Where to Stay in Chattanooga: 6 Best Areas and Hotels

I love Chattanooga. In fact, I’m almost surprised by how much I love Chattanooga. While most people have heard the name, it’s certainly not regarded as a top destination in the United States.

And while it certainly doesn’t have the long list of attractions of say, New York or Chicago, this southern Tennessee city has a rich railroad history, and today is an exciting destination that combines historic charm, outdoor activities, and trendy city vibes.

Because we live within a few hours of Chattanooga, we’ve been able to visit multiple times, and always have plans to come back. Because figuring out where to stay is one of the most important parts of planning a trip, in this post, I’m highlighting the best areas to stay in Chattanooga.

Different locations around the city will put you within easy walking (or sometimes driving) distance of Chattanooga’s top attractions, such as the Walnut Street Bridge, the Aquarium, Lookout Mountain, and the Riverfront.

Additionally, to help you easily plan your trip, we’re including the best hotels and vacation rentals in each area. Let’s get into the list!

6 Great Areas to Stay in Chattanooga

1. Downtown Chattanooga

Downtown Chattanooga is, of course, the heart and soul of the city. While downtown Chattanooga was considered rundown and dangerous for many years, it has been totally revitalized and even won national awards for its livability.

Here, you’ll find picturesque, bricked streets, local boutiques and shops, and a variety of delicious restaurants. Downtown is also home to many attractions in Chattanooga, such as the Aquarium, the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge, and the Tennessee Riverwalk.

Other smaller but still fun spots include:

• The Passage (water running down a staircase and ending in a small basin that people can play in)
• Some of the many murals of Chattanooga
• Umbrella Alley
• Southern Belle Riverboat

When you stay in downtown, all of these spots are easily reachable on foot, and many of the spots in the North Shore and Southside neighborhoods (we’ll discuss these areas next) are also reachable on foot or by a short drive.

Downtown is a fun, exciting, and safe area to stay in Chattanooga, and is a good, central location for your visit.

Here are my top 3 picks for where to stay in downtown:

The Read House

The Edwin Hotel

The Hampton Inn and Suites

2. Southside Neighborhood

The Southside neighborhood in Chattanooga is just south of downtown and includes the area between 12th Street and 20th Street. This area used to be very industrial, reflected in the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Terminal Station.

This beautiful Beaux-Art train station was a major hub in the railway system, and was surrounded by warehouses and industrial buildings. Today, the Terminal Station is part of an entertainment complex and the surrounding neighborhood has unique shops, murals, and local eats.

The Chattanooga Whisky Experimental Distillery is a popular spot, with a micro-distillery and tasting room, and there are a lot of bars and nightlife options in the neighborhood.

Here are my top 2 picks for where to stay in Southside:

The Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo

Kinley Chattanooga Southside

3. North Shore

The North Shore neighborhood is a young, hip area on the north side of the Tennessee River, just across from downtown. The views of Chattanooga are very lovely across the river.

The main features of this neighborhood are Rennaissance Park, a restored wetlands area, or Coolidge Park, which has fountains, a historic carousel, lots of space, and pathways by the water, and access to the river for kayaking.

You can also walk access Walnut Street Bridge from the North Shore. The area right next to the parks is the most dynamic and interesting, abounding with local shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Here are my top 2 picks for where to stay in North Shore:

Light, Bright, and Trendy Condo

Northshore Condo House

4. MLK Neighborhood

The MLK neighborhood is located just to the east of downtown and is home to the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga. The area is thus known as both a campus area, a notable area for Black history, and the birthplace of several notable jazz musicians, including Bessie Smith, Yusef Lateef, and Lovie Austin.

The most prominent attraction in MLK is the 42,000 sq ft MLK Mural, named We Will Not Be Satisfied Until. This awe-inspiring mural wraps an entire city block and is the largest in the Southeast (and one of the five largest in the US).

Other prominent murals dedicated to Black history in Chattanooga and the Civil Rights movement can be found along MLK Blvd, including A Dream Built on Faith, Nine Big Legends, We Shall Not Be Moved, and Bessie Smith.

Most of this neighborhood is residential, but there is one fantastic, very historic inn and some great options for apartment rentals, which are particularly good for families.

Here are my picks for where to stay in MLK:

The Mayor’s Mansion Inn

City Center Condo

5. Lookout Mountain

Lookout Mountain is the large, prominent hill just south of downtown Chattanooga and starts on the banks of the Tennessee River. This “mountain” is a big attraction in Chattanooga, as it is home to multiple attractions, beautiful hikes, nature escapes, and viewpoints over the city.

For example, Ruby Falls is a stunning cave waterfall that is 1200 feet underground that you can hike to with a guided tour. Point Park is at the top of the mountain, and is dedicated to a Civil War battle and has incredible views over Chattanooga.

The Incline Railway takes visitors up a steep funicular from the base of the hill to the summit. Rock City Gardens, is a fun, curated nature path that takes you through small natural canyons, slot canyons, caves, and lookout points, passing by gardens, sculptures, and bridges.

Besides these attractions, you can also enjoy hikes and prime sunset viewing spots.

If you stay on or adjacent to Lookout Mountain, you’ll enjoy more of a nature escape setting. Many of the accommodation options on Lookout Mountain are treehouses and cabins and are great setups either as a romantic getaway or family destination.

While you won’t be within walking distance to the sites of downtown, you’re just a short drive away from the city center and very close to all the attractions on Lookout Mountain.

Here are my top 3 picks for where to stay on Lookout Mountain:

Adorable “Sophie” Cabin

Cozy Farm Cottage on Lookout Mountain

The Treehouse Getaway

6. For the Best Views of Chattanooga

If you are looking for a little bit more of an escape during your Chattanooga getaway, then you might enjoy one of these two vacation rentals located on the hills around Chattanooga.

Both of the properties in this section have amazing, panoramic views over the city or the countryside and/or city, while still being within easy driving distance to the city center.

‘City Overlook & Hideway’ Above Downtown Chattanooga

‘Best View in Chattanooga’ Home

The Wrap Up

All the hotels and vacation rentals on this list are great spots to base yourself for a weekend in Chattanooga, an overnight trip, or a longer stay in the city, as you’ll be close to the top attractions and amazing restaurants in Chattanooga.

Chattanooga is a wonderful city full of history and beauty – I’m sure you’ll love it as much as we do!