Scary movies and haunted houses, apple cider and thick sweaters, crisp mountain air and leaf peeping — whatever your fall aesthetic is, we’re here to support it with our ultimate bucket list for fall in Chattanooga on this first day of autumn.
🎃 Farms + orchards
Apple Valley Orchard |351 Weese Rd. SE., Cleveland | Daily | Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. + Sunday, 12-5 p.m. | While not a U-pick orchard, Apple Valley provides wagon ride tours on select days, complete with an apple + cup of cider at the end.
Fairmount Orchard | 2204 Fairmount Pk. | Daily | 9 a.m.-8 p.m. | Head up Signal Mountain to shop apples, jams, butters, and more. Pro tip: try a cup of their famous apple cider while there.
Flat Top Mountain Farm | 638 Bowman Cemetery Rd. | Weekends | Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. + Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Stop by this beautiful family-owned farm for hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and more.
Guthrie’s Pumpkin Farm | 490 County Rd. 67, Riceville |Weekends, starting Sept. 24 | Friday-Saturday, 11-7 p.m. + Sunday, 1-6 p.m. | This pumpkin farm located about ~one hour from downtown features a corn maze, wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, animal petting barn, and pumpkins costing $0.50 a pound.
Red Apple Barn | 3379 Tails Creek Rd., Ellijay, GA | Weekends | Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. + Sunday, 1-4 p.m. | For $10, get a tractor ride to the orchard, an apple, a cup of cider or apple donut, flowers, and more — rates for additional apple picking are available. (The farm market is open other days during the week for shopping.)
Smith-Perry Berries | 9626 Ooltewah Georgetown Rd. | Weekends starting Sept. 24 | 10 a.m.-dark | Head to the opening weekend for pumpkin picking, wagon rides, food vendors, a jump pad, gem mining, and more.
Weaver Tree Farms | 308 Signal Mountain Rd. | Daily, starting Sept. 23 | 9 a.m.-8 p.m. | This popular roadside farm will feature its usual array of pumpkins, gourds, corn, straw, and other fall decor.
Wheeler’s Orchard | 960 Wheeler Rd., Dunlap | Saturdays | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Enjoy U-pick days on Saturdays this year, where you can pick apples + picnic on the hillside. (The orchard is open other days during the week for shopping.)
🥾 Fall hiking + biking
Fall hiking trails:
Craven’s House to Point Park | This 2.8-mile hike isn’t too difficult + has incredible views once the leaves start to change. Pro tip: you will have to walk up steps, so keep that in mind when bringing along your furry friends.
Laurel-Snow to Laurel Falls | This 4.7-mile out + back trail features unique rock formations, bridges, and is often not too busy.
Falling Water Falls | While this is less of a hike and more of a quick jaunt at 0.3 miles, it’s certainly worth mentioning thanks to the beautiful views from the top of the waterfall — fall is our favorite time to experience this spot.
Fall biking trails:
South Chickamauga Creek Greenway | If you’ve not biked or walked the greenway during the fall yet, you’re missing out. Need proof? Check out these photos from last year.
Riverwalk | Rent a bike for the day with Bike Chattanooga + take a ride on the Riverwalk.
Enterprise South Nature Park | More of a mountain biker than a road biker? This nature park is a popular mountain bike spot and looks beautiful in the fall.
Raccoon Mountain Bikeway | This 19-mile, high climb ride is a good option for the more experienced cyclist (or those looking for a challenge), with beautiful vista views.
Pro Tip: Wanna experience Raccoon Mountain without the physical activity? Drive around the Reservoir Loop for some of our favorite foliage views in the city once the leaves change.
⛺ Camping
Editor Brianna’s all-time favorite fall hiking and camping spot is at South Cumberland State Park. Hike Fiery Gizzard Trail + set up camp at the Foster Falls Campground. (I’ve never done the full ~12 mile hike, but going out + back as far as I feel able is perfect for me.)
Prentice Cooper State Park | While this is a great fall camping spot (especially with Snooper’s Rock located nearby for excellent foliage views), be sure to check fall hunt dates, when the park is closed to camping. Outside of hunting dates, you can camp on a first come, first served basis.
Cloudland Canyon State Park | Cloudland Canyon features a variety of campgrounds to enjoy this fall — backcountry for the expert, walk-in for the backpack tent camper, and drive-up tent, trailer, and RV sites for people who pack a car.
Newbie to camping? Check out Reflection Riding’s Campfire Concert Series, where a ticket will get you live outdoor music, beer, s’mores, and the option to camp on the property for a night under the stars.
🕯️ Decor, costumes + other knickknacks
The Rustic House fall candles | Enough said. This locally-based company has every autumnal scent you could ask for, from pumpkin chai to bonfire.
Board & Brush decor | Halloween candy bowls, front door signage, and more — the best part is that you get to create it yourself in an instructor-led class.
Beauty and the Beast costumes | Show up with the best Halloween costume at the party with something from Red Bank costume shop Beauty & the Beast.
Chattanooga market goodies | This season, the market always has some fall goods around — Editor Brianna spotted lots of spooky earrings at this past weekend’s market.
Local nursery plants | Local spots like Signal Mountain Nursery + The Barn Nursery are in full swing this time of year with mums, gourds, and even pumpkin succulent classes.
💀 Haunted houses
Dread Hollow | 321 Browns Ferry Rd. | Thursday-Sunday, starting Oct. 1 | Various times | $25+ | This award-winning haunted house is not recommended for children under 12 — even looking at the character page freaks us out.
6 Fears Hell’s Bar Dam | 1265 Hales Bar Rd. | Weekends, starting Sept. 24 | Various times, dependent on attraction | $25+ | Situated at Hale’s Bar Dam — a spot already known for being haunted — you can choose from multiple spooky attractions like “Black Out,” in which you enter the haunted dam with no lights on.
The Haunted Barn | 5017 McDonald Rd., McDonald | Friday + Saturday, starting Oct. 1 | 7 p.m.-12 a.m. | $23 | “Chattanooga’s best and longest running haunted attraction,” the barn also has a live DJ, bonfire, and concession stand to make waiting your turn to go inside a blast.
The Haunted Hilltop | 8235 TN-58, Harrison | Friday + Saturday, starting Sept. 30 | 7 p.m.-1 a.m. (7 p.m.-12 a.m. first two nights) | $25 | This year features the Haunted Hilltop’s largest renovation ever, with a haunted house, hayride through the woods, bonfire, outdoor TV, a Halloween store, and more.
🍁 Cozy corners
Allgood’s Used Books and Coffee | 2420 Glass St. | This exposed brick coffee shop + used bookstore on Glass Street is Editor Brianna’s favorite cozy corner.
Boccaccia | 3077 Broad St. | Stop in for one of the most intimate + authentic Italian meals you’ll find around town.
Rosecomb Bar | 921 Barton Ave. | The low lighting and homey feel of this bar make it perfect for a comfortable night out with friends.
Naughty Cat Café | 3742 Tennessee Ave. | What’s cozier than cuddling cats while drinking a warm mug of Mad Priest coffee? We can’t think of much.
The Book & Cover | 1310 Hanover St. | This local independent bookstore is the perfect spot to browse books while sipping some coffee available for purchase.
Together Café | 801 S. Orchard Knob Ave. | Head to this Highland Park coffee shop for plenty of comfy seating, seasonal lattes, and fall vibes.
Wildflower Tea Shop | 1423 Market St. | Sit and people watch across from the Chattanooga Choo Choo while enjoying hand-blended tea.
☕ Food + drinks
Pecan Pie Latte | Be Caffeinated | Butter pecan, vanilla, Recipe 22 (a flavor from Be Caff’s supplier similar to maple syrup), and cinnamon all combine in this drink.
Dumpling Soup | Han-Mi | Yes, soup for you.
Pumpkin Spice Pie | Real Roots | Located in Real Roots’ grab-and-go box, this slice of pie is completely vegan.
Check out more seasonal food + drink here.
🎪 Fall festivals
Autumn Equinox | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Almanac Supply Co., 22 Frazier Ave. | Free+ | Celebrate the Autumn Equinox with geode cracking, tarot readings, an autumn crystal grid workshop, and more.
Fall festival | Sat., Sept. 24 | 9 a.m. | Signal Mountain Nursery, 1100 Hubbard Rd. | Free+ | Shop mum sales, grab a hotdog, play games, and take the kids through the haunted maze — sign-ups for the pumpkin succulent workshop require payment.
Fall Family Fun Fest | Sat., Oct. 22 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Miller Park | Free+, RSVP | Celebrate the 25-year anniversary of nonprofit First Things First with live music, food trucks, giveaways, and activities for the family.
Check out more seasonal festivals here.
This content is sponsored by Rock/Creek Outfitters. Their goal is to equip you with everything you need to enjoy the great outdoors. Get outfitted for fall in one of their two Chattanooga locations or online.
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