Shop, sip, and dine your way around the Scenic City
You’ve probably seen signs encouraging you to “See Rock City,” and you’ve likely heard of the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, but there’s much more to this growing city that straddles the Tennessee River.
Chattanooga, just a four-hour drive from the Upstate, blends outdoor activities like kayaking and ziplining with appealing riverfront parks, a wealth of public art, thought-provoking museums, chic shopping, and buzzy rooftop bars.
For families, couples, or getaways with friends, Chattanooga has a wealth of options that offer a welcome breath of fresh air.
Where to Stay
For art lovers or simply those looking for a convenient riverside location, the Edwin Hotel hits the mark, with dozens of pieces of local art displayed throughout the lobby, large-scale photographs enhancing rooms, and the perfect perch near the Bluff View Art District.
The 90-room hotel, part of the Autograph Collection, is named for Edwin Thatcher, the engineer who designed the Walnut Street Bridge in 1890. Now pedestrian-only, the bridge, just steps from the Edwin, offers a stroll across the river with excellent skyline and sunset views, plus quick access to the shopping, dining, and parks of the North Shore area.
Book well in advance for one of 16 rooms in this mid-mod downtown favorite. Each suite has its own swanky style, from the Tropicana to the Tiki. Even if you don’t stay, swing by the retro-chic Matilda Midnight for a cocktail.
What to see
Don’t miss Hunter Museum of American Art, with its three distinct sections: a neoclassical 1905 mansion, a brutalist 1970s east wing, and a $22 million waterfront west wing added in 2005. All three sit atop a 90-foot limestone bluff overlooking the Tennessee River, showcasing a collection of American art from colonial times through today. A recent exhibit, Networked Nature, explores the connection between art, nature, and technology. The public outdoor sculpture garden includes work by Deborah Butterfield and Alexander Calder.
Rock City has narrow paths, fairyland caves, ancient rock formations, mossy caverns, a 140-foot waterfall, and views stretching across seven states. The Swing-A-Long Bridge offers 180 feet of stunning vistas and powerful swinging and bouncing thanks to its suspension system. The faint of heart can take the nearby stone bridge for steadier views.
The Walnut Street Bridge connects the Riverfront area with the North Shore, home to Coolidge and Renaissance parks, full of Civil War history, public art, an antique carousel, and Chalk Alley, ready for patrons of all ages to decorate in vivid, if temporary, color. Also look for tasty offerings including Clumpie’s Ice Cream, Milk & Honey for gelato, and Julie Darling donuts.
Find one of the city’s 350 bikes at 35 stations and try out the 16-mile Riverwalk that stretches along the banks of the Tennessee River. Plan to start or end your ride at Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center, a 300-acre jewel just south of the city, with a native plant nursery, a wildlife sanctuary, canoeing on Lookout Creek, wildflower meadows, and hiking trails.
Incline Railway
On your way back down the mountain from Rock City, stop by the Incline Railway, a funicular railway system founded in 1895. The one-mile ride takes about 10 minutes, heading to an observation deck on top of Lookout Mountain. With a max grade of 72.7 percent, it’s one of the steepest passenger railways in the world.
Where to Shop
What started as an old stone fort during the Civil War became a warehouse and then later, a mixed-use development. Just a short stroll from that famous choo-choo (now the Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo), Warehouse Row has more than 300,000 square feet of boutiques and restaurants, with lofts and offices upstairs.
Find local favorites Embellish and Hemline along with favorite chains like Anthropologie and J. Crew, plus sought-after brands like Yves Delorme for luxe bedding. Stop for refreshment at Goodman Coffee, where you can find locally roasted blends made with beans sourced from around the world.
The North Shore
Check out Blue Skies for gifts and jewelry, footwear at Chattanooga Shoe Company, and Japanese imports at I Go Tokyo. Look for art here, too: In-Town Gallery has been a cooperative for local artists since 1974.
Eat and Drink
Tucked inside the sprawling carriage house of a Victorian Mansion, Tony’s Pasta Shop & Trattoria offers classic Italian food that locals and visitors are happy to wait for (they don’t take reservations.) But soon, you’ll get the famous table bread, including garlic ciabatta and country loaf served with olive oil and pecorino, before you even order your hearty eggplant parm or baked penne.
On top of the Edwin Hotel, Whiskey Thief is a popular rooftop bar with sweeping river views and more than 100 types of whiskey, plus local beer, cocktails, and a see-and-be-seen vibe.
With four locations around the city, Clumpies offers handcrafted micro-batch ice cream with signature flavors like burnt sugar brownie and whiskey caramel cornflake crunch.
A fun lunch break while shopping in Warehouse Row, Public House offers fine dining flavor in a friendly setting. Massive salads will satisfy, but you can’t go wrong with a bacon burger topped with pimento cheese inspired by Frank Sitt’s recipe from Bottega Cafe in Birmingham.
Rembrandt’s won the local Best of the Best award 12 years in a row thanks to house-roasted coffee, artisan breads from Bluff View Bakery, plus soups, salads, and sandwiches.
St. John’s: In a historic flatiron building, offering an extensive wine list and beautifully presented upscale cuisine.
Easy Bistro: A full raw bar, a wood-burning oven, and seasonal cocktails in a classic bistro in Chattanooga’s West Village
Daily Ration: Arrive early for the deservedly popular brunch. Snag a spot on the patio and dig into breakfast burritos or chicken and waffles.
