Chattanooga, Tennessee, October 25, 2025
News Summary
Chattanooga, Tennessee, renowned for its breathtaking autumn colors, offers picturesque train rides through vibrant landscapes. The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum organizes several popular excursions, including the year-round Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride and seasonal options like the Chickamauga Turn and the Chattanooga Dinner Train. Visitors can also enjoy the Incline Railway’s stunning views up Lookout Mountain. Stay at The Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo for a unique experience in restored Pullman carriages amid the city’s rich railway heritage.
Chattanooga, Tennessee, known as the “Scenic City,” is offering stunning views of vibrant autumn foliage this fall. The city, famous for its beautiful mountains and river gorges, allows visitors to experience the changing colors of leaves in a spectacular way through scenic train rides. The train excursions are a delightful way to explore the scenic landscapes, featuring yellows, oranges, and reds blanketing the hills and valleys.
The majority of these scenic train rides are organized by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM), which was founded in 1961 to preserve and operate historic railway equipment. The TVRM offers several popular rides throughout the year, drawing tourists and locals alike to experience the rich railway history of Chattanooga and the breathtaking views of the fall foliage.
The Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride is the museum’s most popular excursion, operating year-round. This 65-minute train ride departs from Grand Junction Station, located just northwest of downtown Chattanooga. Covering a distance of six miles, it travels through the historic Missionary Ridge Tunnel and across four bridges, including one over Chickamauga Creek. Passengers have the opportunity to view a historic turntable demonstration and tour the restoration shop at the East Chattanooga Depot during a layover.
For those seeking an enhanced experience, the Tea in the Depot Experience is available, featuring a 75-minute high tea service before boarding the Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride. This service runs from mid-February to late October, offering visitors a unique way to enjoy their trip. Additionally, the Chattanooga Dinner Train provides a three-course meal in a restored dining car during select Fridays and Saturdays from mid-March to late October, making for a memorable dining experience.
The Chickamauga Turn train ride is another excellent way to enjoy the fall colors, departing from Grand Junction Station. This two-hour journey takes passengers to the Civil War town of Chickamauga, Georgia, with a 90-minute layover available for local exploration. This experience is available from mid-March to late October.
For those interested in a longer trip, the Summerville Steam Special operates from early June to early November, providing a four-hour ride to Summerville, Georgia, with stops for exploration along the way. Another family-friendly option is the Incline Railway, a one-mile trolley ride up Lookout Mountain featuring stunning views. The Incline Railway, which has been in operation since 1895, is a National Historic Site and is notable for its steep grade of 72.7%.
Visitors to Chattanooga can also stay at The Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo, which has been restored from its historical use as Terminal Station. Following a multi-million-dollar renovation, this unique lodging features restored Pullman train carriages. Historically, The Choo Choo served nearly 50 trains per day and even hosted several U.S. presidents, making it a significant emblem of the city’s railway heritage.
Throughout the season, Chattanooga’s rich train history is celebrated through various themed fall excursions and experiences, offering residents and tourists alike the chance to take in the beauty of the autumn leaves while enjoying the heritage of rail travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular train ride in Chattanooga?
The Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride is the museum’s most popular excursion, operating year-round.
Where does the Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride depart from?
The train ride departs from Grand Junction Station, located just northwest of downtown Chattanooga.
How long does the Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride last?
This 65-minute train ride covers a distance of six miles.
What additional experiences are offered alongside the train rides?
The Tea in the Depot Experience features a 75-minute high tea service before boarding, and the Chattanooga Dinner Train serves a three-course meal in a restored dining car.
What is the Incline Railway?
The Incline Railway is a family-friendly one-mile trolley ride up Lookout Mountain, featuring stunning views and is known for its steep grade of 72.7%.
What accommodations are available in Chattanooga?
Visitors can stay at The Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo, featuring restored Pullman train carriages after a multi-million-dollar renovation.
Key Features
| Train Ride | Duration | Operating Season | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride | 65 minutes | Year-round | Historic tunnel and bridge views, restoration shop tour |
| Chattanooga Dinner Train | Varies | Mid-March to late October | Three-course meal in a restored dining car |
| Chickamauga Turn | 2 hours | Mid-March to late October | Local exploration layover |
| Summerville Steam Special | 4 hours | Early June to early November | Stops for exploration |
| Incline Railway | 1 mile trolley ride | Year-round | Stunning views, steep grade of 72.7% |
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Additional Resources
- AOL: 7 Chattanooga Train Rides
- Wikipedia: Chattanooga
- Southern Living: Best Chattanooga Train Rides
- Google Search: Chattanooga train riding
- Style Blueprint: Train Rides in the South
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Railroads
- Task & Purpose: Medal of Honor and the Great Locomotive Chase
- Google Search: Chattanooga train history
- Local 3 News: Civil War Tribute and Medal of Honor Recipients
- Google News: Chattanooga train rides
- Southern Thing: Christmas Train Ride
- Google Scholar: Chattanooga train rides
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
