Free & Cheap Things to Do in Chattanooga

Parks & Nature

A beloved riverfront park with a restored 1894 carousel (just $1/ride), splash pad, climbing wall, and sweeping views of the Tennessee River. Perfect for families and totally free to enter.

Address: 150 River St, Chattanooga, TN 37405

Tip: Visit on a weekend morning before the crowds arrive. The carousel runs seasonally.

Outdoors

A scenic 16-mile paved trail along the Tennessee River connecting downtown Chattanooga to Chickamauga Dam. Free to walk, run, or bike year-round with stunning views, Bike Chattanooga rental stations, and mile-marker sculptures along the way.

Address: Chattanooga, TN (starts at Coolidge Park)

Tip: Rent a bike from Bike Chattanooga stations along the route for a small hourly fee.

Arts & Culture

A charming hilltop neighborhood with free outdoor sculpture gardens, river overlooks, and gallery storefronts to browse. A peaceful walk above the Tennessee River.

Address: High St, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Tip: Grab coffee at a nearby café and stroll the gardens — no admission needed.

Markets & Food

A bustling weekend farmers and artisan market at First Tennessee Pavilion with free entry. Local food, handmade goods, live music, and a genuine taste of Chattanooga culture.

Address: 1826 Reggie White Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37408

Tip: Open Sundays 11am–4pm (seasonal). Bring cash for vendors.

Arts & Culture

An 80-foot bluff above the Tennessee River sets the stage for one of the South's strongest American art collections — nearly 3,000 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper from colonial portraits to contemporary mixed media. The outdoor sculpture garden and river overlook are free to wander even without buying a ticket.

Address: 10 Bluff View Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Tip: Free "Throwback Thursday" admission the first Thursday of each month, 4-8pm. Closed Tuesdays. EBT cardholders plus 4 guests get in free every day.

Arts & Culture

33 acres of open meadow on Chattanooga's Southside dotted with more than 50 large-scale sculptures from international and regional artists. Free trails wind 1.5 miles through the collection, with Lookout Mountain as the backdrop and plenty of room for kids to run between pieces.

Address: 1800 Polk St, Chattanooga, TN 37408

Tip: Open every day from dawn to dusk; free parking at the main entrance. Download the free Otocast app for artist commentary at each sculpture.

Quirky Landmarks

Chattanooga is the birthplace of the tow truck — Ernest Holmes built the first one here in 1916 — and this museum on Broad Street tells the whole story. Two dozen restored tow trucks from 1913 through 2002, the world's largest toy tow truck collection, and a small theater room with a history film make for an offbeat hour off the beaten tourist path.

Address: 3315 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408

Tip: Open daily 9am–5pm year-round (closed major holidays). Self-guided; kids love "Tator Tot," the interactive mini tow truck.

History & Culture

The riverfront park where the Trail of Tears began. The Passage — a series of stepped wading pools, water walls, and Cherokee clan medallions designed by Native American artists — descends from downtown to the Tennessee River and serves as one of the country's most powerful free public memorials. The wider park has a natural amphitheater, river overlooks, and a kid-friendly playground.

Address: 101 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Tip: The Passage water feature runs early May through September, daily 8:30am–10pm — kids can wade in the shallow pools. Walking distance from the Tennessee Aquarium.

History & Culture

Chattanooga's African American history museum, named for the city's hometown blues legend. Two permanent exhibits — "Walk Through Time" and "Chattanooga's Black Soundtrack" — trace the local African American story from emancipation through civil rights and into the music that shaped American sound. A compact, well-curated stop that punches above its $10 admission.

Address: 200 E M.L. King Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37403

Tip: Closed Saturday through Monday — plan a Tue–Fri visit. Free family passes are available through the Chattanooga Public Library.

History & Museums

Chattanooga calls itself the "Birthplace of the Medal of Honor" — the first medals were awarded for the Great Locomotive Chase that ended near here in 1862. The Heritage Center, just steps from the Tennessee Aquarium, tells the story of every era of the award through immersive galleries including a full-scale AH-1G Cobra helicopter and the Hacksaw Ridge exhibit.

Address: 2 W Aquarium Way Suite 104, Chattanooga, TN 37402

Tip: Open daily; last ticket 45 minutes before closing. Combine with a stroll through Ross's Landing right outside the door.