Chattanooga Choo Choo

1909 train station turned hotel-and-events complex, made famous by the Glenn Miller song

Terminal Station opened in 1909 as Chattanooga's grand southern rail gateway, a beaux-arts pile with a vast vaulted dome over its waiting hall. Passenger service ended in 1970 and the building re-opened as a hotel and entertainment complex two years later, riding on the fame of the Glenn Miller hit.

The Pullman sleeping cars permanently parked on the tracks behind the station now serve as themed hotel rooms. The grand dome itself houses the lobby and a restaurant. The complex has had ups and downs over the years but the architecture and the historic train cars remain photogenic.

things to do landmark
A story
The song that gave the station its name was the first record certified gold — for selling 1.2 million copies during 1942 — long after the local rail line it celebrated had been overshadowed by larger southern hubs.

Other places in Things to Do