Free Things to Do in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Located in southeastern Tennessee near the Georgia border is the pretty waterfront city of Chattanooga. Surrounded by mountains and the beautiful Tennessee River, Chattanooga has a chock full of activities to offer you and your family, from fishing to kayaking to biking and hiking/ If you are looking for free fun things to do in Chattanooga, here are some suggestions:

Coolidge Park

There are many parks along the banks of the scenicTennessee River. North of the river, across from the aquarium, is the lovely Coolidge Park. Many companies have their annual picnics at this popular park. It is also where the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera performs an outdoor concert for the Fourth of July celebration. There are interactive water fountains for kids to play in on hot summer days. For a mere dollar, you can take a ride on the restored 100-year old carousel.

Riverfront Nights and Nightfall concert Series

Free concerts abound in Chattanooga. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Nightfall at Miller Plaza has a series of concerts lined up to entertain you starting after work on Fridays. The other venue is the Riverfront Nights summer evening concert held at Ross's Landing. This series of concerts begin on Saturday, July 31^st, 2010 and run until September 18^th. To see who's playing, check their website for further details - Riverfront Nights and Nightfall.

Raccoon Mountain

Raccoon Mountain is a unique TVA hydroelectric facility where water is pumped to the reservoir on top of the mountain and released to generate electricity during periods of high electric demand. You can stop at the visitor center to learn more about TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) and its facilities across the Tennessee Valley. Raccoon Mountain is also a popular recreation spot for mountain biking, hiking and bird watching.

The Bluff View Art District

This neat neighborhood, perched on top of stone cliffs, has the look and feel of an old European village. Within the 1.5 blocks, there are restaurants, art galleries and museums including a Sculpture Garden. Enjoy a walk around the Bluff View Art District and admire the scenic Tennessee River and boats going by.

Hang Gliding

Even if you are not into hang gliding, it is exciting to watch daredevils jump off into the sky at Lookout Mountain Hang Gliding in Rising Fawn, Georgia, a 40-minutes drive southwest of Chattanooga. You can see this adrenaline-pumping action as well as a breathtaking vista of the valley below. Not too far away is Cloudland Canyon State Park, where you can picnic and hike to the waterfalls. There is an admission fee of $5 per car to get in to the state park.