The Atlas Obscura Guide To Chattanooga

12 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Updated October 8, 2026

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Unusual Attractions in Chattanooga

Ruby Falls.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Ruby Falls

The mysterious wonder of an underground waterfall is illuminated by multicolored lights.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Raccoon Mountain Caverns

More than five miles of underground passageways.

The Choo Choo sign at night

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel

This historic train station has been converted to a locomotive themed hotel.

The Hokey Pokey.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

North Shore Dance Paving Stones

Follow the steps, and this roadside artwork will teach you how to dance.

Walnut Street Bridge

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Walnut Street Bridge

Once decrepit and slated for demolition, now one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world.

International Towing and Recovery Museum

Chattanooga, Tennessee

International Towing and Recovery Museum

This museum dedicated to an oft-overlooked support industry features a surprisingly moving brass diorama of a man being saved from a sinking car.

View of the full general store from the second floor.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

MoonPie General Store

This beloved American snack was conceived by a hungry coal miner.

See All 12 Things To Do in Chattanooga

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Chattanooga

View of the full general store from the second floor.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

MoonPie General Store

This beloved American snack was conceived by a hungry coal miner.

The Reading Room blends the intimacy of an inviting bar with the inviting solace of a good bookstore.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

The Reading Room

The shelves at this Chattanooga bar are stocked with used books, and buying one sends money back to the library.

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

7 Underground Thrills Only Found in Tennessee

Famous for country music and hot chicken, Tennessee is also filled with natural wonders. Across the state, caverns beckon. Venturing into some of Tennessee's strangest subterranean haunts is a great way to experience the depths of the state's spell-binding charm.

Forbidden Caverns, ready for its closeup.

Explore Chattanooga, Tennessee

Caves 2

Ecosystems 2

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Bridges 1

Bookstores 1

Waterfalls 1

Art 1

Sculptures 1

Public Works 1

Infrastructure 1

Bars 1

Stores 1

Shops 1

Transportation 1

Industrial 1

Natural Wonders 1

Sculpture Gardens 1

Trains 1

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Stories About Chattanooga

Surprise! You Own a Long-Lost Cemetery

Families across the U.S. are finding each other through a forgotten, historically Black graveyard.

by Sheeka Sanahori, Atlas Obscura

February 28, 2024

The doors on the north side of the Loveman’s Building leading to a retaining wall.

The Mystery of Why Chattanooga Raised Its Downtown by a Level

There's a hidden layer of Chattanooga underneath the current city.

by Daniel Jackson, Atlas Obscura

December 19, 2016