As long as there has been human settlement anywhere, there has been human settlement at the site occupied by the City of Chattanooga. Our tours are designed to give you an understanding of why that happened, and to tell you some of the stories of the land and the River, and of the people who came here, of some who went away, and of those who stayed. Contact us right away to book a tour for your group.
Chattanooga History Walking Tours on the Riverfront
The Riverfront is at the core of Chattanooga's history, and it is the one place in our community from which sites related to the first settlers, the Cherokees, the Civil War, reconstruction, industrialization, and the renaissance can be visually referenced. Take a short walk, approximately 6 blocks, with our guide, and get an overview of the fascinating history of this place. Tours depart from, and return to, the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, and last up to 1½ hours. Fees: $5 for adults, $3 for children 6-12. Children under 6 are free.
Maury Nicely Tours
The Chattanooga History Center presents neighborhood walking tours based on individual sections of Maury Nicely's Chattanooga Walking Tour and Historic Guide. These tours are not ongoing, but are offered several times during the year and pre-registration is required. The fee is $3 for adults and $1 for youth aged 6 through 18. Nicely tours cover 6 to 8 blocks, last about an hour, and are anchored in the architectural features, both existing and lost, of each section.
Civil War Bus Tours
The History Center presents bus tours providing detailed accounts of local Civil War battles. These tours are not ongoing, but are offered several times during the year and pre-registration is required. Fees vary for each tour depending on current fuel costs and the extent of the tour. The tours are:
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Chickamauga Battlefield
Understanding the ebb and flow of combat during the Battle of Chickamauga remains one of the more difficult acts of historical reconstruction. The tour combines bus transportation through the battlefield and walking along vital segments of the field.
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Missionary Ridge
Understanding Joe Hooker's Fight, November 24-25, 1863, is critical to understanding the Battle of Missionary Ridge. This tour will follow the route of the Union army's right flank, including the Battle of Lookout Mountain, their advance across Chattanooga Valley, and their eventual attack on the thinly held south end of the Confederate defenses on Missionary Ridge. This critical series of movements are often overshadowed by the dramatic Union attack on the center of the rebel line. However, Hooker's column played a vital role in hastening the Confederate defeat.
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"Our Army Is Divided:" Rosecrans on the Offensive
In mid-August 1863, Union General William Starke Rosecrans put in action a bold plan to capture Chattanooga. Advancing from the Tennessee River, he divided his three Army Corps sending one toward Chattanooga to deceive Confederate troops there into believing the main attack would come from the north. All the while, the other two-thirds of the Union Army advanced south of the city with hopes of cutting off the rebel's from their supply line. Despite the heroic efforts of the Union soldiers who climbed and crossed both Sand and Lookout Mountains during their advance, the plan unraveled when Confederate troops unexpectedly concentrated their forces and moved to cut off and capture the widely divided Union forces. Only by the slimmest of margins was Rosecrans able to reassemble his Army to meet the Confederates along the banks of Chickamauga Creek.
This day long bus tour follows General Rosecrans' Army as it advanced from the area around Bridgeport and Stevenson, Alabama, across the mountains, into McLemore's Cove, and onto the banks of Chickamauga Creek. As you ride along the route, you will learn about the difficulties and dangers of Rosecrans' bold move.
Private and Customized Tours
All tours offered to the general public may also be booked exclusively for your group. The History Center also produces customized tours and programs for groups with a special area of interest. Please book your private reservation of a History Center tour/program at least two weeks prior to your requested date. If you would like a tour/program customized for your group, please book three weeks in advance. There will be an extra fee of $25 if the tour is customized for your group.
