Out & About

Photo courtesy of Chattanooga Tourism Co.

Outside

Yes, any trip to Chattanooga should include something outdoors, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing and the temperatures are most conducive to being outside.

Lookout Mountain Incline

Take the recently renovated Lookout Mountain Incline to the top of the mountain, where you can visit Point Park (site of the Civil War Battle Above the Clouds). Back at the bottom, it is a short drive to Ruby Falls, Cloudland Canyon and Rock City, which is celebrating its 90th year of visitors! Locals suggest buying tickets ahead of time to spend more time oohing-and-aahing over the views and less time waiting in lines.

Kayaking on the Tennessee River

For something completely different, get on the Tennessee River by kayak to observe the endangered gray bats as they take to the evening sky in search of insects. On this 30-mile paddle of Nickajack Lake, you may even spy an osprey or the occasional bald eagle, so pack your binoculars!

The Hunter Museum

The Hunter Museum deserves an afternoon all to itself. With a permanent collection featuring works by the likes of Bierstadt, Frankenthaler and Ansel Adams, there is just enough to see without feeling overwhelming. BONUS: The museum is showcasing work by Birmingham-based artist Amy Pleasant until July of 2023, so be sure to check that out.

Photo courtesy of Chattanooga Tourism Co.

Inside

Chattanooga is teeming with creatives and you can find something inspiring at almost any turn.

Bluff View Art District

Locals love wandering in and out of galleries and showrooms in the Bluff View Art District, where the juices just flow. Gallery 1401 is a respite from the ordinary, and you’re bound to discover an eclectic mix of artists’ work.

Kyle House Fitness

If you’re game to stay on track with fitness goals while you travel- and those Lookout Mountain hikes weren’t enough- pop into Kyle House Fitness for a class.

Sisu Sauna

If you’d just rather sweat it out, a session or two at Sisu Sauna should do just the trick.

Shop

For the travelers who simply must have their retail therapy when they visit a new city, there is nothing like discovering local gems.

Photo courtesy of Blaes Green

Warehouse Row

Warehouse Row, which is a converted Civil War stone fort in downtown Chattanooga, has always been a great shopping draw with plenty of national names you already know. Do yourself a favor and shop Embellish, which specializes in names like Rag & Bone and Veronica Beard. If something for the home is what you seek, just go directly to Revival, where the offerings include one-of-a-kind antiques and vintage finds, as well as gorgeous coffee table books and pretty barware, lamps and furniture to create the nest of your dreams back at home.

Locals Only

Looking for a souvenir to take home? Pop in to Locals Only, which prides itself on supporting local artisans and makers.

Book and Cover

Book and Cover is a lovely, little independent book store, where staffers are happy to suggest a new favorite read.

K Boutique

Looking for something new to wear out to dinner or even just something casual? Local ladies love K Boutique in North Shore, where you can outfit yourself for almost any occasion.

Alice Blue, Electric Blue and Hanover Blue

In the heart of Riverview, locals are drawn to the three-stores-in-one allure of Alice Blue, Electric Blue and Hanover Blue, which will have you dapper-in-aflash for an afternoon spent exploring Chattanooga local dining spots.

WHERE TO EAT

Speaking of local dining, Chattanooga is replete with interesting people doing interesting things, culinarily-speaking.

Alleia

The aforementioned Revival-decorating-haven gets the credit for the warm interiors at Alleia in Southside, where the rustic Italian menu makes the most of local ingredients. This is where Chattanoogans go for date nights or to celebrate something special, even if that event is just called “making it to the weekend.”

State of Confusion

State of Confusion is great for outdoor dining and drinks. Think ceviche, burgers and beer. Lunch, dinner, brunch. Reservations are accepted.

Boathouse Rotisserie and Raw Bar

The secret is out about Boathouse Rotisserie and Raw Bar, where locals and visitors alike clamor for seats that fill up fast. Go early to avoid too much of a wait.

Main Street Meat

Main Street Meats is a one-part butcher shop, one-part restaurant, where the daily offerings change, according to what is in season.

Southern Squeeze

For the vegetarians and vegans in your group, make like a local and head to Southern Squeeze with enough plantbased breakfast and lunch offerings to satisfy anyone.

Feed Table and Tavern

For weekend brunch, head to Feed Table and Tavern, where locals clamor for short ribs and grits or the Rocky Balboa biscuit.

Sidetrack

At Sidetrack, be sure to order the beignets (yes, you WILL make a mess) and the Eggs in Purgatory.

Adelle’s Creperie

Looking to satisfy that sweet tooth? Check out Adelle’s Creperie. Carla and Ken Pritchard may own this darling creperie, but their daughter, Adelle, gets all the credit for the concept and inspired menus and décor.

Photo courtesy of Ali Harper and Common House.

RISE KIDS DAY

PHOTOS BY JAMES AND RACHEL CULVER

On Saturday, March 19, Vestavia Hills students participated in the RISE Kids Day event, which is one of several RISE service project-sponsored events that benefitted the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Unit at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB.

1. Melissa and Henry Cochran with

Laura and John Grote 2. Hunter and Mary Nelson

Cornerman 3. The Goodloe family 4. The Miller family 5. The Lagrange family 6. Ashleigh Dunsker, Abigail Dunsker,

Julianne Broom, Malaika Dsa and

Isabella Melendez 7. Reeves Ryder, Denzil Schmitz and

Mary Phifer 8. Goal Diggers Rise Team 9. Reddin Casey 10. Emma Kate Lindley, Mims Jones,

Tessa Leggett and Anna Caroline

Mormon 11. The Money family 12. Emma Newton, Harper Newton and Sydney McCann 13. Kate Bishop, Anna Williams, Vince

Visser, Elizabeth Burton and Arden

Hedson 14. Eileen D’Alessandro, Ruth

D’Alessandro, Juliana Cabrera and

Anne Lauren Ingram 15. Will Frasier