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If you like to hike, and love some beautiful views, Chattanooga is the perfect spot to visit. I spent two weeks here before my Nashville trip, and I was enamored at the scenery the entire time. I stayed on Signal Mountain with my uncle in his log cabin, but spent most of my days at coffee shops in town. It was almost a half hour to get from town to my uncle’s house, and down a winding road that drops off a cliff, so I tried to stay gone anytime I left.
Coffee Shops Are my Jam… Some Restaurants Too
The coffee shop I went to the most was Niedlov’s Cafe & Bakery, which offered very good breakfast and lunch items. I must’ve tried every sandwich on their lunch menu by the end of my two weeks there, and they never disappointed. Outside, had tables and they offered free parking for 2 hours if there are spaces available in the lot.
The outdoor tables were nice in the summer and winter, because they swap out the fountain for a fireplace in the winter, so it isn’t too bad to sit outside. They also had free Wi-Fi and there were some outlets available. The first shop I went to was Mean Mug, and I definitely preferred the $1 refills here but the food didn’t stand a chance against Niedlov’s.
Now let’s discuss some dinner options. The best, absolutely incredible place that I grabbed food was at Amada Tapas & Wine Bar. The food was some of the best ever, and I got to try so many different things. The prices are relatively reasonable, but not if you go alone, so bring a friend!
I went to Agave and Rye on a Tuesday and that was incredible, and they had a great special for Taco Tuesday. The ambiance in this place was really cool with lots of paintings of famous people who you would recognize, all with a twist of some sort. There was a really cool vibe here.
I’ve gone to a few places in Chattanooga on my visits, and one of those is Alleia. This spot is a classic Italian restaurant, with everything you could want to make for an incredible evening. Flying Squirrel is another great spot that I’ve frequented and it’s right near my favorite bakery. This place has an interesting vibe, and some really big doors (random, but noteworthy).
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To satisfy my sweet tooth while I was here, I grabbed some classic confections. First was Clumpies, which is a staple of Chattanooga and very good ice cream. I also tried all the Crumbl Cookie options, but that chain is available in a lot of places, so you’ve got options. There is a also an edible cookie dough spot called NoBaked.
Now that I’ve discussed all the good places, a place you should avoid is the Local Goat which is located a little outside of town. The service was awful, especially given the price, and it doesn’t seem like the kitchen has very hygienic standards.
How Do You Want to Occupy Your Time?
Parks to try perhaps? I spent some time at the Renaissance Park, which runs along the river. Coolidge Park (pictured) runs right alongside it, but also features a footbridge from one side to the Aquarium. The bridge had some gorgeous views of Chattanooga, and the water was pretty picturesque as well.
Lookout Mountain is something worth noting. This is the more touristy mountain, but it’s got some incredible views. There is a tram up the mountain that offers some of those cool views as well. Glen Falls is up there, and there are some other hidden gems that you can check out if you are willing to pay for the activities over there, like Ruby Falls and Rock City.
Signal Mountain has some free hikes, many that feature waterfalls, and all free, including parking. The perfect time to go is fall, to get the whole experience of the scenery. There are lots of other hikes in the area too that offer incredible views. The sunrise on the mountain, along the road up in Walden, now THAT is incredible (sunset & rise pictured below).
I picked up some gifts from Locals Only Giftshop. They had some super cute, super funny items for sale. It’s along the trail that is mapped out among Chattanooga to show the path for the Trail of Tears. There are a couple other cute shops along that road that are worth checking out as well. I also did some unsuccessful thrift shopping, but there were a ton of options, so you might get lucky.
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