Chattanooga's Best: Self-Guided Driving Tour of Iconic Main Sites
3
Places: 18 POIs
Distance: 21.04 mi
Duration: 1h:15m
GPS-guided narration through
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Tour #2685
About this English self-guided 1h:15m driving tour in Chattanooga
Welcome to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and thanks for exploring the city with UCPlaces.
This self-guided driving tour will take you through the heart of downtown Chattanooga, along the Tennessee River, and up to the breathtaking viewpoints of Lookout Mountain. Along the way, you’ll experience the city’s transformation from an industrial river town into one of the South’s most scenic and outdoor-focused destinations.
Expect a relaxed pace. We’ll share stories, history, and local highlights when they matter most, and at other times we’ll give you space to simply enjoy the drive and the views. Please always drive safely and follow traffic laws.
You’ll pass landmarks like the Tennessee Aquarium, the Hunter Museum of American Art, and the Chattanooga Choo Choo, stroll past parks and riverwalks, and cross the Tennessee River before climbing into the mountains where Civil War history, scenic overlooks, and natural wonders come together.
This tour builds toward a memorable finale at Lookout Mountain, with optional stops along the way — including short walks, viewpoints, and historic sites — so feel free to pause, explore, or skip anything that doesn’t fit your schedule.
Take your time, enjoy the journey, and let’s get started exploring one of the most scenic cities in the Southeast.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
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Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
, Attraction : Riverboat Tour, Landmark (Recommended selfie spot).
443 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA
Tennessee Riverwalk & Southern Belle Riverboat
On your left is the Tennessee Riverwalk, a scenic path that runs for more than 10 miles along the Tennessee River.
This riverwalk is one of the cornerstones of Chattanooga’s revitalization, transforming what was once an industrial riverfront into a place for walking, biking, and enjoying the water. It connects parks, museums, and neighborhoods, making the river a central part of daily life here.
Just after the underpass of the Olgiati Bridge, also on your left, you’ll see the Southern Belle Riverboat docked along the river. This classic paddlewheel-style riverboat offers sightseeing cruises, dinner cruises, and live entertainment, giving visitors a chance to experience Chattanooga from the water.
Together, the Riverwalk and the Southern Belle highlight how closely this city is tied to the Tennessee River — past, present, and still very much alive today.
This riverwalk is one of the cornerstones of Chattanooga’s revitalization, transforming what was once an industrial riverfront into a place for walking, biking, and enjoying the water. It connects parks, museums, and neighborhoods, making the river a central part of daily life here.
Just after the underpass of the Olgiati Bridge, also on your left, you’ll see the Southern Belle Riverboat docked along the river. This classic paddlewheel-style riverboat offers sightseeing cruises, dinner cruises, and live entertainment, giving visitors a chance to experience Chattanooga from the water.
Together, the Riverwalk and the Southern Belle highlight how closely this city is tied to the Tennessee River — past, present, and still very much alive today.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.43mi
, Attraction : Aquarium (Recommended selfie spot).
100 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA
Tennessee Aquarium
On your right is the Tennessee Aquarium, one of Chattanooga’s most popular and influential attractions.
Opened in 1992, the aquarium played a major role in the city’s downtown revival. Its two main buildings follow the path of water — from freshwater rivers and lakes to saltwater oceans — highlighting ecosystems from the Appalachian region to the open sea.
Even if you don’t go inside, the aquarium anchors this riverfront area and helped turn Chattanooga into a destination focused on nature, conservation, and outdoor living.
Opened in 1992, the aquarium played a major role in the city’s downtown revival. Its two main buildings follow the path of water — from freshwater rivers and lakes to saltwater oceans — highlighting ecosystems from the Appalachian region to the open sea.
Even if you don’t go inside, the aquarium anchors this riverfront area and helped turn Chattanooga into a destination focused on nature, conservation, and outdoor living.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
Tennessee Riverwalk & Southern Belle Riverboat
Place 2
Tennessee Aquarium
Place 3
Hunter Museum of American Art
Place 4
Bluff View Art District & River Gallery
Place 5
Crossing the Tennessee River – Chief John Ross Bridge
Place 6
Coolidge Park & Walnut Street Bridge Views
Place 7
Chattanooga Choo Choo District & Centennial Theatre
Place 8
Welcome to Station Street
Place 9
Chattanooga National Cemetery
Place 10
Chattanooga Fun Facts
Place 11
Forest Hills Cemetery
Place 12
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
Place 13
Ruby Falls
Place 14
Cravens House & Scenic Lookouts
Place 15
Point Park Entrance & Battlefield Visitor Center
Place 16
Sunset Rock Viewpoint – Parking & Short Hike
Place 17
Seven States Lookout & Rock City Gardens – Parking
Place 18
Farewell
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 18 stops, covering top attractions such as Tennessee Riverwalk & Southern Belle Riverboat, Tennessee Aquarium, Hunter Museum of American Art, Bluff View Art District & River Gallery, Crossing the Tennessee River – Chief John Ross Bridge.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Tennessee Riverwalk & Southern Belle Riverboat (Address: 443 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!