chattanooga riverboat fall color cruise

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Fall & Holiday Cruises

In chattanooga, tn.

• Clock 3 hours
• Users Groups of 40+

Fall Foliage Lunch Cruise

Cruise the Grand Canyon of the Tennessee River and see one of nature’s most magnificent wonders dressed in all of its fall splendor.

Fall Foliage Sightseeing Cruise

The Southern Belle Riverboat takes you on a three-hour cruise to the famous Tennessee River Gorge. See nature’s brilliant canvas of vivid fall colors.

• Clock 6.5 hours

Hornito’s Tequila “BOO”ze Cruise!

Join the fun! $250 to the most outrageous, most creative, most thought provoking costume!

• Clock 2 hours

Thanksgiving on the River

The Southern Belle Riverboat takes you on a two-hour cruise on the scenic Tennessee River while you enjoy our one-time-through buffet-style Thanksgiving Dinner!

• Clock 2.5 hours

Christmas Carol Dinner Cruise

Enjoy a Christmas Carol cruise with a special appearance from Santa! Live music, pilothouse tours, and a buffet-style dinner make this the perfect night for celebrating the holiday season.

New Year’s Eve on the River

Ring in the New Year aboard the Southern Belle! Enjoy a three-hour cruise complete with buffet, DJs, bars, champagne, and a fun night of dancing in Chattanooga, Tennesee.

Valentine’s Dinner Cruise

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres on Pier 2 before boarding the Southern Belle for your two-hour cruise with a DJ, pilot house tours, and a toast of Champagne!

• Clock 1 hour

Easter Dinner on the Grand Chandelier Deck

Enjoy live music and dinner on the deck, followed by a one-hour cruise on the scenic Tennessee River aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat with narration by the captain!

Holiday Dinner Cruise

Relax and enjoy a two-hour cruise on the scenic Tennessee River with music, pilothouse tours, and our buffet-style dinner that features flat iron steak, lemon basil chicken, and more!

Fall Colors in the Scenic City

Explore Chattanooga's nature hood and the vibrant downtown to find your favorite Chattanooga colors! See dazzling fall colors by land, water, and air, and sample some of the best handcrafted delights created from a bountiful harvest of our region at local restaurants and farmers' markets.

Fall Colors and Flavors

Get outside, savor fall flavors, get outside glow, overlook orange.

Hike one of Chattanooga’s many trails from a leisurely urban route leading to city views to a five-mile hike along the mountain top or visit Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center , a wildlife sanctuary located at the base of Lookout Mountain on more than 300 acres with hiking trails, canoeing, animal encounters, and unlimited nature experiences. 

COOL METAL SILVER

Bring your bike and ride miles of breathtaking vistas along the trails of Raccoon Mountain , featuring nearly 30 miles of intermediate to advanced trails, Enterprise South Nature Park , home of the 2022 USA Cycling Paracycling Road National Championships, or any of Chattanooga’s 50 trails.  

SANDSTONE CRAG BEIGE

With some of the greatest variety of rock characteristics in our area, Chattanooga has become the mecca for rock climbers. Climbers come from all over to explore Stone Fort (aka Little Rock City), Foster Falls , High Point Climbing and Fitness Gym for indoor climbing, and all our climbing spots . 

DEEP TENNESSEE RIVER BLUE

The Tennessee River runs right through downtown with many access points for you to explore. Go down the river on a paddleboard , kayak, or walk along side it on the Chattanooga Riverwalk .

ROASTED MARSHMALLOW BLACK

Whether you prefer backcountry camping or an RV campground, pick a spot and connect with nature while you sleep underneath the midnight sky !  

Touring Teal  

River gorge rust.

Take a cruise into the Tennessee River Gorge, where you’ll see nature’s brilliant canvas of fall colors. 

Fall Foliage Sightseeing Cruises/Chattanooga Riverboat Co.’s Southern Belle   Oct.-Nov. / Dates and Times Vary   

Land-to-Water Tours/Chattanooga Ducks   March-Oct. / Dates and Times Vary   

River Gorge Excursions   Aug.-Dec. / Dates and Times Vary  

OVER THE VALLEY YELLOW

Reach new heights and let your heart soar as you experience Chattanooga’s kaleidoscope of fall foliage from above. 

Lookout Mountain Hang Gliding   Jan.-Dec. / Offerings and Times Vary  

Chattanooga Skydiving Company    Aug.-Feb. / Offerings and Times Vary 

Rock Creek Aviation Helicopter Tours   ​Jan.-Dec. / Offerings and Times Vary 

Ruby Falls' High Point ZIP Adventure  

LOCOMOTIVE GREY

Jump aboard the Tennessee Valley Railroad or Lookout Mountain Incline Railway for a variety of train rides that take you through the beautiful Tennessee valley or straight up Lookout Mountain. 

Missionary Ridge Local Train Trips-55 minutes/Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum   Jan.-Dec. / Daily, Times Vary 

Hiwassee Loop Train Trips-3.5 Hours/Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum   Sept.-Nov. / Dates and Times Vary  

Lookout Mountain Incline Railway Rides   Jan.-Dec. / Daily, Times Vary 

IRIDESCENT RAYS

Go on an adventure on an electric vehicle, silently speeding through hundreds of trails on an electric vehicle, zip through downtown on a Segway or bike, and more. 

Chattanooga Bike Share System    Jan.-Dec. / Daily  

Chattanooga with Chattanooga Segway & Bicycle Tours    Aug.-Dec. / Daily, Times Vary  

ChattaScooter   Jan.-Dec. / Daily 

COLORFUL PALATE

Indulge in fall’s best harvest from local restaurants!    

ARTISAN ICE WHITE

Take in the views as you sip on popular fall cocktails, sample Chattanooga’s growing craft beer scene , or find out how it’s made on a tour at the Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery or Gate 11 Distillery .   

PATIO PURPLE

Fall brings the ideal weather for outdoor dining, and we have plenty of perfect patios for you (and your pup) to enjoy the fresh air!  

HOT MOCHA BROWN

No matter what shade you take your coffee, stop by any of our local coffee shops for a delicious caffeine boost made just for you.  

FRESH GREEN

Taste the warmth of autumn with an array of seasonal menus at some of our newest and coolest spots around town.  

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We love to see you experiencing Fall in the Scenic City! Tag us ( @VisitChatt ) in your posts and use #VisitChatt for a chance to be featured on our website and social. 

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CHOOSE CHATT™ BLOG

10 Ways To Experience Fall Foliage In Chattanooga

• October 21, 2022
• By Mary Beth Wallace

A fleeting – but oh-so-welcome – window of time between the dog days of summer and impending chill of winter, fall is a season to be cherished. Not only do you have sweater weather, beloved holidays, football, and pumpkin spice everything, but autumn is also praised for its brilliant foliage – leaves turning from vibrant green into a spectacle of reds, oranges, and golds. For Chattanooga, the fall colors really start showing out in late October, and early November is considered peak leaf-peeping time. To make the most of this visually stunning season, check out our top 10 ways to experience fall foliage in the Scenic City.

1. Hit the trails.

Chattanoogans know that one of the best ways to get that picture-perfect fall photo requires a little effort. Ranging in length and difficulty, hike-worthy trails abound in and around the Scenic City – in fact, there are more than 50 trailheads within 30 minutes of downtown. A few favorites for taking in autumn’s colors include Signal Mountain ’s Rainbow Lake Trail, Lula Lake Land Trust, Stringer’s Ridge, and Lookout Mountain ’s Glen Falls Trail. If you don’t mind the drive, Georgia’s Cloudland Canyon State Park is home to popular trails like Overlook Trail, West Rim Loop Trail, and Waterfalls Trail that are simply spectacular when the weather cools.

2. Climb aboard.

The only thing more magical than fall colors is seeing them by rail. Passengers can board a vintage short-line train at the Tennessee Valley Railroad , located on Cromwell Road. Their most popular ride – the Missionary Ridge Local – lasts 65 minutes and takes passengers over four bridges and through the pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel. Another rail experience can be had at Lookout Mountain Incline Railway , one of the steepest passenger railways in the world. This ride takes passengers from St. Elmo to an observation deck atop Lookout Mountain, offering scenic fall views along the way.

3. Take to the skies.

For a truly unique leaf-peeping perspective, try a bird’s-eye view. Several Chattanooga companies will help you take to the skies – but be warned, this is not for the faint of heart! At Chattanooga Skydiving Company , guests can experience the exhilarating thrill of freefall on a tandem skydiving excursion. After less than an hour of instruction, expert guides will have you enjoying a scenic flight over the Sequatchie Valley before making the big leap. If hang gliding feels more your speed, you’re in luck. The folks at Lookout Mountain Flight Park send guests soaring above Lookout Valley on a tandem flight of 1,500 to 3,000 feet.

4. Cruise the river.

If you’re hoping to sit back and appreciate the autumn scenery via boat, you have options. The Southern Belle Riverboat offers fall foliage sightseeing cruises through mid-November; these three-hour cruises highlight the beauty of the Tennessee River with live narration included. Chattanooga Duck tours also run through mid-November and showcase views of Chattanooga’s downtown, Riverfront, and Maclellan Island from the Tennessee River. Or, reserve a tour with River Gorge Excursions – these tours highlight the scenic Tennessee River Gorge and last approximately two hours.

5. See Rock City.

One of Chattanooga’s most iconic attractions, Rock City , comes alive in the fall with an explosion of color. Here, guests can stroll the 4,100-foot Enchanted Trail featuring everything from caves and rock formations to a view of seven states at Lover’s Leap. Don’t forget to snap a photo on the 180-foot Swing-a-Long Bridge, which overlooks the Chattanooga Valley and all of its autumn splendor. Seasonal treats are always being served at dining locations across the gardens, so stop in and grab a bite – or a sip – before continuing your adventure.

6. Fly through the trees.

Make unforgettable fall memories and experience the Scenic City’s changing leaves from the zip lines at High Point ZIP Adventure at Ruby Falls. With 700 feet of rushing zip lines and a 40-foot climbing tower, the ZIP Adventure offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see the kaleidoscope of colors whizz by. The operation is open daily during the fall through late November. Afterward, be sure to venture inside Ruby Falls – a can’t-miss Chattanooga attraction!

 7. Ride a bike.

Viewing fall foliage by bike couldn’t be easier thanks to Bike Chattanooga , the city’s bicycle transit system. Locals and visitors alike can buy a pass to have access to more than 400 bikes set up at 42 stations citywide. Chattanooga’s Riverwalk, Walnut Street Bridge, and MLK District are all great places to pedal without ever leaving town. Mountain bikers can take advantage of the trail systems at Raccoon Mountain, Stringer’s Ridge, and Enterprise South for miles of trails and beautiful surroundings to boot.

8. Plan a picnic.

Fall is peak picnicking season – the crisp temperatures, dappled sunlight, and rustling leaves provide an enchanting atmosphere no restaurant can imitate. When planning a picnic, you have two priorities: food and location. For sandwiches that travel well, check out local institutions like River Street Deli , Lil Mama’s Chicago Style Hoagy , and Rembrandt’s Coffee House . Additional picnic provisions (both cheesy and vegan!) can be found at Bleu Fox Cheese Shop , Frothy Monkey , and Cashew Chattanooga . As for location, you can’t beat the views at Lookout Mountain’s Sunset Rock or Signal Mountain’s Signal Point.

9. Rent a kayak.

This time of year, you can get your heart pumping and take in the fall colors by going on a kayaking adventure with family and friends. Fortunately, Chattanooga is home to many locales that rent out kayaks, from Camp Jordan to Harrison Bay State Park. Whether you want to paddle the Tennessee River or Chickamauga Lake, you can do so at rates as low as $30 for the day. Even if you’re not an experienced kayaker, you can still get out on the water and enjoy our area’s most stunning fall foliage!

10. Go for a drive.

If nothing else, load up your car and go for a scenic drive when the leaves start to change. Winding from Chattanooga to Gadsden, Alabama, the Lookout Mountain Parkway is a great place to start. This 93-mile journey has even been named one of the most scenic drives in America by Reader’s Digest ! On the west side of Signal Mountain, you’ll find Taft Highway Lookout, roughly 30 minutes from downtown Chattanooga; be prepared to encounter curvy roads and gorgeous vistas. Finally, the 4.6-mile Reservoir Loop on Raccoon Mountain is sure to delight with views of the mountains and reservoir.

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