Chattanooga, TN: Hotel & Motel Planning Guide

The Best Time to Visit Chattanooga, Tennessee

According to U.S. News and World Report Travel, the best time to visit Chattanooga is in the fall between September and November. The hotter months of the summer are peak tourism season, and the crowds thin as the weather begins to cool. However, we think more of a reason to visit during the fall months, other than the lack of people to bump into, is being able to see the area change into the season's colorful reds and oranges as the leaves fall. The natural attractions and trails are easier to handle without the sun, and the fall trees paint a beautiful backdrop to any hike.

If you're set on visiting Chattanooga a little earlier, the second best time to come is in the spring. Once the area begins to thaw out from winter, the temperatures start to even out.

If you think you can handle the hotter temperatures, the upside to visiting in the summer is all the musical festivals that happen in the area. For example, the nine-day-long Riverbed Festival held on the riverfront each year draws big artists and bigger crowds, but the weather is often hot and humid. In short, the popularity of visiting in the summer means higher booking prices and less availability. You're better off visiting in the fall or springtime.

Be careful, though, if you do choose to visit in the fall. Too close to the end of the season will put you in the freezing temperature zone. Most people tend to avoid coming here around that time due to unpredictable rain and snow. But if you do decide to drop by around the winter holidays, there are opportunities you don't get any other time of year, like the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's North Pole Limited train ride.

Best Discounts in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga has a variety of discounts available to seniors, AAA members, and military staff. The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Chattanooga East gives AARP and seniors over the age of 62 discounted rates on a few rooms. This beautiful Art Deco-inspired hotel comes with complimentary breakfast and is conveniently located a few miles away from the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport. If your stay is going to be a little longer but you still want to take advantage of the senior discounts, check out the Mainstay Suites Chattanooga. It offers senior discounts for AARP members on some of their suites.

The Microtel Inn by Wyndham Chattanooga/Near Hamilton Place offers discounted rates for long stay guests, military and government staff, AAA members, and AARP members. These come with a free continental breakfast, free parking, and a short three-mile ride to the airport. The service staff is friendly and committed to making you feel comfortable throughout your stay. The best time to book here is in February, but the most consistently lower rates occur from July through September.

Make Your Dollar Go Further in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Named after the famous song, the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel gives each guest the authentic Chattanooga charm. This historic hotel sits in the center of downtown, putting it near to some of the area's best attractions. What's unique about this hotel is that guests have the option of sleeping in one of three distinctive parts of the hotel.

The first option is staying the night in a renovated Pullman train car. It takes you back to what life was like when people traveled on trains for long periods of time. More rooms can be found in the MacArthur Building that was named after the Southern Railway's last steam-powered freight train that arrived in 1953. The rooms were recently renovated, and the center of the building features an indoor heated pool. Lastly, the Empress Building with spacious rooms pays tribute to the “Empress of Blues,” Bessie Smith. The best time to book these rooms is in November.

Grab a Bite in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Where you decide to eat is just as important as where you stay. For authentic Chattanoogan comfort food, step into Uncle Larry's Restaurant. A step away from the regular chains, Uncle Larry's is a one-of-a-kind find with delicious food. The speciality that keeps everyone coming back for more is Larry's fried catfish, which according to the sign is so good it will smack you. They also serve homemade desserts and mac and cheese, along with other Southern classics.

For something sweeter, look no further than Clumpies Ice Cream Co. With both classic and interesting flavors, Clumpies has been handcrafting ice cream since 1999 and was opened by the son of a third-generation candy maker — so they know what they're doing. With three locations in the area, and a mobile Clumpies Cart, your next delicious snack is never too far. Don't be afraid to try new flavors like the Firecracker. Its tutti frutti ice cream is scooped with fresh Pop-Rocks to make way for maximum crackling.

For a colorful night out, be sure to stop by Champy's. Their world-famous fried chicken and eclectic decor are sure to put a smile on everyone's face. The family recipe is over four decades old, and each order is made fresh. While that usually means a bit of a wait, it's always worth it. Owners Seth and Crissy make sure that the locations are always comfortable and each guest feels like a part of the family.

Lastly, we recommend washing it all down at The Terminal Brewhouse. The locally owned and operated restaurant works to source local ingredients so you know it's always fresh. The building, known as the Stong Building, was rumored to have been a speakeasy in times of prohibition. Here, you can enjoy freshly brewed craft beer and classic favorites with bold twists, like Yosemite Salmon Cakes and Buffaloaf.

In a city so rich with history, nature, and culture, it's not hard to see why so many people visit every year. Chattanooga, Tennessee, is an amazing city, and with so many hotel options to choose from, you can't go wrong. From train cars to budget-friendly destinations, there is something for everyone's dream Chattanooga vacation.

The amazing and groundbreaking actor and muse of Quentin Tarantino, Samuel L. Jackson, once said, 'If you have an opportunity to use your voice you should use it.

This is the type of compassion and boldness that has helped to shape the city of Chattanooga and the State of Tennessee as a whole. This city is full of warm southern charm and all sorts of interesting cultural affectations that unique to the city. Even in the hotels in Chattanooga, this sense of bold kindness and adventurous spirit is present and very easy to enjoy. Any visitor to the state of Tennessee would do well to take a trip through this town to get a feel of southern culture in the raw.

Cheap in Chattanooga

As a place filled with low cost faire, there are of course many cheap hotels in the city of Chattanooga. People traveling on a budget have plenty of options and one of them is the Red Roof Inn Chattanooga Airport. As the name implies this is a prime location for travelers who are only going to be in the city for a short period. It is also very close to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. This is a very contemporary hotel and offers guests free Wi-Fi, a colorful decor, mini-fridges, and microwaves. Another option for people looking for cheap hotels in the city is the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Chattanooga. This is a very basic hotel on the I-75 that is also near the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and offers flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, free stays for kids under 17 and desks.

Luxury in Chattanooga

There are several luxury Chattanooga hotels available for people with a discerning taste and a desire to enjoy the feel of Tennessee. One of these places is The Chattanoogan. This establishment is spot in the middle of the city, in the downtown area, and it provides travelers with access to everything the city has to offer. Additionally, the hotel offers guests a spa, a restaurant, Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and it's only a short walk from the Chattanooga Convention Center. Another option for people looking for luxury Chattanooga hotels is the Residence Inn Marriott Hamilton. This hotel is right near the Hamilton Place Mall and the Dragon Dreams Museum. This place offers gratis wired internet, iPod-docks, free WiFi, and much more. 

Boutique in The Great Outdoors 

Not many hotels in Chattanooga have the bold and hip sensibility of a boutique hotel like The Crash Pad. This is definitely not your typical Tennessee hotel. This hotel combines the world of high amenities and outdoor adventure in a way that makes it the go-to destination for people who enjoy the feel of being surrounded and challenged by nature. Essentially, this place is a type of luxury base camp for busy traveler's right in the center of a city. As a bonus this hotel is affordable and it also allows for like-minded people to meet up and share stories about past excursions or a chance to plan ones in the future.  Additionally, this place offers the same luxury of many boutique hotels.