Internationally acclaimed, the sculpture park has 1.5 miles of trails that wind through 33 acres.
It’s an amazing park where kids can roam — but please DO NOT climb the sculptures — and be inspired by larger than life art installations.
We planned to stop in for a few minutes to take a peek, but ended up staying for more than an hour — zig-zagging across the park to see each new jaw dropping piece.
My favorite was this chair, titled Red Alert. It’s so very tall!
If going midday, plan for the sun and heat! I recommend close toed shoes and a water bottle when visiting.
The park is stroller and dog friendly.
Read More: Why kids love the Sculpture Gardens in Washington, DC
Little Debbie Park in Collegedale
- ADDRESS: 4698 Swinyar Dr, Collegedale, TN
- HOURS: Open 24 hours.
- PARKING: FREE onsite parking is available.
Little Debbie Park was not on our radar when we planned our trip. But, we met a family at the Chattanooga Choo Choo who told us about it, so we headed to Collegedale to check it out.
Oh my goodness, what a spectacular (and popular) park. It opened in 2023, providing playground space, walking trails, lots of lawn swings and picnic pavilions, and a fun history trail of the Little Debbie brand.
There’s even a bronze statue of Little Debbie herself and some oversized, fiberglass treats!
We drove out to the park to see if it was worth the hype (the family who recommended it really liked it, and I hope they liked our recommendation for the Sculpture Fields at Montague Park). Surprisingly, we spent more than two hours there! From the history trail to the playground, there’s lots to do. Kids will love the zip line, the other playground equipment and the big hill — which we saw boys racing down with glee.
We knew that Chattanooga had just earned North America’s first National Park City designation, it’s a well-deserved honor. There sure are lots of outdoor things to do in Chattanooga! Beyond the great outdoors, though, there are lots of great indoor things to do, great for rainy days or “just” a change of pace.
Indoor attractions in Chattanooga for families
We found Chattanooga to be quite walkable. Since our lodging included parking, we found it both enjoyable AND budget friendly to explore Chattanooga on foot and leave the car “at home.” But, if you prefer to drive, there is ample parking in Chattanooga and parking information is included with each attraction listed.
Tennessee Aquarium
- ADDRESS: 1 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN
- PARKING: Nearby garages offer parking for a fee. If you’re staying at a hotel nearby, it’s an easy walk. We walked from our VRBO in Southside, and it only took 20 minutes.
- TICKETS: Adult tickets are $39.95, and kids ages 5-17 are $29.95. Ages 4 and under are free. ADVANCE PURCHASE is recommended as time slots fill up. (As of this writing, May 2025, the Tennessee Aquarium does not participate in reciprocal museum or zoo programs.)
- HOURS: Vary seasonally, but 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at a minimum. Check hours when purchasing tickets online.
The Tennessee Aquarium, which spans two buildings, is a top attraction for families in Chattanooga. Exhibits focus on native animals from the Tennessee River Valley area to rare water animals from across the world.
In the Appalachian Cove Forest, which highlights animals native to the region, watch the North American river otters bellyslide into the water and propel themselves through the water with webbed feet.
In the Ocean Journey exhibit, kids will thrill at watching sharks swim overhead and giggle as penguins dive into the water and glide past.
Allow a full day to experience everything the Tennessee Aquarium has to offer.
Budget Travel Tip: Local hotels offer Aquarium visit packages during off-peak travel times that include aquarium admission.
Classic Arcade Pinball Museum (and Arcade)
- ADDRESS: 409 Broad St. Chattanooga, TN
- PARKING: Paid, onstreet parking is just outside the door.
- HOURS: Closed Monday. Weekdays, 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., extended hours on weekends.
- TICKETS: Adults, $20; Kids 10 and under, $16. Tickets include all day admission and can be purchased online. Come and go as you please on date of purchase (you’ll get a wristband).
The Classic Arcade Pinball Museum is loads of fun for anyone who likes traditional pinball games. There is a wall of video games, as well, for those who prefer that. Admission includes unlimited gameplay on the operational pinball games. A few are museum pieces only, but I promise, there’s plenty to enjoy alllllll day long!
We’re a bit competitive. Rob won this game, but he didn’t win them all!
VACATION TIP!!! If you LOVE arcade games like we do, STAY HERE! We found this listing when planning our trip, and we plan to stay here again. This VRBO listing is immaculate, has off street parking, two bathrooms, full size laundry and all the extras, including THREE full size arcade games! We loved it!
Creative Discovery Museum
- ADDRESS: 321 Chestnut Street, Chattanooga, TN
- PARKING: City parking lots and garages are located nearby. If staying in a nearby hotel, it might be easier to walk there!
- HOURS: Closed Wednesdays. Other days, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Saturdays open at 9:00 a.m.)
- TICKETS: General admission for all ages is $19.95. They do participate in Museums for All with proper ID and offer other discounts.
The Creative Discovery Museum is rated one of the ten best children’s museums in the country, where kids up to age 10 learn through play. With STEM activities, pretend play areas, craft zones and other “big muscle” play areas, kids will have lots to do! Check out this map of the Creative Discovery Museum to see everything they have for kids!
Hunter Museum of American Art
- ADDRESS: 10 Bluff View Ave., Chattanooga, TN
- PARKING: Parking is FREE at the museum parking lot for museum guests who register their license plate on arrival. (Text “FKA” to 87517 for more information.)
- HOURS: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.; Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Sunday, Noon to 5:00 p.m. Closed Tuesday and major holidays.
- TICKETS: Adults, $20; Seniors, $18, Children and teens are free, but must have an adult chaperone.
Set high on a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River, the Hunter Museum of American Art focuses on American art with a range of permanent and rotating exhibitions. A major goal of the museum is to help museum guests gain greater understanding about the importance, meaning and relevance of American art. Exhibitions represent a wide variety of experiences, cultures and perspectives to encourage a better understanding, through art, how American history shapes what America is today.
Read More: PRO TIPS for visiting art museums with kids
Located in the Bluff Arts District, the museum is a highlight of this neighborhood.
Allow time to see the many sculptures just outside the front door!
So many FUN things to do in Chattanooga!
We went to Chattanooga to see the red pandas, and that was amazing. But, we found out there’s a whole lot more to Chattanooga. It tops my list of family friendly vacation cities because there really are so many things to do here. Indoors. Outdoors. Adventure. Relaxing.
And we haven’t even finished exploring!
A friend of mine once said that Chattanooga’s not too big, and it’s not too small. It’s just right! We agree whole-heartedly. For fun, easy to plan, family vacations, Chattanooga tops the list!