Chattanooga Checklist Summer Top 50 – 2019

50 Ways to Explore Chattanooga

Opportunities abound for a summer of fun in Chattanooga. We’ve compiled the ultimate summer checklist so you don’t miss a thing all season long. Grab a paddle, a picnic basket, or a pair of tennis shoes and join us in conquering each activity before the leaves turn orange.

For more ideas for summer fun around the Scenic City, check out Chattanooga Resource & Relocation Guide^®, follow Chattanooga Resource & Relocation Guide on Facebook and Instagram, or visit chattanoogaresourceandrelocation.com.

Experience enchantment.

Atop Lookout Mountain, Rock City Gardens features seasonal events with specialty food, activities, and entertainment. For beautiful blooms and live harp music, plan a trip during the annual Southern Blooms Festival May 11-12 and 18-19. Or, enjoy toe-tapping tunes by Matt Downer, the Old Time Traveler and other local talent during Rock City’s Summer Music Weekends from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Visitors can wind their way through colossal rock formations, dare to pass over Swing-a-Long Bridge, see seven states from iconic Lover’s Leap, and stop to refresh at Café 7 – featuring a menu of Southern favorites with a full wine, beer, and kids’ menu. A VIP Annual Pass garners unlimited admissions and discounts throughout the park. seerockcity.com

Head underground.

Discovered in 1928, Ruby Falls is the tallest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States. The thundering waterfall is the grand finale for visitors, who must reach the famed attraction on foot along a lighted, scenic path underground. A knowledgeable guide highlights various formations and geological wonders along the way. In addition to the Classic Waterfall Tour, special tours include the Lantern Tour and the Extended Cave Experience. Meanwhile, High Point ZIP Adventure at Ruby Falls offers 700 feet of rushing zip lines and a 40-foot climbing tower for the casual thrill seeker. rubyfalls.com

Ride the Incline.

“America’s Most Amazing Mile” is right here in Chattanooga, and it’s over 100 years old!
The Incline Railway is the steepest passenger railway in the world at a 72.7% grade, and it offers breathtaking views of Lookout Mountain and beyond. At the top of the mountain, several points of Civil War interest – namely Point Park and the Battles for Chattanooga Electric Map & Museum – are waiting to be explored. Down below, visitors can indulge in some hand-dipped Clumpies ice cream while meandering through the charming, historic St. Elmo district. ridetheincline.com

Discover local history.

With a mission to preserve and celebrate African American history and culture, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center is a staple in the Chattanooga community. Plan a visit to check out the rotating exhibits in the Chattanooga African American Museum and the exquisite architecture of the center, including the Vilma Fields Atrium and the Bessie Smith Performance Hall; group tours are also available. June 14 and July 19 will be Community Days at the Bessie, with free admission to the museum and activities on the lawn. bessiesmithcc.org

Connect with the Civil War.

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park preserves nearly 10,000 acres of uninhabited landscape in order to share the stories of the Campaign for Chattanooga. Whether touring the Chickamauga Battlefield, exploring Point Park, or hiking the numerous trails, guests will get a fascinating glimpse into the Civil War era. The park also has two visitor centers, where guests can view special exhibits – including James Walker’s famous original painting, The Battle Above the Clouds. nps.gov/chch

Walk the Walnut.

Chattanooga’s iconic Walnut Street Bridge is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Erected in 1890, it’s actually the largest and oldest surviving truss bridge in the southern United States! Now a pedestrian bridge, the Walnut connects downtown Chattanooga to the vibrant NorthShore neighborhood – at under half a mile, the scenic walkway is perfect for a sunny day stroll or impromptu date night activity. chattanooga.gov

Go on a shopping spree.

Garnering mentions in Southern Living magazine and Garden & Gun, eclectic Warehouse Row is one of the Southeast’s premier shopping destinations. Housing national and local retailers, the converted warehouse offers everything from clothing and jewelry to cosmetics, stationary, and luxury home goods. To elevate your shopping experience, relax and rejuvenate at the on-site spa before stopping in for a coffee, cocktail, or full meal at one of several restaurants. warehouserow.com

Chase ghosts.

Hear tales of the Scenic City’s most haunted spots when you embark upon one of the Chattanooga Ghost Tours. Guests can choose between several adventures, including the award-winning original tour – led by your very own haunted guide – and the new Murder & Mayhem Tour. Feeling brave? Sign up for a ghost hunt, complete with the latest in investigation equipment, for a real paranormal experience! chattanoogaghosttours.com

Treat yourself.

A recent addition to the NorthShore, NoBaked Cookie Dough sells edible, gourmet cookie dough by the scoopful to the young and the young at heart! With fun flavors like red velvet, cookie monster, s’mores, and the original chocolate chip – not to mention toppings and seasonal flavors – there’s a different recipe to try every week this summer. Also on the menu are ice cream, milkshakes, and a half-baked sundae featuring NoBaked’s warm dough. nobakedcookiedough.com

Throw an axe.

The latest craze to hit Chattanooga, axe throwing is a fun and unique (and safe) sport; give it a try at downtown facility Civil Axe Throwing. Professional instructors will guide you through the whole experience, from your first attempt to your first stick. Individual throwing as well as group events – including birthday parties, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and team-building events – are currently offered. civilaxethrowing.com

See what’s in the water.

Visitors come face-to-face with amazing creatures at the Tennessee Aquarium, rated the best aquarium in America for overall guest satisfaction. Begin your visit by observing the most diverse gathering of freshwater animals in the country – including alligators, turtles, otters, and more – all located in the River Journey building. Continue your adventure in the Ocean Journey building, where lemurs, penguins, jellyfish, sharks, and even butterflies await. Daily animal programs, from Secret Reef dive shows to exciting animal encounters, are fun for the whole family, and backstage passes can be purchased for VIP access to the aquarium’s most popular critters. Don’t forget to download the free Tennessee Aquarium app to help you plan your visit! tnaqua.org

Journey through Island Life.

The latest addition at the Tennessee Aquarium, “Island Life” celebrates and explores isolated ecosystems both above and below the water. This diverse exhibit whisks visitors around the world, from the frigid waters of the Pacific Northwest to Southeast Asia, Madagascar, and beyond. See fascinating flashlight fish, tiny mantella frogs, guinea fowl pufferfish, colorful panther chameleons, and more on your interactive journey! Leon the Chameleon serves as your scaly guide and poses questions to ponder throughout the exhibit.

Explore the Great Barrier Reef at IMAX.

Dive into an unforgettable underwater adventure at the IMAX 3D Theater! Great Barrier Reef 3D captures the natural beauty and exquisite strangeness of the world’s largest living wonder. You’ll be introduced to the visionaries and citizen scientists who are helping us better understand this awesome, bizarre, and vibrant living world. And, along the way you’ll also meet some pretty amazing sea creatures. Add IMAX to your aquarium ticket for just $8. tnaqua.org/IMAX

Become one with nature.

Nestled at the foot of Lookout Mountain, Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center encourages Chattanoogans to reconnect with nature. Take advantage of miles of hiking and biking trails, canoeing on Lookout Creek as a member, and wandering through beautiful gardens and the native animal sanctuary – all located on 317 sprawling acres. This summer, guests and members can participate in the center’s many scheduled events, from guided hikes to demonstrations by local naturalists. reflectionriding.org   

Relax on the riverboat.

For a quintessential Chatta-
nooga experience, cruise along
the Tennessee River on the Southern
Belle riverboat. Visitors can choose from daily sightseeing cruises, lunch and dinner cruises, and private charters, with summer events including a special Mother’s Day Cruise and a Fireworks Cruise in July! For incredible views of downtown without ever leaving land, head to the Southern Belle’s 3rd Deck Burger Bar. chattanoogariverboat.com

Sign up for a Segway tour.

Hoping to check a Segway ride off your bucket list? With Chattanooga Segway Tours, you’ll learn to operate a Segway before embarking on a fun, informative tour of the Scenic City! Guests can choose between a two-hour Historic Downtown tour, covering notable points of interest and stories that locals love, or a slightly shorter tour of NorthShore and Coolidge Park. These excursions tend to fill up quickly, so be sure to make a reservation in advance. chattanoogasegwaytours.com

Test new inventions.

Electric-powered surfboards, electric off-road vehicles, e-Unicycles, indoor hang-gliding, hovershoes, and a create-your-own roller coaster – all this and more can be found at Adventure Sports Innovation, located on Chattanooga’s NorthShore. This company is pioneering cutting-edge technology for outdoor experiences, both on land and on the water. Virtual Reality experiences and games are also available inside the facility. No matter the adventure you choose, an expert staff member will be there to get you started. adventuresportsinnovation.com

Take to the skies.

Since 1978, Lookout Mountain Flight Park has provided the ultimate flight experience to thousands of people just like you. Offering both hang gliding and paragliding, Lookout Mountain Flight Park is one of the premier outdoor adventures in Chattanooga. Fly tandem with an instructor by your side to an altitude of either 1,500 or 3,000 feet! Make it a weekend getaway and reserve a cabin, RV space, bunkhouse, or camping spot. hanglide.com 

Shake up your fitness routine.

Whether you’re looking for a fun activity or a full-body workout, High Point Climbing and Fitness has you covered. One of the country’s most unique climbing facilities, the space has distinct, brightly colored rock walls organized by skill and discipline, including beginner auto-belay walls, two bouldering areas, and a top roping room. For those interested in learning the sport, High Point offers classes ranging from introductory to advanced, as well as youth clubs and individual coaching. The gym has two locations – one right downtown, and the other off Amnicola Highway. Climbers at the downtown location can scale the outdoor climbing wall for an unmatched view of the city! highpointclimbing.com

Camp and climb.

Summer is the perfect time for kids to develop a new passion! High Point Climbing and Fitness offers weeklong summer camps for children 5-14 years old. Trained staff will teach campers the climbing basics, including equipment usage, climbing techniques, and the importance of trust and communication. Camps run May through August and include a field trip to either the Creative Discovery Museum or the Tennessee Aquarium, depending on age group.

Head outdoors.

If you want to know what real rock climbing is like, you couldn’t be in a better place. Chattanooga is surrounded by incredible rock climbing, and with High Point guides, you can be defying gravity on real Southern sandstone within a short drive of downtown. Whether you are climbing for the first time or looking to take your skills to the next level, High Point’s experienced climbing guides will help you enjoy an incredible day outside.

Root for the home team.

Baseball fans can join mascot Looie the Lookout for one (or all!) of 70 Chattanooga Lookouts home games this season. As Chattanooga’s minor league baseball team, the Lookouts bring the action to AT&T Stadium every summer, going head-to-head with teams from across the South. Back for 2019 is Kids Eat Free Mondays at the stadium; check the schedule for additional fun outings, including July 4th Fireworks, Star Wars Night, Superhero Night, and the 27th Annual Used Car Night! lookouts.com

Hike with a furry friend at Lula Lake.

Hikers and their pets are welcome at the Lula Lake Land Trust, located just outside downtown Chattanooga. More than eight miles of trails, a 120-foot waterfall, and incredible bluff views are just a few of the wonders waiting to be explored. During the summer, the core property is open the first and last weekends of each month: Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are required. lulalake.org

Rent a bike for the day.

Navigate the city with Bike Chattanooga – perfect for sightseeing through downtown. More than 340 bikes and e-bikes are ready to be picked up at 41 rental stations citywide; simply return the bike to any station when you’re done. A daily pass, three-day pass, and annual pass are available for purchase, letting you customize your biking experience. Download the Cyclefinder and Transit apps to help plan your ride! bikechattanooga.com

Create something one-of-a-kind.

At Ignis Glass Studio, you and your family can blow your own heirloom glass ornament with the help of professional artists. Choose your favorite colors and design before turning your glass in the 2000° furnace! After cooling overnight, this priceless keepsake will be yours to take home. The studio also sells their own creative work in the gallery, including stunning glass pieces that make a unique gift or home decoration. ignisglass.com

Get creative this summer.

With exciting events and hands-on programs scheduled throughout the summer, it’s not hard to see why Creative Discovery Museum has been recognized as one of the top children’s museums in the nation. Permanent and temporary exhibits make it the perfect place for curious young minds to explore and grow. Beginning May 25, Dinosaur Train: The Traveling Exhibit will feature popular PBS character Buddy, a curious Tyrannosaurs Rex, and transport visitors back to the time of the dinosaurs. And on the final weekend in July, the museum celebrates the world’s hardest workers – the honey bees – at Honey Harvest. cdmfun.org

Expand your culinary horizons.

From raw oysters and gourmet burgers to local brews, Station Street is home to a variety of cuisines and libations. Find craft cocktails, made-from-scratch foods, and artisanal ice at STIR – one of Chattanooga’s most unique offerings. The modern space is the perfect place to reconnect with friends over a seasonal special or happy hour drink. Just a few paces away is Terminal BrewHouse, serving up fresh food and the finest hops. Indulge here in a fun appetizer before ordering your main course. stirchattanooga.com / terminalbrewhouse.com

Have a song and a laugh.

Tour the Songbirds Guitar Museum for an education in 20th-century music history. With an unparalleled collection of guitars ranging from acoustic and electric to mandolins, banjos, and more, this museum is a guaranteed good time for the guitar enthusiast and the guitar novice. You can also catch a live show at the museum’s two music venues: North Stage and South Stage! Then head over to The Comedy Catch, a Chattanooga staple since 1985. This venue has hosted some of the biggest names in comedy and continues to host original acts from both seasoned performers and newcomers alike. After the show, make your way to Backstage Bar for whiskey, wine, food, and fun. songbirds.rocks / thecomedycatch.com / backstagechattanooga.com

Dance the night away.

Station Street has two dance clubs – Regan’s Place and Westbound Bar – that offer fun for your next outing! A retro dance bar, Regan’s Place plays favorites from the ‘80s and ‘90s, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bon Jovi, and more; hours are 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursdays and 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. At Westbound Bar, cowboy boots and wide-brimmed hats are the norm, as visitors dance to country and classic rock hits. On Friday nights, enjoy a popular line dancing class for free starting at 8 p.m. Westbound Bar is also open Thursdays from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. regans.net / westboundbar.com

Rock out at Riverbend.

The award-winning Riverbend Festival is back and better than ever in 2019. This multi-day music festival, taking place nightly May 29 through June 1, will host some of the biggest names in the industry on four stages. Headliners Weezer, Lionel Richie, Keith Urban, and Macklemore promise a great show – grab a lawn chair and head to Ross’s Landing to join in on the fun. A booming fireworks display concludes the festival on the last night. riverbendfestival.com

Explore the caverns.

Adventure awaits at Raccoon Mountain Caverns & Campground, home of Tennessee’s highest rated cave. Miles of underground passageways, featuring amazing natural formations, fascinating wildlife, and ancient fossils, lie within this well-preserved cavern. Visitors can choose a daily Crystal Palace Walking Tour, highlighting beautiful sights and the cave’s history, or reserve one of three Wild Cave Expedition Tours to visit the undeveloped portions deeper in the cave. After your tour, try your hand at gem panning or visit the gift shop for a selection of unique souvenirs. raccoonmountain.com

Support your local farmers.

Located just five minutes from downtown Chattanooga, Crabtree Farms is an urban oasis promoting sustainable agriculture. The gates are open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public is welcome to explore the farm or volunteer when the gates are open, and field trips and tours are available with a reservation. A wide range of workshops, from nature journaling to solar dyeing, as well as family movie nights and berry-picking are offered on select dates throughout the summer. crabtreefarms.org

Pay a visit to the Tivoli.

The Tivoli Theatre treats thousands of guests every year with its sparkling marquee and mesmerizing performances. This “Jewel of the South” first opened in 1921 and boasts more than 1,700 seats, a grand lobby, red velvet plush chairs, and the original box office. On June 21 and 22, The Trust Company of Tennessee Broadway at the Tivoli completes its 2018-19 season with three performances of “Finding Neverland.” Recently, the Tivoli Theatre Foundation brought movies back to the historic picture palace with the launch of the Bobby Stone Film Series. tivolichattanooga.com

Toe tap to The Mountain Opry.

The Walden Ridge Civic Center plays host to one of Chattanooga’s best-kept musical secrets – The Mountain Opry. A mix of bluegrass and old-time country musicians take the stage every Friday night beginning at 8 p.m., and you never know what acts will show up! This cultural experience is for all ages, and admission is free (although donations are accepted). Food and drinks are also available for purchase. tnvacation.com

Grab a coffee while you shop.

A cup of coffee can power you through any shopping trip, so stop by Frothy Monkey before perusing Chattanooga Jewelry Company. Adjacent to the iconic Chattanooga Choo Choo, Frothy Monkey is a “breakfast through dinner” coffeehouse serving up espressos, lattes, mochas, and more, and their menu – featuring omelets, shrimp and grits, and other healthy fare – is a local favorite. The Chattanooga Jewelry Company is a newcomer to the Choo Choo scene, but with beautiful custom jewelry and watches, it’s already proven to be a Southside gem. frothymonkey.com / chattanoogajewelrycompany.com

Work up a sweat.

Take a cycling class at Echelon Studio, and you’re one step closer to meeting your fitness goals. Certified cycling instructors lead these energizing classes on brand-new Echelon Connect bikes, which display pace, resistance, and effort levels to help you track your progress. The 4,300-square-foot studio also has yoga, Pilates, strength training, and more to round out any workout. studioechelon.com

Savor spirits.

Located inside the Choo Choo complex, Gate 11 Distillery is a micro-distillery that celebrates diverse, high-quality spirits. In fact, Gate 11 distills, bottles, and serves their spirits on-site using only the finest sourced raw materials and ingredients. For a behind-the-scenes look at the production process, take a tour of the distillery before nursing handmade cocktails at either the indoor or outdoor bar. gate11distillery.com

Get your head in the game.

Put your problem-solving skills to the test at Escape Experience, where five unique breakout rooms await! This truly immersive experience is an hour long; bring friends and put your heads together to find and solve clues and escape. Afterward, check out The Coin-Op Arcade for retro arcade games and pinball machines – a true gamer’s paradise. Take advantage of Station Street’s open-container policy, and bring over your drink from Gate 11 or Frothy Monkey. escapeexperience.com/chattanooga / thecoinop.fun

See Southside sculptures.

Part attraction, part art museum, and all outdoors, Sculpture Fields is the largest sculpture park in the Southeast and a highlight of Chattanooga’s Southside neighborhood. Covering 33 acres, the park is home to nearly 50 larger-than-life sculptures from world renowned artists, and it’s open to the public seven days a week. Make the most of your visit by downloading the free Otocast app, where you can hear the artists speak about their work. And don’t miss the Kona Ice Pie Fling on June 22 – a day of pie fights, foam fun, food trucks, and more! sculpturefields.org

Celebrate with a bang.

Mark your calendar for July 3, 2019 – you don’t want to miss Pops on the River, Chattanooga’s free Independence Day celebration! This annual event includes a concert by the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, playing a range of patriotic tunes such as “Stars and Stripes Forever” and “1812 Overture.” A spectacular fireworks display over the Tennessee River ends the celebration with a bang. chattanoogapops.com

Seek the thrills.

Come on, get happy at Lake Winnepesaukah, a summer destination like no other. In its 94th season, the family-friendly amusement park has it all: roller coasters, an antique carousel, a Ferris wheel, paddle boats, kiddie rides, mouthwatering concessions, and more. At the five-acre SOAKYA Water Park, visitors can float on the Crazy River, race down water slides, and splash through giant fountains. Lake Winnie opens May 2, and SOAKYA Water Park opens May 25. lakewinnie.com

Play some Pinball.

Your favorite arcade game now has its own interactive museum – and it’s right here in downtown Chattanooga. The Classic Arcade Pinball Museum showcases a variety of pinball machines spanning from the 1940s to the present, including solid-state and electro-mechanical designs. Not only will patrons have the chance to explore the exhibits, but they’ll get to play them too! Other classic arcade games like Centipede, Galaga, and Pac Man Plus are also a part of the museum’s expansive collection. chattanoogapinballmuseum.com

Meet the Duck.

Whether a history buff, ecology enthusiast, or just a fan of adventure, you’re sure to love a tour with the Chattanooga Ducks. Visitors will board an authentic WWII amphibious landing craft to see the city by land and then splash into the Tennessee River for views of the riverfront and Maclellan Island. The tour is approximately one hour and runs five times a day, seven days a week during the summer months. chattanoogaducks.com

Go wild at the Chattanooga Zoo.

Come visit the Chattanooga Zoo and over 500 animals from all over the world, from the Himalayan Mountains of Asia to the deserts of Africa. See chimpanzees, jaguars, red pandas, spider monkeys, and a two-toed sloth, and be sure to check out the zoo’s newest exhibits housing a giant anteater exhibit and Komodo dragons. Keep your eyes open for even more additions to come this season! Before you leave, add to your experience by riding a camel or the Zoo Choo train, enjoying lunch at Wild Burger, participating in storytime, and more. For all daily activities and offerings, visit the website. chattzoo.org

Encounter wild animals.

Did you know you can get up-close and personal with some of your favorite animal friends at the Chattanooga Zoo? During the zoo’s WILD Encounter program, participants are able to go behind-the-scenes and interact with some of the most fascinating animals around the world, including red pandas, Komodo dragons, monkeys, and foxes! Guests will interact with these animals in their habitats, learn all about them from their zookeepers, and experience a once-in-a-lifetime program. Reservations are required. chattzoo.org/visit/tours-encounters

Become a zookeeper.

Kids can step into the boots of a zookeeper at Camp ChattaZooga! This summer camp is available for Pre-K through 8th grade and will contain a variety of educational activities, including games, crafts, animal meet and greets, keeper chats, and animal enrichment distribution. Teenagers can join the Zoo Club, where interactive monthly meetings always include an animal interaction. And adults have the opportunity to volunteer at the zoo, helping with exhibit chats, the petting zoo, food preparation, and more!

Share an ice cream cone.

At The Ice Cream Show, you’ll find custom blended ice cream to satisfy every sweet tooth! Over 40 fresh ingredients – including berries, chocolates, nuts, gummies, marshmallows, and more – can be blended with either ice cream or frozen yogurt to create more than 17,000 flavor combinations. Dairy-free and sugar-free options, as well as gourmet coffee and fruit smoothies, are also available. A trip to The Ice Cream Show is best paired with a walk across Chattanooga’s Walnut Street Bridge, conveniently located just outside the shop. theicecreamshow.com

Catch a concert.

Music lovers are set this summer! Nightfall at Miller Plaza (Friday nights, May 3 to August 30) and Riverfront Nights at Ross’s Landing (Saturday nights, July 20 to August 24) boast diverse lineups of local and visiting artists. Each concert series is totally free and begins with an opening act at 7 p.m. Grab your lawn chairs and your friends, bring some cash for concessions, and enjoy an entertaining evening – or weekend! – in the heart of Chattanooga. nightfallchattanooga.com / riverfrontnights.com

Tour the towing museum.

Dedicated to preserving artifacts and memorabilia related to the towing industry (which began in Chattanooga in 1916), the International Towing Museum is worth a spot on your summer itinerary. What started as a traveling exhibit in the 1980s has turned into quite the collection: See fully restored tow trucks, restored towing equipment, and hundreds of collectible toy tow trucks before visiting the Wall of the Fallen – honoring men and women who have lost their lives in the line of service. internationaltowingmuseum.org

Wonder at works of art.

Spend a rainy day at the Hunter Museum of American Art, where you’ll find paintings, sculpture, photography, installations, art glass, and interactive experiences! Focusing on American art from the Colonial period to present day, the museum houses work by well-known artists including Mary Cassatt, Thomas Hart Benton, Dale Chihuly, and Andy Warhol. The collection is spread throughout the Hunter’s three buildings: the 20th-century mansion, the 1970s-era building, and a contemporary structure of steel and glass. Admission is free for museum members and children 17 and under. huntermuseum.org 

View special exhibitions.

From June 22 through September 22, check out special exhibition William J. Glackens and Pierre-Auguste Renoir: Affinities and Distinctions, which highlights the work of one of America’s leading modern artists and a prolific French Impressionist. The featured works will explore the influence Renoir had on Glackens’ artistic development. The exhibition defines Glackens’ late style, circa 1920 to 1938, for the first time and sheds light on the history of taste in American collecting from the late 19th to the mid-20th century.

Look up.

When entering the lobby of the Hunter Museum, don’t forget to look up! Here, visitors will find the museum’s latest permanent installation – All Equations Are Wave Equations, a hanging sculpture by Brooklyn-based artist Alyson Shotz. The work, crafted from iridescent plexiglass and aluminum, took three years from conception to completion and weighs approximately 2,500 pounds. Fun fact: The appearance of Shotz’s sculpture changes constantly due to the motion of the sun and the changing seasons.

Feel the need for speed.

Head to Ringgold, Georgia, for race day at Boyd’s Speedway – Chattanooga’s racetrack for 65 years and counting! The third-mile clay track hosts roughly 20 regional and national events a year. Visitors to the family-friendly speedway can enjoy concessions, the souvenir shop, a simulator video game room, and big screen TVs showing live timing and updates. Camping is also available on-site. boydsspeedway.net

Be a part of history.

Founder and namesake E.A. Boyd broke ground on Boyd’s Speedway in 1951, and the first race was held on October 5, 1952. The speedway hosted NASCAR races in the 1960s and 1970s, and famous drivers, including Bobby and Donnie Allison, Marty Robbins, and Jody Ridley, have raced on its hallowed track. Boyd’s has changed names over the years – at times being called Chattanooga International Speedway, Chattanooga Raceway Park, and Stateline Speedway – but its charms have remained the same.

Cheer for the classes.

What’s a racetrack without racecars? At Boyd’s Speedway, there are four main classes of stock cars that are raced – super late models, limited late models, and two classes of crate models: the 602 (sportsman) and the 604. With different horsepower motors and engines, each class is unique, but all make for an exciting race! Kids between the ages of 9 and 16 can compete in the development class, which is perfect for newcomers to the racing scene. 

Make the jump.

Chattanooga’s best view is at 18,000 feet! The Chattanooga Skydiving Company has 50 years of family skydiving experience and promises one of the most scenic drop zones you’ll find anywhere. Tandem skydiving and learn-to-skydive packages are offered, and experienced skydivers with a current USPA membership are welcome. The company operates the newest, safest skydiving aircraft in the region and state-of-the-art parachute systems to ensure your successful skydiving experience! chattanoogaskydivingcompany.com

Travel by train.

Take a train ride through time at the Tennessee Valley Railroad, where trips depart from Grand Junction Station daily. The Missionary Ridge Local, the most frequent service, takes guests along one of the original Chattanooga lines. Guests can also opt for special rides like Dinner on the Diner, which includes a three-course dining experience, or the Summerville Steam Special, which follows a historic route to Summerville, Georgia. On-site artifacts educate the public on railroad history in the region. tvrail.com

Picnic in the park.

Nothing quite screams summer like a picnic in the park. Luckily, the Chattanooga area boasts ample green space and dozens of city parks! On the riverfront, Coolidge Park and Renaissance Park delight visitors with winding trails, hilly overlooks, and unique features such as a 100-year-old carousel. Popular regional parks include Chester Frost Park, Enterprise South Nature Park, and the Tennessee Riverpark. Grab a blanket and your lunch and head outdoors! chattanooga.gov / parks.hamiltontn.gov   

Photo by Ray Soldano

Kick back on the bleachers.

This summer, cheer the Scenic City’s soccer teams – the Chattanooga Football Club and the Chattanooga Red Wolves – to victory! In their 11th season at Finley Stadium, Chattanooga FC will be playing May through October; sport your blue and white and join the Chattahooligans for these exciting matches. A professional team founded in 2018, the Red Wolves bring the soccer action to David Stanton Field. Catch regular season home games on Saturday nights through October 5. chattanoogafc.com / chattredwolves.com

Pedal to the pubs.

Grab your friends and put the pedal to the metal as you visit Chattanooga’s best pubs and breweries on a 15-person party bike. Pints and Pedals offers the perfect bar crawl on wheels – they’ve even added electric motor assist for those who just want to sit back and relax. Before you go, compile the ultimate playlist that will have your friends dancing in their seats! For the coffee connoisseur, Pints and Pedals additionally offers a Chattanooga Coffee Crawl every Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. pintsandpedalstn.com

Wet your whistle.

Contributing to Tennessee’s rich whiskey tradition is the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery, the first distillery in downtown Chattanooga in 100 years. Visitors to the Southside facility can see where the magic happens – guided tours are given every day of the week! Learn how whiskey is made from “grain to glass” and finish your tour in the tasting room with a whiskey flight (for patrons 21 and up, of course). chattanoogawhiskey.com 

See Related Articles:

Annual Events in Chattanooga