Things to Do in Chattanooga (2025)

Chattanooga’s river-bluff museum anchors the city’s arts scene with regional voices alongside national names. Frequently highlighted by Condé Nast Traveler, it’s a perfect pairing with a stroll through the surrounding Bluff View Art District.

A 33-acre outdoor sculpture park run by a local nonprofit, open daily and free. Noted in The New York Times, it showcases large-scale works with Lookout Mountain as backdrop and often hosts community art events.

A community-rooted museum honoring African American history and the Empress of the Blues. Expect exhibitions, talks, and the Big 9 Music Fest celebrating the legacy of Chattanooga’s storied MLK Boulevard.

A producer-only Sunday market and cultural meetup with farms, makers, and live music. Celebrating its 25th season in 2025, it’s repeatedly praised by regional editors as the weekly window into local life.

A nonprofit museum and intimate venue celebrating guitars, sound, and Southern music stories. Rotating exhibits, donation-based entry hours, and evening shows keep it active with local players and touring artists.

Tour the first legal distillery here in a century and taste the city’s high-malt style. Featured by Condé Nast Traveler, the hour-long experience blends local history with small-batch innovation.

An intimate, artist-run venue championing jazz, new theater, storytelling, and community nights. Covered by local public radio and beloved by Chattanooga creatives, its calendar rewards spontaneous drop-ins.

A nonprofit landscape of woodlands, trails, and native plant nursery at the base of Lookout Mountain. Check the calendar for guided wildlife programs and seasonal paddling access.

Locally founded gym with the famous outdoor wall overlooking Broad Street plus full indoor routes and a kids zone. A fun way to tap into Chattanooga’s climbing soul right in the city core.

Make your own glass ornament, paperweight, or bowl with guidance from working artists. A hands-on studio experience that leaves you with a Chattanooga-made keepsake the next day.

Chef-connected walking tours through Downtown, Southside, and MLK that spotlight independent kitchens and Chattanooga food history. Praised by travelers and local media for storytelling as much as eating.

A NorthShore outfitter placing you on the Tennessee River beneath Chattanooga’s bridges. Frequently recommended by Condé Nast Traveler, it’s a scenic way to see the skyline and Maclellan Island.