Chattanooga's Iconic Railroad History: 5 Must-Visit Train Heritage Sites
Few U.S. cities share as profound a connection to railroads as Chattanooga. We owe much of our national recognition to Glenn Miller's 1941 hit "Chattanooga Choo Choo," the world's first gold record, which catapulted the city to fame. Yet Chattanooga's rail roots trace back much further, predating "Tex" Beneke's famous croon about departing on Track 29. In 1870, the city was home to 58 industries; by 1910, that number had surged past 300.
Chattanooga functioned less as a destination and more as a crucial hub linking America's major cities. During the Civil War, its strategic central location and extensive rail lines earned it the moniker "Gateway to the South." While trains are no longer the primary mode of travel, the Scenic City has preserved its rich rail legacy remarkably well—the lyrics to "Chattanooga Choo Choo" are even engraved in the sidewalk in front of the Tennessee Aquarium.
Explore five premier spots to relive Chattanooga's train history:
Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum – Don't let the "museum" label fool you; this is living history with restored steam engines chugging along over 100 miles of track. A highlight is the 50-minute, 6-mile excursion to Missionary Ridge, passing through a pre-Civil War tunnel. Longer adventures include 3- to 6-hour trips to Summerville, GA, and the scenic Hiwassee River Gorge from the Etowah, TN Depot.
Chattanooga Choo Choo – From 1909 to 1970, all southbound trains passed through the iconic Terminal Station, the very setting of the famous song. In 1973, local investors rescued the structure from demolition, transforming it into a National Register hotel and Historic Hotels of America property. Step into the time-capsule lobby with vintage departure signs, original wooden doors, and a stunning 85-foot freestanding brick dome. Original tracks weave through the 24-acre site, where Victorian railcars serve as unique rooms. A recent multi-million-dollar renovation has revitalized the grounds with updated accommodations, new restaurants, a comedy club, and nightly live music.
The Terminal Brewhouse – Across from the Choo Choo complex, this one-of-a-kind brewpub occupies the historic Stong Building, originally opened in 1910 as a steam-heated hotel and café for travelers. It later gained a colorful reputation as a speakeasy and more, but in the 1940s, Terminal Station porter Chester Davis bought it with his savings, restoring it as a hotel and becoming one of Chattanooga's first Black business owners. Today, savor craft beers brewed in gleaming steel tanks downstairs alongside hearty dishes like Southsidenstein Stout pairings, Salmon Salad, Pepper Smashed Steak, and exceptional pizzas.
Urban Stack Burger Lounge – Housed in the circa-1867 Southern Railway Baggage Building, just a block from Terminal Station, this spot honors its rail past with exposed brick, concrete floors, and reclaimed 19th-century materials. The menu shines with 20+ gourmet burgers (veggie and chicken options available), plus craft cocktails like the Bacon Manhattan, Smokin’ Hot Pimento Cheese Dip, and indulgent Five Dollar Shakes (try S’mores)—but pace yourself.
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway – Opened November 16, 1895, this engineering marvel is the world's steepest passenger railway. Two 100-horsepower engines and a pulley system haul cars up and down the mountain on a single track (with a passing siding), once serving a summit luxury hotel inaccessible by a lengthy buggy ride. Today, it provides stunning access to Lookout Mountain and nearby Point Park, part of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.
