48 hours in Chattanooga: Southern bites + mountain vibes

By Kasiah Cooper and Olivia Hall

Cradled in the Tennessee River Valley, Chattanooga is where history, heritage, and natural beauty intersect. This vibrant Appalachian city — divided by the mighty Tennessee River — has served as a crossroads of cultures; a beacon for Black people seeking refuge; a home for Asian and Latin immigrants; and a sacred home to Indigenous peoples for millennia. Long before it earned its Scenic City nickname, Chattanooga became a thriving homeland with roots estimated as far back as 10,000 BCE. The city as it’s known today first originated in 1816 when Cherokee Chief John Ross established Ross’s Landing. At this time, it served as a hub of trade and business. In 1838, it officially adopted the name “Chattanooga,” from the Creek word meaning “rock coming to a point,” referring to Lookout Mountain.

Today, Chattanooga continues to honor its past while offering a soulful mix of outdoor adventure, culinary creativity, and cultural storytelling. Recently, the National Park City Foundation (with support from Salzburg Global and World Urban Parks) designated  Chattanooga as North America’s first National Park City – due to its sizable tapestry of summits, rivers, and greenways. In addition to its commitment to continue to create new leaders, voices, and inspirations within the community. Whether you visit for mountain views or the mouthwatering bites, this 48-hour itinerary ensures you soak in the city’s most unforgettable stops — even if you arrive fashionably late or need a slow Southern start.

Friday: Hiking, Horizons, Hidden Gems Beneath the Earth

3 p.m. Late lunch at Conga Latin Food. Ease into town with a late lunch at Conga Latin Food. This family-owned restaurant’s founder became acclaimed as “The woman who brought Pupusas to Chattanooga.” Now operated by her children, you can still dive into those scrumptious pupusas alongside options like delectable empanadas and refreshing horchata. Whatever you order, you know you’re in for a good time with everything cooked fresh-to-order and a welcoming energy focused on family and food.

4:30 p.m. Southern strolls and scenery at Lookout Mountain and Rock City. After putting some energy into your belly, start the weekend adventure with a short scenic drive south of downtown to Lookout Mountain. Featuring more than 30 miles of trails, you’re spoiled for choice in how you want to explore the mountain. Continue exploring at Rock City Gardens. This iconic attraction sits atop Lookout Mountain, whose 2,000 feet-above-sea-level height provides one of the Garden’s best-known offerings: a panoramic viewpoint where (on a clear day) you can spot seven different states. Take advantage of a guided tour or go wherever your whims guide you – through ancient rock formations, vibrant gardens featuring more than 500 plant species, stunning art installations, whimsical Fairyland Caverns, picturesque walking bridges, and more.

7 p.m. A sunset then descend into wonder. Make your way to Sunset Rock — a must for golden hour seekers and photo fanatics alike. This ¼-mile trek pays off big with sweeping views of the valley below and fiery Appalachian skies above. Want a longer journey? The Bluff Trail from nearby Point Park gives you a full 3-mile hike through forest and stone. Next, go under the mountain for an otherworldly experience at Ruby Falls Cave. This site is no ordinary waterfall. It’s the tallest underground one in the United States. Choose your own adventure with guided cave walks, a slow-paced history tour, or the romantic after-hours Lantern Tour that feels like something straight out of a Southern Gothic novel. Once you resurface, grab a casual bite or cocktail at the Castle Café inside the 1929-built Ruby Falls Castle. Because what’s more Chattanooga than dinner inside a literal castle carved into a mountain?

Saturday: Savor the South – Scenic Style

9 a.m. Juice and art at Bohemian Village. Start off the morning at Bohemian Village, a Black-owned smoothie and juice bar. The offerings ensure not only refreshment but delight with names like “Natural Wealth,” “Cherish Every Moment,” and “My Nanna’s Coffee.” Vibrant artwork from Southern creators adorning the walls and luscious plants dotting the surroundings mean that this spot promises a relaxing and inviting locale to get yourself energized for the rest of the day’s plans.

10:30 a.m. Legacy and lakeside leisure at this historic park. Next stop: a scenic, soul-soothing detour to Booker T. Washington State Park. Established in 1938, the park is named after the legendary educator and leader who advocated for agricultural and vocational education for Black Americans.Black units of the Civilian Conservation Corps built the park, which was originally established as one of only two Tennessee state parks available to the Black community under segregation. Today, this lakeside escape offers more than just breathtaking views of Chickamauga Lake. Here, you can hike or bike forested trails, fish in peaceful waters, or picnic beneath a canopy of trees with history whispering through the breeze. You can also book a hike or paddle there with Chattanooga-native Shawanna Kendrick, who introduces Women of Color to The H20 Life. Whether you’re solo wandering or rolling deep with the fam, this 350-acre historic haven offers restorative space rooted in Black history and natural beauty.

1:30 p.m. Scoop up local souvenirs. Get some local goodies at Black/Brown Owned & Operated Marketplace – better known as B.O.O.M. Powered by RISE Chattanooga, B.O.O.M. is an entrepreneurial and artistic incubator designed to help revitalize one of Chattanooga’s most culturally rich but under-resourced neighborhoods. And what’s good for the community is good for you, too. With items ranging from cold-pressed juices to coloring books to candles and more, you’ve got plenty of options for souvenirs to remind you of your Southern stay.

3 p.m. Chow down in this cultural kitchen. Got a hankering for flavor that hits home? While Neutral Ground, the city’s beloved Afro-Creole hotspot, preps for its summer 2025 reopening, dream up your next visit over a scroll through their soulful dishes and ancestral foodways. Chef Kenyatta Ashford’s menu reads like a love letter to his roots — and it’s one you’ll want to answer. If you’re craving dessert right after, slide over to Scoop Around Ice Cream Bar. The Black-owned ice cream shop is where banana splits are big enough to share (but you don’t have to) and inventive creations like “Ice Cream Nachos” challenge what you thought dessert could be.

5 p.m. Ride the rails of the past. No Chattanooga trip is complete without a stop at the iconic Chattanooga Choo Choo. Once a 1909 train terminal, this Southern showpiece now hosts boutique shops, a hotel, restaurants, and even an escape room inside an actual train car. Hop on the Trolley Tour to see the city through a storyteller’s lens or dig into local culture at Sweetly Southern, the oldest and largest gift shop downtown. Bonus: There’s live music and stand-up comedy by nightfall if you want to keep the good vibes going.

8 p.m. Feast like you’re in the French Quarter. Wrap up your day with Cajun and Creole cuisine that brings Bourbon Street energy straight to Tennessee. At Blue Orleans Seafood, Chef Mike Adams channels family traditions into every pot, pan, and perfectly spiced bite. With dishes that dance between savory and sincere, this downtown gem offers an upscale-yet-comforting experience that’s equal parts flavor and finesse. Think: crawfish étouffée, red beans and rice, and seafood platters.

Sunday: Brunch Bliss, River Wonders, Artsy Wandering

11 a.m. Rise and shine with Cuban cuisine. El Embargo brings culture and cuisine of Cuba to the Scenic City. Its menu features plenty of brunch classics with a Latin twist: Biscuits n Gravy with chorizo gravy; eggs, bacon, and home fries with Cuban toast; eggs benedict with Cuban bread; a giant pancake topped with guava fruit jam. Not to mention, brunch cocktails. Come hungry to fully enjoy these scrumptious creations.

12:30 p.m. Dive into wonder at the aquarium. Go to the Tennessee Riverwalk, a 13-mile-long walking path along the Tennessee River. You don’t have to do the entire riverwalk, but with everything from recreational activities, local art and history, and miles of scenic views, you’ll find plenty of options to fill the time. Wander into wonder at the nearby Tennessee Aquarium, where freshwater and saltwater exhibits unfold like living poetry. Glide beside river otters, marvel at moon jellies, and take a meditative pause with the sea turtles. This immersive experience spans two massive buildings, offering a deep dive into the biodiversity of the Southeast and beyond. Want more? Check out the aquarium’s IMAX theater. Six-story screens bring nature docs and family flicks to life in jaw-dropping detail. It’s part entertainment, part education — and 100 percent unforgettable.

3 p.m. See more historical sites riverside. Just steps away is another riverside landmark, Ross’s Landing. Named after Cherokee businessman and Chief John Ross, this site holds even more historical significance. It’s where the first groups of Cherokee were forcibly removed as part of the Trail of Tears. The site later opened up a critical supply route during the Civil War, aiding Union victories at Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain. Today, the landing features a river pier, marina, natural amphitheater, and a small events venue. Plus, beautiful river views. Don’t miss The Passage, a powerful public art installation honoring the Cherokee people and their journey through this land. Cap off your weekend at the Bluff View Art District, a charming cultural nook filled with galleries, coffeehouses, sculpture gardens, and postcard-worthy river views. As the sun begins to dip behind the ridges, you’ll feel it. Chattanooga doesn’t just show up for a Southern weekend. It stays with you.