Things to Do in Chattanooga with Kids

Enjoy quality family time in Chattanooga. Chattanooga has so many things to do with kids in the city. Read below for kid-friendly restaurants, things to do, indoor kid activities and more.

Chattanooga Hotels for Families

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Chattanooga Downtown

Stay in the middle of it all at SpringHill Suites in downtown Chattanooga. Chattanooga's only riverfront hotel has loads of space for your family and offers studio, one and two-bed suites with pull-out queen sofa beds. High-speed internet, Smart TVs, microwave and mini fridge are all in-suite. Enjoy complimentary breakfast and 24-hour access to the fitness center.

Edwin Hotel

If you want a stylish stay, book a room at the Edwin Hotel, Chattanooga's first luxury boutique hotel. Steps away from the historic Walnut Street Bridge, choose from a king or double bed room with a stocked mini-bar, flat-screen television and city views.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Chattanooga

Edley's Bar-B-Que

Brisket, pulled pork and smoked pulled chicken can be found at Edley's Bar-B-Que. Choose sides from mac n' cheese to coleslaw, baked beans and potato salad. The Tuck Special is a fan favorite which includes your choice of meat, house-made pimento cheese, over easy egg, red and white barbecue sauce and pickles. Small children can have corn dog nuggets, barbecue sandwich, fried chicken tenders or a grilled cheese with their choice of a side. 

Aretha Frankensteins

Aretha Frankensteins is the perfect place for breakfast and lunch with kids. Kids will love a fat stack of pancakes, waffles and biscuits. For lunch, quesadillas, a variety of sandwich options and burritos will fill up bellies and leave you smiling.

Tony's Pasta Shop & Trattoria

Tony's Pasta Shop & Trattoria is a local favorite and has an amazing kid-friendly menu. The kid's menu is for kids 12 and under only and include a tea or soft drink, fruit or French fries. Options include penne pasta and sauce, house-made pizza and traditional grilled cheese sandwich. 

Chattanooga Kids' Activities

Rock City Gardens

Journey through the narrow tunnels, bridges and beautiful blooms of Rock City Gardens. Kids will love the Swinging Bridge, Enchanted Trail where natural beauty abounds, and the Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village where  they can see some of their favorite fairytale characters. Visit during the Holiday Season to experience Rock City's Enchanted Delights. Make your way to Lover's Leap and "See 7 States" with panoramic views. Art installations can be found throughout the trails. Have lunch with a view at Cafe 7 located at Lover's Leap which offers family-friendly southern dishes like barbecue, brisket salad, catfish, shrimp and grits and more. 

Sculpture Fields of Montague Park

Let the kids get their energy out and learn about art at the Sculpture Fields of Montague Park. The internationally acclaimed, outdoor museum features 50 large-scale sculptures dotted on the 33 acres of winding trails. Take a walk on the trails and snap photos of your favorite art pieces. The park is open every day from dusk to dawn and parking is free.

Tennessee Valley Railroad and Museum

All aboard for a fun, educational time spent at the Tennessee Valley Railroad and Museum. After you learn about the history of steam engines in Tennessee through the exhibits displayed, take a 55-minute train ride on the Missionary Ridge Local. The six-mile round trip ride features local history and railroad operations facts, a pass through the pre-Civil War tunnel, a demonstration of a train turntable that turns the locomotive around for the return trip and a tour of the train restoration facility. The train ride is available daily.

Southern Belle Riverboat

While a sleigh may be Santa’s preferred mode of transportation, he loves to spend some of his leisure time aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat. Take a break with a “Tis the Season” prime rib lunch or dinner cruise (a beautiful way to see Chattanooga Christmas lights). Take the kids to enjoy Breakfast with Santa along the Tennessee River complete with live entertainment. You’re also invited to join the boat’s captain at the wheel to see how he navigates the long and winding waterways.

Chattanooga Zoo

The Chattanooga Zoo is home to over 500 animals that represent over 200 different species. The zoo is committed to preserving wildlife and getting visitors involved in better understanding wildlife through a variety of programs. Let the kids come face to face with chimpanzees, jaguars, feed a giraffe, ride a camel and book a zoo tour for an even more immersive experience. Catch a Keeper Chat every day that are 15 minutes and full of fun facts about your kids' favorite animals. Kids will also love the Nature Play area that has a honeycomb jungle gym, giant insects to climb, musical components, a crawl-through tunnel and more.

Indoor Kid Activities in Chattanooga

High Point Climbing and Fitness

Let the kids use their energy at the many climbing challenges at High Point Climbing and Fitness. Children can safely test out their climbing abilities in the Kid Zone Room. Bouldering, top roping and auto belays are also available. Brave climbers can even try their hand at the outdoor wall that is located on High Point's exterior. 

Tennessee Aquarium

Go to the Tennessee Aquarium to see penguins and touch sting rays. Kids can crawl through view tubes to get closer looks at creatures like giant crabs. You could spend hours in front of the large aquariums watching tropical, regional and local fish gracefully swim in their tanks. Seahorses, jellyfish and turtles are popular exhibits. Watch otters frolic and lemurs leap from one tree limb to the next. You can easily spend a couple of hours at the Aquarium. Don't miss seasonal celebrations like ODDtober and Holidays Under the Peaks.

Creative Discovery Museum

Children of all ages can enjoy the Creative Discovery Museum and the immersive exhibits around science, the Tennessee Riverplay where you can pilot a riverboat, climb in a crow's nest and sail boats through dams, agriculture, art and more. The nationally-ranked children's museum includes the hands-on Treehouse Adventure with different pods like The Gathering House made complete with furniture and built-in appliances made of wood and natural materials (wheelchair accessible); The Weather Pod that invites you to observe current weather conditions; The Reflection Pod that includes a color wheel and air cannon and so much more.

Classic Arcade Pinball Museum

Older kids and adults will love the Classic Arcade Pinball Museum, an interactive museum that shares the history, science and nostalgia behind Pinball. Play the classic games like 1980 Black Knight, 1987 Dungeons & Dragons, 1975 Knockout, 1980 Space Invaders and so many more.

Ruby Falls

Pick your adventure and descend 260 feet by glass-front elevator into the mountain and explore the cavern trail to the tallest cave waterfall open to the public in the United States. Learn the story behind the accidental discovery of the cavern, see stunning rock formations, and experience the thundering waterfall! Holidays at Ruby Falls is full of magical views, twinkling Christmas lights on the Village Plaza and festive cheer around every corner of the historic Ruby Falls Castle. Visit Santa, add your wish to the Forest of Wishes, enjoy cave adventures and savor a meal with local craft beer. Christmas treats and hot chocolate can be enjoyed by the fireplace at Castle Cafe for the ultimate holiday aesthetic.