Chattanooga is Tennessee’s fourth-largest city and the perfect weekend destination. Chattanooga has it all, from beautiful parks, lovely hotels, and historical attractions to great restaurants, excellent museums, and fabulous day trips. More than three million visitors flock to the city every year to explore its amazing attractions and participate in the unique activities it has to offer.
Visiting the Hunter Museum of American Art, attending a concert at the Finley Stadium, heading to the Tennessee Aquarium, and seeing the Creative Discovery Museum are activities that people enjoy undertaking in Chattanooga. However, there is much more than that to the city, particularly those looking for a budget trip. Chattanooga is the perfect destination since the city offers the most beautiful attractions without paying a penny.
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Everyone Enjoys Those Free Attractions In Chattanooga
Although accessing the Ruby Falls and Rock City in Chattanooga’s Lookout Mountain costs money and entrance fees, there are several free-of-charge hiking trails in the natural landmark. Moreover, many people can partake in fabulous outdoor excursions at the Lookout Mountain.
- Recommended: Sunset Rock at Lookout Mountains is free to visit and offers incredible vistas of the Tennessee River and the Chattanooga skyline.
Another free attraction in Chattanooga is the city’s Market which runs on Sundays from April through December. The Chattanooga Market is known for its outstanding live music, fabulous artwork, exquisite crafts, and unique perusing local foods. What’s so special about this Market is that there is no entry fee.
- Location: The Chattanooga Market is held at the First Tennessee Pavilion.
Coolidge Park is the perfect destination in Chattanooga for people looking for unique free attractions to enjoy in the city. Both locals and visitors enjoy going to that park that features an interactive fountain, rock climbing, and picnic areas. Moreover, there’s a restored 100-year old carousel at Coolidge Park, and the latter is also home to one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges, the Walnut Street Bridge.
- Location: Coolidge Park is located along the Tennessee River on Chattanooga’s North Shore.
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This Park Is Free Of Charge In Chattanooga, And This Is Where To Enjoy A Free Concert
People visiting Chattanooga can walk or bike through a beautiful long-paved trail of 16 miles along the Tennessee River for free. They can do that at the Tennessee Riverpark, where they can also have fun at the various playgrounds of the park and fishing piers. The park also features bike-sharing facilities.
From May 3rd to August 30th of every year, Nightfall Chattanooga offers free live music every Friday night during its Nightfall Concert Series. People can attend musical performances of various genres, including international, national, and other acts.
- Event hours: The Nightfall Concerts start at 7:00 PM on Fridays between May 3rd and August 30th.
- Location: People can attend Nightfall Chattanooga outdoors in downtown Chattanooga at Miller Plaza.
Art enthusiasts will be amused to visit the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga. The latter features dazzling displays of artwork that showcase the Colonial period and contemporary works. While people must pay entry fees to the museum, children aged 17 and under are admitted free.
- Cost: The entry ticket to the Hunter Museum of American Art costs $15 per person aged more than 17.
This Military Park And Choo Choo In Chattanooga Are Free To Explore
The Chickamauga National Military Park was once a battlefield during the civil war. Today, it’s turned into a park where people come to explore and learn about it. The Chickamauga National Military Park features beautiful hiking and running trails and also an indoor exhibit.
Going outside of Chattanooga for around 20 minutes by car, people can reach the North Chick Blue Hole, located along the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge. This attraction features a series of swimming holes, with some of those going 10 feet deep. Visitors to Chattanooga get amused by swimming for free in those pools to cool off on a hot summer day.
Another iconic place worth exploring in Chattanooga is the city’s Choo Choo, once a central train station. People can visit the trained-turned-hotel Choo Choo to learn about its history. The hotel is located in the Glenn Miller Gardens, where families head to relax, play games, and enjoy the views of the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Moreover, visitors can have access to several shops and restaurants in the area.
Another park that is free to visit in Chattanooga is the riverfront, Renaissance Park. The latter offers the perfect area to walk, enjoy the views of the Tennessee River, and spend a couple of hours relaxing.
- Information: The Renaissance Park boasts a wetland system developed to help eliminate the waste before reaching the Tennessee River.
- Recommended: People visiting Renaissance Park must bring some cardboard to slide down Cardboard Hill.
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