rovostays·

Nature & wildlife · Chattanooga

Top 7 nature & wildlife things to do in Chattanooga

Wildlife, forests, gardens, and the green pockets of Chattanooga that make it bearable in monsoon and beautiful by November. Day trips and short drives where the landscape is the point.

  1. Kayak tour of Nickajack Bat Cave near Chattanooga, Chattanooga1

    1. Kayak tour of Nickajack Bat Cave near Chattanooga

    4.9· 301 reviews· 2 hours

    Three-mile guided kayak tour on Nickajack Lake, featuring wildlife insights and a sunset view of 100,000 gray bats emerging from the cave.

    I visited in April, and while the wind made the initial part of the trip a good workout, it wasn't overly challenging. We got an up-close view of Ospreys and their nests, even witnessing one catch a fish. The sunset was gorgeous and lasted quite a while. We also had the fun surprise of seeing two trains pass by. When the bats emerged, the lake became eerily still and quiet, likely as the insects tried to avoid being eaten. Our guide, Margaret, provided a wealth of information, making it a truly enjoyable experience. I recommend bringing sunglasses, something to tie back long hair, and perhaps a change of dry clothes for afterward. I wholeheartedly suggest this experience to others and hope to return with friends.Tara_T
  2. Crystal Palace Walking Tour at Raccoon Mountain Caverns, Chattanooga2

    2. Crystal Palace Walking Tour at Raccoon Mountain Caverns

    4.8· 25 reviews· 45 min

    Forty-five to fifty-five minutes, guided walking tour of the first quarter mile of Raccoon Mountain Caverns, featuring illuminated pathways and diverse geological formations.

    We had an incredible experience! Our guide, Lilith, was an excellent storyteller who truly enhanced our time on the tour.Yovana m
  3. National Medal of Honor Heritage Center admission in Chattanooga, Chattanooga3

    3. National Medal of Honor Heritage Center admission in Chattanooga

    4.8· 77 reviews

    Admission to the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center — explore exhibits from the Civil War to modern conflicts, including immersive experiences.

    The museum was fantastic, particularly for history enthusiasts. My daughter has a passion for history, and my father served in WWII. I appreciated the personal stories of the individuals who received the National Medal of Honor.96debbyl
  1. Aerial tour of Chattanooga attractions, Chattanooga4

    4. Aerial tour of Chattanooga attractions

    4.7· 40 reviews· 15 min

    Thirty-minute flight — panoramic views of Tennessee Aquarium, Ruby Falls, Rock City, and Lookout Mountain's historical sites.

    I planned a surprise birthday trip for my girlfriend, and she was both surprised and thrilled. If you’re looking for an adventurous experience with stunning views, this is definitely the right choice.jameslB8318RK
  2. Rydables History Tour in Chattanooga — scooter tour of city landmarks, Chattanooga5

    5. Rydables History Tour in Chattanooga — scooter tour of city landmarks

    4.6· 37 reviews· 1.5 hours

    One and a half hours on stuffed-animal scooters — explore Chattanooga's history, including the Walnut Street Bridge and Bluff View Arts district, with photo stops and local stories.

    The rideables were enjoyable and simple to handle. Our tour guide was excellent and well-informed. I rated it three stars due to my booking being rescheduled twice. While the first change was understandable, upon arriving at the new time, we discovered it had been delayed by another 30 minutes without prior notification. Given the ongoing inconvenience, we should have been offered some discount. This experience makes me hesitant to book again.fidellep
  3. Scenic aerial tour of Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga6

    6. Scenic aerial tour of Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain

    4.5· 20 reviews· 25 min

    Two hours of aerial views covering Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga Valley, Tennessee River Gorge, and other scenic landmarks.

    I had high hopes for this experience, especially given the $600 price for a 30-minute ride. However, the service was disappointing. After initially booking for my husband's birthday on a Monday, I was informed that they don’t operate on that day, forcing us to reschedule. We managed to move it to the day before, but the pilot offered a $100 discount only if I opted for a full refund, which didn't seem fair. Upon arrival, we waited 30 minutes, only to see another couple go ahead of us because they were late, leaving us to miss the sunset. Customer service was unhelpful, and when the pilot finally returned, he suggested we could skip the flight if we wanted. Ultimately, we flew since we were already there, but the experience was lackluster and not worth the money. To top it off, they charged us $40 for a photo, which felt unreasonable. I feel embarrassed for hyping this up for my husband’s birthday and would not recommend this company or pilot to anyone. If you're considering a helicopter tour in Chattanooga, seek alternatives.sarahchatt23
  4. Haunted walking tour in Chattanooga, Chattanooga7

    7. Haunted walking tour in Chattanooga

    4.3· 91 reviews· 1.5 hours

    Two hours, guided tour on foot — explore haunted spots across downtown Chattanooga, including the Read House Hotel and Mountain City Club.

    Zach led us on an in-depth tour of Chattanooga's intriguing history, filled with tales of the city's dark past. His expertise and friendly demeanor made the experience truly enjoyable. I highly recommend this tour.Angel_M

Top places to visit in Chattanooga

See all 6

More in Chattanooga

Other things to do

Nature & wildlife in other destinations

Top nature & wildlife elsewhere

Same category, different cities — hand-picked nature & wildlife experiences across USA.

Stay elsewhere

Places to stay in other destinations

Hand-picked, verified serviced apartments across our network.

See more

Places to see in other destinations

Hand-picked sights, neighbourhoods and landmarks across our destination network.

Visiting Chattanooga?

Stay with Rovostays

Hand-picked, verified serviced apartments — concierge always included.