Top Rated Attractions in Chattanooga

Saints Peter and Paul Basilica is a quaint church nestled in Chattanooga. The histpry of this structure can be traced back to the 19th Century when it was built. The Roman Catholic Church boasts of Gothic designs along with Tudor Revival architectural elements. The interiors of the church are beautiful with the stained-glass windows by the famed American artist Louis Comfort Tiffany. Registered as a National Historic Place since 1979, this church invites history and architectural enthusiasts for tours.

Part of the sprawling Cleveland Greenway, this park is frequented by locals looking for a breath of fresh air. Greenway Park is a great place to simply stretch your legs and relish an invigorating walk along the creek that flows through. There's also a well-equipped playground for children, an outdoor stage, and a stacked-stone pavilion with a fireplace, available for private events. The Cleveland Bacon Festival and other fun events are often hosted here as well. The Cleveland Greenway parking lot is located by the entrance of this park.

One of Georgia's most scenic parks, the Cloudland Canyon State Park offers visitors plenty of recreational activities amidst the rugged geology. The park straddles a deep gorge cut through the mountain by Sitton Gulch Creek. The picnic area offers spectacular views of the canyon, while the park offers exceptional hiking trails. Visitors can also enjoy camping at the spacious walk-in cottages and yurts near the canyon's edge. At the bottom of the gorge, two waterfalls surge over layers of sandstone and shale forming small pools. The local guide service provides hikes and family-friendly cave tours that educate visitors about cave formations and geology. You can also enjoy other activities such as golfing and fishing.

Start at the top of a raging river and then delve beneath the surface to discover all the life that teems within. It is all a part of the experience of the world's largest freshwater aquarium. Within the 12-story structure, you will see birds, snakes, river otters and turtles in their natural habitats, as well as fish indigenous to the Tennessee River.

Located off Lee Highway in Tennessee, Cleveland Greenway is a walking trail that is four miles (6.4 kilometers) long. A part of the Greenway Network, this path was established in the year 2001. Visitors can walk along this trail that starts at Willow Street. It passes through the friendly Greenway Park, which is equipped with a pavilion, a children’s playground and more. Lined with lush green trees, this walking path is the ideal place to explore for nature enthusiasts in the area.

Just west of Chattanooga is a high ridge known as Raccoon Mountain and Raccoon Mountain Cave. For adventurous people this area offers camping, but there is a lot more to do than simply pitch a tent. Drive like the Andrettis on the go-kart course or go exploring in the caverns in and around the area you can pan for gold and gemstones in the creeks that run along the base of the mountains.