Local Guide
The first things to know about Chattanooga.
A quick read before you go deeper. Everyday life, eating out, staying social, and the planning piece worth watching. Each one links to a source.
Everyday life
Tennessee Aquarium
A membership pays off fast if family comes through more than once or twice a year.
Source: Tennessee Aquarium
Eating out and guests
Bluegrass Grill
Worth going early on a weekday if you want a table without the wait.
Source: Bluegrass Grill
Staying social
City of Chattanooga pickleball courts
The weekday morning open play is a low-cost way to find a regular game.
Source: City of Chattanooga Tennis & Pickleball
Worth watching
City services and the summer heat
Indoor courts and morning walks make the hottest months a lot easier.
Source: City of Chattanooga (Chattanooga.gov)
Move tools
Thinking about moving to Chattanooga? Run the rough math first.
Use these quick checks to test Chattanooga as a retirement move. They are not the full map; they help you decide what deserves a deeper look.
Tax and Medicare
Check the Chattanooga income picture.
Estimate how Tennessee treats Social Security, pension income, IRA/401(k) withdrawals, city income tax, and Medicare premium tiers before you build the full journey.
Social Security
Not taxed
Pension
Not taxed
IRA / 401(k)
Not taxed
Mortgage
Test the payment or refi
Compare a current mortgage against a new rate, closing costs, and break-even timing.
Open mortgage checkWeather fit
Mild most of the year
Chattanooga has enough wet days that indoor backups and shoulder-season routines matter.
Avg
60°
Sun
205
Rain
118
Snow
6
Things to do
Things to do in Chattanooga
Parks, trails, classes, and easy outings for an ordinary week.
Tennessee Aquarium
Tennessee Aquarium
The riverfront aquarium sits right downtown and is one of the most popular things to do in town. Two buildings cover freshwater rivers and saltwater, with easy ramps and benches throughout. It is a simple outing when grandkids visit.
Why it matters
A membership pays off fast if family comes through more than once or twice a year.
Tennessee Riverwalk
Tennessee Riverwalk
A paved riverfront path that runs more than 16 miles along the Tennessee River. It is flat, shaded in stretches, and links downtown to several parks and the aquarium. You can walk a short piece or ride a bike for the whole thing.
Why it matters
Free and flat, so it is an easy daily walk close to downtown.
Reflection Riding Nature Center
Reflection Riding Nature Center
A quiet nature center at the base of Lookout Mountain with about 10 miles of trails. There is a wide, winding three-mile gravel loop you can walk at an easy pace, plus native wildlife to see. The trails connect to National Park land.
Why it matters
The flat gravel loop is the kind of walk you can do most mornings without it being a hike.
Browse by activity
Mapped places near Chattanooga. Tap a category to open the full list with directions.
Golf
Public, resort, and municipal courses near retirement towns.
28 places tracked
Fishing
Boat ramps, piers, lakes, and shore access.
133 places tracked
Hiking trails
Named trails, parks, and nature reserves for a real walk.
31 places tracked
Boating and water
Marinas, ramps, and launches for getting on the water.
14 places tracked
Pickleball
Courts and public places to play.
14 places tracked
Arts and culture
Museums, galleries, theaters, and cultural stops.
37 places tracked
Community
Senior centers, community centers, and places to meet people.
22 places tracked
Birding
Top-rated birding hotspots from the eBird community.
238 places tracked
Beaches
Public beaches and shorelines worth a morning walk.
4 places tracked
Where to eat
Where to eat
Local spots for an easy dinner or a visit from family. Rough prices included.
Bluegrass Grill
Bluegrass Grill
A family-run breakfast and lunch spot on East Main Street in the Southside. The homemade biscuits and skillet plates draw a line on weekends, and the kitchen closes by mid-afternoon. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. and Sunday for brunch.
Approx. price
$$
Known for
Homemade biscuits and skillet breakfasts
Why it matters
Worth going early on a weekday if you want a table without the wait.
Easy Bistro & Bar
Easy Bistro & Bar
A downtown classic bistro and raw bar at 801 Chestnut Street, near the aquarium. Oysters and seafood are the draw, with a buy-one-get-one oyster happy hour every day from 4 to 5 p.m.
Approx. price
$$$
Known for
Raw oysters and the bistro seafood plates
Why it matters
This is the nicer night out downtown, so the happy hour is the gentler way to try it.
Champy's World Famous Fried Chicken
Champy's World Famous Fried Chicken
A casual, loud, cheap fried chicken joint that locals name again and again. Every piece is fried to order, so it comes out hot. Tamales and cold beer round out the menu.
Approx. price
$
Known for
Fried chicken, fried to order
Why it matters
An easy, low-cost meal when you want comfort food and not a production.
Pickleball and rec
Pickleball in Chattanooga
Where to play, drop in, and meet people. Court times, fees, and how busy it gets.
City of Chattanooga Tennis & Pickleball
City of Chattanooga pickleball courts
The city runs indoor pickleball at community centers around town, with open play for all levels on weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. There are outdoor public courts too. The parks page lists current locations and programs.
Why it matters
The weekday morning open play is a low-cost way to find a regular game.
Batter's Place Pickleball Courts
Batter's Place outdoor courts
The city's first public outdoor pickleball courts, with five regulation courts at 8011 Batters Place Lane. They were rebuilt from older tennis courts specifically for pickleball. No club membership needed.
Why it matters
Free outdoor courts fill up on nice mornings, so going early helps.
Pickleball Kingdom Chattanooga
Pickleball Kingdom Chattanooga
A dedicated indoor club with nine courts, so weather and heat are never a problem. They rent equipment and rooms and have catering on site. It is built for league play, clinics, and open sessions.
Why it matters
Worth checking court fees and how busy the open sessions get before you join.
Senior help and discounts
Help and discounts for Chattanooga seniors
Programs, classes, free city services, seasonal help, and useful local deals.
Chattanooga Senior Programming
Chattanooga senior programming and shuttle
The city runs activities and events for older adults and connects the senior community with a shuttle service. The programming page lists what is offered and how to get on the shuttle.
Why it matters
The shuttle matters if driving gets harder and you still want to stay active.
What’s coming up
What’s coming up in Chattanooga
Local events worth putting on the calendar. Check the host page for dates and parking before you go.
Main Street Farmers Market
Wednesdays, year round
4 to 6 p.m.
Main Street Farmers Market
When
A smaller farmers market on the Southside, separate from the big Sunday market. It leans toward local growers and makers. The visitor bureau lists it alongside the Chattanooga Market.
Why it matters
A quieter option if the big Sunday market feels like too much.
Chattanooga Market
Sundays, spring to fall
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chattanooga Market
When
A weekly Sunday market at the First Horizon Pavilion downtown, running spring through fall. You will find produce, live music, food, and local arts and crafts. It is the big one most weeks.
Why it matters
A free, easy Sunday outing that doubles as your produce run.
Nightfall Concert Series
Friday nights, May to July
7 p.m.
Nightfall Concert Series
When
Chattanooga's original free concert series, held downtown on Friday nights from May through July. It is produced by Chattanooga Presents and brings out bands and food vendors. Bring a chair.
Why it matters
Free Friday music all summer, so it is an easy standing plan.
TVFCU Riverfront Nights
Saturdays, May 23 to September 5, 2026
TVFCU Riverfront Nights
When
A free weekly summer concert series at Ross's Landing on the riverfront, featuring local and regional artists. It is a separate series from Nightfall, so you get more than one free music night most weeks.
Why it matters
Pair it with the Riverwalk and you have a free evening by the water.
Wine Over Water
October, annual
Wine Over Water
When
An annual fall wine festival held in October, with curated tastings, small bites from local chefs, and music. It benefits Preserve Chattanooga and recently moved to Renaissance Park. Tickets run around $125.
Why it matters
A nicer night out, but it is ticketed, so price it before you commit.
Worth knowing
Worth knowing about the area
City services, neighborhood updates, seasonal notes, and the everyday details that matter.
City of Chattanooga (Chattanooga.gov)
City services and the summer heat
Chattanooga.gov is where you pay city property taxes, reach 311 for non-emergency help, and find utility and city service info. The one thing to plan around is summer: July and August are hot and humid in the valley.
Why it matters
Indoor courts and morning walks make the hottest months a lot easier.
City decisions
City decisions to watch
Council agendas, hearings, and public meetings that can change access, housing, services, or costs.
Hamilton County Assessor of Property
How property taxes work here
The Hamilton County Assessor sets the appraised value on your home, and that value drives your tax bill. Tennessee has no state income tax, so property tax is the main local one to understand. The office is at 6135 Heritage Park Drive and can be reached at 423-209-7300.
Why it matters
Look up a home's assessed value before you buy, not after.
Health and Medicare
Health and Medicare
Care, Medicare counseling, caregiver help, transportation, and the local senior support to line up.
Tennessee SHIP (Medicare counseling)
Free Medicare help through TN SHIP
Tennessee's State Health Insurance Assistance Program gives free, unbiased counseling on Medicare to people who are eligible and their families. Trained counselors answer questions about plans, drug coverage, and costs. You can reach them at 1-877-801-0044.
Why it matters
Free and unbiased, so it is a place to sort Medicare before you sign anything.
Upcoming events in Chattanooga
See all eventsTheater & film
Chattanooga Theatre Centre · Chattanooga, TN
Frozen
Chattanooga Theatre Centre
There's an icy treat in store for audiences this season! Bringing the stunning landscapes of Arandelle to the stage, join Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and more for this exciting production of Disney's mammoth hit. With a newly conceived staging that.
Theater & film
7 PM
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium · Chattanooga, TN
Killers of Kill Tony
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium
David Lucas, Hans Kim, Timmy No Brakes and Martin Phillips
Theater & film
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium · Chattanooga, TN
Killers of Kill Tony
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium
Theater & film
4 PM
The Walker Theatre · Chattanooga, TN
Bobby Stone Film Series: In the Mood for Love
The Walker Theatre
Rated: PG Running Time: 1h 38min Two neighbors form a strong bond after both suspect extramarital activities of their spouses. However, they agree to keep their bond platonic so as not to commit similar wrongs. *Movies may be shown with subtitles by request to accommodate all patrons. Please cont...
Community & civic
6 PM
The Hub · Chattanooga, TN
Summer House
The Hub
The House is a Christian organization that is making disciples of Jesus. Tuesdays in June and July join us for free dinner and bible study on 1 Corinthians
Community & civic
10 AM
University Center · Chattanooga, TN
Grad School Tour
University Center
Grad School Tour Join us for a campus tour and learn more about advanced degree opportunities at UTC! This guided tour will introduce you to UTC’s historic campus, modern facilities, and graduate student experience, while providing an overview of available graduate programs and campus resources. We can’t wait to show you around campus! Get More Info and Register Here
Common questions
What people ask before retiring in Chattanooga
Short answers to the questions most people ask first. The full source trail sits in the guide above and the sources panel below.
Is Chattanooga, TN a good place to retire?
Plenty of people do retire here, so it is a real option worth a look. What matters is whether the home costs, the health and senior support, the things to do, and the family side all fit your life. Not just how it ranks on a list somewhere.
Source: Visit ChattanoogaWhat costs should you check before moving to Chattanooga?
Price the month, not the postcard. Keep separate lines for home, property taxes, insurance, utilities, getting around, health, and everyday spending. A low-tax headline can quietly hide a high insurance bill, or the other way around.
Source: City of ChattanoogaWhere do you find things to do in Chattanooga?
Start with parks and rec, the local event calendar, the visitor bureau, the senior center, and the restaurants people actually go to. The real question is whether they are close enough, and happen often enough, that you would use them all year. Not just visit once.
Source: Visit ChattanoogaWhat health and senior support matters in Chattanooga?
Look at Medicare counseling, the nearby hospitals, pharmacies, ways to get around, caregiver help, and one emergency contact. These can decide whether the move works, even when the rest of life looks great on paper.
Source: City of ChattanoogaWhat should your family ask before you move to Chattanooga?
Talk through driving, airport access, local services, who to call in an emergency, care backup, home upkeep, and how often someone would be needed. The point is to see the move as a real support plan, not just a nice address.
Source: City of ChattanoogaRetirement Life Score
A quick read on the life you would actually live.
Chattanooga scored across eight things that decide whether a move feels good: monthly affordability, home costs, restaurants and outings, activities, parks, health and senior support, weather, and getting around. The full numbers are below.
Chattanooga Retirement Life Score
85
Exceptional daily-life fit / 85-100
Activities is the strongest daily-life fit. Home costs is the piece to verify before treating the move as settled.
A city has strong evidence across the weekly lifestyle, home-cost, support, weather, and access checks with limited planning friction.
Strongest fit: Activities & social calendar
Verify first: Home, taxes & insurance
Everyday affordability
Counts a lot81/100
How the ordinary monthly life could feel once taxes, insurance, fees, utilities, meals, and errands are in view.
What’s good: Lower-tax signals, visible discounts or free programs, ordinary-cost dining and errands, and practical transportation backup.
What to check: High housing pressure, insurance or storm costs, HOA or assessment friction, resort pricing, and thin cost evidence.
Price the month, not the postcard.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Tennessee Riverwalk · Watch: City of Chattanooga · TN has no state income tax
Evidence weighed: Tax, housing, insurance, senior-service, transportation, and local deal sources.
Weight in the total: High weight
Home, taxes & insurance
Counts a lot56/100
Property taxes, assessments, homeowners insurance, storm exposure, maintenance, and local housing friction.
What’s good: Clear assessor or property-appraiser sources, homestead or senior relief signals, and plain-language housing-cost context.
What to check: Coastal or wildfire exposure, insurance pressure, high home prices, amenity fees, HOA or district assessments, and missing local tax sources.
Separate the house from the lifestyle.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: City services and the summer heat · Watch: Hamilton County Assessor of Property
Evidence weighed: County assessor, property appraiser, tax collector, insurance, emergency management, and housing sources.
Weight in the total: High weight
Restaurants & outings
89/100
Restaurants, coffee, arts, downtown meals, family visits, and low-friction places to go without over-planning.
What’s good: Specific restaurants, coffee shops, arts districts, downtown routines, visitor-hosting ideas, and source links that feel repeatable.
What to check: Only generic visitor copy, heavy seasonal crowds, hard parking, expensive dining signals, or no specific local outing ideas.
Look for repeatable evenings, not only famous spots.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Bluegrass Grill · Watch: Visit Chattanooga
Evidence weighed: Restaurant sites, tourism boards, chambers, downtown groups, event venues, and local dining guides.
Weight in the total: Supporting weight
Activities & social calendar
91/100
Events, clubs, classes, pickleball, senior programs, volunteer options, and the weekly social rhythm.
What’s good: Dated events, parks and rec classes, senior-center programming, clubs, pickleball options, volunteer leads, and repeatable weekly activities.
What to check: Undated or stale calendars, few senior-friendly programs, heat or traffic timing issues, and no clear way to register or show up.
Make sure the week has more than errands.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Easy Bistro & Bar · Watch: City of Chattanooga
Evidence weighed: City calendars, recreation departments, senior centers, libraries, clubs, parks districts, and community event pages.
Weight in the total: Core weight
Parks & outdoor life
88/100
Parks, trails, beaches, gardens, preserves, water access, golf, and everyday outdoor routines.
What’s good: Specific parks, trails, beaches, gardens, water access, golf, outdoor classes, and low-friction places to be outside often.
What to check: Extreme heat, smoke, flooding, storm seasons, winter driving, crowding, parking friction, or thin park-level detail.
Check whether outdoor life works in the season you will actually live there.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Tennessee Aquarium · Watch: City of Chattanooga
Evidence weighed: Parks departments, park districts, conservancies, recreation sources, tourism sources, and trail or beach authorities.
Weight in the total: Supporting weight
Health & support access
Counts a lot87/100
Medicare help, aging agencies, caregiver backup, transportation support, pharmacies, and local service depth.
What’s good: Area Agency on Aging, SHIP or SHINE counseling, senior services, caregiver support, transportation help, and credible health-resource depth.
What to check: Weak care-radius evidence, no benefits counseling source, unclear transportation backup, or hints that specialist access requires long drives.
Do not let a fun town hide a weak care radius.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Tennessee Aquarium · Watch: City of Chattanooga
Evidence weighed: Area Agencies on Aging, county health and human services, senior services, Medicare counseling, transit, and hospital or clinic sources.
Weight in the total: High weight
Weather comfort
73/100
Heat, storms, flooding, smoke, winter, seasonal swings, and how much resilience planning the move demands.
What’s good: Evidence that outdoor life works in ordinary seasons, plus clear planning sources for heat, storms, winter, smoke, or emergency readiness.
What to check: Sustained heat, hurricane or flood exposure, wildfire or smoke risk, winter driving, evacuation complexity, and missing resilience sources.
Plan the hard season, not the best week.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Reflection Riding Nature Center · Watch: Visit Chattanooga · 60F annual average, 205 sunny days
Evidence weighed: Emergency management, weather-resilience, utility, health, parks, insurance, and local government sources.
Weight in the total: Core weight
Getting around & family visits
81/100
Driving, parking, airport access, golf-cart life, visitor logistics, medical trips, and family backup.
What’s good: Airport or transit access, shuttle or senior transportation, walkable routines, golf-cart usefulness, and simple family-visit logistics.
What to check: Traffic, parking scarcity, seasonal congestion, night-driving issues, long medical trips, or no car-light backup.
Test the drive on an ordinary Tuesday.
How this factor is scored
Signals checked: Chattanooga senior programming and shuttle · Watch: City of Chattanooga
Evidence weighed: Transit agencies, airports, city transportation pages, senior services, tourism access pages, and guide items with location detail.
Weight in the total: Supporting weight
How we keep this current
Sources for Chattanooga
A mix of city pages, community calendars, senior services, council agendas, official tourism, restaurant sites, and registration pages. Every claim above links to where it came from.
See the 23 sources behind this guideEvery claim above links to where it came from.ShowHide
official / weekly
City of Chattanooga
The city's own site. Go here for services, departments, public meetings, and the everyday notices that affect your street.
institutional / weekly
Visit Chattanooga
Where to look for events, the riverfront, the outdoors, and somewhere to take family when they visit.
official / weekly
Hamilton County Assessor of Property
Check a home's property assessment here before you trust any listing's cost math.
institutional / weekly
Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability
The regional office for older adults and caregivers. Start here for benefits help and support services.
official / weekly
CARTA Chattanooga
The local bus system. Worth knowing for the days you'd rather not drive, or the years you can't.
community / weekly
Bluegrass Grill
Family-run breakfast and lunch spot on East Main Street, Southside Chattanooga. Hours and menu from the official site.
community / weekly
Easy Bistro & Bar
Downtown classic bistro and raw bar at 801 Chestnut St with a daily oyster happy hour. Official site.
community / weekly
Champy's World Famous Fried Chicken
Local fried chicken favorite, casual and cheap, called out as a Chattanooga staple by locals. Official site.
institutional / weekly
Tennessee Aquarium
Top-ranked downtown attraction on the riverfront, per Tripadvisor's Chattanooga attractions list.
community / weekly
Reflection Riding Nature Center
Nature center with 10 miles of trails connecting to National Park land toward Lookout Mountain. Official visit page.
institutional / weekly
Tennessee Riverwalk
16-plus mile paved riverfront walking path described by the Chattanooga visitor bureau.
official / weekly
City of Chattanooga Tennis & Pickleball
City parks page listing indoor pickleball open play at community centers, weekday mornings 9 a.m. to noon.
community / weekly
Pickleball Kingdom Chattanooga
Dedicated indoor club with 9 courts, equipment and room rentals, and on-site catering. Official club page.
official / weekly
Batter's Place Pickleball Courts
Chattanooga Parks Dept announcement of the city's first public outdoor pickleball courts, 5 regulation courts at 8011 Batters Place Ln.
official / weekly
Chattanooga Senior Programming
City senior programming page covering activities and a senior shuttle service.
community / weekly
Chattanooga Market
Weekly Sunday River Market with live music, food, arts and crafts at First Horizon Pavilion. Official site.
institutional / weekly
Main Street Farmers Market
Southside farmers market noted alongside the Chattanooga Market by the visitor bureau.
community / weekly
Nightfall Concert Series
Free Friday-night concert series produced by Chattanooga Presents, May through July, downtown. Official site.
community / weekly
TVFCU Riverfront Nights
Free weekly summer concert series at Ross's Landing on the downtown riverfront. Official site.
community / weekly
Wine Over Water
Annual fall wine festival benefiting Preserve Chattanooga, held in October at Renaissance Park. Official event page.
official / weekly
City of Chattanooga (Chattanooga.gov)
Official City of Chattanooga site for paying property taxes, 311, and city services.
official / weekly
Hamilton County Assessor of Property
County assessor sets the appraised value on each parcel; office at 6135 Heritage Park Dr, phone 423-209-7300.
institutional / weekly
Tennessee SHIP (Medicare counseling)
State Health Insurance Assistance Program offering free, unbiased Medicare counseling. State of Tennessee page.
Activities & recreation in Chattanooga
What there is to do here, with the sources.
The things people retire for, in Chattanooga. Each links to the full activity guide and the states that fit it.
Chickamauga Lake, an impoundment of the Tennessee River immediately north of Chattanooga, is noted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for largemouth and smallmouth bass, with a 15-inch minimum length limit on largemouth. Harrison Bay State Park on the lake provides shore access and a marina with 24-hour boat ramp access.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources AgencyLookout Mountain, rising directly above the city, offers the Bluff Trail following the bluff line for several miles and connecting to Sunset Rock and Point Park, a Civil War battlefield with panoramic views. Raccoon Mountain to the northwest features a trail system used by hikers and trail runners, with views over the Tennessee River valley.
Published local price
Tennessee State Parks have no entrance fee; access to all 62 state parks is free
Tennessee State Parks - Frequently Asked Questions · as of 2026-06Outdoor Chattanooga, a city-supported program, maintains a list of public canoe and kayak launch points on the Tennessee River, Chickamauga Lake, and surrounding waterways. Harrison Bay State Park on Chickamauga Lake offers hourly rentals for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards.
Outdoor ChattanoogaChattanooga's parks department offers indoor pickleball open play at community centers Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon, with courts at Batter's Place and other recreation facilities. Chattanooga Sports Leagues runs organized recreational and competitive pickleball leagues open to all skill levels.
City of ChattanoogaThe Hunter Museum of American Art, perched on a bluff above the Tennessee River, holds one of the most complete collections of American art in the Southeast spanning 100 years of architecture and gallery space. The Tivoli Theatre Foundation manages two historic downtown performing arts venues, including a restored 1921 movie palace, for live performances.
Hunter Museum of American ArtSoutheast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability, headquartered at 1000 Riverfront Parkway in Chattanooga, coordinates senior center programming, health promotions, in-home support, and caregiver services across Hamilton County and the surrounding region. The state's toll-free line at 1-866-836-6678 routes callers directly to local AAAD services.
Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and DisabilityBrainerd Golf Course is a city-operated 18-hole course in Chattanooga where seniors age 60 and older pay $19 on weekdays and $30 on weekends and holidays. Harrison Bay State Park, on Chickamauga Lake about 12 miles from downtown, offers a second publicly accessible option managed by Tennessee State Parks.
City of ChattanoogaMaster Gardeners of Hamilton County has operated in Chattanooga for over 30 years, providing an Ask a Master Gardener hotline and hosting public education events including an annual Master Gardener Conference. The organization promotes sustainable gardening and urban agriculture through volunteer-led programming.
Master Gardeners of Hamilton CountyGolf
Golf near Chattanooga
Courses around Chattanooga worth a round, with how to book each one.
- Par
- 72
- Back tees
- 6,470 yds
- Round
- ~4h
A 1926 Donald Ross muni with tree-lined fairways minutes from downtown · Donald Ross
A classic Donald Ross muni right in town, with mature trees and senior rates that stay easy on the wallet on weekdays. It is a gentle, walkable layout that has welcomed Chattanooga golfers since the 1920s.
Opened 1926 · $ · Slope 122
Course profile
- Par
- 72
- Back tees
- 6,742 yds
- Round
- ~4h
Mostly open city layout with varied terrain and an uphill par-4 13th · Gary Weller
A friendly city course with wide, mostly open fairways that forgive a stray shot. The rates are among the lowest around, which makes it an easy choice for a relaxed weekday round.
Opened 1975 · $ · Slope 122
- Par
- 72
- Back tees
- 7,111 yds
- Round
- ~4h
- On foot
- Walkable
Nicklaus state-park layout with water on twelve holes beside Harrison Bay · Jack Nicklaus
A Jack Nicklaus design inside Harrison Bay State Park, about twenty minutes north of town, with pine-lined fairways and lakeside views. Green fees stay remarkably low for a championship course, and walking is allowed.
Opened 1999 · $ · Slope 132
Course profile
- Par
- 72
- Back tees
- 6,469 yds
- Round
- ~4h
Riverbend layout along the Tennessee River with water often in play
A relaxed public course set in a bend of the Tennessee River, with bentgrass greens and several sets of tees to fit your game. The wide fairways and river views make for an easygoing day close to downtown.
$$ · Slope 120
- Par
- 36
- Back tees
- 3,301 yds
- Round
- ~2h
- On foot
- Walkable
Bold nine-hole links with wild greens in the Sequatchie Valley · King-Collins
A celebrated nine-hole course about forty minutes west, famous for its big, rolling greens and unlimited weekend play. You can walk it with a push cart, and many golfers loop it twice in a day.
Opened 2014 · $$$
- Par
- 72
- Back tees
- 7,204 yds
- Round
- ~4h
Template holes including a 243-yard Biarritz par-3 below Lookout Mountain · Brian Silva
A private club at the foot of Lookout Mountain whose Brian Silva design borrows classic template holes like the Redan and Biarritz. It is members-and-guests only, but it is the course that defines high-end golf in Chattanooga.
$$$$ · Slope 134