Chattanooga is an understated and great location for destination weddings. Many couples come here to get married because of its scenic reputation and others enjoy the rich history. It’s also a great city to plan intimate dates prior to your wedding, and even to wind down afterwards. But, did you know that Chattanooga also offers plenty to see and do for your wedding guests as well?
Check out this list of things to do in Chattanooga to round out your weekend destination wedding experience.
Asian Lantern Festival Chattanooga Zoo
301 North Holtzclaw Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404 | 423-697-1322
Opens November 10th Lantern Festival Information
Nooga Lights at Chester Frost Park
2277 Gold Point Cir N, Hixson, TN 37343 | event ticket information
A drive-thru holiday lights experience to be enjoyed by all ages from your own vehicle. The drive takes approximately a half-hour to thru the 1.5-mile route.
Date: November 14-31st
Ice on the Landing
1400 Market St Chattanooga, TN | 423-265-0771 | Tickets and Information
Dates: Nov 18-Jan 19th
This is an out door rink so its weather dependent. If it’s raining or really really warm out they will temporarily close until the ice conditions improve. The ice is very crowded during popular times of day. My best advise is to go on a weeknight or very early in the day. If you go on a sunday afternoon you’ll be shuffling through chewed up snow and bumpy ice. If you time it to go on a cold weeknight and get on freshly resurfaced ice it’ll be great!
The “Zamboni” is cute, it’s a retrofitted golf cart.
Don’t want to skate? No problem, you can grab some hot chocolate and enjoy the lights and laughter on the rink.
Gratefull at Bessie Smith Cultural center
200 E M L King Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37403
Date: November 17
Gratefull is a luncheon for the community in front of the Bessie Smith Center. You can volunteer to help
Enchanted Garden of lights at Rock City
1400 Patten Rd, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750 | 706-820-2531 | Event Information and tickets
See Rock city on a self guided tour. This usually takes an hour or so viewing the soaring rock formations, caves and lush woodland gardens covered in lights.
Date: Novemeber 18 – January 1
Build Floral Centerpieces
Chattanooga TN | 423-584-3021 | Event information
Date: November 21
Learn to build your own holiday centerpiece with seasonal flowers to take home with guidance and techniques by Lang Floral Design.
Grateful Gobbler 5K walk/run
820 Broad St, Chattanooga, TN 37402 | 423-847-5844 | Event Information
This is a good way to get some exercise in before any thanksgiving dinners. The route starts in Coolidge Park, crossed the the walnut street bridge, and finishes back on the Coolidge park side.
There are also volunteer opportunities leading up to the race and on thanksgiving morning.
Date: Thanksgiving morning
Reindeer on the riverfront Boat parade
Ross’s Landing, 201 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN | event information
Date: November 25
family fun with live reindeer and Santa. The annual Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks.