Surrounding Areas

Brainerd

Brainerd is one of the many suburban neighborhoods in Chattanooga but is unique in its convenience to downtown Chattanooga. With bustling businesses on both sides of Brainerd Road and located only 15 minutes from downtown Chattanooga Brainerd is a great place to eat, shop, and live. Brainerd Road was established in 1817, so as you can imagine, the town is full of character and history from the homes to the businesses and the parks. Check out Eastgate Town Center for some shopping, Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine for some tasty Thai food, and Sir Goony's for mini golf and more!

Ooltewah/Collegedale

If you’re looking for a town that’s family-focused and charming, the Ooltewah and Collegedale area should be your pick. With outdoor spaces like Imagination Station (a kids dream come true), Wolftever Creek Greenway, Veterans Memorial Park, Enterprise South Nature Park, and Red Clay State Park – to name a few – it’s easy to keep the kids busy. The best way to spend a weekend in Ooltewah/Collegedale is by walking around Cambridge Square to experience fine dining, chic boutiques, and plenty of fun for a guy or girls’ night out. Just down the road is The Commons where local artisans offer fresh produce and homemade goodies on the weekends.

Red Bank

A 10-minute drive finds you in the heart of one of Chattanooga’s growing communities. Along Dayton Boulevard, you’ll find plenty of local flavor, artisan shops and one of the city’s most underrated parks. Must-see shops include Jalic Blades (with their replica Game of Thrones swords), BUD floral and home and the Northside Neighborhood House thrift shop (one of the best in the city). No need for hunger pains as Red Bank has plenty of local restaurants to try like the infamous Dub’s Place (hamburgers and ice cream), Bread & Butter (adorable artisan bakery, don't even get us started on those flourless brownies), Pie R Square and Pizzeria Cortile for a “fancy pants” pie (sweet and savory) and some good local brews. Speaking of brews, check out Clever Ale House!

East Ridge

At the intersection of our two major highway systems — I-24 and I-75 — it’s no surprise that East Ridge has seen tremendous growth in just a few years. Exit 1 is home to multiple hotels and shopping centers. Locals and visitors enjoy the sprawling Camp Jordan complex for sports and leisure activities. Test your skills at Top Golf driving range with big TVs and beer or Craft Axe Throwing. Soccer fans are thrilled that East Ridge is now home to the Chattanooga Red Wolves team and their amazing new soccer stadium. In the spring through late fall, Boyd’s Speedway is slingin’ dirt. Oh, and antiques. There’s a ton of places to shop for old stuff in East Ridge.

Lookout Valley

Want to be close to all of the fun on Lookout Mountain? Look no further than Lookout Valley. Tucked away in the valley between Lookout and Raccoon Mountains, you’ll find no shortage of hotels and places to kick back and relax after you’re done exploring Reflection Riding Arboretums & Nature Center and Raccoon Mountain. Hungry? Check out LemonGrass Thai or reserve a 7-course, private French dining experience at La Cabriole (reservation only). Snag a campsite at Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground and DO go spelunking on one of their cave tours.

Soddy-Daisy

If you’re searching for an outdoor oasis right outside of the city, hop on Highway 27 and head north to Soddy-Daisy. While this neighborhood is considered suburban, it’s home to some of the best hiking, swimming holes, and waterfalls in the area. Check out the Big Soddy Gulf Creek area for family-friendly outdoor adventures or take a dip in the North Chick Blue Hole, where the water is crystal clear and perfect for swimming during the spring and summer months. After a day of outdoor fun, refuel with waterfront views at Steve’s Landing or grab yourself a sweet treat from Kay’s Kastles before heading back downtown.

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Nestled at the base of Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo is a surprising little town. On your way in, you will be greeted with the International Towing Museum. Wait… what??? Yes, a towing museum. The only one in the world to be exact. The first recovery vehicle was created in Chattanooga. The Museum features a replica of the first towing vehicle as well as vehicles from other countries and decades. Then...

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Lookout Mountain is full of bragging rights experiences. People may not believe you when you tell them you took an elevator 26 stories below ground then walked deep into a cave past stalagmites, stalactites, and drapery formations to see the largest and deepest underground commercial waterfall in the United States, Ruby Falls. Above ground, it’s ok if you scream while your heart’s pumping on the...

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The Southside neighborhood is flourishing with restaurants, small businesses, galleries, entertainment and nightlight. Spanning the area between 12th and 20th streets, this district is anchored by the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo. You can find a bit of everything here whether it’s beer in a train car at American Draft, coffee by day and wine by night at Frothy Monkey, cocktails at STIR, and live...

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Standing in front of the impressive, 42,000 sq. ft. “MLK Mural: We Will Not Be Satisfied Until” is powerful. Created in 2016 by world-renowned artist Meg Saligman, the mural is the largest in the Southeast, one of the five largest in the nation, and the first to wrap an entire city block. It is quite a sight and preserves our cultural heritage with lush colors and locally-sourced imagery of...

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What was once a forgotten part of Chattanooga is now one of the most memorable areas of our downtown footprint. From delicious eateries to luxury hotels and events throughout the year, the incredibly walkable West Village is waiting for you. If you’re looking for a romantic spot to grab a bite, check out Paloma Bar de Tapas, the rooftop restaurant and bar at the Westin with views looking out at...

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Some might say that Chattanooga's City Center is "where the magic happens" and we really can't argue with it. Chock full of local restaurants, shopping, and some of the coolest start-ups in town, it's the place to be. Be sure to visit Warehouse Row to get a peek at what’s inside. Pick out a new outfit at Anthropologie or lululemon athletica, a cool piece for your home at Revival, a latte from...

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Overlooking the Tennessee River, the Bluff View Art District provides some of the best scenery in the Tennessee Valley. Bite into hand-made chocolate filled with whiskey and sip on a steamy latte on the patio at Rembrandt’s Coffee House while literally smelling the next batch of beans being roasted a few hundred feet away. Choosing between the create-your-own-combo house-made angel hair pasta with...

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The epicenter of outdoor events in Chattanooga is the expansive Riverfront area with plenty of green space, local eateries and peaceful views of the Tennessee River. Looking for a stroll? The area surrounding Ross’s Landing offers paved trails — even a zig-zag one — and nearby access to the Bluff View Art District, Walnut Street Bridge and everything downtown has to offer. Start your riverfront...

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The grass is always greener on the North Shore! Maybe not greener, but definitely more of it! The North Shore is connected to downtown by 4 bridges, including the Walnut Street Bridge which is one of the longest pedestrian-only bridges in the world. You can toggle between the shores of the Tennessee River by walking, using a bike from Bike Chattanooga or taking the free electric shuttle. So easy....

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That other mountain community gets all the love, but Signal Mountain is a dream for those seeking to get away from it all and deep into the natural beauty of the region while still staying close to the city and all it has to offer. Named one of the “best places to live in Tennessee,” the mountaintop community is also a great place to visit. One word: trails. Just 20-minutes from downtown, Signal...

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