6 Reasons Why I Love Chattanooga, Tennessee

1. The geology at Rock City

Six miles out from downtown Chattanooga, Rock city offers visitors and locals alike the opportunity to catch sight of majestic Tennessee landscapes. Equal parts geological marvel and natural attraction, Rock City is your chance to encounter dated rock formations which existed millions of years before you stepped foot in the region.

Even before Rock City was developed, it was a well-traveled landscape for both Native Americans and early settlers. Today, more than 500,000 visitors will gaze upon the same landscapes, as well as the added features which include Fairyland Caverns and the Cornerstone Station. Local shops and restaurants at Rock City, together with more than 400 species of flowers, provide more reasons than ever to take a visit to the geological marvel, Rock City.

2. The local history

In Chattanooga, history sets the stage for everything that exists today! Native Americans were the original inhabitants of the region, as they lived off the land and sought to establish natural preservation. Since the opening of Rock City as an attraction in 1932, the region has only grown in popularity.

You can witness much of this history for yourself at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, where the railroad past comes alive. Thanks to a rotating series of exhibits and displays, together with a list of local favorites, this museum establishes the stage for the introduction of the “Iron Horse” to the region. You can even take a train ride through Chattanooga, on a vintage, historically accurate train car! Check out various railroad artifacts, which represent the foundation of transportation in the region.

Lookout Mountain is also characterized by its unique historical value. The limestone of Lookout Mountain was formed some 240 million years ago. Much more recently, after the Cherokee contributed the mountain’s name, the summit’s renown has only grown in popularity. From the top, you can spot seven individual states! For even more history, visit the site of two authentic American Civil War battles, at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Park.

3. Larger-than-life majesty at Ruby Falls

Experience Lookout Mountain from unprecedented angles, when you get up close and personal with one of the world’s most spectacular underground waterfalls! At 145 feet in total height, it’s a spectacle worth witnessing no matter your age. You can check out cave structures that include stalactites and stalagmites, while enjoying views you’re going to have to see to believe.

The Falls are situated at the end of Ruby Falls Cave, and exists as one half of the well-known Lookout Mountain Caverns. Ruby Falls truly exists as an attraction exclusive to the region; it wasn’t even accessible until the 1900s, because at one point it was completely sealed off. One of the prides of the region, this limestone cave is a wide-angled, massive sight worth the investment.

4. Take your time on the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway

Slow life down to a pace comfortable for your own enjoyment, at another of Chattanooga’s verified staples: the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway. Capable of delivering tourists and locals alike to the top of Lookout Mountain, this railway does so at a leisurely pace, allowing all those aboard to enjoy sweeping views of the natural landscapes below. It’s never been easier to fall in love with the local topography, than from high above in this railway.

The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway takes you up a 72.7% grade, from the bottom of the summit to the very top. It has thrilled visitors since its opening in 1895, and today continues to exist as a testament to the location’s natural beauty, and to its own longevity. Glass windows to the right and left allow you glimpse local flora and fauna, and windows above provide ample sunlight, and a chance to fall for clear blue skies.

5. Awe-inspiring nature of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Park

Enjoy some authentic Tennessee wilderness, at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Park. Spanning both eastern Tennessee and parts of northern Georgia, it’s a stretch of preserved land upon which two major American Civil War battles occurred. Today, the park exists as both a monument to the confrontations and to the peaceful nature that now covers the land itself.

Whether you’re sauntering through the park at your own speed, or accompanied by an expert local guide, there’s so much to see and explore once you arrive onsite. Take a tour or direct a self-tour, to learn more about the historical importance of the land. For an affordable fee, that contributes to both the preservation of the land and the education of those visitors as to its significance, you can find yourself exploring preserved wilderness at the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Park!

6. Family fun at the Creative Discovery Museum

Get in touch with your creative side, when the entire family joins you at the Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga. One of the town’s certified educational opportunities, this location is ranked one of the top children’s museums in the entire nation. The ideal combination of science, discovery, art, and even music is made available to each visitor after they pass through inviting museum doors and contribute a fee well worth the investment.

Each zone of the museum itself is particularly tailored to an individual creative aspect. There’s the water-themed zone called RiverPlay, as well as a workshop where future inventors can roll back their sleeves and get to work. Exhibits are optimized for youth anywhere from 18 months to 12 years, and have captivated visitors since their first display in 1995!

Something for everyone to love in Chattanooga

It isn’t difficult to understand why Chattanooga natives are inherently proud of their hometown. The location itself boasts the rare combination of educational and outdoor opportunities, together with a blend of history that provides the setting for discovery and cultural appreciation. No matter your individual preferences, there’s something for everyone to love inside Chattanooga borders.