Discover Chattanooga

Story By Ann Cipperly

Situated at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains on the banks of the Tennessee River, Chattanooga is surrounded by scenic mountains and ridges. During the autumn months, Lookout and Signal Mountains are ablaze in brilliant fall foliage. With fresh mountain breezes, Chattanooga offers a wide gamut of outdoor attractions everyone in the family will enjoy.

In its early years, the city had two different names, Ross’s Landing and Lookout City. In 1838, the official name became “Chattanooga,” which comes from the Creek Indian word for “rock coming to a point” (aka. Lookout Mountain). Chattanooga is nicknamed Scenic City with its numerous outdoor adventures, sites and activities.

Take an exhilarating ride on the trolley-like Incline Railway as it scales steep Lookout Mountain to reach Ruby Falls and Rock City with sweeping panoramic views. At the top of the summit, seven states are visible. Tour Rock City Gardens and explore the caves at Ruby Falls to the spectacular waterfall.

Ruby Falls is the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the country. The waterfall was accidentally discovered in 1928 by Leo Lambert, a chemist and cave enthusiast, while exploring Lookout Mountain. He named the falls after his wife, “Ruby.”

Lambert constructed the glass-front elevator that descends 260 feet down into Lookout Mountain. The attraction opened to the public in December 1929. Electric lights were installed in the caves in 1930. As visitors approach the falls, ancient and unique formations are visible along the cavern trail.

When Rock City opened to the public in May 1932, not many visitors were touring the site. The owner hired a young painter to travel the country’s highways and offer to paint barns for free in exchange for

Photo By Chattanooga/ Chattanooga Tourism Co.

Photo By Rock City Gardens

painting “See Rock City” on the roof. The advertising paid off as more tourists visited the mountain-top attraction.

After touring Ruby Falls and Rock City Gardens, plan time downtown to visit the Tennessee Aquarium. Explore downtown on the free electric shuttle. The Bluff View Art District is easy to walk. Stop in at the Hunter Museum of American Art and browse interesting art galleries and shops.

Take a break to enjoy a special cup of coffee and freshly baked pastries at the Rembrandt’s Coffee House. Clumpies Ice Cream Co. is a local creamery with several locations and provides a refreshing treat on a warm day after touring attractions.

Photo By Ryan Maum Photo By Ruby Falls

DINING

Tony’s Pasta Shop and Trattoria

Located in the carriage house of the Bluff View Inn’s historic T.C. Thompson house, the restaurant serves classic Italian dishes. Popular items on the menu are ‘create your own pizza’ and ‘pick your pasta and sauce’, which is made from fresh tomatoes and herbs at the gardens.

Pasta entrees, subs and desserts are also available. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.

Tony’s is located at 212 High St., Chattanooga. For additional information call 423-321-0235.

Easy Bistro & Bar

After a busy day of exploring the city, relax with a scrumptious dinner at the Easy Bistro, a chef-owned restaurant serving seasonal dishes, grass-fed beef, seafood and game. Chef Erik Niel is a James Beard semi-finalist.

Housed in what was formerly the world’s first Coca-Cola bottling plant, the interior of the restored building is dramatic with soaring windows and dark painted walls with deep white molding for a casual, lively setting.

The menu changes often depending on what is available fresh and offers a raw bar, small plates, house-made pasta and enticing entrees.

Located at 801 Chestnut St., the bistro is open for dinner. Contact 423-266-1121 for more information.

Stir Restaurant

If you visit the Chattanooga Choo Choo, you may want to dine at Stir, located in the complex. The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Dishes are prepared from scratch.

Lunch offers salads, soups, such as crab bisque, and burgers. The items are available at dinner along with hearty entrees, including shrimp and grits, grilled salmon and steaks.

Stir is located at 1444 Market St. Call 423-531-7847.

Other Restaurant Options: Main Street Meats, 1885 Grill, Boathouse Rotisserie and Raw Bar and The Flying Squirrel.

ATTRACTIONS AND SITES

Lookout Mountain 3518 S. Broad St.

Lookout Mountain offers a variety of attractions, including Incline Railway, Point Park, Rock City and Ruby Falls. 423- 643-2201

Lookout Mountain Incline Railway

827 E. Brow Road

Enjoy breathtaking scenery as the Incline climbs historic Lookout Mountain. 423-821-4224

Ruby Falls

1720 S. Scenic Highway

Ruby Falls is a fun and educational visit. Hosts take visitors deep into Lookout Mountain by a glass-front elevator. The pathway with unique formations leads to the magnificent 145foot falls.

After the tour, relax on the mountainside deck with

panoramic views.

Make reservations before leaving home. 423-821-2544

Rock City Gardens

Lookout Mountain

Enjoy the woodland paths and gardens, and discover ancient rock formations. Several restaurants are available, including Cliff Terrace, Big Rock Grill and Café 7. Snacks are offered at Fudge Kitchen. 706820-2531

Tennessee Aquarium

1 Broad St.

Journey from the mountains to the sea at the Aquarium. The Tennessee Aquarium's exhibits are housed in two structures, the original River Journey building which opened in 1992 and the neighboring Ocean Journey expansion, which opened in 2005. 800-262-0695

Chattanooga Zoo

301 N. Holtzclaw Ave.

The attraction is located on a 13acre zoological park. Around 654 animals represent more than 160 different species. 423-697-1322

Hunter Museum of American Art

10 Bluff View

Built on a limestone bluff overlooking the Tennessee River and comprised of a 1905 classical revival mansion, the museum showcases 100 years of architecture and houses one of the finest collection of American art in the southeast. 423-267-0968

Chattanooga Choo Choo

1400 Market St.

Visit the Glenn Miller Gardens located where 14 tracks and seven platforms served millions of train passengers for over 60 years at the 24-acre Chattanooga Choo Choo complex. The gardens are named after the famous musician who recorded the Chattanooga Choo Choo song in 1941.

The complex also contains two hotel buildings, on-site dining and retail shops. Guests can stay overnight in restored authentic

Photo By Chattanooga Tourism Co.

Photo By The Chattanooga Zoo

Photo By Bluff VIew Art District

sleeper cars. 423-266-5000

Bluff View Art District

411 E. 2nd St.

Perched 80 feet above the Tennessee River, the district is within walking distance of downtown. The historic neighborhood houses unique art galleries, restaurants and a bakery. 423-2655033

Creative Discovery Museum

321 Chestnut St.

One of the nation’s top children’s museums, the Creative Discovery Museum inspires children’s passion for learning through play. 423-756-2738

Cumberland Caverns

1437 Cumberland Caverns Road • McMinnville

The cavern is Tennessee's largest show cave and a U.S. Natural Landmark. The cave displays some of the largest underground rooms and spectacular formations in eastern America. 931-6684396

IMAX 3D Theater 201 Chestnut St.

Twin 4K laser projectors and pinpoint surround sound immerse visitors in the onscreen action. 423-266-IMAX

Point Park Battlefield

110 Point Park Road, Lookout Mountain

The site of the Civil War battle commonly referred to as “The Battle Above the Clouds.” 423-821-7786

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Chanticleer Inn Bed and Breakfast

Located across from Rock City Gardens, the inn is nestled above the clouds at Lookout Mountain. The stone wall cottage has a European style and offers 20 guest rooms with most having a fireplace and private patio.

A two-acre garden offers places to relax around the fire-pit and at the swimming pool.

For reservations call 705-820-2002.

The Reed House

The 241-room historic hotel was built as the Crutchfield House in the 1920s after an agreement with the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad that built a station across the street.

The renovated house is decorated in the 1920s style with sparkling chandeliers and checkered floors.

The flagship restaurant Bridgeman’s Chophouse serves steaks and seafood in an elegant setting.

The Reed House is located at 107 W. Martin Luther King Blvd.

Call 423-266-4121 for reservations.

Photo By gnagel/ Chattanooga Tourism Co.

PUBLIC HOUSE FAVORITES

SHEPHERD’S PIE - Seasoned ground beef. Peas. Carrots. Guinness gravy. Champ potatoes. Mozzarella. - 12 BANGERS & MASH* - Two Guinness Brats. Champ potatoes. Peppers. Onions. Guinness gravy. 12 GUINNESS STEW - Guinness gravy. Beef tenderloin. Carrots. Potatoes. - 10 CORNED BEEF HASH* - Traditional hash. Potatoes. Corned beef. Peppers. Onions. Fried egg. - 10 SPECKLED HEN MAC & CHEESE - Large Bowl of Old Speckled Hen English Ale infused house-made macaroni & cheese - 10 FISH & CHIPS* - Beer battered fish and fries. Lee County coleslaw. - 12 PORK SCHNITZEL* - Fried pork cutlets. Brandied mushroom cream sauce. Sauerkraut. Champ potatoes - 11 CHICKEN & CHIPS - Classic Ameri-Pub hand battered chicken tenders. Fries. Lee County coleslaw. - 11 SHRIMP & GRITS* - Guinness BBQ basted Gulf shrimp. Pancetta-garlic cream sauce. Creamy Carolina stone ground grits. - 16 833 S. Railroad Avenue, Opelika

Fresh Ingredients + Made Daily = YUM!

Franky Junes is a mobile hotdog stand featuring both traditional, as well as iconic and fusion-style hotdogs served with a toasted bun, a variety of homemade fixings and a mound of hot and crunchy tatertots (that we’ve been known to top with ooey-gooey cheese, ranch dressing, bacon and chives). Stop by and see us, we’d love to meet you!

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BEAUREGARD DRUGS WEDELIVER!