Having fun in the Scenic City has no age limit. | Photo via Outdoor Chattanooga
Goodbye, 9-5. If you (or someone you know) recently retired, you might be looking for activities catering to older adults. Clock into our retirement guide, and find opportunities in Chattanooga that work for you.
Get fit
If you’re not planning on slowing down in your retirement, keep moving with fitness classes designed for older Chattanoogans.
Register for Outdoor Chattanooga’s Silver Adventures series where you can take a private visit to Lula Lake or pick up a new skill like Adult Archery — both offerings are free.
Check out Senior Classes at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga, from Latin-inspired cardio dance to strengthening balance + coordination.
There’s no wrong way to get fit. Your first step could be as easy as finding walking trails at a local park or exploring one of Chattanooga’s easier hikes.
Spend time with the grandkids
If you’re looking to spend time with the grandchildren, explore these 25+ kid-friendly activities in the Scenic City and pick one that’s your speed. Pro tip: Don’t drive — take a ride on CARTA’s free shuttle services or enjoy discounted fares for seniors (kids five and under travel for free).
Volunteer
Give back to the community by volunteering at a local organization. Whether you’re interested in supporting a community center or want to volunteer outdoors, check out our full list.
See permanent and traveling exhibits when visiting the Hunter Museum of American Art.
Photo by NOOGAtoday
Explore the arts
Beat the crowds and take a weekday trip to one of Chattanooga’s many museums, and be on the lookout for senior discounts (we see you, Hunter Museum of American Art). You can also enjoy a performance — older adults can receive discounts for shows at spots like the Chattanooga Theatre Center.
Bonus: Connect with other older adults in Chattanooga through Facebook.
Events
Events
Tuesday, Oct. 22
Taco Tuesday Social | Tuesday, Oct. 22 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Hutton and Smith Brewing Co. | Free+, RSVP | Learn about local club Nooga Night Rotary + stick around for free tacos and beers.
Gallery Opening | Tuesday, Oct. 22 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Society of Work, Somer Station | Free, RSVP | Head to the Velvet Lounge to see works from Chattanooga-based artists while enjoying drinks + light refreshments.
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical” | Tuesday, Oct. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Memorial Auditorium | $55+ | Come out for the opening night of this jukebox musical based on the 2001 film.
Wednesday, Oct. 23
Sea Sprouts | Wednesday, Oct. 23 | 10 a.m.-11 a.m. | Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater | $15 | Kiddos ages 3-4 can explore different animals through story time, sensory play, stations, and more.
Thursday, Oct. 24
Bat Week | Thursday, Oct. 24-Thursday, Oct. 31 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn | Free | Celebrate these winged creatures by dispelling myths and misconceptions with the center’s naturalist — meet at the Interpretive Center.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics | Thursday, Oct. 24 | Times vary | The Beverly Ballroom at The Hotel Chalet at The Choo Choo | $45+ | Hear holiday-themed songs performed by the Listeso String Quartet.
🍂 Head to the Historic Hermitage for an un-fall-gettable autumn getaway
Presented by Andrew Jackson Foundation
Pro tip: The Tennessee-made gift shop items are perfect for holiday presents. | Photo provided by the Andrew Jackson Foundation
Fall in love with the season on the historic grounds of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, a scenic drive away in Nashville.
The meticulously preserved estate of our 7th president offers a slice of history in a vibrant autumn setting, with seasonal events + immersive tours on this 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark.
Here’s a few visitor faves to get you going:
The Mansion Tour | Explore Jackson’s Greek Revival-style mansion, where 90+ percent of items on display are original, including furniture, wallpaper, and family possessions.
The Garden & Arboretum Tour | Stroll the grounds with the historic garden manager and see Jackson’s final resting place.
For some cool weather fun, plan your visit around:
“This Chattanooga company was featured on ‘Jeopardy!’ — What is Legacybox?” That’s right, local video duplication service Legacybox was used in a clue for the $1,200 Double Jeopardy question in the “mottoes” category. The company was founded in 2009 + digitizes 30,000 videos weekly. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Closing
The owners of vegan restaurant Plant Power Cafe have announced they will be closing their second location, Plant Power Eatery in Hixson. Stay tuned on Instagram for updates on the spot’s last day of operation — until then, the eatery will be open Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Biz
The Chattanooga Free Store, a local mutual aid organization, is moving two doors down into a new suite on Dodson Avenue. This change will double the size of the store + folks can visit the space (Suite A) beginning Monday, Oct. 28. You can still donate items at Suite C until the move is complete.
Cause
The Grayson Foundation in nearby Cleveland, in partnership with The American Childhood Cancer Organization, has launched a campaign to bring a new specialty license plate to Tennessee residents. In order to become official, 792 Childhood Cancer Awareness plates still need to be pre-ordered by June.
Seasonal
The City of Chattanooga is partnering with Midtown Connect to host its annual Fall Family Fest Block Party on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The parking lot at 5704 Marlin Rd. will feature trunk-or-treat stations, a kid zone, food trucks, and more. Bonus: Donate a bag of clothes to enter a staycation raffle.
Try This
If you’ve ever wanted a vintage photograph of yourself, then you’ll be happy to know that Nashville-based tintype photographer Aidan Higginbotham will be stopping in the Scenic City this week. Get a portrait taken at Broads Lounge on Thursday, Oct. 24, or at Oddstory Brewing Co. on Friday, Oct. 25.
Listen
Last week, we asked you all to help us come up with our own dinner playlist. Next time you’re cooking dinner or hosting some friends, hit play on these tracks. Have songs you want to add? Queue them up.
Number
$784. That’s a real flight deal from the Chattanooga Airport to New Zealand this year. Sign up for Going’s Premium plan + never miss a great deal again.*
Travel
For a limited time, save up to 50% on a AAA Membership — and add an additional driver for free or at a discounted rate. Members access AAA Roadside Assistance 24/7/365, plus savings on flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and more with AAA Travel. Join AAA before this deal ends.*
Finance
It’s time to take a break from your high-interest debt. For one of the longest no-interest periods on a balance transfer card experts have seen in a while,check this out.*
Category
Festival
🥃 Neat or on the rocks?
Grab your tasting glass to sample different kinds of whiskey. | Photo by Amy Kenyon Photography via Tennessee Whiskey Festival | Amy Kenyon
Get ready to get sippin’. The 10th annual Tennessee Whiskey Festival will return to the Choo Choo Gardens from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.
The festival was created showcase the state’s craft spirits and those who produce them. Folks will have the opportunity to taste some of the best whiskey Tennessee has to offer from 35+ distilleries — see last year’s offerings.
All ticket holders must be 21 or older with a valid ID.
Pro tip: This is a tasting event only, bottles of whiskey will not be available for purchase — you can ask a distillery representative for local retailers, like Imbibe + Valley Liquors Inc., where you can purchase products.
The Buy
The Buy
This 4-in-1 car charger. It plugs into your car’s auxiliary power outlet and includes retractable USB-C and Lightning cables as well as USB-C and USB-A ports so you can charge up to four devices at once.
Calling all bird enthusiasts + photographers. I’ve been spending my evenings recently watching flocks of geese fly in their migration patterns right over my apartment. Whether you know some cool facts or have snagged a photo of them in action, I would love to share them with the rest of our readers — just ping me.
