Chattanooga, Tennessee is one of the most popular cities to visit in the southeastern USA – and for good reason! Known as “The Scenic City”, Chattanooga offers a fun mix of outdoor adventure, artsy vibes, and delicious food. We went on a Chattanooga girls trip in December 2025, and Kayla loved it so much she went back the following month with her family.
If you’re planning your own Chattanooga Girls Trip, you’ve come to the right place. In this weekend itinerary for Chattanooga, we’re sharing where to stay, where you can find delicious food, and where you can make unforgettable memories with your besties. Basically, you’ll have everything you need to make your group chat goals a reality!
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Getting to Chattanooga
Chattanooga is nestled in the Appalachian foothills of southeastern Tennessee, right along the Georgia border. It’s only 1 hour and 45 minutes from Atlanta, Knoxville, and Huntsville and 2 hours from Nashville, making it a fantastic option for a little weekend getaway for anyone coming from those areas. And if you’re traveling from the southeastern USA to Chattanooga, you should definitely check out our other blog posts on destinations in the southeast!
When should you take your Chattanooga girls trip?
Chattanooga is a year round city. There is truly something fun to experience for every season! Visit Chattanooga does a great job keeping their event calendars updated for visitors, so be sure to check it out before your Chattanooga girls trip to make sure you don’t miss out on any fun seasonal festivities!
Fall (September – November) – This is one of the best times to visit Chattanooga to experience some stunning mountain fall foliage, whether that be through hiking the city’s many parks and trails or from the comfort of a scenic train ride. The weather is cool and crisp, making it great for hiking. Fall festivals and events are in full swing, including several ChattaBOOga ones for lovers of all things spooky.
Winter (December – February) – Chattanooga is definitely worth a visit during the winter months, especially for Christmas festivities. Rock City has a special night time event with thousands of Christmas lights, you can go ice skating downtown, the zoo has a lantern festival, and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum offers Christmas themed train rides. And if you go after Christmas time, the cast iron skillet curling championship is worth planning a trip around just for the novelty of it. You’ll definitely want to pack your cold weather travel essentials though if you visit in winter, because it will be chilly!
Spring (March – Early June) – A spring Chattanooga girls trip will bring pleasant weather during the day and cooler nights. Spring festivals and markets are in full swing with favorites being the Chattanooga Beer Fest, the weekly Chattanooga Market, the 4 Bridges Art Festival, and musical events. As flowers begin to bloom and things warm up, it becomes a fab time to take some outdoor adventures. March can be rainy though, so be sure to pack your fav waterproof sneakers just in case!
Summer (June – August) – The southeastern USA is hot and humid during the summer, and Chattanooga is no exception! This is a fab time to visit for outdoor adventure lovers – There’s rock climbing, white water rafting, hang gliding from Lookout Mountain, riverboat cruises, and kayaking! On weekend nights, you can cool off by enjoying free music at the Nightfall Concert Series.
If your friend group enjoys the great outdoors, consider a glamping at Amicalola Falls for your next girls trip!
Where to Stay for Your Chattanooga Girls Trip
Chattanooga has a lot to offer, and despite not being a huge city, it feels very sprawled out. Having a centralized home base for your girls trip to Chattanooga is key to maximizing your time and fun. There are several VRBOs spread around the city for friend groups requiring more space, but these are the hotel options we recommend for groups of 2-4.
The Read House Hotel – Kayla stayed here on her last visit to Chattanooga and absolutely LOVED it. This is a fabulous option for the friend groups who want to stay somewhere dripping in character and luxuriousness. Located downtown, this 1920s themed hotel is filled with Instagram-worthy photo opportunities, spacious rooms, and has a fascinating history. It’s also connected to a Starbucks, and while going to a local spot is always preferred, you can’t beat having freshly made coffee on your literal doorstep.
Famous guests of The Read House Hotel have included Winston Churchill, Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey, and Bing Crosby. For the spooky girls, room 311 is said to be haunted by the spirit of Annalisa Netherly who was found beheaded in the bathtub by a jealous lover in the 1920s. This is also the same room that Al Capone stayed during his trial in the 1930s – in fact, the bars are still on the windows of room 311 from where he stayed there! For the ultimate spooky bonding experience, you can ask the hotel to tour room 311!
The Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo – Another unique accommodation option in Chattanooga is The Hotel Chalet. This boutique hotel gives a nod to nostalgia and the days when Chattanooga served as a major hub to train transportation in the southeast. The comfortable guest rooms are decked out in antiques and muted jewel colors, but the ultimate experience at The Hotel Chalet is staying in one of the refurbished train carriages. These train cars will have you feeling like you’ve stepped back in time, and the separate living and dining spaces is the perfect amount of space for friend groups of 2-4.
The Hotel Chalet isn’t just a place to stay though. The hotel frequently offers fun events like Vinyl Night, live music nights, weekend brunch, and 2 Happy Hours Monday-Friday. The thoughtfully designed hangout spaces are a great place to unwind after a long day exploring Chattanooga.
Weekend Itinerary for a Chattanooga Girls Trip
Day 1: Tennessee River + Artsy Exploration + Good Food
MORNING
Start your day with breakfast at Milk and Honey. This place is a must visit and is known for having some of the best breakfast and brunch in Chattanooga. It can get very busy and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so pack your patience! We visited on a Friday around 10:30am for brunch, and even though the restaurant was extremely busy, we only had to wait around 15 minutes.
They have a wide drink selection including coffee and espresso, juices, and hot or iced loose leaf teas. On our visit, Amanda got the Hodgepodge Hash – a delicious dish that includes roasted red and sweet potatoes, peppers, onions, and topped with a sunny side up egg. Kayla got the fried chicken biscuit, because she literally cannot resist fried chicken and gravy if it’s offered on a menu, and it was super yummy!
EARLY AFTERNOON
After you’ve filled up on food, it’s time to get a little artsy! Head next door to The Pottery Place of Chattanooga (there’s a parking deck right by the entrance), where you and your friends will be able to paint pottery in the studio, make a mosaic, or have a clay experience! Reservations are not necessary, and you can take as long as you want to make your masterpieces. It takes a few days for your pottery to fully dry, so you will need to either drive back to the studio to pick up your art or they will ship it to you for a fee.
We opted to paint pottery, and we were honestly so blown away by how many options there were to choose from. You can paint anything from a coffee mug to a lawn ornament to a lamp, with prices varying based on the size of your selection. The Pottery Place has a HUGE paint selection, and the staff were so nice in taking the time to explain the overall process and offer creative recommendations when we asked for it. We seriously loved this experience!
AFTERNOON
It’s time to get outside! The options available to you will vary depending on what time of year you are visiting Chattanooga. Strolling along the Walnut Street Bridge is a must. This iconic bridge was originally opened in 1890 and has been closed to cars since 1970. It connects the south and north-side of Chattanooga and offers stunning views of the Tennessee River. It is currently undergoing renovations and expected to reopen to the public in September 2026.
After your walk, see the river up close with a Chattanooga Duck Boat tour, standup paddle boarding, or kayaking! The duck boat tours are given in WWII amphibious duck boats and are great for people who want a tour that is a lower activity level. You’ll sit back and enjoy the views while your guide tells you all about the historical boats and Chattanooga! Standup Paddle Boarding is offered right next to the bridge by Chattanooga Guided Adventures in warmer months, but for a truly unique experience, drive a few miles down the road to experience their Chickamauga Dam Kayaking Tour! You’ll get to kayak into the lock of the dam, watch the gates close, and then slowly sink down around 50 feet until you reach river level where you’ll explore around with your guide.
Depending on your mood and appetite, grab lunch near the bridge at Little Venezuela Restaurant, Universal Joint, or Edley’s Barbecue.
Then it’s totally worth the drive to The Reading Room for cocktails, mocktails, and tea. This literary bar has floor to ceiling bookshelves lining the walls that are filled with secondhand books to buy, cozy nooks to hangout, and regularly holds fun events. If you’ll be there after 5pm, they also offer paninis and small bites to eat.
Are you a fellow bookworm? Check out our book recommendations and fav literary destinations HERE.
EVENING / NIGHT
You’ve had a jam packed day by this point, but the fun isn’t over yet! Choose your evening activity based on your group’s interests. Some low-key options are seeing a show at the historic Tivoli Theatre, taking a Murder and Mayhem Haunted History Walking Tour, or seeing some live music (especially if you’ll be in Chattanooga during their summer nights free music festival!).
Have dinner near your downtown hotel. Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint has seriously good burgers and a fun vibe + you can end your meal with a deep fried oreo for only $2.00! Kayla loved the Denny Hennen burger, named after one of Chattanooga’s legendary residents. Attack of the Tatsu is also a great option. It is considered by many to be the best place in Chattanooga for Ramen and Katsu and has eclectic theming like Japanese lanterns hanging from the ceiling and cartoonish images of Godzilla on the walls.
Day 2: Chatt’s Iconic Landmarks + Bonding Experiences
MORNING
Have breakfast near your downtown hotel at Honey Seed. They serve breakfast and brunch all day, which is perfect if you want to have a lazy start to your day. They have several breakfast options, but if you aren’t getting a breakfast sandwich on one of their hand-rolled Montreal style bagels, what are you even doing with your life?
After breakfast, head on over to Lookout Mountain where you will be visiting the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States: Ruby Falls. You’ll take an elevator 260 ft into the earth and then do a 1 mile roundtrip guided walk to the waterfall. During your 90 minute visit, you’ll pass incredible rock formations and learn how the waterfall was accidentally discovered in 1928.
Entries to Ruby Falls are timed, so you’ll want to book tickets in advance!
EARLY AFTERNOON
After the waterfall, head a couple of miles down the road and experience “America’s most amazing mile” on the Incline Railway. This is considered one of the world’s steepest passenger railways and has been in operation for 130 years!
When you get to the top of the incline, you’ll have panoramic views from the observation deck of the Chattanooga Valley. Wander around and take photos to remember your Chattanooga girls trip by. If there are any history buffs in your party, you might want to take the 5min walk from the summit to Point Park to see the Lookout Mountain battlefields from the Civil War and get even more birds eye views of Chattanooga. Before you head back down the mountain, grab some fudge from the souvenir shop!
AFTERNOON
Have lunch at the base of the Incline Railway at 1885 Grill. This southern coastal restaurant specializes in fresh seafood and southern sides. There are several options for the non-seafood folks too though!
You’ve had a super busy weekend so far, so when you’re done eating, you’ll be having some peace and relaxation. Just a 3 minute walk away from 1885 Grill is the Chattanooga Salt Cavern. This is a healing oasis that uses dry salt therapy to renew and heal. You can meditate in the salt cavern in loungers or on comfy floor mats while ambient music plays.
The Salt Cavern holds public community sessions throughout the week that host up to 10 people at a time or you can book private sessions for your friend group like a Somatic Breathwork session. Either way, you’ll leave feeling rejuvenated.
EVENING / NIGHT
Depending on what your friend group is into, we have 2 excellent options for the evening:
Learn how to make ravioli and fettuccini with Italian pasta connoisseurs in this hands on cooking class. Amanda did this experience a few years back and really enjoyed it! You’ll learn how to make the noodles and a homemade sauce, and then of course you’ll get to eat it! Class sizes are kept small, making it a great environment for learning + spending time with your besties.
If you just can’t get enough of the great outdoors in Chattanooga, then a Nickajack Bat Cave Kayak Tour is an experience like no other. Over 100,000 endangered grey bats call Nickajack Cave home. During your tour, you will paddle out to the bat cave and learn all about the history of the area, the importance of the bats to the local ecosystem, and the efforts being made to preserve the species. How cool will it be to watch the sunset from the water with your closest friends and then also observe 100,000 grey bats fly from the cave as they embark on their nightly hunts!
Have extra time? Here are some other Activities & Experiences
Rock City – Rock City is one of the most popular attractions near Chattanooga. Why didn’t it make our itinerary? We personally think it’s best seen at Christmas time during their annual Enchanted Garden of Lights celebration. If you’ll be visiting from mid-November to the end of December, you should definitely add this to your itinerary!
Tennessee Aquarium – The Tennessee Aquarium is considered one of the top attractions in Chattanooga! It is home to over 10,000 animals + an IMAX theatre. If we included it in a Chattanooga girls trip itinerary though, we’d personally want to do it when they were hosting one of the overnight experiences where you have a sleepover at the aquarium!
Tennessee Valley Railroad – Chattanooga once served as the hub of the south for rail transportation, so it’s only fitting that you have the option of taking a train ride during your visit! We’ve only ever done the Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride and enjoyed it but felt it was more suited for kids since it’s only around an hour roundtrip. For an adults-only trip, we’d want to do a longer train ride or one of their seasonal offerings.
Chattanooga Zoo – The Chattanooga Zoo spans 13 acres and is home to animals like red pandas, chimpanzees, and tamarins to name a few.
Little Debbie Park – This is exactly what it sounds like. A park with statues that look like Little Debbie cakes. It’s located around 25 minutes east of Chattanooga and has placards throughout that tell the history of Debbie McKee’s family and their contribution to the area. While you’re in the area, stop by the McKee Foods Bakery Store to stock up on Little Debie cakes!
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