Chattanooga is excited to welcome the Moon River Music Festival back to the Scenic City. Presented by Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, Moon River began in his hometown of Memphis, TN, and has since grown significantly to a SOLD OUT 2023 Festival in Chattanooga's Coolidge Park happening Sept. 9-10. 

Before the party begins, and after the music ends, here’s a guide on how to make the most of your Moon River experience, Chattanooga style.

Explore the Outdoors

With more than 50 trailheads within 30 minutes of downtown, the hiking scene in Chattanooga is easily among the best in the Southeast, if not the entire country. From the slopes of Lookout Mountain to the steep crests of Signal Mountain, the Scenic City is blessed with a diverse and notable network of hiking trails. Considering the vast number of incredible hikes in the area, it’s admittedly quite difficult to narrow it down, but here are five of our favorite hikes in Chattanooga. 

 

Sip a Cold One at a Favorite Watering Hole

There are so many exciting things brewing in Chattanooga, especially craft beer. See our guide for a breakdown of brewpubs, pub crawls, and some of our popular watering holes – all reasons Livablity.com named Chattanooga one of the top 10 beer cities. If you're staying near Coolidge Park, be sure to take a trail-to-pub tour of Chattanooga's North Shore. If beer isn't your thing, here's a more diverse list of happy hour specials around town.

 

Eat like a Local

Over the past couple of years, the number of Chattanooga restaurants has exploded. Check out our list of local restaurants that you can only find in Chattanooga. Many of the local eateries feature locally sourced fruits, vegetables, meats, milk, eggs, cheeses, breads and more. Take a North Shore food tour or take a look at our food guide to Chattanooga's Southside. Be sure to stop in one of our many restaurants with live entertainment.

Continue the Party and Grab Some Late Night Food

Once the festival is over, the fun doesn't have to stop. Check out our nightlife scene and go see more live music in Chattanooga. Dining after hours? Fret not with this list of late-night restaurants that accommodate the hungry night owls.

 

Take your Camera and Explore Public Art and Murals

Scattered throughout Chattanooga’s streets, you’ll find exciting artwork on almost every corner. The city is filled with 125+ pieces of public art, bringing the sidewalks to life with sculpture gardens, moveable bridges, and Native American waterscapes. Here's a guide on where to find Chattanooga's most popular murals. As you explore, keep an eye out, have your camera ready, and appreciate Chattanooga’s beautiful aesthetics. 

 

Have Fun with the Family

Chattanooga is full of top-rated attractions, outdoor adventures, and family-friendly activities. You simply can’t take a trip to Chattanooga and not visit the Tennessee Aquarium. Next, head up to Lookout Mountain for a visit to Rock CityRuby Falls, and The Incline Railway.  Take the kids for a stroll on Chattanooga's Riverwalk or choose from various activities on our guide to a week's worth of family fun in the Scenic City.