Free things to do in Chattanooga: the Walnut Street Bridge, Sculpture Fields, the Riverwalk, Chickamauga Battlefield, the free shuttle and library passes.
Last checked Oct. 18, 2026. Facts come from the City of Chattanooga’s park pages, Sculpture Fields, the National Park Service, CARTA and the Chattanooga Public Library.
A lot of Chattanooga costs nothing. The riverfront parks, the pedestrian Walnut Street Bridge, the Riverwalk and a 33-acre sculpture park are free and open every day, the downtown shuttle is free, and a library card unlocks family passes to the aquarium and the zoo. City parks: Parks and Outdoors, 423-643-7866.
What this means for you
- Free every day: the bridge, Coolidge and Renaissance parks, Sculpture Fields, the Riverwalk and Stringers Ridge.
- Free history: Chickamauga Battlefield and most of the national military park; only Point Park charges.
- Free with a library card: passes to the aquarium, zoo, Creative Discovery Museum and Hunter Museum.
- Almost free: the Coolidge Park carousel, $1 a ride.
Riverfront
- Walnut Street Bridge, 1 Walnut St.: one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges at 2,376 feet, built in 1890 and reopened in 1993 as a linear park, with skyline views, linking the aquarium side to the North Shore (city page).
- Coolidge Park, 150 River St.: lawns, river access and an interactive water fountain open May through September. The 1894 Dentzel carousel is $1 a ride, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily (Coolidge Park).
- Renaissance Park, 100 Manufacturers Road: 23 acres of wetlands, nature trails, native plants and public art next door (Renaissance Park).
- Ross’s Landing: the riverfront amphitheater, pier, playground and wading streams by the aquarium, with markers honoring Cherokee and military history (Ross’s Landing).
Art
Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, 1800 Polk St., on the Southside: more than 50 large-scale sculptures along 33 acres of winding trails, the largest sculpture park in the Southeast, “free and open to all” (sculpturefields.org). The city’s park page puts the whole park at 45 acres, with a walking path and soccer field.
Trails
- Tennessee Riverwalk: 13 paved miles from downtown to Chickamauga Dam and St. Elmo.
- Stringers Ridge: 7 miles of wooded trail and a city overlook, open sunrise to sunset.
- South Chickamauga Creek Greenway and Greenway Farm in Hixson.
Trailheads and parking are on our walking and biking trails page.
History
- Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park: entrance fees apply only at Point Park on Lookout Mountain ($10 a person 16 and older, cashless). Chickamauga Battlefield, Missionary Ridge, Orchard Knob, Signal Point and the rest of Lookout Mountain Battlefield are free, the National Park Service says. Point Park also joins national fee-free days such as Memorial Day and Independence Day weekend (NPS fees).
- Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave.: open sunrise to sunset; Civil War burials, the Andrews Raiders Monument and the graves of Medal of Honor recipients Charles H. Coolidge and Desmond T. Doss (VA).
- More landmarks are on our history and landmarks page.
Free with a library card
Chattanooga Public Library card holders can borrow seven-day family passes, first come, first served, once a year per person:
| Pass | Covers |
|---|---|
| Tennessee Aquarium | 2 adults and up to 5 children ages 5 to 17 |
| Chattanooga Zoo | 2 adults and up to 4 children |
| Creative Discovery Museum | 2 adults and up to 4 children |
| Hunter Museum of American Art | 2 adults; children under 18 free |
| Bessie Smith Cultural Center | 2 adults and up to 4 children |
| Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center | 4 people |
| Chattanooga Audubon Society, Audubon Acres | 2 adults and up to 2 children |
The library also offers vouchers for Chattanooga Football Club and Chattanooga Lookouts games. Children 0 to 5 in Hamilton County get free cards, and Hamilton County Schools students get one through school.
Getting around for free
CARTA’s Downtown Shuttle is free and runs daily except New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas (route and schedule). See our getting around guide.
Markets and events
The Chattanooga Market at First Horizon Pavilion, 1801 Reggie White Blvd., is free to enter on Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in season, with live music (Chattanooga Market). Free events change each month; see things to do this month.
Related: kids’ activities, dog-friendly Chattanooga and date night.
Frequently asked questions
What is free to do in Chattanooga?
Walking the Walnut Street Bridge, Coolidge Park and its summer fountain, Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, the 13-mile Riverwalk, Stringers Ridge, Chickamauga Battlefield and most of the national military park, the Chattanooga Market and the free CARTA Downtown Shuttle.
Is Sculpture Fields free?
Yes. Sculpture Fields at Montague Park, 1800 Polk St., is free and open to all, with more than 50 large-scale sculptures along 33 acres of trails.
Is Point Park on Lookout Mountain free?
No. Point Park is the one part of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park that charges, $10 a person 16 and older, cashless. Chickamauga Battlefield, Missionary Ridge, Orchard Knob, Signal Point and the rest of the park are free.
Is the Chattanooga downtown shuttle free?
Yes. CARTA’s Downtown Shuttle is free and runs daily except New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, with a holiday schedule on some holidays.
Can I get into the aquarium free with a library card?
Chattanooga Public Library card holders can check out a Tennessee Aquarium family pass for 2 adults and up to 5 children, along with passes to the zoo, Creative Discovery Museum, Hunter Museum and others, first come, first served.
Have your say