7 Chattanooga Train Rides For The Most Scenic Fall Views

Glimpse beautiful autumn colors in the Tennessee River Valley by train.

Tennessee Valley railroad museum Chattanooga TN
Photo: Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

With its mountains and river gorges, it’s no wonder Chattanooga, Tennessee, is known as the “Scenic City.” This southeastern Tennessee town offers an exquisite landscape to explore and savor. When autumn settles in, the region gains even more vibrancy with yellows, oranges, and reds painting the scenery. If you’re looking for a magical way to take in this show, hop on one of the area’s train rides for adventure and beauty. Seeing the fall season by train in Chattanooga lets you journey through landscapes not easily accessed by other forms of travel. 

The majority of the best Chattanooga train rides for fall are organized through the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM), which was founded in 1961 as part of an effort to preserve, restore, and operate authentic railway equipment from America’s “Golden Age of Railroading.” Below, we share five of their best autumn train rides in and around Chattanooga, and detail two other fun train-related fall activities to embark on during your next trip to this river town.

01 of 07

Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride

A dad and his young son look out a train window in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Peek Chattanooga's autumn forests on the Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride.

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

TVRM’s most popular train ride, the Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride, begins at Grand Junction Station just northwest of downtown Chattanooga. During its 65-minute, six-mile journey, the train takes passengers through the horseshoe-shaped Missionary Ridge Tunnel completed in 1858 and across four historic bridges, including one over Chickamauga Creek. Travelers also get to view a historic turntable demonstration and stop for a layover at the East Chattanooga Depot for a tour of the TVRM restoration shop. If you’re looking for a fall train ride that comes packed with history, this is the trip for you. This train experience operates year-round.

More information: tvrail.com/train-rides/missionary-ridge-local

02 of 07

The Homefront Tea Room "Tea in the Depot" Experience

The Tea in the Depot Experience with Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga
Add a high tea service to your fall train ride in Chattanooga.

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

For an elevated fall train experience, opt for TVRM’s Tea in the Depot Experience. This option begins with a 75-minute high tea service in the second-floor viewing room of Chattanooga’s Grand Junction Station. Diners will enjoy an assortment of fresh-baked scones, loaded deviled eggs, homemade chicken salad, seasonal soup, and several sweets, jams, and toppings. After the tea experience, guests board the Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride to enjoy the scenery with a full belly. This train option is available from mid-February through late October.

More information: tvrail.com/train-rides/home-front-tea-room

03 of 07

Chattanooga Dinner Train

A dining car on a train in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Pair your fall train ride with a fine dining experience through Chattanooga.

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

If you’d like your fall adventures with a side of fine dining, book a trip on TVRM’s Chattanooga Dinner Train, which runs from mid-March through late October on select Fridays and Saturdays. You’ll enjoy a three-course meal in a lovingly restored dining car as you leisurely travel from Chattanooga’s Grand Junction Station through stretches of the town’s urban eastside. This is a perfect fall train experience for those looking to sit back and relax after a day of hiking and sightseeing in the region.

More information: tvrail.com/train-rides/chattanooga-dinner-train

04 of 07

Chickamauga Turn

The historic Choo Choo in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Depart from Chattanooga's historic depot for a fall train adventure to Chickamauga, Georgia.

VisitChattanooga.com

If you’re looking for a full-day experience this fall, book your ticket for the Chickamauga Turn. This train ride begins at Chattanooga’s Grand Junction Station and embarks on a scenic two-hour travel along the former Central of Georgia Railroad to the historic Civil War town of Chickamauga, Georgia. Riders can then enjoy a 90-minute layover to explore local sites, such as Crawfish Springs or the Gordon-Lee Mansion, before boarding for the return trip to Chattanooga. This experience is available from mid-March through late October and is perfect for those looking to see as much terrain as possible on their fall train ride.

More information: tvrail.com/train-rides/chickamauga-turn

05 of 07

Summerville Steam Special

A train in Chattanooga, Tennessee, owned by Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
For the best fall views, board Chattanooga's Summerville Steam Special to Georgia.

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

Another longer train ride option for autumn enthusiasts in the Chattanooga area is TVRM’s Summerville Steam Special, which operates from early June through early November. The train departs from Grand Junction Station for a roughly four-hour trip to Summerville, Georgia, where passengers have an hour layover to explore the town before boarding back to Chattanooga. Along the way, travelers glimpse the outskirts of Chickamauga and Chattanooga Military Park and pass through national forests and Georgia small towns where fall colors are abundant.

More information: tvrail.com/train-rides/summerville-steam-special

06 of 07

Incline Railway Up Lookout Mountain

The Incline Railway in Chattanooga, Tennessee, travels up Lookout Mountain
The Incline Railway offers beautiful autumn views with the thrill of a steep climb.

Incline Railway/Southern Highlands Attractions

If you’re looking for a quicker, family-friendly train experience, head over to St. Elmo Station at the bottom of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga for a one-mile trolley ride up the hill. Along the way, passengers are surrounded by stunning views of colorful autumn peaks and valleys throughout the region. The Incline Railway reaches a grade of 72.7% at one point, making it one of the steepest passenger rails in the world. At the top of the mountain, riders can explore an observation deck with panoramic vistas, Civil War sites, and the Rock City and Ruby Falls attractions. The railway is designated as a National Historic Site and National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark and has been a treasured piece of Chattanooga since 1895.

More information: ridetheincline.com

07 of 07

The Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo

The exterior of a restored train car for lodging at The Hotel Chalet in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Stay in a restored 1920s or 1960s Pullman train carriage in Chattanooga at The Hotel Chalet.

Matt Kisiday for The Hotel Chalet

If you want to celebrate Chattanooga’s train history this fall, but save your leaf peeping for scenic hikes or drives, then a stay at The Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo is your ticket. The Choo Choo is a lodging, entertainment, and cultural hub in downtown Chattanooga that previously served as the town’s busy Terminal Station from 1909 until the last train departed in 1970. It used to serve nearly 50 trains per day and hosted several U.S. presidents, including Woodrow Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. After a multi-million-dollar renovation, guests can now stay on the hallowed grounds, including in one of The Hotel Chalet’s 25 restored 1920s and 1960s Pullman train carriages. 

More information: thehotelchalet.com

Was this page helpful?

Related Articles