Welcome to Chattanooga, Tennessee – a city that offers the perfect blend of Southern charm, outdoor adventure, and farm-to-table cuisine. Located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Chattanooga is home to breathtaking natural scenery, diverse local farms, and a burgeoning culinary scene that highlights the best of the region’s produce and culinary traditions.
In this 4-day itinerary, you’ll sample some of the best local foods, farms, and outdoor activities that Chattanooga has to offer.
Day 1
Check in at Moxy Chattanooga Downtown
Check into the vibrant Moxy Chattanooga, a boutique hotel with the social heart of a hostel. The four-story Moxy is located downtown in the Southside and features a stylish design with communal spaces where there’s always something going on and Bar Moxy where guests check in and receive a complimentary cocktail.
moxynooga.com | Facebook | Instagram
Tennessee Aquarium
Visit the Tennessee Aquarium, located on the banks of the Tennessee River, and go on a remarkable journey from the mountains to the sea. The Aquarium offers two separate buildings – River Journey and Ocean Journey. River Journey features freshwater animals including river otters, trout, alligators, giant catfish, turtles, and more. Ocean Journey features saltwater habitats with penguins, touchable stingrays, butterflies, a spectacular coral reef with big sharks, turtles, and stingrays, a walk-through butterfly garden, and so much more.
tnaqua.org | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Whitebird Chattanooga
Enjoy dinner at Whitebird Chattanooga, an upscale restaurant located inside The Edwin Hotel. The combination of amazing food, exceptional service, and incredible ambiance is what makes Whitebird one of the best restaurants in Chattanooga. Partnering with local producers and artisans allows us to ensure that your dining experience includes ingredients at the peak of their freshness and flavor.
whitebirdchattanooga.com | Facebook | Instagram | Menu
AFTER DINNER OPTIONS ON YOUR OWN:
- Enjoy a cocktail with a view at Whiskey Thief, the rooftop bar at the Edwin Hotel.
- Walk across the Walnut Street Bridge, one of the world’s largest pedestrian bridges, towards the NorthShore District.
- Once in the NorthShore District enjoy dessert at Clumpies Ice Cream Co., a handcrafted cocktail at Frazier Five and Dime, or a beer from Chattanooga’s only German-American gastropub, Brewhaus.
Day 2
BREAKFAST ON YOUR OWN
Breakfast recommendations near your hotel:
Up/Down Coffee Bar (inside Moxy Chattanooga)
The Exchange (inside Kinley Southside Chattanooga)
Crabtree Farms
Tour the self-sustaining Crabtree Farms, founded in 1998 to bring urban sustainable agriculture to Chattanooga. Crabtree Farms actively connects consumers with local food and serves the greater Chattanooga community through education, cooking classes, native plant sale events, market booth (seasonal hours), special dinners, Farmshare CSA, and advocacy programs that teach about growing food sustainably and choosing local produce. They started the Grow Chattanooga movement that raises awareness about locally grown, raised, and crafted food and helps make these ingredients part of the everyday lifestyle of area residents. The movement includes farmers, restaurants, artisans, gardeners, markets, grocers, and resource organizations located within 100 miles of Chattanooga.
crabtreefarms.org | Facebook | Instagram
Main Street Meats
Enjoy lunch at Main Street Meats, a neighborhood restaurant and butcher shop that works closely with Chattanooga’s surrounding farmland providing the distinctive flavors of the Tennessee Valley. The restaurant includes lunch and dinner table service, as well as a bourbon bar featuring a variety of bottled, draft, and whiskey cocktails. The menu includes dry cured salami (the chef’s own version of well-known European classic salami), rustic French-style pate, cooked hams, bacon, and a variety of fresh and smoked pork sausages – all with a Southern regional twist. mainstreetmeatschatt.com | Facebook | Instagram
Maven Table & The Bitter Bottle
Tour with the creators of Maven Table and The Bitter Bottle. Maven Table’s curated collection of crafted balsamic cocktail mixers are made without using artificial preservatives or flavors and are handcrafted in small batches for consumers to easily make delicious professional cocktails at home.
maventable.com | Facebook | Instagram
Recently merged with the Maven Table, The Bitter Bottle creates bitters infused with quality herbal products. The company works closely with the agricultural community and bartenders and focuses on sustainable practices and inspiring education to the hospitality industry. thebitterbottle.com | Events | Facebook | Instagram
Take a Break or Explore More
Rest at the hotel or explore more of Chattanooga on your own!
Other recommended experiences: Sculpture Fields at Montague Park | Naked River Brewing | National Medal of Honor Heritage Center | Songbirds Guitar & Pop Culture Museum | Oddstory Brewing Company | Warehouse Row | Peach Cobbler Factory
Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery
Inspired by our city’s rich distilling history, Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery, was founded in 2011 with a mission to bring back “Whiskey to the People.” Following the success of our community-powered Vote Whiskey campaign, they became the first distillery in Chattanooga in over a century and opened the Experimental micro-distillery in 2014 where they provide tours and a tasting room.
chattanoogawhiskey.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
The Crash Pad
Take a tour at The Crash Pad, a boutique hostel that serves as the ultimate outdoor basecamp and a community hub for the adventurous travelers (and everyone else!). The hostel was constructed with reclaimed and renewable resources in order to minimize their impact on the environment and was was the first hostel in the world to receive a LEED Platinum Certification.
crashpadchattanooga.com | Facebook | Instagram
Flying Squirrel
Enjoy dinner at the Flying Squirrel, a modern neighborhood bar with a handcrafted interior. Adjacent to the Crash Pad boutique hostel, they have been a true leader of the renaissance that has happened in the Southside District. The décor is a work of art in itself; all created by local builders, artists, and materials, and features a loft, comfortable patio, and an “open window” bar connecting people to the outdoors. Their menu features more than 30 craft beer taps, a seasonal cocktail program, and fresh, local, bites including charcuterie, duck confit tacos, wagyu tartare sandwich, falafel, moules frites, and much more.
flyingsquirrelbar.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Menu
AFTER DINNER OPTIONS ON YOUR OWN:
- Explore the Chattanooga Choo Choo complex
- Get a sweet treat at the Hot Chocolatier or Clumpies Ice Cream
- Pour yourself a beer at American Draft
- Enjoy live entertainment on Chattanooga’s Station Street
Day 3
BREAKFAST ON YOUR OWN
Breakfast recommendations near your hotel:
Up/Down Coffee Bar (inside Moxy Chattanooga)
The Exchange (inside Kinley Southside Chattanooga)
Foster Falls
Hike to Foster Falls, a 60-foot free-falling waterfall, located in South Cumberland State Park in Sequatchie, TN, and enjoy one of the most scenic, wildest areas in Tennessee. A leisurely hike will take you to the top of the falls, down into the gorge, and over a suspension bridge to the base of the falls for a delightful view.
tnstateparks.com/parks/south-cumberland
Sequatchie Cove Farm
Sequatchie Cove Farm, a four-generation family farm, is dedicated to the conservation of land and environment, specializing in providing healthy, nutrient-dense superfood fuel to our community. Farm products include Wright eggs, meadow beef, Katahdin lamb, cheeses, and berries.
sequatchiecovefarm.com | Facebook | Instagram
Lodge Museum of Cast Iron
Enjoy lunch at Big Bad Breakfast, located at the Lodge Cast Iron Foundry and Museum. The menu boasts breakfast and lunch options with a few surprises and food full of inspiration and energy.
bigbadbreakfast.com/locations/south-pittsburg-tn | Facebook | Menu
Tour The Lodge Museum of Cast Iron shares the history, food, and culture (and very large skillets). The museum is a destination for folks who love all things cast iron and learning about America’s original cookware. The museum takes visitors through the history of this incredible cookware, how it’s made, and what it means to food culture. lodgecastiron.com/museum | Facebook | Instagram
Take a Break or Explore More
Rest at the hotel or explore more of Chattanooga on your own!
Other recommended experiences: Sculpture Fields at Montague Park | Naked River Brewing | National Medal of Honor Heritage Center | Songbirds Guitar & Pop Culture Museum | Oddstory Brewing Company | Warehouse Row | Peach Cobbler Factory
Hello Monty
Enjoy appetizers and drinks at the Southside’s newest gathering spot, Hello Monty. The diverse menu features elevated American food with a nod to the south with each homemade dish made with the finest local ingredients. Local favorites include cast iron beer cheese dip, the Monty burger, and all their in-house made shareable draft beverages.
hellomontyonmain.com | Facebook | Instagram | Menu
Easy Bistro & Bar
Enjoy dinner at Easy Bistro & Bar, one of the most well-regarded restaurants in Chattanooga. It’s located in the new and trendy West Village at the city center (relocated from the Riverfront District this Spring). The restaurant has a nationally recognized wine and craft cocktail program and is one of the only raw bars in Tennessee to feature seafood from all three coasts. Easy’s menu features classics as well as daily features made with ingredients raised and grown at local farms.
easybistro.com | Facebook | Instagram
AFTER DINNER OPTIONS ON YOUR OWN:
- Enjoy an after dinner drink at…
- Paloma Bar de Tapas, a Spanish wine and tapas bar located on the 10th floor of The Westin Chattanooga.
- Wanderlinger Brewing Co., located behind the Moxy Chattanooga featuring beer inspired from the thrill of the chase, the view from the top, and friends you make along the way.
- Company, a speakeasy hidden in the Kinley Chattanooga Southside Hotel.
Day 4
Breakfast at Mean Mug Coffeehouse
Mean Mug Coffeehouse, one of Chattanooga’s locally owned favorites offers a full espresso menu, drip coffee, Kyoto style cold brew and slow bar options. Their full breakfast and lunch menu is served all day featuring comfort food, diverse dietary options from vegan to paleo, and made-in-house baked items including cinnamon rolls, biscuits, muffins, and more.
meanmugcoffee.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Menu | Yelp
Ruby Falls
Experience Ruby Falls, home to America’s deepest commercial cave and tallest underground waterfall open for public viewing. The highlight of the guided tour features a thundering 145-foot waterfall located 1,120 feet beneath the surface of Lookout Mountain. Following the underground guided tour, enjoy panoramic views of the Tennessee Valley from the Lookout Mountain Tower and the Colorblind Viewer. Ruby Falls was the first attraction in America to receive the Green Globe Certification. rubyfalls.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Chattanooga Market + Lunch
Stroll through weekly Chattanooga Market on its 2023 opening day! The Chattanooga Market is the largest regional outdoor market that features producer-only handcrafted works by local and regional artists, live entertainment, chef demonstrations and competitions, fresh bakery and produce items, and a different theme each week. Held at First Horizon Pavilion. Voted one of the best public markets by Frommers! chattanoogamarket.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Explore the Tennessee Riverwalk
Bike the Tennessee Riverwalk, the crown jewel of Hamilton County’s Park system. The trail includes over 150 acres along the Tennessee River with unique scenic vistas, naturalized areas, open green spaces, playgrounds, public art, recreational areas, fishing piers, historical sites, and facility rentals. It is designed to be used for walking, running, and biking. Along the Riverwalk you’ll find boat ramps, fishing piers, open green spaces including Ross’s Landing on the downtown riverfront, picnic facilities, public art, Blue Goose Hollow (where Bessie Smith was born and played for coins!) and a wide variety of wildlife. parks.hamiltontn.gov/196/Tennessee-Riverpark
Guide to Tennessee Riverwalk
INFORMATION
Check out some previous Chattanooga articles written by Jill:
Tennessee Road Trip: Nashville to Chattanooga
8 Stunning Must-See Waterfalls In Tennessee
Everything You Need To Know About Pawpaw Season In Tennessee
The best places to go camping in the South this fall
Follow the Trail of Tears in Southeast Tennessee
Chattanooga Whiskey Co.’s “Vote Whiskey” Campaign
WELCOME TO CHATTANOOGA!
VisitChattanooga.com
@VisitChatt | #VisitChatt
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok
GETTING AROUND
The city is walkable or can easily be navigated via the free electric shuttle or the Bike Chattanooga bicycle share system.
- BIKE CHATTANOOGA | @BikeChattanooga | Station Map
More than 350+ bikes are available at 35+ stations in the downtown, North Shore, Southside, and St. Elmo neighborhoods. Multiple passes are available online or at station kiosks. - FREE ELECTRIC SHUTTLE | @GoCarta | Downtown Shuttle | North Shore Shuttle | St. Elmo/Incline Shuttle
Shuttles run every 15-30 minutes depending on the destination. See maps for schedules and pick-up locations. - RIDESHARE
When using rideshare, consider scheduling pick-ups, especially when visiting Lookout Mountain attractions.
globaljourneyswithjilldutton.com 