Cooking Up the Perfect Guys' Trip

The recipe for the perfect guys' trip is a simple concoction of live music, outdoor activity and beer. Wait…make that lots of beer. Fortunately, Chattanooga has all of these ingredients and more. Here’s what you need to whip up a great guys-only getaway.

Ingredients for the Perfect Guys' Trip in Chattanooga

2-3 nights accommodations
1 - 2 days of outdoor adventure
1 day of beer-swilling fun
1 night of live music

Instructions for the Perfect Guys' Trip in Chattanooga

First, you’ll need a place to stay.

The Crash Pad is a perfect blend between couch surfing at your buddy’s apartment and splurging on a boutique hotel. You can either spring for a private room at this “uncommon hostel," or opt for one of their “super bunks." Custom-built wraparound wooden enclosures and velvet privacy curtains ensure you can get some z’s, while each bunk boasts outlets, reading lights, free WiFi and ample locked storage underneath. As if that wasn’t enough, The Crash Pad offers free breakfast and coffee, complimentary parking and a central location that’s walking distance to food and nightlife.

Then you’ll want to stir in a day of brewery tours.

We've already done the work for you and put together a map for you to create your own beer crawl of Chattanooga or get adventurous and go with a Bike + Brew Tour.

Thanks to our vibrant local beer culture, several breweries have sprung up around town including Wanderlinger Brewing Co., Oddstory Brewing Co., Chattanooga Brewing Co., The Tap House & Empyreal Brewing Co., Hutton & Smith Brewing Co., Naked River Brewing Co., Five Wits, and the original who started it all, Big River Grille and Brewing Works.

If beer isn't your thing but you still want to partake in some libations, no problem! Schedule a behind-the-scenes tour and taste at Chattanooga Whiskey's Experimental Distillery. Then, hop across the street to visit Gate 11 Distillery in the Chattanooga Choo Choo where you can take a tour and taste their locally produced vodka, gin, rum, absinthe, and whiskey.

To access this revelry you can take the free electric shuttle or bike it using Chattanooga’s bicycle transit system. Rent the bikes for $8 per day at any kiosk then return them to any of the 40+ Bike Chattanooga stations around town.

Next, add in some adventure in the great outdoors.

Options abound including hiking Cloudland Canyon State Park, riding the Signal Mountain-Suck Creek loop, rafting the Ocoee or leaping off Lookout Mountain at America’s #1 hang gliding school. Outdoor Chattanooga offers a thorough rundown of everything the area has to offer, and Experience Chattanooga offers guided tours to some of the best spots around town.

Finally, season your trip with live music, comedy, sports, and more to taste.

Music

Options range from the local music scene at bars Hi-Fi Clydes to all-out festivals and concerts such as Moon River and free music festivals (yes, free!) including Nightfall and Riverfront Nights. Nightfall takes place every Friday from May to September at Miller Plaza. Usually attracting a couple thousand spectators, the yearly event attracts everyone from the downtown professional to the Harley enthusiast, and offers bands spanning from funk to rock to country. Riverfront Nights is a late summer concert series, offering free music on Saturday nights. Billed as “edu-tainment,” it also highlights local vendors who practice sustainable development and promote healthy lifestyles. Finally, there’s The Signal – one of Chattanooga’s newest concert venues – which attracts such A-list acts like Moon Taxi and Lord Huron.

Comedy

Memorial Auditorium, the Tivoli, and Comedy Catch all drawl well-recognized comedians. But Chattanooga's local comedy scene is hot too! Check out local go-to's at locations like Bode, Barley Taproom, JJ's Bohemia, and Exile Off Main Street.

Sports and More

Catch some baseball with the Chattanooga Lookouts or cheer on local soccer teams Chattanooga Football Club and the Red Wolves. Try your hand at axe throwing at Civil, Craft, or Valkyrie Axe Throwing. How about lunch with a side of golf simulator? Albatross Golf Sim and Bar serves up both plus a full bar!

Every October, Chattanooga becomes a motorcar mecca with the Motorcar Festival. With rallies, races, auctions, celebrities and more, this is a can't-miss for car enthusiasts.