After a fun night in Atlanta, where I went to a concert with one of my best friends, I decided to take a short drive up (slightly under 2 hours) to Chattanooga, TN. Due to the short drive, having the free time before going back to work, and my ongoing sense of adventure, I pre-planned a trip to the city I’ve been eyeing for a while. In just 24 hours, I packed in unique experiences, great food, and a touch of adventure. If you’re looking for a quick getaway or a solo adventure, Chattanooga is the perfect spot!
Morning-Day 1: Exploring the City
Visit to Yellow Racket Records
Before checking into my hotel, I kicked off my Chattanooga adventure by visiting Yellow Racket Records. I was in search of a Michael Jackson Thriller vinyl, and I was able to find it here! The store had a pretty decent collection! With my current vinyl collection outings, I’ve realized how pricey they can be. Whether you’re a collector or just love browsing through records, this spot is worth a visit! Check out their website here.
Afternoon-Day 1: A Unique Stay and Scenic Cruise
Check-in at The Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo
My next stop was The Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo, where I stayed in one of their vintage train cargo cars. It was a very unique experience and knew I had to stay there after discovering it online! If you’re a fan of quirky accommodations, this is a must-stay. Click here for the Expedia link. The property has regular hotel room, and if you want to book the train car, make sure you view the pictures and book the “sleeper” car.
Southern Belle Sunset Riverboat Tour
After checking in, I headed to the Tennessee River for a sunset cruise on the Southern Belle Riverboat. It was such a peaceful boat ride that wasn’t super packed. The views, the breeze, and my glass of wine, made it a relaxing experience. Boat tours can be found here.
Evening-Day 1: Dinner and Drinks
Feed Table and Tavern
I ate dinner at Feed Table and Tavern. The food was delicious, customer service was amazing, and the restaurant thankfully was not very packed. I highly recommend stopping here! While I didn’t take any food pictures (I was really hungry!), the menu can be found at https://www.feedtableandtavern.com/.
Elsie’s Daughter
I wrapped up the evening with a drink at Elsie’s Daughter, a charming little bar with a minimalist aesthetic and creative cocktails that was within walking distance from my train car hotel. I went because they had oysters and a unique bar menu. It was a great way to end my night and even better that is was within walking distance from my hotel stay! Their menu can be found at https://www.elsiesdaughters.com/.
Morning-Day: Coffee & Lookout Mountain Adventure
Frothy Monkey
This coffee shop is also within walking distance from Hotel Chalet. Before my next stop, I decided to grab a coffee from this quaint coffee shop. Their website can be found at https://frothymonkey.com/.
Incline Railway at Lookout Mountain
After checking out of the hotel, I made my way to Lookout Mountain to experience the Incline Railway. It is known as one of the world’s steepest passenger railways and offers amazing views of Chattanooga, TN. I was a bit nervous on the way up, but the panoramic views made up for it. Tickets can be found here.
Side story – I used ParkMobile to pay for parking. I’ve never had an issue with using the platform. When I returned to my car from the railway, I received a parking ticket for failure to pay! I was able to call and make an appeal since they were able to see that I indeed DID pay for parking, it just didn’t load in the system fast enough. The ticket timestamp was literally 2 minutes after I paid using ParkMobile. It made me feel a bit uneasy to be honest! I was thankfully able to have the ticket revoked. If you’re planning to visit, I recommend keeping a screenshot or receipt as proof of payment to avoid similar issues.
Things I Wish I’d Done
Although I packed a lot into my 24 hours, there are a few things I didn’t have time for, but would love to do on a future trip:
- Walnut Street Bridge
- This iconic pedestrian bridge spans the Tennessee River and offers beautiful views of the city. I tried going before my cruise, but ran out of time.
- Zaya 1943 Korean Steakhouse
- As a fan of Korean barbecue, I was disappointed to miss this highly-rated spot since they were closed. They seem to have great reviews!
- Rock City
- Just a short drive from Chattanooga, Rock City is known for its stunning rock formations, gardens, and breathtaking views where you can see seven states at once.
- Boathouse Rotisserie & Raw Bar
- I was on a mission for oysters and got my fix at Elsie’s Daughter, but it would’ve been nice to venture here if I had more time.
- The Garden Parc Brunch & Events
- I read amazing things about their brunch, and wish I would’ve had more time to experience it. I love a great brunch spot (it HAS to have mimosas)!
If you have more than 24 hours in Chattanooga, these spots are worth adding to your itinerary.
Chattanooga surprised me with its charm, unique experiences, and delicious food—all in just 24 hours. I truly enjoyed taking this solo trip! Whether you’re passing through or planning a short getaway, I hope this guide inspires you to add Chattanooga to your travel list! Cheers to more experiences!
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