kacey swindellTell us about yourself. 

I am the Director of Sales at Moxy Chattanooga which brought me to the Scenic City. I am on the board for the Ridgedale Community Association where I live with my Schnauzer-poodle Rudy. We moved to Chattanooga in April of 2018, and it instantly felt like home!

What are your favorite things to do in Chattanooga? 

My favorite thing to do is to try something new. I maintain a list of places in town where I haven’t been, trails I haven’t hiked or restaurants I haven’t tried. When I have nothing to do or can’t decide what to eat, I consult the list. This started as a way to record all of the recommendations I was receiving when I first moved here, and it became my way of getting to know the city. It has now expanded far beyond the top recommendations and deep into neighborhood secrets and little-known gems. The ability to explore many of these places by bike is all the better. 

What are a few can't-miss experiences throughout the winter in Chattanooga? 

The winter brings a few of my favorite events in town. There’s something special about going to the theatre around the holidays, so I make it a point to go to a movie and/or show at the Tivoli Theatre each year. I spend a lot of time in the Southside neighborhood and find MAINx24 (the first Saturday in December) to be the very best day of the year! I am hoping to check the Enchanted Garden of Lights at Rock City off my list this year. 

What else should people know about Chattanooga? 

It rains a lot here, but it usually doesn’t last long! Enjoy one of the awesome restaurants in town while the rain passes then immediately hit up a hiking trail for incredible waterfalls from rain-filled creeks. Glenn Falls is my current favorite. I highly recommend grabbing a snack spread from Bleu Fox Cheese Shop to take with you. 


The original version of this article first appeared in a previous edition of our Magazine.