Chattanooga, a city in southeastern Tennessee with a population of nearly 200,000, is situated adjacent to the Tennessee River in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Due to its positioning, the weather swings a lot with the changing seasons. Summer provides hot, blue-sky-filled days while winter often sees a blanket of fluffy white snow covering the city. 

Rainy days in Tennessee are not uncommon either and when they do come around, having a plan in place to continue enjoying your days in the area is always useful. There are plenty of indoor things to do in Chattanooga and, for the braver members of your group, we’ll even suggest some outdoor activities to enjoy in the rain. The important thing to remember is Chattanooga, and Tennessee for that matter can be appreciated in sun, wind, hail, rain, or snow!

Tennessee Aquarium

Hailed as one of the best family things to do in Chattanooga, a trip to the aquarium is the perfect rainy day out! Holding the accolade of the “#1 aquarium in the country for overall guest satisfaction”, the array of things to do and see here is awesome. From a range of exciting exhibits, seeing sharks, penguins, and otters to an Imax theatre with all the latest movies and documentaries, you and the kids will have a great time together. Book your tickets in advance!

Hunter Museum

The Hunter Museum of American Art on 11 Bluff Street, Chattanooga has a wonderful selection of events, exhibits, and art collections making it a great way to spend the day.Keep up to date on the latest additions and don’t forget, they also have an extensive range of family-friendly exhibits and things for teens!

Chattanooga Whiskey Tour

The Chattanooga Whiskey story begins when they were founded back in 2011 but the connections to the city run much deeper. For those whiskey enthusiasts out there, this is a fun and interesting way to spend your day learning about the distilled alcoholic beverage and, we hope, trying some. The distillery runs daily expertly-guided tours and tasting sessions, be sure to book in advance for your preferred time. 

Creative Discovery Museum

After opening in 1995, the CDM has become an integral part of this amazing city. Since its inauguration, the museum has evolved into a multi-disciplinary, educational institution, utilizing interactive programs and exhibits to explore art, music, science, and technology. With a number of excellent events, classes, and educational outreach programs, you and your family can have a wonderful time exploring this fascinating museum. 

Time to Escape 

Get your problem-solving hat on and head to downtown Chattanooga’s #1 rated escape rooms! Perfect for groups of 2-10 people, Time to Escape has a number of different themed rooms for you to try and unlock. King Tut’s Tomb, Locker Room, and even a Save Christmas challenge are available for you to try and crack. They can also help organize birthday parties and events!

Rafting

We did mention that we’d have an outdoor recommendation for you too and this is it — RAFTING! No, we’re not crazy, as long as we deem the river safe we will go out even when the rain is coming down. Getting out on the water can be a unique experience so book yourself in for a full-day Ocoee whitewater rafting trip and have an absolute blast!