11 Fall Activities for Families in Chattanooga

Fall is one of the best times to explore Chattanooga with your family! From pumpkin picking to hiking through colorful leaves, your crew is sure to have a blast doing these family-friendly things. Chattanooga is a beautiful place to visit any time of year, but especially in the months of September, October and November due the beautiful fall colors of the leaves.

Whether you are planning a vacation over fall break or a short weekend getaway, you’re sure to find all kinds of fun fall events and activities in the Scenic City. In this post, I will list my family’s top picks for the best fall things to do in Chattanooga with kids. These family-friendly fall activities in Chattanooga will provide unique, memory-making experiences for the whole family!

1. Wizardly Train Rides

One of the things Chattanooga is most known for is its historic railway stations and trains. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is a hidden gem when it comes to exciting things to do in the area with kids….and what kid doesn’t love trains?! You can check out their official website where they have a list of all the special themed train rides they offer throughout the year.

During the fall season, Tennessee Valley Railroad takes several trips through Chattanooga and the surrounding area to showcase the beautiful fall foliage. If you choose to book one of these scenic trips, dinner and beverage options are sometimes also available (for a fee) on the trains. As exciting as the train ride is itself, little kids may prefer some additional excitement on their trip.

In that case, Tennessee Valley Railroad is offering Rails, Wizards, and Spells on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays beginning September 27 and running through October 31, 2025. I can tell you from experience that you won’t be disappointed in this unique, kid-friendly adventure!

2. Oddtober and AquaScarium

The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga is a must-do attraction for any visitor to the area. The aquarium encompasses two separate buildings: one for the River Journey and the other for the Ocean Journey. Each side features really great exhibits and a lot of extra fun things for kids. You can hold butterflies in the butterfly garden and touch animals like catfish or stingrays in some of the interactive tanks.

The Tennessee Aquarium is located right on the Tennessee River, and it provides some special fall events like their Oddtober celebration and AquaScarium. The Oddtober event, which takes places during the entire month of October, focuses on strange or weird looking animals. The AquaScarium event, which is scheduled for Friday, October 24 this year, is more Halloween themed with costumes and trick or treating.

3. Pumpkin Patches

The Chattanooga area is full of beautiful local farms that offer corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and fall activities during the autumn months. Visitors can enjoy attractions like petting zoos, bonfires, rides, games, and more at nearby farms in the area. Most of the Chattanooga pumpkin patches are open beginning in late September through the month of October. Some of them even features special events with fireworks or haunted activities. You can find more information about local farms to enjoy during the fall in my post on the Best Pumpkin Patches in Chattanooga!

4. Enchanted Pumpkin Patch

Although not the most stroller-friendly attraction, Rock City is an amazing place to visit with kids who are able to walk on their own. It is located on top of Lookout Mountain and offers incredible views! You can even look out over seven different states at once from Rock City! My daughter loves the trails and cave like features at Rock City. She even walked the swinging bridge (mostly) on her own!

During the fall, Rock City celebrates with the Enchanted Pumpkin Patch. This new event features lighted pumpkins, live music, pumpkin painting, cookie decorating, face painting, petting zoo, magic tricks, and more. You can check out Rock City’s website to find more information! This event takes place September 25-October 31 this year.

5. Boo in the Zoo

The Chattanooga Zoo is one of our favorite places to take kids because it’s such a fun AND easy outing. The zoo in Chattanooga is the perfect size for little ones, and it offers just enough excitement without feeling overwhelming. There’s also a really great park right next door that is one of my kids’ favorites in all of Chattanooga. Boo in the Zoo is the name of the non-scary Halloween themed event offered on Fridays and Saturdays beginning October 10. During this fun packed event, the zoo offers activities like:

• hayrides
• carnival type games
• face painting
• character meet and greets
• pony rides
• bounce houses
• ability to view the zoo animals

Kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes at Boo in the Zoo, and they can trick or treat as they make their way around the area.

6. Haunted Market

The Chattanooga Market takes place on Sundays at the First Tennessee Pavilion downtown. The market is held beginning in late April each year and going through the fall and Christmas holidays. During the month of October, the Chattanooga market offers special events like Oktoberfest and the Haunted Market. These seasonal events include:

• fall produce
• face painting booths
• food trucks
• costume contest
• live entertainment
• holiday merchandise

If you visit during the Haunted Market, make sure to have your kids dress up in their costumes for the Halloween costume parade. They can also trick or treat while they are there! This event takes place Sunday, October 26 at 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.

7. Monster Bash

Each October, the Creative Discovery Museum hosts an event called Monster Bash. This children’s museum is located in a prime spot in downtown Chattanooga near the Tennessee Aquarium. With all sorts of exhibits focused on science, music, art, technology, and more, the Creative Discovery Museum is the perfect spot for the whole family to enjoy! Visitors can get into the Halloween spirit by dressing up in costumes and enjoying seasonal activities, games, trick-or-treating, and character meet and greet opportunities. This year’s event takes place on October 10-11.

8. Chattanooga Oktoberfest

Chattanooga Oktoberfest returns to the First Horizon Pavilion this year. It is one of the best places to experience German food, live music, specialty beer, and arts/crafts in the Scenic City! This event takes place October 11-12, 2025.

9. 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival

The 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival is a free event at Ross’s Landing in downtown Chattanooga. This music festival is scheduled for October 3-4, and it features some of the biggest names in bluegrass. It’s even been named one of the top bluegrass festivals in the United States!

10. Fall Foliage Sightseeing Cruise

Climb aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat for a 3-hour scenic cruise along the Tennessee River Gorge. Guests can enjoy the beautiful colors of the autumn leaves during this outdoor activity. You can check the Southern Belle Riverboat’s official site for all the 2025 available dates.

11. Ruby Falls Lantern Tour

Chattanooga’s popular attraction, Ruby Falls, hosts a special Halloween inspired tour known as Lantern Tour: Ghost Edition. Visitors can tour the underground caves of Ruby Falls using handheld lanterns. This special event is appropriate for kids aged 10 and over.

Overall, Chattanooga is a great place to visit in the fall! The leaves are changing color and there are lots of fun things to do. If you are able to plan a Tennessee family vacation to the Chattanooga area during the fall season, wI highly recommend you check out the super fun activities mentioned above. Chattanooga is home to so many great things to do with kids. Even if you aren’t able to make it for a fall vacation, you can find lots of fun activities for families year-round!