The Chattanooga Choo Choo

Owned and operated by the Holiday Inn Chattanooga

The Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel is a sprawling 24-acre vacation complex with historical ambiance. The splendour of the former Railway Station is still visible in the entrance hall, now the lobby of the Hotel.

The train station was built in 1908 of steel and concrete and buttressed by huge brick arches. The magnificent 85-foot dome, suspended over the entire 68 x 82 foot general waiting room area was considered an architectural wonder.

Splendour of a bygone era
Photo: mbro4739

Chattanooga Choo Choo was the nickname given to an 1880 steam locomotive running between Chattanooga and Cincinnati, which prompted Harry Warren (music) and Mack Gordon (lyrics) to write a song about the much loved train. The catchy song was revived by Glenn Miller and transformed into a worldwide bestseller.

Train travel in a private railroad car was once the height of luxury and only affordable by the rich and illustrious. The Chattanooga train has hosted many famous heads of state in its heyday. When car and air travel became available, train travel lost its splendour. Almost 61 years after opening, the last train stopped at the Chattanooga Train Station on August 11, 1970.

The Chattanooga Choo Choo
Photo: luxomni

The entrance to the old Terminal Station has become the lobby of the Holiday Inn, who took over the complex in 1989. It is still a stunning feature, especially when the lights are on. The artistic embellishments have been restored and one can just imagine the travelers in their elegant costumes of the golden age posing in the hall between hundreds of pieces of luggage of the moneyed in the elegance and splendour that the dome still emanates.

Part of the fun of staying here is exploring all the little reminders of the past excess: sleeping in a atmospheric Victorian rail car; dining in one of the lovingly restored train diners; sipping tea in the glorious entrance hall while listening to the piano player; hop on the trolley or carriage; explore the Railroad Museum and stroll in the lush, formal garden.

Delightful formal Garden
Photo: rennan

Shops line the courtyard and you can take a ride on the authentic New Orleans Trolley on track 29. Themed restaurants offer a variety of great food. The Station House features performing waiters and waitresses in an authentic restored environment.The Model Railroad Museum started in 1973 and is a joint venture between the Chattanooga Area Model Railroad Club and the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

The Chattanooga Choo Choo is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Rooms in the Hotel itself are typical Holiday Inn - nothing more, but nothing less - the stuff, though, gets raving reviews. The fun in staying here is sleeping in a Victorian train car. Make sure you reserve one of the 48 cars before you leave.

Hotel 1: Closest to the lobby and parking, Indoor pool with skylight dome.
Hotel 2: Olympic-sized outdoor pool
Hotel 3: Furthest away from the Lobby. All rooms have a balcony overlooking the pool area. Close to the Asia-themed outdoor pool with waterfall and hot top.

Extremely large campus - you will be given a map to find your way around. Free parking at the rear of Hotel 1. Golf carts are available - ask at the time of booking.

Victorian Sleeper Car
© Chattanooga Choo Choo

Online Bookings

Online reservations for train cars and standard rooms only.

To reserve a Suite please call 1-800-TRACK-29 (872-2529)

Chattanooga Choo Choo
Holiday Inn
1400 Market St.
Chattanooga, TN 37402
USA

Telephone: 1-800-TRACK-29 (872-2529)

Located on the outskirts of downtown Chattanooga. The free electric shuttle leaves right next to the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Approx. 10 min. to downtown.

EASTBOUND: take I-24 to 27 North toward Downtown Chattanooga.
Take Exit 1, Main Street.
Go left on Main Street to Market Street.
Turn left on Market Street and the Choo Choo is on the right.

WESTBOUND: take I-24 to Exit 178.
Take the North Market Street turn,
travel six blocks. The Choo-Choo is on the right.

Glitzy Chattanooga by night
Photo: MaryleeUSA

Step off-the-beaten path and right into the small Southern City of Chattanooga. Once called "the dirtiest city in America" in 1969 by the Environmental Protection Association (EPA). It transformed itself into one of the greenest cities of the United States, and, according to Vice President Al Gore, has become a "green-print" for other cities to follow. According to the National Geographic Magazine, Chattanooga is "One of the 50 best places to live." Chattanooga has one of the largest, free of charge electric bus fleet in the United States.

From the Chattanooga Choo Choo one can walk to the famous Tennessee Aquarium, a six-story wonder of glass and chrome. The Imax Theatre is just one mile away. Chattanooga's rich art scene is topped by The Hunter Museum of Art.

• Chattanooga Market, Sundays End of April - beginning of December
• Rhythm & Noon Concert Series, Fridays May - August
• Nightfall Concert Series, Fridays End of May - September
• Riverfront Nights Music Series, July - September
• Swingfest at Coolidge Park, every Labor Day

For more attraction in the area, visit the information centre.

This is Frances Langford singing Chattanooga Choo Choo with the Modernairres in The Glen Miller Story starring Jimmy Stewart.

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