Last year, Chattanooga Tourism Co. serviced 253 events, drawing over 299,000 attendees + generating $183.9 million in economic impact. | Photo by J. Adams via Chattanooga Tourism Co.
Would you believe us if we said tourism is a driving force for economic growth in Hamilton County — supporting over 30,000 jobs + generating more than $70 million in local tax revenue?
Chattanooga Tourism Co. recently released its 2024 Annual Report, highlighting tourism’s impact on our local economy. You can read the full report online, but here are some of the key takeaways from last year’s findings.
Hamilton County leads Tennessee in hotel room sales, outpacing the state + the nation with a 0.9% year-over-year increase in hotel rooms sold.
Folks are still interested in traveling to Chattanooga and coming back again — 53% of overnight travelers had visited the Scenic City before in the past 12 months. Why this matters? Overnight visitors account for 40% of total visitation + generate 46% of total visitor spending ($707 million in 2023).
These visitors are spending their money on food and beverage, transportation, accommodations, recreation, and retail — aka supporting local businesses + state and local tax revenue. This saves every Hamilton County household $1,205 annually.
“Every dollar spent by a visitor in Hamilton County is a dollar directly invested in our local economy,” said Chattanooga Tourism Co. CEO Barry White. “Chattanooga’s tourism growth speaks volumes about its appeal, our community partnerships, and the welcoming spirit of our people.”
Bonus: Keep scrolling through the report to see Chattanooga Tourism Co.’s partners, productivity numbers, event recaps + how it invests locally.
Events
Events
Thursday, March 20
Native Plant Nursery Opening Day | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center | Free+ | Shop from over 90 native plant species to beautify your space + help restore our local area’s biodiversity.
Critter Trek | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Chattanooga Audubon Society | $10+ | Your spring break just got cuter — stop by the nature sanctuary to walk, cuddle, and take pictures with a goat, baby doll sheep, or pig.
Friday, March 21
Riverside Chattanooga 10 | Friday, March 21-Saturday, March 22 | Times vary | First Horizon Pavilion | Free+ | Come for the cars, stay for the people at this event that features live music, food trucks, a market + a showcase of vintage and luxury cars.
Saturday, March 22
Holi Festival | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Creative Discovery Museum | Price of admission | Celebrate the arrival of spring with this vibrant Festival of Colors, immersing yourself in the sights, sounds + flavors of India.
10th Anniversary Patio Party | 12-5 p.m. | Clumpies Ice Cream Co. (St. Elmo) | Free+ | Join the celebrations at this patio party featuring birthday cake ice cream, lawn games, and a local vendor market.
Scream Break | 3-10 p.m. | Dread Hollow | $17+ | Thrill seekers can brave the haunted house, three horror-themed escape rooms, and take a behind-the-scenes, lights-on tour with the haunt creators.
Salamander Meander & Wildflower Walk | 9:30 a.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center | $18+ | Enjoy a guided morning expedition through Reflection Riding’s 300-acre campus. Look for slithering + crawling creatures like salamanders, turtles, snakes, and lizards, plus spring wildflowers.*
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Big Chicken’s Hixson Pike location closed its doors permanently. The chain, owned by former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal, will continue to operate its Broad Street location — get a taste of what to expect. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Traffic
Intermittent closures between Central + South Holtzclaw Avenues may occur now through tomorrow for phase one of the 14th Street Neighborhood Bikeway Project. Two-way travel will be maintained by flaggers, but use caution as CDOT crews work within the right-of-way.
Community
Make Music Day, an all-day celebration of local talent, will return on Saturday, June 21. To help prepare, local artists, venues, organizations + community members are invited to attend the first informational meeting today at 11 a.m. via Zoom — RSVP.
Sports
Sign-ups to join the Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Department’s spring season adult softball leagues are open now through Monday, March 31. The Summit of Softball Complex will offer men’s, women’s, and co-ed divisions. Learn more.
Listen
Local musician Jeron Devonté will host a free classical musical recital on Sunday, March 23 at St. Luke United Methodist Church. Starting at 2:30 p.m., folks will hear the works of Scarlatti, Charles Lloyd Jr., Leslie Adams + Strauss performed by singers of all experience levels.
Arts
Calling all high school + college students — Stove Works announced an open call for its upcoming Teen Curators exhibition: “Themes of Connection.” Submit up to three works of any medium that showcase your connection to others and your environment now through Wednesday, April 2.
Fact or Fiction
Fact: Some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster. (It sounds wild, but it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. This one even offers 5% cash back on your purchases.*
Stat
Every six seconds. That’s how often a pet owner spends $1,000+ in unforeseen care costs for their fur baby. Pet insurance could cover up to 90% of these costs — find the right plan.*
Category
Drink
Spring is in the air + in our cups
Try “Ernie” — a black sesame matcha latte served hot or iced at Velo Coffee Roasters. | Photo by @velocoffee
In honor of today being the first day of spring, we’re sharing five coffee shops in town offering seasonal bevs you can try for a limited time.
This Southside coffee shop’s spring seasonals have hit the menu — ranging from black sesame espresso or matcha lattes to the cold brew libre (a Mexican Coke with cold brew concentrate + lime juice).
You’ll have to wait a few days for this one, but Grannies Recipe — an iced vanilla bean cappuccino topped with banana pudding cold foam + garnished with Nilla Wafer crumbles — will be on the menu starting Saturday, March 29.
Last month, I asked our readers where they would like to see food flights around town, and it seems like Kai Bistro has heard our pleas (or so I would like to think). They are now offering the Korean BBQ Sampler — where you can try all of their offerings on one plate during lunch hours. Yum.
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