Oct 23 – Nov 15
Chattanooga Zoo — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · Downtown & North Shore
A compact, walkable zoo with red pandas, a jaguar, chimpanzees, giraffe feeding and a reptile house.
Check the site for daily hours. Boo in the Zoo evenings are listed separately.
Details at Chattanooga Zoo ↗
Oct 23 – Nov 15
Creative Discovery Museum — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · Downtown & North Shore
Hands-on children's museum with a rooftop fun factory, water play, a climbing tower and art and science studios.
Sat 9am-5pm, Sun and Fri 10am-5pm (closed Wednesdays).
Details at Creative Discovery Museum ↗
Oct 23 – Nov 15
Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (Grand Junction Depot) — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · East
About an hour on vintage passenger cars through the Civil War-era Missionary Ridge tunnel, with a turntable demonstration and restoration-shop visit.
Several departures most days (no trains on Mondays); reserve on the site.
Details at Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum ↗
Oct 23 – Nov 15
Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · North & Mountains
Trails, creeks and fall color at the foot of Lookout Mountain, plus a wildlife sanctuary with native animals.
Grounds open sunrise to sunset; Welcome Center 9am-4pm Tue-Sat.
Details at Reflection Riding ↗
Oct 23 – Nov 15
Ruby Falls — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · North & Mountains
A guided walk deep inside Lookout Mountain to a 145-foot underground waterfall, plus scenic overlooks above ground.
Open daily; check the site for hours and timed tickets. The Dread Hollow haunted house is a separate, scarier ticket.
Details at Ruby Falls ↗
Oct 23 – Nov 15 · 9am–7pm
Incline Railway (St. Elmo Station) — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · North & Mountains
Ride one of the steepest passenger railways in the world up Lookout Mountain, with big views from the top station.
Sat-Sun 9am-7pm through Oct 31; check the site for November hours. Last car leaves 40 minutes before close.
Details at Incline Railway ↗
Oct 23 – Nov 15 · 10am–5pm
Hunter Museum of American Art — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · Downtown & North Shore
American art in a building on a bluff over the river; the outdoor sculpture plaza and Bluff View walk are free.
Open 10am-5pm; check the site for the day.
Details at Hunter Museum ↗
Oct 23 – Nov 15 · 10am–7pm
Tennessee Aquarium — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · Downtown & North Shore
Two buildings of river and ocean life: otters, penguins, sharks, a stingray touch pool and daily animal programs.
Usual hours 10am-7pm, last entry 5pm; check the site for the day.
Details at Tennessee Aquarium ↗
Nov 1 – Nov 15
Rock City Gardens — Lookout Mountain, GA · Walker Co. · North Georgia
Walk the rock trails, swinging bridge, Lover's Leap and Fairyland Caverns, with views over seven states on clear days.
Check the hours calendar; from Nov 13 the evenings switch to the separately ticketed Enchanted Garden of Lights.
Details at Rock City ↗
Nov 13 – Dec 31
Rock City Gardens — Lookout Mountain, GA · Walker Co. · North Georgia
Rock City's nighttime holiday walk with millions of lights through the gardens on Lookout Mountain.
Nightly Nov 13-Dec 31 (closed Dec 24). Timed entry.
Details at Rock City ↗
Nov 13 – Nov 15
Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (Grand Junction Depot) — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · East
A 75-minute ride on a decorated, heated vintage train with hot chocolate, cookies, a story and a visit from Santa.
Season opens Fri Nov 13 (runs to Dec 23); select dates, reserve on the site.
Details at Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum ↗
Nov 14 – Nov 15
Mountain Arts Community Center (MACC) — Signal Mountain · Hamilton Co. · North & Mountains
European-style holiday market with artisan gifts, festive food and cozy mountain holiday atmosphere.
Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 11am-6pm.
Details at Shop the Market At ↗
Nov 14 – Nov 15 · 10am
Coolidge Park & Renaissance Park — Chattanooga · Hamilton Co. · Downtown & North Shore
Knights, three stages of performers, combat arenas and blacksmith and potter demonstrations across two riverfront parks.
Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-5pm.
Details at Chattanooga Renaissance Faire ↗