Enjoying Chattanooga in October: What to do, Where to go

Chattanooga sits right on the Tennessee River bordering Georgia and is a great place to visit. You have the best of both worlds with popular downtown area and amazing nature right outside. The HOOK 360 family takes a yearly trip during the month of October to enjoy the start of fall.

School is back in session, the sunset arrives earlier each night and there is the slightest hit of a chill in the air—summer is drawing to a close in Chattanooga. With the arrival of autumn in the Scenic City, though, the fun is only just beginning. Chattanooga’s vibrant foliage and plethora of fall activities should put it at the top of your list of places to visit as we dive into a new season. Here are some of our favorite festivals, attractions, and all-around great places to enjoy the autumnal scenery on your trip to Chattanooga this fall.

Food and Drink

Wine Over Water Food and Wine Festival : This festival in beautiful downtown Chattanooga has taken place in early October for more than 20 years. Wine Over Water is one of Tennessee’s premier wine-tasting festivals, and attendees can select their libations from more than 100 wineries from around the globe. Throughout the festival there will be music from regional musicians and tapas from several local restaurants. Additional events include a wine dinner at St. John’s Restaurant, a brewery tour of the MLK district, and even a yoga brunch at FEED Co. Table & Tavern.

Chattanooga Oktoberfest : This free German-themed festival held at the Tennessee Pavilion is Chattanooga’s oldest and largest Oktoberfest celebration. The weekend-long event will feature more than 100 local and seasonal brews, as well as authentic German foods. You can practice your polka dancing to the sounds of the Wurstbrats, an exciting local oompah band. Other events include the Oktoberfest 5k and the crowning of Mr. and Miss Oktoberfest. Beer aside, this event offers fun and games for the whole family.

Chattanooga Market : Held at the Tennessee Pavilion every Sunday from March through November, the Chattanooga Market is the go-to for local food and art. You can sip a craft beer while enjoying live music and fare from a selection of diverse food trucks. Be sure to bring a reusable bag or two, as you won’t be able to resist filling it with fresh flowers, ripe produce, pottery, and maybe even some locally made, small-batch hot sauce. With face-painting and ice cream to be had, even your smallest family members will find something to love at the Chattanooga Market.

Music and Activities

3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival : For over a decade, the 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival has brought some of the biggest names in bluegrass to Chattanooga’s riverfront, including John Cowan, Chris Stapleton, and the Lovell Sisters. The two-day concert series is held at Ross’s Landing on the river, which provides the perfect backdrop for the wonderful bluegrass performers as well as easy access to downtown. The free concerts are held in early October.

RiverRocks Chattanooga : RiverRocks is a month-long festival that celebrates the great outdoors with just about every activity imaginable: trail running, cycling, swimming, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and more. The October festival attracts both professional and amateur athletes from all over to participate in its many events, which begin with the StumpJump 50k and wrap up with the Trailblaze Challenge. The activities range in difficulty level and provide fun for the most serious athletes down to the littlest adventure kids. Throughout the festival there is live music and a joyous atmosphere of celebration as people come together to celebrate Chattanooga’s outdoors.

Boo in the Zoo : Perfect for families, Boo in the Zoo is a non-scary way to get in the Halloween spirit. In late October, the Chattanooga Zoo holds fun-filled evenings for children and families with activities such as trick-or-treating, hayrides, animal meet-and-greets, costume contests, and much more. Boo in the Zoo is an affordable and exciting way for the whole family to enjoy fall in a unique way.

Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern : For some fall fun that is a little more sinister, visit Ruby Falls’ annual Haunted Cavern held throughout the month of October. The attraction has been named one of the top 10 haunted houses in the country, and visitors to Chattanooga are sure to have a memorable experience. Because the theme changes each year, you can visit over and over with the guarantee of being scared anew each time you enter the Haunted Cavern.

Getting Outside

Guild Hardy Trail : Located just a few minutes from downtown, the Guild Hardy trail is a converted railroad that stretches for about five miles on Lookout Mountain. The wide gradual path is perfect for a gentle stroll on a fall afternoon, and its four access points provide flexibility for time and distance. With its smooth gravel, you can look up at the beautiful foliage all you want without the worry of rocks or roots. Along the trail, you’ll pass Civil War relics, historic sites such as Craven’s House, and you’ll even spot the famed Ruby Falls.

Prentice Cooper State Forest : Prentice Cooper is perfect for viewing the beautiful colors of fall because of its quiet remoteness and dense tree coverage. Visitors can enjoy the serenity of the many trails, or catch a spectacular view of the river gorge from the Snoopers Rock and Mullins Cove overlooks.

Foliage from the River : In fall, both the Southern Belle Riverboat and the River Gorge Explorer offer boat rides to view the changing leaves from the river. These cruises mean getting gorgeous and unique views of the fall foliage while relaxing on a luxurious watercraft. Each boat offers different amenities, and one of them is sure to be perfect for your foliage-viewing pleasure.

Written by Madison Eubanks for RootsRated in partnership with Chattanooga CVB and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.

Hope you will visit Chattanooga soon and check out some of these great spots and adventures.