Getting Around Chattanooga: Your Guide to Southside & Downtown
Getting around Chattanooga is part of the fun. Southside and Downtown Chattanooga are compact, walkable, and full of easy ways to get from your morning coffee to the riverfront and back home to the rooftop. Whether you’re here with the whole family, a group of friends, or on a work trip, there’s a way of getting around that fits your plans.
Here are five ways to explore the Scenic City from our townhome, with a few insider tips for each.
1. Walk Out the Front Door
Some of the best parts of Southside are just a stroll away. Oddstory Brewing Co. is right next door. Coffee, bakeries, and restaurants along Main Street make for an easy morning or evening walk. The Chattanooga Choo Choo and The Signal are each about a mile away, or roughly a 20-minute walk.
Insider tip: Grab a to-go cup from the Keurig or Nespresso before you head out. Wear comfortable shoes, since Southside is the kind of neighborhood where you’ll want to keep wandering.
2. Hop on the Free CARTA Shuttle
The free CARTA electric shuttle is one of the easiest ways of getting around Chattanooga. It now stops in our neighborhood Friday through Sunday, so weekend guests can leave the car parked and ride straight into Downtown Chattanooga.
The Downtown Shuttle runs between the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium, with stops nearly every block in between. That makes it simple to visit the Aquarium, the riverfront, and the shops and restaurants downtown without worrying about parking.
Insider tips: Use CARTA’s Bus Tracker to see when the next shuttle is coming. The Main St. Extension service operates Friday to Sunday which means you can catch a ride from our doorstep! Be sure to check the CARTA website for up to date routes and run times.
3. Ride a Bike Along the River
Seeing Chattanooga on two wheels is hard to beat, especially with the river views and fall colors. Bike Chattanooga, the city’s bike share, has pedal bikes, e-bikes, and scooters at stations all over the city. Pay a small fee to unlock one, ride as long as you like, and return it to any station.
From Southside, head toward the Tennessee Riverwalk for an easy, scenic ride. Then cross the newly reopened Walnut Street Bridge to the North Shore, where you can explore Coolidge Park and Frazier Avenue.
Insider tip: Bike share pricing is per minute, so dock your bike when you stop for lunch or coffee, then grab another when you’re ready to roll. E-bikes are a great choice for groups with mixed energy levels.
4. Grab an Uber
For evenings out, rainy days, or getting the whole group somewhere at once, Uber is a quick and easy option. Most rides around Southside and Downtown Chattanooga take just a few minutes, and it’s a great way to get home after the shuttle stops running for the night.
Insider tip: Traveling with a bigger group? Request an Uber XL so everyone can ride together.
5. Bring Your Own Car
A car is the best way to take day trips beyond downtown. Ruby Falls is about a 15-minute drive and Rock City about 20 minutes, and the trails at Signal Mountain and beyond are all within reach.
Our townhome includes one private garage space for one vehicle. That’s the only guaranteed parking spot for the home. Street parking is first come, first served, and since we’re next to a popular local brewery, it can fill up during evenings, weekends, and special events.
Insider tip: Planning to drive downtown on a weekend? CARTA offers a $25 Weekend Parking Pass through the ParkMobile app. It covers metered street parking and CARTA lots and garages from Friday at 6 p.m. through Monday at 6 a.m.
Which Option Is Right for You?
| If you want to… | Try this |
|---|---|
| Grab coffee or dinner nearby | Walking |
| Visit the Aquarium or riverfront on a weekend | Free CARTA shuttle |
| Explore the Riverwalk and Walnut Street Bridge | Bike Chattanooga |
| Head out at night or move a big group | Uber |
| Take day trips to Lookout Mountain or the trails | Your own car |
Come Home and Relax
However you choose to explore, the best part of the day is coming home. Head up to the rooftop, light the fire pit, and watch the city glow. Getting around Chattanooga is easy, and coming back to a home where everything is taken care of is even better.
Ready to start planning? Check your dates and book directly with us. Once you’re booked, the guest portal has even more local tips. Make it an experience, not just a stay.
