Chattanooga’s 2022 spring bucket list

As the saying goes, it’s time to spring forward. With more time to soak in the sunshine comes endless opportunities to experience everything Chattanooga has to offer this season.

From farmers markets to gardening events + spring festivals, this ultimate Chattanooga Spring Bucket List offers plenty of activities to keep your springtime bright.

👟 Activities

• Go on a bike ride | Rent a bike for the day to take a ride on the Riverwalk, or take it to the recently-completed South Chick Creek Greenway
• Have a picnic | Pack up a bag (or grab something to-go) and head to Coolidge Park or Greenway Farms for a picnic and a walk.
• Go on a safari | Check out the Chattanooga Tourism Co.’s Spring Break Safari for kiddos + their families.
• Start spring cleaning | Get your workspace organized with this class from The Chattery, and clean out your closet by donating to the Chattanooga Dress Drive, or participating in the SHE BOP clothing swap.
• Go on a flower hunt | See if you can find + identify all of these flowering trees around Chattanooga.
• Get camping | Head to Prentice Cooper State Forest or South Cumberland State Park for a weekend camping trip as the weather begins to warm.

🪴 Gardening

Local plant shops + nurseries:

• The Secret Garden, 1302 S. Willow St. (moving soon to St. Elmo)
• The Barn Nursery, 1801 E. 24th St.
• Plant Candy Collective, 2265 Gunbarrel Rd.
• Botanica Plant Shop, 1010 Market St.
• Bees on a Bicycle, 1909 Market St.
• Signal Mountain Nursery, 1100 Hubbard Rd.
• America’s Gardens, 4637 Dayton Blvd.
• The Backyard Nursery, 2301 E. Main St.
• Reflection Riding, 400 Garden Rd.

Gardening events:

• Seed & Plant Swap | Sat., March 19 | 1 p.m. | Urban Horticulture Supply, 3009 Wood Ave. | All levels of gardeners are invited to mingle and trade seeds + plants.
• Intro to Beekeeping | Sat., April 9 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Crabtree Farms | $30 | You won’t bee-lieve (sorry) how much this workshop has to offer: learn about basic bee biology, beekeeping equipment, honey extraction, and more.
• Master Your Garden Expo | April 9-10 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Camp Jordan Arena | $10 | Explore all things gardening and the outdoors at this expo, which features the Tennessee Valley Bonsai Society, Crabtree Farms + more.
• Crabtree’s 2022 Spring Plant Sale & Festival | April 22-24 | Various times | Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St. | Price of purchase | Shop sustainably grown vegetable, fruit, herb, and flower starts for your spring + summer garden while enjoying music, craft vendors, and more.

🥕 Farmers Markets

• Main Street Farmers Market | Every Wednesday | 4-6 p.m. | 1804 Chestnut St. | Free+ | Celebrate spring this year with Spring-A-Ma-Jig, the market’s annual springtime event.
• Chattanooga River Market - Spring Break | March 12-April 10 | Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. + Sundays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Tennessee Aquarium Plaza | Free+ | In celebration of spring, the River Market is open on the weekends until Easter.
• Signal Mountain Market | Beginning Sat., April 2 | One Saturday a month, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Signal Mountain Arts Community Center | Free+ | This new local market will feature local vendors, live music, coffee + food trucks, and even a free babysitting service for parents.
• Chattanooga Market | Beginning Sat., April 23 | Sundays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion | Free+ | This spring, look forward to the Strawberry Festival on May 15 + the Flower Festival on May 22.

✈️ Spring break trips

Flying:

• Check out these eight Spring Break destinations for under $500 from the Chattanooga Airport. Options range from Las Vegas to Savannah to Chicago, so there are plenty of options for the local traveler.

Road-tripping:

• Try out — or return to — a classic East Tennessee experience: Dollywood. Weather permitting, bask in the sun at the park’s Splash Country or enjoy one of the park’s many rides + attractions.
• Nearing Gatlinburg are the Tuckaleechee Caverns — known as the “Greatest Site Under the Smokies.” These caverns also host the most sensitive seismic station on Earth.
• If you’re going out a little farther, say, to Nashville (hey NASHtoday), try something new + visit Madame Tussauds. If you’d rather keep it classic and check out some museums, visit the National Museum of African American Music or the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Staycation-ing:

• There are many unique places to visit right in our backyards. If you’re looking for a cozy cabin or cottage, try booking a stay at the historic Pot Point Cabin or at The Chanticleer Inn Bed and Breakfast near Rock City. If you’re wanting something a little fancier, get luxurious at The Edwin Hotel or Moxy Chattanooga.

🌳 Parks, greenways + playgrounds to visit

• Greenway Farms, Gann Store Rd. | Don’t miss the beautiful quarry at this dog-friendly park.
• Coolidge Park, 150 River St. | Walk along the river, picnic on the grass, play in the fountains + take a $1 ride on the carousel.
• Renaissance Park, 100 Manufacturers Rd. | Two words: cardboard hill.
• Reflection Riding, 400 Garden Rd. | Meet redwolves, canoe on Lookout Creek, and enjoy the full arboretum — if you aren’t a member, you must reserve a pass first.
• White Oak Park, 2 Midvale Ave. E. | Bring your pup to hang out with other dogs + let your kids enjoy the playground.
• Vandergriff Park, 1414 Gadd Rd. | This park features three playgrounds to accommodate different ages.
• BlueCross Healthy Place at Highland Park, 1800 Vance Ave. | Enjoy a full playground, basketball + tennis courts, grassy field, and track.
• BlueCross Healthy Place at St. Elmo, 4909 St. Elmo Ave. | This newly-opened playground features a challenge course, fitness station, and more.
• Montague Park, 1800 Polk St. | Walk amidst the incredible sculpture fields at this park.
• Chickamauga + Chattanooga National Military Park, 110 Point Park Rd. | Enjoy the history + nature of this National Military Park.
• Enterprise South Nature Park, 190 Still Hollow Loop | Check out various hiking trails at this nature park.

🎟️ Festivals

• Rock the Riverfront | Every weekend through April 3 | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | Watch the Chattanooga Green become a hub of events that range from live entertainment to family-friendly activities — all near “Impulse,” a new interactive art installation.
• Save Water, Drink Wine | Sat., March 26 | 5-8 p.m. | Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St. | $50 | Have a drink or two at WaterWays’ annual fundraiser, which supports + celebrates our local watersheds.
• 2022 Sip TN Wine Fest | Sat., March 26 | 12-6 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion | $10+ | Taste over 100 wines produced right here in Tennessee.
• Big 9 Roots Festival | Sat., April 9-Sun., April 10 | Various times | Bessie Smith Cultural Center | Free | Bring your lawn chairs to enjoy this two-day music festival with artists like Sam Sims, Kipper Jones, and more.
• 4 Bridges Art Festival | Sat., April 9-Sun., 10 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion | $5 (free entry for students + those under 18) | Celebrate the arts at this juried art show that showcases the work of ~140 artists.
• National Cornbread Festival | Sat., April 23-Sun., April 24 | Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. + Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | South Pittsburg, TN | $10+ | The annual Cornbread Festival returns with games, carnival rides, live music, vendors, food, and of course, plenty of cornbread.
• Nooga Noise | Sat., May 7 | 12-11 p.m. | Father Patrick J Ryan Hall, 313 Sylvan St. | $15+ | This inaugural festival celebrates Chattanooga’s performers and features a full day of music, food + more.
• Rail & Hops Brewers Festival | Sat., May 7 | 4- 10 p.m. | Miller Park | $25+ | Celebrate local + regional brewers and their artistry at this event — proceeds benefit SoundCorps, a nonprofit dedicated to growing the local music economy.
• WanderLingerFest 2022 | Fri., May 13-Sun., May 15 | 6-8 p.m. | Wanderlinger Brewing Co. | $99+ | Enjoy three days of live music, art + craft vendors, and beer. This year’s headliners are Funk You, Daniel Donato, Masseuse, and Oweda.
• Water Lantern Festival | Sat., May 14 | 2:30-7 p.m. | Chester Frost Park | $25.99+ | Enjoy food trucks, music, and a lantern design + launch.
• Hike Bike Brew Beer Festival | Sat., May 14 | 1-5 p.m. | Lula Lake | $65+ | 10 local brewers await you as you hike or bike along Lula Lake’s “Beer Path loop.”

🥾 Hiking

• Spring Hike | Sat., March 19 | 9:45-11 a.m. | Booker T. Washington State Park | Free | Tennessee State Parks celebrates the coming of spring with a guided hike.
• Arboretum Walk | Sat., April 9 | 9-11 a.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Rd. | $5+ | Focus on the trees in Reflection Riding’s Arboretum Collection while you take this walk.
• Invasive Species Walk | Wed., April 13 | 9-11 a.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Rd. | $5+ | Check out local invasive species with Reflection Riding’s Invasive Species Specialist, Byron Brooks.
• Wildflower Walk | Fri., April 15 | 9-11 a.m. | Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, 400 Garden Rd. | $5+ | Take a look at what’s blooming this spring in the park’s Center.
• Sunset Rock | Everyday | 6 a.m. to sunset | Local sunset-enjoyers know that clear, springtime sunsets are best viewed at the edge of Lookout Mountain.

Want more hiking options? Check out our most recent hiking guides.

This content is sponsored by Rock/Creek Outfitters. Their goal is to equip you with everything you need to enjoy the great outdoors. Get outfitted for spring in one of their two Chattanooga locations or online.