Follow me to some of my favorite things happening in Chattanooga. | Photo by NOOGAtoday
Howdy readers. City Editor Haley here. Tomorrow, Oct. 31 just so happens to be my 26th birthday (and also one of my favorite days since it’s also Halloween), so I thought I would celebrate by sharing my top 26 favorite things in and about the city.
These are in no particular order.
26.
Joli Jardin Flower Shop | This European-style flower market is the perfect stop to build your own bouquet — I love when they have dahlias.
25.
Peaches from Dickey Farms | You can find this vendor at the Chattanooga Market + they just so happen to have my favorite selection of Georgia peaches.
24.
Watching Premier League matches at Shady’s Corner | You can find me on any given weekend enjoying an ice-cold Guinness at this deli + bar.
23.
Oyster hour at Easy Bistro & Bar | In case you didn’t know, every day from 4 to 5 p.m., you can get BOGO on the rotating oyster list.
22.
Staycations | Every now and then you simply need a change of scenery + sometimes you don’t want the travel — I recently enjoyed a few tiny cabin stays at Timberroot Rustic Retreats’ Wauhatchie Woodlands.
21.
The annual 127 Yard Sale | Every August, the world’s longest yard sale makes a stop over in Signal Mountain, bringing in hundreds of vendors.
20.
The butterfly sanctuary at the Tennessee Aquarium | This room in the Ocean Journey building has been a staple in my life since before I even lived in Chattanooga.
19.
2 A.M. Bagel from Honey Seed | Hashbrowns, sausage, bacon, egg, and cheese on a Montréal-style everything bagel — need I say more? Pro tip: Sub out the white cheddar for Tillamook cheddar.
18.
Chattanooga Whiskey’s experimental batches | From a tequila barrel finish to a coffee-infused bourbon, this distillery is constantly offering small batches of some of my favorite whiskeys.
Wednesday Jazz | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Barking Legs Theater | $10+ | Join local guitarist Adam Stone for a “The Night Before Halloween” music celebration.
Thursday, Oct. 31
Bobby Stone Film Series | 7:30 p.m. | Walker Theatre | $13 | See Michael Myers on the big screen with this showing of the 1978 classic “Halloween” — on Halloween.
Dread Hollow: Vengeance | Thursday, Oct. 31-Friday, Nov. 1 | Times vary | Dread Hollow | $25 | Spend the evening at Chattanooga’s award-winning haunted attraction, featuring three eerie haunts.
Friday, Nov. 1
Author reading and conversation | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Rêve Coffee and Books, Hixson | Free | Join author, freelance writer, and award-winning humor columnist Dana Shavin as she reads from her memoir, “The Body Tourist.”
Murder Mystery Masquerade Gala | 6-10 p.m. | Calvary Chapel Church | $75+ | Put on your best mask + attire for an evening filled with suspense, drama, and fun as you uncover clues to solve the mystery of the night.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration | 6-10 p.m. | Creative Arts Guild, Dalton, GA | Free+ | Honor the dead with celebrations as you enjoy live music, food + retail vendors, and a community altar.
Campfire Concert at Reflection Riding — Randy Steele and The High Cold Wind | 5:30-10 p.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center | $30+ | Reflection Riding’s fall concert series comes to a close this Friday, Nov. 1 with local bluegrass group Randy Steele and The High Cold Wind. Kids 12 and under are free.*
The Pizza Place, a Signal Mountain eatery, has announced it is set to close by the end of this month. This locally-owned spot has been operating since 1989, serving pizza, calzones, barbecue + more on Taft Highway. (WDEF)
Outdoors
A portion of the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway will see an over two-year-long closure to construct two 1.5-million gallon stormwater storage tanks. Closures at the Camp Jordan access point to the Brainerd Road Trailhead (at Greenway View Drive) begin Monday, Nov. 18 + won’t reopen until summer 2027. (Chattanoogan.com)
Development
Speaking of closures, the City of Collegedale has announced Imagination Station will undergo renovations starting Monday, Nov. 4 through mid-December, weather permitting. Once complete, the station will have a play structure with inclusive elements, shade coverings+ new bench options like a mushroom seating area.
Health
Hamilton County plans to sell the Health Department’s current facility to Erlanger in a $10 million transaction. Notably, the department will relocate to a UTC-owned site adjacent to Engel Stadium, further establishing a healthcare corridor along 3rd Street as UTC also has plans to gain a new nursing school facility.
Civic
Registration is open for Neighborhood Services’ next Neighborhood Roundtable, slated for Monday, Nov. 18. Attendees will hear from local organization CALEB about Community Organizing 101 — from basic principles of building community power to public campaigning. Reserve your free spot.
Coming Soon
Long time readers might remember us talking about The Reading Room, a book and bar concept, last August. Now, you’re invited to join the owner on Saturday, Nov. 9 for a reveal. Head to the St. Elmo Fire Hall at 7 p.m. for books, beverages, and small bites.
Arts
The Chattery will host an open house on Saturday, Nov. 2 to show off its temporary location at The Block on Broad Street. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can participate in crafts like beeswax-candle + coaster making, watercolor painting, and fall wreath building. Walk-ins are welcome, but RSVPing is encouraged.
Eat
Fire up your taste buds. The East Ridge Council is bringing professionals together to network over bowls of chili on Thursday, Nov. 7 at its annual Chili Cook-Off. Tickets are $15 + proceeds will go toward the council’s Community Thanksgiving meal. Looking to get in on the competition? Enter your recipe.
If you frequent the Riverfront, you might have noticed the return of a replica of the ship that carried Christopher Columbus and many other explorers across oceans — the Pinta.
Brought to you by Sanger Ships LLC, this historical representation used as a “floating museum” will be sitting riverside now through Sunday, Nov. 3, offering self-guided tours.
Built in Brazil from 2002 to 2005 by eighth-generation Portuguese shipwrights, this replica shows a larger version of the archetypal caravel that was used during the Age of Discovery.
Bonus: While folks will not be able to see The Niña due to it being under construction after suffering damage from a hurricane, it is said to be the “most historically accurate Columbus replica ship ever built.” See how this company built the replicas.
A great deal for the holidays ahead — get 18 bottles of wine for $79 plus shipping. Choose from red, white, or a variety pack of red, white, and rosé. Hello, stocked bar for holiday hosting season.
Have you seen the Hunter Museum of American Art’s latest traveling exhibit, “City as a Canvas” yet? In similar theme of the piece that depicts the streets of New York through graffiti, you can take a mural walking tour through the Bluff View and MLK Boulevard areas on Saturday, Nov. 2.
Bonus: Take a virtual tour of some of Chattanooga’s murals.