Chattanooga is a city located in the Appalachian Mountains, along the Tennessee River. It’s a city filled with history, beautiful scenery, and fun activities. To make the most of your two days in Chattanooga, use this itinerary to ensure you experience the best things to see and do.
An RV rental allows you to be right in the heart of Chattanooga’s beautiful surroundings. It helps you save money also as you won’t have airfare or expensive hotel stays to worry about, and you can cook many of your meals in the RV kitchen. You’ll enjoy quality time together with those in your group, and you won’t have to sacrifice comfort to take advantage of these benefits. RV rentals include many of the comforts of home.
Search RV rentals in the Chattanooga area.
Preparing for Your Chattanooga RV Trip
Renting a Class A, B, or C motorhome is a great way to make the most of your two days in Chattanooga. You’ll have a place to return to each evening after a full day of sightseeing, a full kitchen for preparing meals, and a comfortable bed to sleep in. If you’d like to have a vehicle with you to explore the city, consider renting one of the towable options. Travel trailers and fifth-wheel RV rentals have many of the same conveniences as drivable RVs.
Plan your RV rental trip with confidence by referencing these resources:
• How to Choose the Best RV Size for Your Trip
• What Happens After I Book My RV?
• Essential Packing Tips for Your First RV Rental
• Finding the Perfect Spot for Your RV
After booking your RV rental, you need to find a campground that suits your needs. If you want a spacious site with full hookups, consider Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground. Those who love nature enjoy Sweetwater Campground, which is located in the scenic Cherokee National Forest along the Hiwassee River. If family fun is a priority, you’ll want to check out Chester Frost Campground with its beach, boat ramp, and playgrounds.
Find other campground options in our comprehensive list of top-rated campgrounds in Chattanooga.
Dive Into Your Chattanooga Adventure
Morning: A Stroll Through Rock City Gardens
Rock City Gardens is located on top of Lookout Mountain and is an excellent addition to your Chattanooga itinerary. Here, you’ll find gardens featuring over 400 native plants, massive rock formations, and the iconic “See Seven States” panoramic view. Follow the Enchanted Trail to ensure that you don’t miss any of the natural beauty of this attraction.
Lunch: Grab a Quick Bite
Massey’s Kitchen is conveniently located near Lookout Mountain. Their lunch menu features burgers and sandwiches served with house-cut fries. They also have a nice selection of artisanal pizzas. They offer a special brunch menu on weekends that also includes pancakes.
Afternoon: See Spectacular Underground Waterfalls
See the tallest underground waterfall at Ruby Falls on Lookout Mountain. You’ll take a glass-front elevator down 260 feet into the cave. From there, you’ll walk to the spectacular waterfall.
Setting Up Camp
As evening approaches, you’ll want to head to your campground and get your RV rental set up. Check in at the main office, park and level your RV, and connect any available hookups. If this sounds intimidating, ask when booking about having your RV delivered and set up for you.
Dinner: Dine in or Enjoy an Evening Out
You can cook dinner in your RV’s kitchen or over a campfire, but if you want to go out, consider stopping at Puckett’s Chattanooga. They serve Tennessee favorites like fried chicken, country fried steak, and Black Angus rib-eye. They also have a large selection of burgers and sandwiches, live music, and a daily happy hour.
Day 2: Family-Friendly Fun
Morning: Explore a Whole New World
The Tennessee Aquarium is located on the Chattanooga Riverfront. It is home to fascinating creatures like the North American river otter, sand tiger sharks, and alligator snapping turtles. You’ll also discover exhibits featuring a variety of butterflies as well as many species of birds.
Lunch: Dine at a Local Favorite
The River Street Deli is a lunchtime legend among the locals. Their extensive menu features traditional favorites like roast beef, turkey, and ham sandwiches. They also serve homemade soups and salads, and they have a special kid’s menu with hot dogs, grilled cheese, and peanut butter sandwiches.
Afternoon: Ride a Vintage Train
You can experience a unique ride on a full-size vintage train when you visit the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Afterward, explore the museum with its many exhibits depicting Tennessee’s history and the role the railroad played in it.
Evening: Watch the Sun Set
A sunset cruise on the Southern Belle Riverboat is a wonderful way to enjoy the view of Chattanooga from the Tennessee River. You’ll start your cruise as the sun is beginning to set. Once the sun goes down, you’ll see spectacular views of the city’s lights. Each cruise includes live music.
Day 3 and Beyond in Chattanooga
Have a few more days to spend in Chattanooga? Check out these additional attractions.
• Take a one-hour walking tour through Raccoon Mountain Caverns. You’ll see thousands of natural features such as stalactites, flowstones, rimstone pools, and natural bridges.
• The Hunter Museum of America Art houses a collection that spans everything from colonial works to modern pieces. The balcony with a view of the river is a bonus.
• The Chattanooga Zoo is small enough that it’s a perfect place to enjoy a leisurely stroll. They have a variety of animals, a petting zoo, and interactive encounters.
Fall Activities
The city hosts the Chattanooga Oktoberfest each fall with live oompah music, a large selection of beer, and German food. In October, you’ll find the Chattanooga Apple Festival offers fun for all ages. They have over 150 vendors, a petting zoo, food trucks, pony rides, and inflatables.
Indoor Activities
Chattanooga has many wonderful outdoor areas to explore, but you can also find indoor activities like the Creative Discovery Museum. This is an interactive children’s museum with a focus on learning and play. You can learn all about the distilling process when you tour the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery. There’s also the Coker Museum, which is filled with classic cars, trucks, and antique motorcycles.
Chattanooga is overflowing with outdoor experiences, fascinating museums, and Southern dining options. Enjoy the beautiful scenery during the day, and spend cozy nights in your RV rental. Two days in Chattanooga can be fun and exciting, but there’s so much to see and do that you can easily extend your stay.
