Top 9 Things To Do at Night In Chattanooga, Tennessee

things to do at night in chattanooga
Anne Marie
Anne Marie 
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Chattanooga, Tennessee, has recently been named one of the top spots to visit in the US by Lonely Planet and in the world by the New York Times. When you start looking at all there is to do in this vibrant, riverfront city in southeastern Tennessee, it’s easy to see why! Chattanooga has the perfect balance between natural beauty and cultural attractions. The city sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, with many opportunities to hike, river raft, and more right outside the city. The Tennessee River flows right through the center of town, and it has been shaped around this beautiful waterway, with parks and bridges designed to take advantage of the views of the river. The city’s downtown has been revitalized in recent years and has many new restaurants and breweries, but it still has a down-home feel and plenty of Southern charm. Travelers planning to spend some time here will find amazing accommodation options, from cabins to hotels by the river. While you’ll definitely want to explore the city’s nightlife options, here are some ideas for alternative things to do at night in Chattanooga.

1. Enjoy a romantic stroll in the Tennessee Riverpark

Chattanooga Riverwalk
Source: Photo by Flickr user Shannon McGee used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Both during the day and at night, the Tennessee Riverpark is a beautiful spot to take in the Chattanooga River’s beauty. The Riverpark stretches 13 miles (20 km) along the shores of the river and is paved the entire way. This makes it ideal for running, biking, rollerblading, and of course, simply walking. Many people start along the river walk by the aquarium downtown and there are many access points so your journey can be as long or short as you want. The path passes by many cool spots like the historic Walnut Street Bridge, Hunter Museum of American Art, Bluff View Sculpture garden, and lots of cool neighborhoods and homes. There are also food and drink options along the Riverpark, whether you desire ice cream, dinner, or drinks looking over the sunset. It is lighted and patrolled by security at all hours, making it a great spot for a nighttime outing. If you’re craving for some coffee, there are some great coffee shops nearby.

Tennessee Riverpark

Address: 4301 Amnicola Highway Chattanooga, TN 37402

Website: Tennessee Riverpark

Opening hours: 6am - 11pm

Price: 0 USD

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2. Go an a cruise on the Southern Belle Riverboat

The Southern Belle
Source: Photo by Flickr user Duane Tate used under CC BY 2.0

One of the best ways to see Chattanooga’s pretty skyline by night is from the water; experience these breathtaking views aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat. The fleet has two historic boats which embark on multiple tours daily. For the best evening views, choose the sunset cruise which takes place on the open-air third deck. Another nighttime option is the lively dinner cruise, which includes a meal, live music, and pilothouse tours.

Southern Belle Riverboat

Address: 1620, 151 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Website: Southern Belle Riverboat

Opening hours: 9am - 9pm

Price: 29.95 - 48.95 USD

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3. Go for a comedy night at the Comedy Catch at The Choo Choo

Chattanooga Choo-Choo 01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Curious about Chattanooga’s nightlife? Spend the evening laughing at the Comedy Catch, located in the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel. This comedy club attracts hilarious comedians who have performed nationally. You may have even seen them on television on Comedy Central, HBO, Netflix, and more. Don’t worry about eating beforehand: the Comedy Catch has a full menu and bar available during every show in an adjacent dining venue.

The Comedy Catch

Address: 1400 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408

Website: The Comedy Catch

Opening hours: 6pm - 12am

Price: 18 USD

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4. Try out rock climbing at High Point Climbing Gym

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Don't forget to sign up for Boulder League! The new season starts January 16th! Find your climbing partner and sign up TODAY!

Posted by High Point Climbing And Fitness on Monday, January 11, 2021

This incredible rock climbing center was called “the country’s coolest gym” by Climbing Magazine in 2015. Whether you are a rock climbing fanatic or just looking for a fun evening activity, you must check this spot out! It has over 30,000 square feet (2787 square meters) of climbing inside and outside! The exterior climbing walls overlook a busy street with views of the river beyond. Inside, there are climbing areas for everyone from children at the Kid Zone to two beginner walls, to bouldering areas. There is also a special training area for advanced climbers. This is a great option if you’re looking for things to do in Chattanooga at night since they’re open until 10 pm.

High Point Climbing Gym

Address: 219 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Website: High Point Climbing Gym

Opening hours: 10am - 10pm

Price: 17.50 USD

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5. Enjoy a haunted adventure with Chattanooga Ghost Tours

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Chattanooga Ghost Tours Inc on Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Don’t know what to do in Chattanooga at night? Spend a spooky evening on a ghost tour, which are top-rated in the country! Lead by acclaimed storytellers, you will be led to some of the city’s most haunted sights and learn about their dark pasts. Some tours include themes, like the Holiday Spirits tour where you stop at two pubs along the way. The most popular is the Murder and Mayhem tour, which stops and ends at a shop that is a visit in itself and has a haunted, steampunk theme. Prepare to be a little spooked and have tons of fun!

Chattanooga Ghost Tours

Address: 57 E 5th St, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Website: Chattanooga Ghost Tours

Opening hours: 8pm - 11pm

Price: 17.95 USD

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6. Take a stroll around the Walnut Street Bridge

Walnut Street Bridge viewed from Coolidge Park - Chattanooga
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user rjones0856 used under CC BY 2.0

Another pretty spot for an evening stroll is the Walnut Street Bridge. It dates back to 1891 and bears significance for being the first non-military bridge to span the Chattanooga, and for being the world’s longest pedestrian bridge. After years of disuse and decline, the Walnut Street Bridge was revitalized in the late 1980s and reopened as a linear park across the river. The bridge connects the north shore of the river, where you can find beautiful Coolidge Park and Renaissance Park, with the bustling downtown on the southern side of the river, including the Tennessee Aquarium and Bluff View Art District.

Walnut Street Bridge

Address: 1 Walnut Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Website: Walnut Street Bridge

Opening hours: 12am - 12am

Price: 0 USD

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7. Explore the guitar collections at Songbirds

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Songbirds Foundation on Friday, December 4, 2020

Part museum, part live concert venue, Songbirds is a must to add to any Chattanooga itinerary! Songbirds Guitar Museum has hundreds of guitars in their collection, ranging from acoustic to electric and spanning the 1920s to the 1970s. Exhibits place the guitars in pop-culture vignettes alongside relevant items of the same time period to provide context to the instruments. This is a great spot to spend an evening learning all about guitars and the history of music in general. If seeing the guitars inspires you to jam out to some live music, there are also two stages on site at the music venue where you can catch a show.

Songbirds Guitar Museum

Address: 35 Station Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408

Website: Songbirds Guitar Museum

Opening hours: 10am - 8pm

Price: 12 USD

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8. Watch a film at Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater

IMAX Chattanooga
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Greg Peterson used under CC BY 2.0

One of the reasons to love Chattanooga is the existence of Tennessee Aquarium. It is one of the country’s top public aquariums, with over 12,000 animals from 800 species. The aquarium also has an amazing IMAX theater which shows stunning movies about the oceanic and natural world. However, you don’t have to build time at the IMAX into your day at the aquarium. The IMAX has evening shows so it is the perfect way to end your day touring the aquarium exhibits.

Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater

Address: 201 Chestnut St, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Website: Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater

Opening hours: 10am - 10pm

Price: 11.95 USD

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9. Plan a picnic at the Coolidge Park

Chattanooga
Source: Photo by Flickr user Jeff Gunn used under CC BY 2.0

Looking for things to do at night in Chattanooga? There is no other relaxing way to spend a nice evening here than by picnicking in Coolidge Park. This verdant space is located on the city’s North Shore, overlooking the skyline of downtown and the Walnut Street Bridge. The park has much more than just pretty gardens and trees; there is a pavilion, an interactive fountain, and the Outdoor Chattanooga Center. There is also an antique carousel dating to 1894, with authentic historical touches like a calliope band organ, gold leaf benches, and 52 animals to ride on! Coolidge Park is close to many delicious restaurants, so you can bring your own picnic or pick up takeout nearby.

Coolidge Park

Address: 150 River Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405

Website: Coolidge Park

Opening hours: 8am - 11pm

Price: 0 USD

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Have a whole night of fun in Chattanooga

Chattanooga, Tennessee Skyline
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Imilious used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Chattanooga is full of interesting cultural attractions, like the Tennessee Aquarium and Hunter Museum of American Art. It’s also close to many outdoor activities, like the underground waterfall at Ruby Falls, gardens of Rock City, and Lookout Mountain, where you can hike or take an incline railway to the top. However, most art museums and natural spots are best explored during the day, leaving the evening without plans. In Chattanooga, it’s clear that the fun doesn’t stop just because the sun sets! Whether you want to see a museum, stroll through a park, or take in a movie, there are a lot of things to do at night in Chattanooga.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Anne-Marie, a publishing professional by day, harbors a fervent desire to explore the world whenever she can. Though she hasn't discovered the entire globe yet, her eagerness to learn and write...Read more

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