19 Best Date Ideas in Chattanooga for 2024
As the fourth largest city in Tennessee, there are hundreds of possible date ideas in Chattanooga from beautiful national landmarks to vibrant local eateries.
Now that you've answered the question, where can I meet singles in Chattanooga? It's time to head out on your first date. This list narrows the never-ending catalog of romantic things to do in Chattanooga for couples down to a palpable 19 from Chattanooga date night restaurants to annual community events.
Check out what makes Chattanooga the “Scenic City,” with this list of 19 Best Date Ideas in Chattanooga this year.
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- Unique Date Ideas in Chattanooga for Adults
- Romantic Date Ideas in Chattanooga for Couples
- Fun Indoor Date Ideas in Chattanooga
- Best Outdoor Date Ideas Chattanooga
Unique Date Ideas in Chattanooga for Adults
1. Cooking in Chattanooga
Connect over the culinary with this date idea in Chattanooga. Cooking classes in Chattanooga are a classic date night idea and for a reason, they’re fun, easy to pull off, delicious and they even make perfect double date ideas.
Learn from a team of talented chefs who only want to help you cook better meals for yourself and for each other. Plus, you can flirt while the chicken’s roasting in the oven. This also makes for one of the top team building activities in Chattanooga.
2. Experiencing Chattanooga Charm
Surrounded by the vast, green expanse of the Appalachian region, this historic location is a top tier addition to your list of unique date ideas in Chattanooga. A once bustling train station now serves as a cultural landmark where guests can shop, dine and explore surrounded by the old-time charm of a historic industrial hub.
Check out community events, learn about the rich history of locomotive transportation or visit the concert hall. Dine at one of Choo Choo’s four restaurants: Nic & Norman’s, the Frothy Monkey, Stir Restaurant or Elsie’s Daughter — each just as chef-driven and inventive as the other.
Sip on a hand-crafted beverage at the family-owned Gate 11 Distillery, where spirits are crafted in small batches and delivered with big flavor. And finally, spend the night at the Hotel Charlot, Choo Choo’s premier lodging experience settled between the Tennessee River and the foothills of the Appalachia.
3. 300 Acres of Chattanooga
Situated at the base of Lookout Mountain, Reflection Riding Arboretum is a both a tranquil and active date idea in Chattanooga, Tennessee. At Reflection Riding Arboretum, you can explore over 300 acers of breathtaking wildlands. With miles of winding trails you can enjoy sprawling meadows and trailing forests.
The arboretum features a wildlife sanctuary filled with native animal exhibits, water activities along Lookout Creek, botanical gardens and special events from workshops to guided tours.
4. Ghosts & Booze
Date ideas in Chattanooga for adults that like both a scare and a drink are include Chattanooga Ghost and Booze tours. Get lost in the eerie tales of a much older time as you hit the best bars in town.
Break down all that is macabre about Chattanooga, a city founded in the early 1800s. Uncover the secrets of lingering souls at this date idea in Chattanooga.
5. Scenic Views
Soak up stunning aerial views in one of the most romantic date ideas in Chattanooga for couples. Chattanooga Helicopter Tours is a family-owned and operated company dedicated to providing safe, secure and stunning helicopter tours of Chattanooga.
They offer a variety of touring experiences that fly over a few breathtaking regions from Downtown Chattanooga to the River Gorge. When it comes to date ideas for married couples who are looking to do something special for yet another anniversary, nothing screams unique and lavish quite like a helicopter ride.
Romantic Date Ideas in Chattanooga for Couples
6. Floating on the Tennessee River
Romantic things to do in Chattanooga for couples that don't want to sit at a restaurant should be easier to find. Luckily, this list of date ideas in Chattanooga offers a few romantic ideas that are guaranteed to get your heart and your body moving like paddle boarding on the Tennessee River.
From atop your board on the Tennessee River you’ll glide by spectacular views of downtown Chattanooga, pass the Walnut Street Bridge and enjoy the serenity of passing mountains. Who said active date ideas can't be peaceful?
7. Fields of Art
Artists from around the world gathered at Montague Park to display large-scale works of art for you to enjoy and ponder over. Spanning 33 acres and displaying 40 sculptures, the Sculpture Fields create a unique visual collection that you won’t find at any other date idea in Chattanooga.
Imagine strolling through the park with your date in hand and a picnic basket packed to enjoy on the well-manicured lawn, surrounded by the creations of world-renowned artists.
8. Walnut Street Bridge Walk
There’s nothing expensive about taking a walk, making the Walnut Street Bridge a prime location to mention for cheap date ideas in Chattanooga.
The Walnut Street Bridge is one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world and is deemed a beloved landmark by locals and visitors alike. The bridge connects downtown Chattanooga with the North Shore, offering beautiful riverfront views close to a variety of nearby attractions.
9. Like a Hallmark Movie
A carriage ride is a must-try for those looking at date ideas in Chattanooga for couples that want to feel like they're in a Hallmark movie. Take a downtown tour of Chattanooga like they did in the old days… via horse and carriage. Voted Best of the Best in Chattanooga’s official 2023 People’s Choice Awards, Chattanooga Carriage Company has a long history of providing unforgettable rides to hundreds of satisfied riders.
With professionally trained drivers and delicately cared-for horses at the ready, a ride with the Chattanooga Carriage Company will quickly steal the spot for your favorite date idea in Chattanooga.
10. Rock City Gardens
On a clear, sunny day you can get a glimpse of seven different states at the Rock City Gardens. This date idea in Chattanooga provides plenty of opportunities for photos thanks to its panoramic views.
Famous for its spectacular natural rock formations, you can explore a mix of natural beauty and adventure at Rock City Gardens. With over 400 native plant specials, an enchanted trail that features whimsical sculptures, fairyland caverns and a swinging bridge, Rock City Gardens is as magical as a date idea in Chattanooga can get.
Fun Indoor Date Ideas in Chattanooga
11. The Jewel of the South
There’s one date idea in Chattanooga that stands out amongst the other Indoor date ideas in Chattanooga for having national recognition, and that’s the Tivoli Theater.
From Broadway shows and iconic performances by well-known musicians to comedy shows and film screenings, the Tivoli Theater offers non-stop entertainment year-round.
The Tivoli Theater originally opened in 1921 and has since gained so much popularity that it is often referred to as the Jewel of the South.
12. The Feed CO. Table and Tavern
Located in the Southside District of Chattanooga, The Feed Co. Table and Tavern has a farm-to-table approach that encompasses the essence of Chattanooga date night restaurants. Enjoy a southern-inspired menu in a spacious dining area with a large bar and outdoor patio.
And if you’re on the lookout to tap into some beer, The Feed Co. Table and Tavern have got you covered. They offer an impressive list of craft beers, highlighting many locally produced brews.
13. Chattanooga Pinball Museum
Unlike your typical museum, the Chattanooga Pinball Museum allows visitors to play with all kinds of machines, creating an interactive museum experience that surpasses an ordinary tour.
This date idea in Chattanooga is great for couples of all ages with over 50 pinball machines ranging from antique to modern designs. Deep dive into the history and gameplay of pinball machines throughout time.
14. Community Retail
Warehouse Row in Chattanooga, Tennessee was once an Old Stone fort in 1864. Today, it stands as a much larger community retail concept, a testament to the town’s adaptability, resilience and communal focus.
Shop from a number of high-end and local boutiques before dining from a selection of casual to gourmet eateries. Warehouse Row also features a selection of new activities every month including art exhibits, pop-up shops and community events.
15. International Travel and Recovery Museum
Did you know that Chattanooga, Tennessee is said to be the birthplace of the tow truck? You probably didn’t, but thanks to a group of dedicated towing professionals known as the Friends of Towing, you can explore all there is to know about the history of towing and recovery.
The story behind the International Travel and Recovery Museum begins in a single semi-trailer, which the Friends of Towing drove from trade show to trade show, highlighting a towing Hall of Fame that consisted of 27 members.
Today, there are over 300 distinguished towing professionals in the Hall of Fame, displayed at the International Travel and Recovery Museum located on Broad Street.
Best Outdoor Date Ideas Chattanooga
16. Festival at Ross's Landing
Located along the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga, a festival at Ross’s Landing makes for memorable and annual date ideas in Chattanooga for adults.
Each year Ross’s Landing holds notable festivals like the Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, Head of the Hooch Regatta, Chattanooga Wine Over Water and so many more. These festivals are cherished by both locals and visitors alike all year long.
17. The Most Amazing Mile
Nature makes for some of the cheapest date ideas in Chattanooga, but the experience is never shoddy especially if the destination is Lookout Mountain.
One spectacular feature of Lookout Mountain is the Incline Railway, known as America’s Most Amazing Mile. Hop on a railcar and travel up and down the historic Lookout Mountain, soaking up the mountain views.
18. Ruby Falls
Go underground for this date idea in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Ruby Falls is the tallest, public underground waterfall in the United States. The waterfall’s 145-foot plunge is illuminated by the cave’s well-lit cavern, creating a truly romantic and hypnotic experience.
You can admire the cave’s formation and the strength of the falls from the safety of a guided tour, learning all about the falls, which were first discovered in the late 1920s.
19. Cruising the River
Amp up your date beneath the setting sun with a sunset cruise. Wade across the Tennessee River in a sternwheeler riverboat while enjoying a festive and romantic atmosphere thanks to the Southern Belle riverboat. The boat itself is a replica of the historic riverboats that once filled the expanse of the Tennessee River.
There are plenty of things to do in Chattanooga for adults at night, at sunrise, for a long or for a short time. Whether you want to soak up the beauty of your partner surrounded by the natural beauty of the region or learn something new about its history while learning something new about your partner, this list of date ideas in Chattanooga is here to help.
For even more fun date ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
