Chattanooga, Tennessee. If this city was advertised in your state as a kid, you remember the catchy “Come See for Yourself” motto. If you grew up in the South, you probably went to the Tennessee Aquarium at some point in your childhood. If you were broke newlyweds on your first anniversary trip, you probably went here. (oh just Corey and me? OK then…) Chattanooga grew up and diversified its portfolio since then. Each neighborhood has so much to offer. Moxy Hotels vibe fits perfectly into the scene of this city in the Southside district that’s getting a revitalization shot right now. No signs are being shown of slowing down either. Moxy Chattanooga is all about location, location, location for checking off all the stops on your to-do-in-Chattanooga list.

the staples

Tennessee puts money into tourism. The rest stops show it. Across the state there are unique things to do in the major cities. Chattanooga isn’t left off that list. There are tons of fun-yet-touristy things that are still just as cool now as they were when I was a kid. Every Chattanooga to-do list includes these top attractions which I recommend not missing:

• Tennessee Aquarium: (moderate walk from the Moxy) The address of the Tennessee Aquarium says it all: 1 Broad Street. Driving down Broad Street, it dead ends into this top-rated American aquarium. Both an Ocean Journey and River Journey are here to explore.
• Lookout Mountain: (short drive from the Moxy) The next two attractions on the staples list are in Lookout Mountain, but there is more to see here than just Ruby Falls and Rock City Gardens. There is no shortage of hikes and the historic battle site of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park are here as well for the history buffs.
• Ruby Falls: (short drive from the Moxy) The tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the US is in Chattanooga. The cavern is well lit and beautiful to see.
• Rock City Gardens: (short drive from the Moxy) Do this on the same day you venture out for Ruby Falls. It’s a great hike and also where the famous “see seven states” spot to stand is located.
• Chattanooga ChooChoo: (short walk from the Moxy) Right over the tracks from the Moxy is this iconic station from the golden age of railroad. You don’t have to be a train enthusiast to appreciate the Terminal. It’s now full of shops and fabulous places to eat. For your listening pleasure, some Glenn Miller.
• Walnut Street pedestrian bridge is part of the Riverwalk area and connects the center of town to the Northshore area.

Still looking for things to do in Chattanooga? Check out the calendar here.

easy transit

Dog lovers, hikers, foodies, and shoppers can all rejoice because this city is easy to get around. Moxy Chattanooga is a dog-friendly hotel, so bring your puppers to this dog-friendly city and walk to your heart’s content. The Chattanooga Choo-Choo Terminal is a very short walk as is the one to Warehouse Row. The walk to the terminal is less than five minutes. It’s right over the King Street tracks. Warehouse Row is a 7-10 minute walk. A short drive from the Moxy is Lookout Mountain, where you and your pup can spend the day hiking before coming back to rest and refuel at the “get it your damn self” grab-and-go station in the Moxy common area.

Bikes are also available to get around Chattanooga. Similar programs are present in other cities. There are 38 stations to pick up a bike at and ride for a flat fee for 60 minutes. Moxy Chattanooga is right between two of them. After 60 minutes, overage fees are charged. To avoid those, drop your bike at a station and pick up a new one. Bike Chattanooga is a great way to get around: they’re less than a car, and a way to be environmentally conscious while you travel. Download the Transit app or Cyclefinder (or both) to be well equipped to use the Bike Chattanooga system.

CARTA is the downtown electric shuttle that’s FREE to get around downtown. There’s a stop right at King Street for the Choo Choo right at the corner of Market and King where the Moxy is. Find the CARTA routes and schedules here. Uber and Lyft also operate in Chattanooga.

restaurant recommendations

Just like there is no shortage of things to do, there is no shortage of things to eat either. Regardless of what you’re in the mood for, there’s a perfect option for you. Moxy’s concept is to make sure you have the necessities for a perfect stay and aren’t tied down to eating there. The Chattanooga location encourages you to get out and eat at the restaurants around the hotel.

In the mood for burgers? Go to Urban Stack. The menu here offers burgers for every kind of palette, including burger upgrade options to a chicken burger or an American wagyu burger. Two thumbs up for the pimento cheese dip. Burgers don’t come with fries here, but make sure to order at least one side of them. This place is also great with allergies. There are no peanuts in this establishment. Located one block down from Moxy Chattanooga.

In the mood for ramen or sushi? Go to Two Ten Jack. This is the second location for this restaurant, with the first in Nashville. The servers here are fabulous at explaining the menu and giving recommendations. Two thumbs up for the crispy brussels and tonkotsu (beef ramen). They are amazing with allergies and made a dish shellfish-safe that is not traditionally prepared as safe. Located in Warehouse Row, a short walk from the Moxy Chattanooga.

In the mood for brunch? Go to Tupelo Honey Cafe. Sub fourth meal for brunch here. The meal starts with delicious biscuits to whet your appetite for more. It’s in Warehouse Row, a short walk from Moxy Chattanooga. They are good with allergies. In the mood for a more local brunch? Milk & Honey from Nashville has a location here as well. This one is in the Northshore neighborhood. Grab a bike at a station at the Moxy and pedal there.

Don’t know what you’re in the mood for? Go to Market South. Part of the Milk & Honey and Urban Stack family, this is a completely different concept. It’s a food hall with something for everyone. Pizza, Asian fare, Indian food, an in-house brewery, a coffee shop, and outside—a test kitchen walk-up window. They are amazing with allergies but this establishment is not recommended for nut allergies. Since it’s a food hall, it’s one big kitchen with lots of potential for cross-contamination and lots of peanuts on the menu.

bar recommendations

Starting your stay at the Moxy Chattanooga involves a welcome drink, so be ready for a good time. Check-in is at the bar, so it can get a little hairy later at night since the bar is open to the public. Pre-game, game, or post-game at the Moxy Chattanooga bar. There is plenty of seating, bar games, a projection for TV, and quieter areas as well. There is also an outside bar that operates on the weekends with fire pits to keep you warm on the inside and outside.

Whiskey Tour at Chattanooga Whiskey: Take the Whiskey Tour here for a look at their experimental room and process to follow with a tasting. The bar here does not open to the public until 7, after all the tours are finished. It is a short walk from the Moxy Chattanooga, across the street from the Choo-Choo terminal.

Chattanooga Brewing Company: Eat good food and taste several beers. The beer cheese + warm soft pretzel and Chestnut Brown are a perfect pair. It’s a longer walk from the Moxy. Grab a bike and pedal over and Uber/Lyft back if you need to.

other bars of note:

• The Social
• Flying Squirrel
• HiFi Clyde’s
• Hair of the Dog Pub
• The Honest Pint

environmentally conscious

Of all the reasons to visit Chattanooga and stay at the Moxy, this is an important one. Touring your own country is a great way to reduce your footprint. Chattanooga is also endeavoring to offer environmentally friendly transport options like the free electric shuttle service and Bike Chattanooga service. Moxy hotels are also environmentally conscious. By having a grab-and-go station in the common area, they limit food waste. What you need is available for you and if you don’t have it, they can help you out too.

Make your trip to the Scenic City soon and make Moxy Chattanooga a part of it.

Thank you so much to the staff at Moxy Chattanooga for hosting me. They made it easy to recommend that everyone visiting Chattanooga stay there.