Before moving out to Las Vegas, we lived in Indianapolis. While there, we spent many three-day weekends there — including the weekend we got engaged and for our first anniversary. Needless to say, Chattanooga holds a special place in our worlds and journal! Chattanooga truly is a natural wonderland, yet the downtown really gives you that urban vacation feel. There are so many touristy stops in Chattanooga, if you’re interested in those. Here, you’ll find a few activities that are not so obvious and restaurants you are sure to not want to miss!
If you are looking to stay in Chattanooga — we loved this Airbnb.
Top Three Activities
#1 – Rent Chattanooga City Bikes
This is an activity we do every time. You can park further north of downtown at a parking lot along the Tennessee River Park, and pick up a bike. Then start peddling! Riding along the river is beautiful, especially at dusk, and then when you get downtown you don’t have to worry about parking your car! All you need to do is find a City Bike station (maps are around the city) and leave it. When you’re ready to bike again, go to any station in the city and pick up a new bike! If you’re lucky, you might even score an e-bike!
Check out the Chattanooga Bicycle Transit System here
#2 – Hike a section of the Cumberland Trail
It is not easy to pick one hike in Chattanooga for a recommendation. The Cumberland trail was very accessible for staying on the northern side of town, and offers wonderful views of the Tennessee river, has plenty of uphills and downhills for a good workout, and all sorts of rocks and waterfalls to check out!
Check out one our favorite sections of the Cumberland Trail on Alltrails here
#3 – Rock Climbing (bouldering) in Stone Fort
This may not be an option for everyone, but Stone Fort is the primary reason we continue to return to Chattanooga. Stone Fort is basically a playground for rock climbers. There are so many fun climbing routes all packed in so close together. If you have a crash pad, climbing shoes, and chalk — Stone fort is one of the best bouldering areas in the world!
A few favorite routes would be Mystery Machine, Swingers, Pancake Boulder — or hanging out in the boulders around Brian’s Brain.
Check out Stone Fort on Mountain Project here
Top Three Eats
#1 – Cashew
This is the very best restaurant in Chattanooga in our books! There has never been a meal (and obligatory dessert) from Cashew that we did not enjoy. A heads up though, they are not open on Sunday and Monday! As mentioned, we got engaged in Chattanooga on a hike looking over the Tennessee River. When David proposed, we had just finished eating a brownie from Cashew. So when David proposed, he said: Thanks for sharing your brownie, do you want to share the rest of our lives together? 🙂
#2 – Home Slice Pizza
This is one we would not have just stumbled upon without finding out about it online. We are so glad we found it on our last trip to Chattanooga. Their vegan pizza is amazing. We also had their cauliflower bites for a starter and they might be top three cauliflower bites we’ve ever had!
#3 – Tokyo Chattanooga
A fun place with a full vegan sushi menu and a staff that is always helpful in ordering vegan.
Honorable mentions: Sluggo’s, Southern Squeeze, and Frothy Monkey.
If you’re looking for more weekend trip ideas in the Midwest — you might enjoy a trip to Indianapolis, Grand Rapids, Ludington, or an Indiana State Park!
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