HomeTravelTravel GuideThings to do in Chattanooga, Tennessee this fall with your family

Things to do in Chattanooga, Tennessee this fall with your family

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Chattanooga offers a combination of landscape beauty, revitalized riverfront; 15-mile paved Riverwalk scattered with attractions, parks, riverboats; outdoor adventures, arts scene, and seasonal events.

Below are some fun things to do with your family this fall in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Ruby Falls Castle View 4 Viewfinders
Ruby Falls Castle View 4 Viewfinders (Ruby Falls)

The Nature Walks:

From the spectacular Ruby Falls to the Tennessee and Ocoee River, there are an abundance of outdoor activities for everyone to take advantage of the temperate weather and vibrant colors of fall. 

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Ruby Falls

Ruby Falls Waterfall
Ruby Falls Waterfall (Ruby Falls)

A historic landmark, Ruby Falls is home to the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States. Over half a million guests visit the thundering waterfall annually enjoying cave tours, award-winning special events and sweeping views of the Cumberland Plateau from historic Lookout Mountain Tower and Blue Heron Overlook.   Ruby Falls is the first attraction in the United States to earn certification from Green Globe, the internationally respected standard for environmental sustainability.

Cave Walk to Ruby Falls

Discover the hidden beauty inside Lookout Mountain on the Cave Walk to Ruby Falls led by a Ruby Falls guide. Descend 260 feet by glass-front elevator into the mountain and explore the cavern trail to the tallest and deepest cave waterfall open to the public in the United States. The Cave Walk to Ruby Falls is by reservation only. 

Tickets for a specific date and time must be purchased online in advance. The Cave Walk to Ruby Falls lasts on average 1 hour – 1 hour 20 minutes, depending on date and time of visit.

Hours: 8 am – 8 pm Eastern Time

Address: 1720 South Scenic Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37409

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Website for reservation here

The Chattanooga Market

While most weekly markets are a thing of the summer, Chattanooga’s market stretches until the end of November and takes place in Downtown Chattanooga every Sunday from 11am-4pm. Voted one of the best markets in the country, the Chattanooga Market hosts over 200 farms, local art and craft vendors, and live music!

On October 9th and 10th, the market will host a 2-day festival called the Oktoberfest.  The festival includes an array of German traditions: brats and other German culinary foods, a biergarten featuring over 99 local and season craft brews, and Oompah Bands.

Location: First Horizon Pavilion

1826 Carter Street, Chattanooga TN 37408

On November 6, there will be an event called ‘Head of the Hooch’ featuring food trucks and artisans along the Tennessee riverfront.  The event will be at the Ross’s Landing from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Please visit the market for the other events: https://chattanoogamarket.com/

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The Apple Festival

There isn’t anything more quintessentially fall than a classic apple festival down south! On Sunday, September 26 at First Horizon Pavillion you can find local apples galore along with all the best apple treats and crafts you can think of! 

Apple Festival – This event will be on September 25, 2021 at the First Horizon Pavilion from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Address: 1826 Carter Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408

Website: https://finleystadium.com/events/apple-festival/

Fall Foliage Lunch Cruise

In the fall, the Southern Belle Riverboat takes guests on a 3-hour cruise to the Tennessee Gorge, otherwise known as the Grand Canyon of the South, to witness the bright and brilliant colors of fall right from the water. A buffet lunch and live entertainment are included with the ticket.

Website: https://chattanoogariverboat.com/

The Chattanooga Motorcar Festival is said to become Chattanooga’s claim to fame — with loads of classic cars, live entertainment, and your favorite southern food, this three-day festival from October 15-17 is set to be the highlight of fall. The event is free for children under 15, making this a perfect treat for the whole family, and tickets can be purchased on their website. 

Website: https://www.chattanoogamotorcar.com/

Julie Nguyen
Julie Nguyen

Julie is the founder of SNAP TASTE and a driving force in global storytelling, innovation, and creative leadership. A respected member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, she also serves as a judge for the CES Innovation Awards (2024, 2025, and 2026), bringing her perspective to the intersections of business, culture, and breakthrough technologies.

Her immersive reporting has taken audiences behind the scenes of defining world moments, from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Expo 2020 Dubai to CES, D23 Expo, and the Milano Monza Motor Show. Through her lens, global events become intimate, human stories.

An accomplished film critic and editorial voice, Julie has built a reputation for reviews that go beyond analysis, finding the heartbeat within the frame. Her work on National Geographic documentaries and other cinematic works speaks to audiences who believe that great storytelling has the power to shift perspectives and expand the world.

At the heart of everything Julie does is a belief that art, technology, and culture are not separate conversations. She has spent her career proving they never were.

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