A Darling Day Trip to Chattanooga, TN

How to make the most of a Saturday in the Scenic City 

Dear Darling,  

Berry College is located in Northwest Georgia, making it extremely convenient for students and faculty alike to travel into the bordering states of Alabama and Tennessee. Chattanooga, most known for its riverfront and downtown, is the fourth largest city in Tennessee and is at the junction of four interstate highways. I am from a small town in the top right corner of Alabama, and if anyone from my town were going shopping, then that meant they were making the 45-minute drive to Chattanooga. To this day, Chattanooga is one of my favorite cities in the South. I have spent countless Saturdays taking full advantage of the numerous restaurants, shopping centers, and natural landscapes that the beautiful city has to offer. 

Brunch 

Chattanooga is located 67 miles away from Rome, and by taking I-75, you can get there in an hour and 16 minutes. By leaving out in the morning, you can make it into the city just in time for a yummy brunch. I suggest going to Market Street first and starting your day out at Warehouse Row. Parking is free, other than the parking garage, where you can pay for hours at a time. Warehouse Row was originally an Old Stone Fort during the Civil War, then was turned into a warehouse at the turn of the 20th century, and is now a vibrant shopping center. Unlike the multiple malls in Chattanooga, Warehouse Row is a beautiful building with historic features. It has many restaurants, including Tupelo Honey, which was ranked "Most Booked" and "Great for Brunch" by OpenTable Diner's Choice in 2018. They serve southern food with a twist, so you can start your busy day with a fried chicken biscuit, shrimp and grits, or a yummy mimosa. You might want to make a reservation ahead of time, or you'll end up waiting. After eating, you can browse around their many shops, such as Lululemon, Anthropologie, and J. Crew. 

See Rock City 

While on the interstate, I'm sure you encountered a couple of billboards inviting you to "See Rock City!" While Lookout Mountain has two main scenic tourist attractions, Rock City and Ruby Falls, Rock City is the one I grew up visiting. This year, the attraction celebrates its 90th year in operation, and for good reason. Just six miles from Downtown Chattanooga, Rock City offers a 4,100-foot trail where you will see giant ancient rock formations, gardens with over 400 native plant species, a stunning waterfall, and an overlook where you can see seven states! It is recommended that you buy tickets in advance from their website, as it is a very popular way to spend a Saturday. While there, you should grab a bite to eat at their grill, and grab a t-shirt from the gift shop. 

Walnut Street Bridge 

Walnut Street Bridge is an iconic walking bridge that goes across the Tennessee River. Any time of the day, it is covered with bikers and people strolling. After your few hours at Rock City, I recommend parking near the bridge and getting dinner at Tony's Pasta Shop & Trattoria. The caprice and fried salmon are to die for, and there are many vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Then, walk over to The Ice Cream Show, which is always covered up. The perfect way to wrap up your day is by grabbing a cone and walking across the bridge, watching the sunset over the river and city. One Saturday during my freshman year, a few friends and I made the drive and did exactly that, and it was so much fun. 

Overall 

Chattanooga is a vibrant city with so much more to offer than what is listed above. Whenever my mom and I go to Chattanooga, we love to shop til we drop. We always grab some coffee from Scooter's, lunch at P.F. Changs, and shop at the Hamilton Place Mall, TJ Maxx, and Target. To us, that's the best day in Chatt. On days when my niece and nephew come with us, we typically go to the huge aquarium or one of the many movie theaters with reclining seats. Take the list above with a grain of salt, because it does not even begin to scratch the surface of ways to spend a Saturday in Chattanooga. But I do think it is a good place to start. Happy travels, darling!

Sincerely, 

Abby Grace Shrader