Chattanooga is full of interesting activities that will keep visitors astounded and eager to wander through this charming city situated along the powerful Tenessee River. Release your inner rockstar by visiting Songbirds Guitar Museum before designing your own glistening vase with the aid of professional glassblowers at Ignis Glass Studio. Let out your sporty adventurer by kayaking through the rapids at Suck Creek and venture into Lula Lake Land Trust to chase waterfalls. Please check out the following guide to Coolidge Park to enhance your experience at Chattanooga’s riverside park full of pleasurable activities including a fantastic carousel ride accompanied by hand-carved exotic animals.
Things to do / highlights
There is much to see and do while in Chattanooga including Lookout Mountain and its railway, stunning Ruby Falls, and the scenic beauty found in parks such as Tennessee Riverpark and Coolidge Park. Schedule your time to ride the antique carousel, have a picnic, and run through the water fountains while taking in the stunning riverfront scenery during a visit to Coolidge Park.
Carousel
Choose your favourite hand-carved steed and be prepared to be swept away to yesteryears while listening to the cheerful musical pouring out of the calliope organ. Children and those young at heart will enjoy a playful ride upon this historic 100-year old carousel.
Festivals and events
Coolidge Park provides Chattanoogans with a beautiful riverside venue to host various concerts, events, and festivals. Listen to live music of local musicians as they bring the crowd to their feet during September’s Moon River Music Festival which is held annually.
Water fountains
Bring the kids out on a hot summer day to splash around in the fountains surrounded by stone-carved creatures such as turtles, lions, etc. After experiencing a refreshing cool down from the southern sun, rest on a blanket to have a riverside picnic near the Tennesse River.
Surrounding attractions
Enjoy walking or cycling across the sky-blue-beamed Walnut Street bridge while taking in stunning vistas of the Tennessee River’s naturally beautiful surrounding forests. Scope out art galleries, shops, and restaurants within walking distance of Coolidge Park.
What to eat
While visiting Chattanooga, take every moment to explore tastebud tingling cuisine at one of the numerous restaurants, food trucks, bakeries, etc. Experience a sensory overload by sampling delicious international cuisine alongside southern barbecue, cornbread, fried green tomatoes, peach cobbler, etc.
Brewhaus
To satiate your German cuisine craving, stroll over to Chattanooga’s only German-inspired brewhouse to indulge in generous portions of schnitzel, spaetzle, warm potato salad, sauerkraut, and more. This Bavarian gem is an under five-minute drive from Coolidge Park enabling visitors to get to their serving of deep-fried apple pie in record time.
Taconooga
Travel a three-minute distance from Coolidge Park on foot or by car to get your Mexican fix satisfied at Taconooga with its menu filled with sizzling fajitas, countless tacos, and grilled cactus tacos. After starting with a tropical pina colada, indulge in the Frazier which is overflowing with bacon, chicken, shrimp, avocados, lettuce, and tomatoes.
Other restaurants to try
Some of the many other restaurants that you must try in Chattanooga are Cashew (a paradise for those who follow vegan diet), Totto Sushi and Grill (for those who love Asian food, especially Japanese), Opa! (for those seeking an utterly delicious Greek fare), and Clumpies Ice Cream Co. (for those who want to sign off with super yummy frozen desserts).
Travelers tips
Coolidge Park is a beautiful area to drop by while checking out downtown Chattanooga. In order to keep it that way, the city has created guidelines which will help you preserve the condition of the riverside park for generations to come.
Picnics and events
Bring your picnic basket along to have a picnic in the lawn while soaking in the deep south’s sunshine. While renting the shelter to participate in family celebrations, please clean up after the event and remember that alcohol is prohibited. Please use the grills provided resisting the urge to bring in additional equipment.
Prohibited activities
Bathing, fishing, harming wildlife or having a pet off-leash are prohibited in the park. Please respect other visitors by not doing anything annoying or causing trouble for them to have to call 911 to resolve unnecessary and unpleasant situations.
Water fountains
Please make sure that children are dressed appropriately to enjoy the refreshing fountains including putting diapers on toddlers. Since the surface is slippery around the fountain, skates, skateboards, scooters, and bikes aren’t permitted near the area. Other items not permitted near the water fountain play area include pets, water balloons, water guns, or toys which can result in a tripping hazard.
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How to get there
When visiting charming Chattanooga for business or pleasure, there are many choices of transportation to choose from to make your visit a breeze. To enjoy comfortable and stress-free commuting, book a taxi or Uber or rent a car which is really convenient for packing sports equipment to experience Chattanooga’s great outdoors.
Bus
Hop aboard this inexpensive means of transportation to visit Chattanooga’s main sights and attractions including the #33 to charming Coolidge Park. Download the Moovit App or refer to the transit website to find out fares and schedules on this website.
Taxi
Have the hotel call a taxi to get to your Chattanooga destination quickly and safely. You can book taxis directly on the streets offering comfort and convenience to reach any attraction or point of interest.
Uber
Before arriving in Chattanooga be certain to download the Uber app to make commuting efficient and reasonably priced. With local drivers providing transportation services, tourists can rest assured they will get to their destination easily.
Rental car
Rental cars can be found close to the airport and also across Chattanooga. Renting a car provides visitors with the freedom to set their own schedule. Explore the city in your own sweet time and escape to the great outdoors without bothering about bus schedules or the time of the day
Bicycle or walk
Indulge in an invigorating work out by either cycling or taking a casual 20-minute stroll from downtown Chattanooga to lovely Coolidge Park. After getting giving a healthy start to the day, run through the fountains at Coolidge Park before enjoying a picnic on a bench overlooking the peaceful Tennessee River.
Chattanooga Segway Adventure
Arrive 30 minutes early at the meeting point to learn how to operate a segway safely before heading out on an adventure throughout Chattanooga. Enjoy learning about the history of Chattanooga while visiting the city’s attractions, admiring scenic vistas along the Tennessee River the Walnut Street Bridge, and experiencing the fountains, sculptures, and natural beauty of Coolidge Park.
Chattanooga's North Shore & Coolidge Park Guided Segway Tour
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Coolidge Park information
Coolidge Park
Address: 150 River Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405, United States
Opening hours: 7am - 11pm (daily)
Cost: Free
Department of tourism: Chattanooga
History
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