This summer — Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26 — we’ll be raising a glass to Drink Up Week, a celebration of entrepreneurs, mixologists, venues, and beverages across our buzzy city.
From coffee, tea, and smoothies to wine, craft beer, and specialty cocktails and mocktails — we’ll be covering it all in hopes of showcasing the Scenic City’s vibrant drink culture.
Now, this is where you come in.
If you own a local beverage business or know someone who does, celebrate Drink Up Week with us by offering a fun drink deal or two to our readers — say 50% off margaritas, BOGO smoothies, or 20% off a beer flight (mix it up, we’re open to ideas). Drop your deal into this form by Friday, June 28 and our local City Editors will include it in an interactive map of all the deals happening during Drink Up Week. There’s no charge to submit deals.
We’ll also highlight a few of the can’t-miss drink deals here in our newsletter. Want to make sure your drink special makes it in? You can guarantee inclusion by purchasing a paid content package.
Meanwhile, if you’re a reader who wants to experience Chattanooga through Drink Up Week, sip tight. Before Drink Up rolls around, we’ll be working hard to pull together a list of local drink deals and fun stories about our city’s drink scene.
We want to know — is there a local business you’d love to see participate in Drink Up Week? Forward this newsletter to them and tell them we’d love it if they joined us.
Thirsty already? Browse through some of our drink-related stories from last year’s festivities.
Memorial Day Monday Brunch | Monday, May 27 | 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | The Edwin Hotel/Whitebird, 102 Walnut St., Chattanooga | Price of purchase | Enjoy the classics and drink specials like Bucket of Bubbles mimosas and Loaded Bloody Marys during an extended brunch hour — reservations available.
“The Blue Angels” | Monday, May 27 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater, 201 Chestnut St., Chattanooga | $10-$15 | Watch the immersive footage that puts you in the cockpit for a firsthand view of the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron.
Torch Light Tour | Monday, May 27 | 8:45 p.m. | Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, 3370 Lafayette Rd., Fort Oglethorpe, GA | Free | Tour the Civil War portion of this historic cemetery and learn the stories behind the gravestones.
Tuesday, May 28
Play Reading | Tuesday, May 28 | 7-9 p.m. | Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga | Free | Join other creatives to see someone’s original play get read by local actors + give feedback.
Wednesday, May 29
Birthday Celebration | Wednesday, May 29 | 2 p.m. | Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St., Chattanooga | Price of admission | Celebrate the museum turning 29 with a dance party and ice cream + cake on the rooftop.
Guest Chef Dinner | Wednesday, May 29 | 4 p.m. | Easy Bistro, 801 Chestnut St., Chattanooga | Price of purchase | Taste the culinary makings of Chef Kenyatta Ashford, owner of Neutral Ground, for one night only.
Thursday, May 30
Kayaking through the Chickamauga Locks | Thursday, May 30 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St., Chattanooga | $35 | Take a two-hour guided tour on the Tennessee River — all equipment provided.
Friday, May 31
Big Bam Boom | Friday, May 31 | 9-11:55 p.m. | Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St., Chattanooga | $15-$20 | Sing along to the classic songs of Hall & Oates like “Maneater” played by this tribute band.
Campfire Concert Series - The New Quintet | Friday, May 31 | 6-10 p.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Rd., Chattanooga | $30-$35 | Bring your favorite picnic blanket and relax under the stars for an evening of folk tunes + fun. Free entry for kids 12 and under.*
Memorial Day, honoring US military personnel who died in the line of duty. It is a federal holiday, meaning civic offices, most state offices, banks, and public libraries will be closed. Observe the day at the Chattanooga National Cemetery from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Development
Bids are now open for the Walnut Street Bridge renovations. The project, slated to begin in March 2025, is the first major renovation of the bridge in 30 years and will address safety concerns, upgrade lighting, and fix electrical issues. Stay tuned for official updates online + in an upcoming newsletter.
Transit
In observance of Memorial Day, CARTA’s fixed route Downtown, NorthShore, and St. Elmo Incline shuttle services will operate on Saturday schedules today, May 27. Note: The Care-A-Van services will operate on a holiday schedule. See full schedules.
Outdoors
A 15,000-sqft inclusive playground is planned for Jack Benson Heritage Park in East Brainerd. The $2 million project will feature accessible climbing structures, musical + sliding activities, and other amenities like restrooms and parking. Bonus: The state recently awarded a $250,000 grant for the park. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Traffic
Attention drivers. Every Friday now through Aug. 30, several streets around the downtown area will be closed from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. for Nightfall. Folks who need to exit buildings or parking spaces in affected areas will be directed to the intersection of MLK Boulevard + Lindsay Street.
Job
River City Co. is accepting applications for its director of programs and events position. The job will focus on cultivating and building relationships across the board (from local businesses to government entities) to bring programming to the city. See qualifications + apply.
Community
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development has launched Bike Tennessee — a new statewide road-cycling program. The initiative highlights safe and scenic routes suitable for seasoned cyclists + includes Chattanooga area locations like the Signal Mountain Out and Back. Stay tuned for a full breakdown in a future newsletter.
If spending a little now to save a lot later isn’t incentive enough, EPB is offering a $50 rebate for getting an HVAC tune-up. Didn’t think tune-ups were important? You can also get up to $1,500 on an HVAC replacement. Here’s how.*
Wellness
Don’t let summer heat drain you. One scoop of Native Hydrate electrolyte drink mix = increased energy levels, improved muscle strength, and improved bladder function all season long.*
Outdoors
Time to dive right in
Swimming holes and pools in Chattanooga
Entering the splash zone. | Photo via Chattanooga Tourism Co.
Grab your favorite swimming gear — we’re showing you around to some local swimming holes + pools to cool down in.
🤿 Swimming holes
Big Soddy Creek Gulf | 11721 Back Valley Rd. | Take a trip along a five-mile out-and-back hiking trail, with multiple stopping points where you can take a dip.
Ringgold Creek Walk | 704 Depot St. | This newly constructed walk in nearby Ringgold, GA offers water access perfect for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.
🛟 Pools
Warner Park | 1254 E. 3rd St. | $0-$3 | Enjoy this pool that features a “spray and play” splash pad and obstacle courses. Bonus: Watch a movie poolside on Saturday, June 29 + Saturday, July 27.
🎢 Water attractions
Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park | 1730 Lakeview Dr. | $0-$43 | Travel to nearby Rossville, GA to enjoy a day at this amusement park + buy a pass to the SOAKya Water Park.
Did we float over your favorite spot? Let us know.
The Buy
Summer snacks. Pack the cooler with our favorite beach + pool snacks to satisfy your cravings while soaking up the sun.
I hope everyone is spending the holiday with loved ones and enjoying the day off. I personally will be taking my own advice and taking a dip in the creek later this afternoon (if the storms hold off).
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