The Chattanooga Choo Choo: more than a song

“Chattanooga Choo Choo” isn’t just a song — it’s the 1909 Terminal Station, turned into a hotel and entertainment complex. Even if you don’t stay there, it’s worth a walk-through.

What to see

The grand lobby with its 85-foot arched ceiling is the showpiece — it looks like a movie set because it basically is one. Out back, the Glenn Miller Gardens have the famous Chattanooga Choo Choo sign, a rose garden, and retired train cars you can walk through. There are shops, restaurants, and bars throughout the complex, and it’s all free to wander.

How to do it right

Walking the grounds and lobby is free. The restaurants and bars are open to the public — it’s a legit dinner-and-drinks spot, not just a hotel lobby. If you want the full experience, you can actually sleep in a converted Victorian rail car.

Local tips

• Go at Christmas — the holiday lights and the lobby tree are a local tradition.
• It’s right off Market Street, an easy stop between downtown and the Southside.
• The Station Street area behind it has some of the best nightlife in the city.

1400 Market St. Free to explore.