Let's Take You There...

A gentle breeze is tickling your hair against your face. Southern sun pokes through heavy clouds, resting on your arms and warming the metal rail beneath your hands. For a brief moment the river water glitters and you're hopeful the sun will stay a few moments longer. The view off this bridge is stunning. Water meets distant mountains and the closest banks give way to a charming brick city, waiting for you to explore its streets...

I had been to Chattanooga once years ago as a stop-through on my way somewhere else. I strolled this bridge in the dark, the river barely visible, and spent all of 20 minutes walking a single downtown street. It only took those 20 minutes to convince me this city deserved a proper stay.

Lauren (my road-trip bestie) was pleasantly surprised. She admitted she had no idea why I put Chattanooga on the list- she thought I was bringing her to a little backwoods town in the mountains. I would never. Standing on that bridge, staring out at one of the most charming mountain cities you'll come across, we were both looking forward to the next couple days exploring the hiking trails, doing some kayaking, and visiting Lookout Mountain. Mother nature, unfortunately, had alternative plans for us. It rained both full days we were there. Yes, I'm still a little salty. But what we missed in nature, the city more than made up for in character.

Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge

Our first stop after arriving in the city. This bridge is exactly what it says in the name- a pedestrian only space to fully enjoy views of the river and its surroundings without having to worry about traffic (although you might get clipped by a biker if you aren't paying attention). This is one of the world's longest pedestrian bridges, connecting downtown Chatt to the north shore neighborhood. Peering down over the edge we could see couples picnicking, kids playing on the shore, and bikers enjoying river paths. April in Chattanooga can be rainy but it's still plenty warm and the outdoor activities are in full swing. The view is absolutely stunning at sunset and at night the entire bridge is lit up for a pleasant evening stroll.

Check the events calendar to see if there's anything special happening on the bridge!

Address: 1 Walnut St., Chattanooga, TN 37403

Public Transportation

CARTA, also known as the Chattanooga Area Regional Transport Authority (thankfully they shortened this), is a free public transportation system looping up and down the main streets of Chattanooga. We stayed in an AirBNB on one end of town and rode a shuttle all the way up to the Chattanooga Aquarium. From there it's a short walk to the Walnut Street Bridge! We got a little lucky because we hopped on the first bus that came by without checking the routes first. The driver was kind and let us know when we needed to hop off. One thing that surprised me was how clean the shuttle was. Public transportation is not always the best kept in the cities but I have to give props to Chattanooga for their shuttle system.

There's a quick snapshot of the fixed bus routes here. Don't be afraid to use the public transportation or, if you get nice weather, snag a city bike to ride around town!

Mean Mug Coffeehouse

Iced coffee was a luxury neither of us were willing to give up on this trip. So our first rainy morning in Chatt we pulled up our maps and found the closest coffee shop. It was a short enough distance we were willing to share the umbrella and go by foot. Chattanooga, like most cities, is so peaceful in the rain. The drops bounce off everything, your umbrella becomes an instrument, and mini rivers flow down the streets. Nearby traffic is muffled and the city is almost quiet despite the busy morning. Mean Mug was the perfect place to go on a morning like this. It's a small coffee shop with a charming interior and warm baked goods/breakfast. I'll even award it Best Avocado Toast of Samantha's Road Trip 2024.

While we sat and chatted we decided to ask a local for recommendations on what to do on a rainy day. She told us we absolutely had to check out the Coker Museum and the Chattanooga Aquarium. If there's one thing I trust it's locals, and the ones in Chattanooga are ready to share everything they love about their city with you.

The Coker Museum

I'm not into cars, respectfully. Despite my initial disinterest I thoroughly enjoyed this museum and even picked a "favorite" from the huge display. It was a beautiful 1957 matte blue Volkswagen Beetle with vintage suitcases set out on top. I could imagine myself road-tripping with the windows down, enjoying an ice-cream cone along a coastal road with a sea view. Dreams, I know. The Coker Museum houses over 130 vintage cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. Walking through the building you'll even see three airplanes suspended from the ceiling.

The tickets cost $12 per adult and we spent over an hour slowly strolling the aisles and display rooms. You can find this attraction on Chattanooga's south side.

The Tennessee Aquarium- Chattanooga

When I was young my grandparents took us on vacation every year. We'd start at Myrtle Beach and stop back through Gatlinburg. These trips are where my love for aquariums started, and that love has held true through today. I've been to aquariums in several cities, including the Shedd in Chicago, and Chattanooga is by far the best one. It's a completely immersive and handicap friendly experience that everyone will enjoy. Go for a visit and you'll understand why it's Chattanooga's top attraction.

There are 2 buildings to explore- the River Adventure and the Ocean Adventure. The goal is to follow the path of water from the mountains to the sea- and the aquarium shares this vision beautifully. I thought I was going to be a bit bored with the river side but to my pleasant surprise my mouth gaped open more than once. The River Monster tank is something I will never forget- it's home to a fish that's bigger than at least two of me put together (maybe three) and made me rethink all the times I've just jumped in. I could not believe creatures that big exist inland, I thought all the humongous fish were in the ocean.

There are interactive touch tanks, underground caves, playful otters, and a walk-through butterfly garden brimming with beautiful plants and insects. One of my favorite sections was the jelly fish tubes, all lit up in neon colors from floor to ceiling. Whether you're an adult going solo or a family with children, plan to spend a few hours seeing and engaging with everything this aquarium has to offer.

Must Have Dinner: State of Confusion

If you see the fire torches at the front opening you're in the right place! Another southside gem, this is a dinner hot-spot you don't want to miss. And if you find a Red Gold Umbrella with legit tomatoes printed on the underside- it's mine. While in Nashville we had the pleasure of meeting a Chattanooga local who, even though moved away, absolutely raved about this place. Of course we had to stop and try it. In the summer there's a large outdoor patio complete with a few firepits and in the winter they bring out patio igloos!

Wow is really the best summary of the food. I highly recommend the Plancha Chicken and following dinner up with the Peruvian Lucuma Ice Cream. Thankfully our Airbnb was right down the street because by the time we were done we almost needed rolled back to our room. We had no regrets, just full bellies and bliss.

View the menu here: State of Confusion

Chattanooga Instagram-Worthy Spots

Umbrella Alley: A must-stop picture destination that's quite well known in Chattanooga. The hanging umbrella's can be found in West Village, right across from Pete's Coffee Shop and smack-dab in the middle of a 2-block shopping/restaurant district. Grab a brew and walk across the street for a photoshoot under the colorful display. At night the umbrellas are adorned with lights. If that's more your vibe, plan for a photoshoot in the evening and then enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants on the block.

The Wings: If you don't want to wait through that long line in Nashville I have great news for you- there's a replica right here in Chattanooga. The best part? There was no line at all. We hopped right up and snapped some pictures! The mural is located at Market South, 1501 Long Street.

Downtown: Just walk it. Seriously. The streets and buildings are that cute. You can stop in so many places and get a beautiful backdrop.

I'll be coming back to Chattanooga

Surprised I had so much to write from a rainy visit? I was too. Chattanooga is the type of city that isn't ruined by rain and truthfully, I'm a little thankful my experience was altered. I did things I wouldn't normally have done and now I have an excuse to go back! There's still so much more to see in those mountains surrounding this truly charming city. To see the experience in first person point of view, check out the video below!