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Photo: Teke, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
In November of 1895, the Incline in its second incarnation made its first ascent up Lookout Mountain on what is the steepest passenger incline in the world. Renovation in that was completed in 1986 has brought the station back to its original splendor. Traveling at a 72.7% grade, the trolley-styled cars pass at the midpoint of the 10 minute one-way trip. After arriving at the upper station, a short walk will take you to Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park where a spectacular view of Mocassin Bend and the Tennessee River await you; the ride itself is interesting even if the view at the top is obscured by fog, but that does mean a 20-minute wait in the gift shop for the next train. A popular attraction; some cars may fill up on weekends. Good for kids, but most passengers are adults.
The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is a 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in standard gauge inclined plane funicular railway leading to the top of Lookout Mountain from the historic St. Elmo neighborhood of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Passengers are transported from St. Elmo's Station at the base, to Point Park at the mountain summit, which overlooks the city and the Tennessee River. It is just a short drive to three of Chattanooga's main tourist attractions, Ruby Falls, Cavern Castle, and Rock City. It obtained Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark status in 1991.
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This thundering 145-foot waterfall inside Lookout Mountain has been a popular attraction since 1929. Named after the founder's wife, Ruby Falls was found by Leo Lambert in 1923 as he and his corporation were drilling a shaft to open the historic Lookout Mountain Cave to the public. During the drilling, a small opening was located and after a 17-hour trip, Leo emerged with tales of beautiful rock formations and a spectacular waterfall. Parking is on-site, attended and free. Allow approximately two hours for your visit. Those with claustrophobia may be a little unnerved by the elevator ride into the caverns. No strollers are permitted, and the cave tour is not wheelchair accessible. Ruby Falls is weatherproof and 60 degrees year round. Combination tickets covering Rock City, Ruby Falls, and the Incline are available at any of the three attractions.
The museum can be found on the right in a blue and white building as you drive toward the mountain, a short drive from downtown. Chattanooga was chosen as the site of the museum because the first wrecker was built here at the Ernest Holmes Company. You'll find dozens of antique tow trucks and pictures of Hall of Famers.
Erected in 1908 with an 85-foot cast-iron dome rising majestically over the lobby, the Terminal Station served thousands of passengers until 1970, when the trains stopped running. In 1973, after a 4 million dollar renovation, it was reopened to the public as a hotel. Authentic private rail cars were furnished as unique sleeping quarters. The dome is decorated with magnificent colors and it is stunning when lit up at night, and the Choo Choo Holiday Inn is preparing to enter its second century as a premier hotel and convention center. The private rail car rooms are still available, and there are a variety of shops and dining options on the 35-acre complex. While there, see the world's largest model railroad setup showing a scale version of the Chattanooga Valley, an authentic 1880s steam engine (the only one of its type in the area), and the beautifully restored Terminal Station.
Containing an outdoor stage and public fountain, this is the site of a regular, free concert series called "Nightfall." The Nightfall series, held each Friday evening from May through September, is extremely popular, especially with area bikers, but it is still a very friendly crowd. Also offers a WiFi hotspot sponsored by the City of Chattanooga and AirNet Group.
Known as the "Jewel of the South," the Tivoli has entertained Chattanoogans, offering everything from silent movies to Broadway blockbusters, for over 75 years. One nugget of its history: in 1926 the Tivoli became one of the first public buildings in the country to be air-conditioned. The Tivoli was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and received a $7-million renovation that was revealed to an excited audience in 1989. The Tivoli is the home of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association. It also offers a venue to other music artists, Broadway shows and dance troupes. The Tivoli has installed a movie projector, calling back to its early days a first-class movie house.
It was designated as a national cemetery "in commemoration of the Battles of Chattanooga, Nov. 23 - 27, 1863" by Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas on Christmas Day of 1863. In addition to Civil War veterans, there are 78 German prisoners of war from the First World War and a number of prisoners of war from Germany and other Axis countries dating from the Second World War, the largest number of German (and other Axis) POWs interred in the United States. The 120-acre cemetery was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996 and it features one of five memorial entrance archways built in national cemeteries. The archway approaches 40 feet in height. A number of other monuments have been erected throughout the cemetery.