Looks like you’re next visit will be to Chattanooga, TN based on your answers to our city quiz
Welcome to Chattanooga — the Scenic City, Gig City + River City, all in one. Chloé and Trista here, the editors of NOOGAtoday, and we’re so excited to show you around. Before we get started on the tour, here are a few Nooga facts:
○ In 1815, John Ross settled the area, called Ross’s Landing at that point, and renamed Chattanooga in 1838. The name came from a Creek Native American tribe word meaning “rock rising to a point.”
○ Now, Chattanooga’s most popular nickname is Scenic City. It’s not hard to understand why — Nooga has the most stunning landscapes in the state. It’s surrounded by mountains + ridges, with the Tennessee River flowing through.
○ Chattanooga is in one of the most biologically diverse areas of the world. Yeah, we said world. The city is in a temperate moist forest biome and holds multiple ecosystems. The waterways that run through boast a rich freshwater life, and beyond the surface, there’s an underwater rainforest.
Alright, let’s have a look around.
The Tennessee Aquarium
Visit now: The Tennessee Aquarium has live cams of their penguins, sharks + otters. They also do a virtual Facebook Live event every day at 1 p.m., and you can catch their past #AquariumAtHome videos here.
Visit later: When the aquarium opens back up, don’t miss the magical butterfly exhibit. 🦋 Oh, and while wandering down Discovery Hall, keep your eyes peeled for the country’s largest salamander — the hellbender — which breathes through its skin.
Bonus: The Tennessee Aquarium has been rated as Chattanooga’s top attraction, and if that’s not enough, it was ranked in the top 10 aquariums in the world.
The Hunter Museum of American Art
Visit now: It’s hard to even know where to start — the Hunter Museum has truly built a virtual experience to enjoy while we’re sheltering at home. There’s everything from kid’s activities — wanna do a photo scavenger hunt, anyone? — to the permanent art collection and mini-concerts from String Theory.
Bonus: Trista here, and my personal favorite exhibit was “Southbound: Photographs of and about the New South.” It left the Hunter on April 26, but you can still experience it virtually.
Visit later: When the museum reopens, check out one of their educational programs. They have something for everyone, pre-K to adults.
Ruby Falls
Visit now: Go behind the scenes of this famous underground waterfall — it’s the tallest and deepest one open to the public in the U.S. — with Facebook Live tours. They have tranquil escapes with soothing sounds and visuals, educational talks about geological formations, stories of historical moments at the falls + more.
Visit later: As fun as a virtual tour is, there’s nothing like plummeting six stories by elevator into a cave. And if you’re a thrill-seeker, you have to try the High Point ZIP Adventure — the views are breathtaking, and you can do some rock climbing, too. (Like a true Noogan. 😅)
Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center
Visit now: There is so much to learn from this level 4 arboretum and nature center, and luckily they’ve been keeping us on our toes with educational videos about local wildlife. Fill your head with facts about red wolves, which trees grow best in certain climates and the history of bird-banding + why it’s rapidly changing. No matter where you live, the folks at Reflection Riding are on a mission to make you a steward of your natural surroundings.
Visit later: Rent a canoe and tour Lookout Creek — there is a gentle current and beautiful scenery, so it’s nothing short of relaxing. You also cannot miss the native animal exhibit. All animals at this nature center have either suffered an injury, been kept illegally as a pet or are endangered and part of a species survival plan. We highly recommend checking out the red wolves.
DYK — the red wolf has been endangered since 1967. According to the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, there are only about 40 living in native habitats in eastern North Carolina and more than 200 are in captive breeding facilities throughout the U.S.
Eatin’ in NOOGA
When it’s safe to visit, you’ll have plenty of delectable food options.
Chloé’s personal favorites include Community Pie, La Altena, Cashew, State of Confusion, The Bitter Alibi, Mad Priest + Milk and Honey.
Trista loves Sluggo’s, Willow St. Deli, Mean Mug, Home Slice Pizza, The Flying Squirrel, Syrup and Eggs, + the food hall, Market South.
We’ve also got plenty of articles to help you navigate the local food scene.
○ You can’t miss these classic Chattanooga restaurants, like Tremont Tavern, River Street Deli + Lupi’s Pizza.
○ There’s no better way to find good food than to ask the locals. Here you can see what local foods Chattanooga residents can’t live without.
○ And if you’re gluten-free, we’ve got you covered there too. Check out this list of 20 local restaurants with gluten-free options.
○ If you come to town and get the urge to cook, you may want to check out these places to get local produce.
That brings us to the end of the tour. You didn’t think we could show you all of Chattanooga, did ya? Some things you just have to experience in person, like paddleboarding on the river on a sunny day or hiking to Sunset Rock for a picnic + views.
If you still haven’t had enough of Nooga, check out the photo album we recently made and start daydreaming about which local hostel + hotel you’ll stay when you visit. And be sure to stop by the Chattanooga Tourism Co. website for more virtual fun + inspiration for your next trip to Scenic City. We can’t wait to see you. 👋
