Chattanooga ~ The Gem of Tennessee

Are you studying in the Southeast part of the USA (Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina)? Visiting the area or doing an internship there? Then, this is one weekend trip that you should definitely take!

Chattanooga is the gem of Tennessee in my opinion, situated alongside the Tennessee River at a point where the people really care about the environment and community. At only a 2 hour drive from Atlanta, it is the perfect place to visit for a few days, whether you are looking for relaxation, art experiences, nature, or exercise.

Ever since I was in elementary school, my family has been taking day or weekend trips to Chattanooga. If you dug up one of my journals from my younger years, you would find many entries starting with “107 days until Chattanooga”....”59 days until Chattanooga”....”1 day until Chattanooga!!!!!!” Visiting Chattanooga was a huge highlight of my life. Even though I have probably visited this little city along the river at least 20 times, I still look forward to it with so much excitement! I can never get tired of this beautiful place.

There are a lot of ways to spend your time in Chattanooga. Here are my top experiences that make every trip unforgettable. 

1. Visit the Tennessee Aquarium. You will likely spot the aquarium as soon as you enter town, with its two buildings topped by atriums that are covered in peaks of glass and filled with green trees. The two buildings are very different, and house both river and ocean creatures. River Journey takes you on an adventure past cute river otters that play in waterfalls, snakes that are native to the Tennessee River, and giant monster-like fish that fill its depths. Ocean Journey gives you a fun look at penguins, butterflies, and a large tank filled with all kinds of fish and sharks that you can view from many different perspectives. My personal favorite part is the caverns, where you can curl up in a glass window all by yourself and spend some relaxing time with the fish. 
2. Walk up the hill to the Bluffview Arts District. This area is like a fairytale, with splendid views, an art museum and galleries, and delicious restaurants and cafes. Plus, all this beauty gives you countless photo opportunities! Check out Rembrandt’s Coffee House for mochas that are simply overflowing with whipped cream, and an atmosphere that reminds me of Europe. Tony’s is an Italian restaurant with some of the best food I have ever tasted. And, if you love a good art museum, the Hunter Museum of Art is for you. The mesh of modern and traditional architecture and works of art is simply stunning. 
3. Take a walk across the pedestrian bridge to the North Shore and experience the other side of the river. My favorite things to do on the North Shore are  ride the antique carousel for only $1, stop into the many shops, and grab a bite to eat at Cashew (an amazing vegan restaurant with DONUTS, picture shown below).  On your way back, catch one of the many free electric buses that go across the bridge, one of the many ways that Chattanooga is staying clean and beautiful. 
4. Go rock-climbing at Highpoint Rock Climbing Gym. Have you ever climbed on the outside of a building? It’s not only an experience for Spider-man – you can do it too! With great staff that are super helpful for beginners, and lots of space to climb both with automatic belays and manual, this gym is a ton of fun. This is a great way to work in some extra exercise and get high on some endorphins while you are at it. 

I’m looking forward to the next time I can take a weekend and drive up to Chattanooga. It’s easy to get their by car, and there is even a Mega-bus route if you would prefer to take a bus straight there from downtown Atlanta. The USA can seem big and spread-out, but the city of Chattanooga really shows you how a beautiful community in Tennessee can create its own unique culture and vibe. You don’t want to miss it.

Enjoy your next trip, Weekend Traveler!

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