Day One
Breakfast: Niedlov's Breadworks
Niedlov’s Breadworks is a local artisan bakery on Chattanooga's Southside. Since 2002, Niedlov’s has been providing specialty breads made with organic whole grains and natural leavening to the Scenic City. If you're eating at other local restaurants, you'll likely find Niedlov's bread somewhere on the menu. While bread is their specialty, Niedlov's is also a great spot for croissants of any kind, pastries, avocado toast, fresh sandwiches, or their beloved Friday evening pizzas. Grab a chai or honey graham latte before heading out for the day!
Activity: Hunter Museum of American Art
The Hunter Museum of American Art showcases 100 years of architecture and houses the finest collection of American art in the Southeast. The permanent collection spans the history of American art from the colonial period to the present day, and covers a wide variety of media including painting, sculpture, contemporary studio glass, and crafts. The Hunter also has a featured exhibition that changes out every few months so there is always something fresh to explore. If you're still feeling in the artsy vibes after the Hunter, explore the rest of the Bluff View Arts District. River Gallery and the Houston Museum of Decorative Arts are worth the visit!
Lunch: Main Street Meats
Main Street Meats is an old-world charcuterie, butcher shop, and restaurant located on the south side of Chattanooga, focusing on products and ingredients sourced from the Tennessee River Valley. Originally opened by Jim Johnson & Tom Montague in November 2013, Erik and Amanda Niel (Co-Owners of Easy Bistro & Bar and Little Coyote) assumed operations and ownership in 2014. Working with local farms who are good stewards of the land and are deeply committed to animal quality and care, Main Street Meats paces a value on tradition and uses craft butcher techniques that have survived and evolved for generations. We recommend their charcuterie board and their beloved burger.
Activity: Tennessee Aquarium + Visitor Information Center
You can’t visit Chattanooga without seeing the Tennessee Aquarium! With two buildings, River Journey and Ocean Journey, you'll have opportunities to come face-to-face with feisty otters, enormous Arapaima, giant catfish, and tons of turtles. Enjoy playful penguins, touch a stingray, and marvel at toothy sharks, butterflies and lemurs. Plan on spending at least three hours to enjoy observing and learning about all of the Aquarium's diverse gathering of animals.
Don't forget to stop by the Visitor Information Center, our concierges are extremely helpful and can give you recommendations based on their expertise in all things Chattanooga.
Dinner: 2nd American
Chef Daniel Lindley’s continued homage to the American family meal. 2nd American is inspired by Sunday dinners from Lindley's childhood, the menu features familiar yet refined expressions of traditional fare meant to foster a sense of community among guests. Lindley’s American restaurant concept involves all of the entrees being served with a communal bowl of mashed potatoes; no different than the family Sunday lunches that his Mother would prepare. Staff favorite is the Tomato Pie!
Dessert: Clumpies Ice Cream Co.
If you managed to save room for dessert, pop over to Clumpies Ice Cream Co. on the Southside. This locally-owned scoop shop is serving up the best handcrafted, small-batch ice cream around. Enjoy classic flavors like Coconut Almond Chunk, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, and Cookies N' Cream. If you time your visit just right, you'll find a variety of seasonal flavors that rotate throughout the year. The seasonal menu is always changing, but favorites like Lemon Ice Box, Peppermint Patty, and Campfire have been seen on the menu year after year. With two locations in the Chattanooga area, you're never too far from a sweet treat.
Activity: Chattanooga Choo Choo + Explore the Southside
Finish the evening with a stroll down through the Chattanooga Choo Choo gardens or see what's happening on Station Street. Chattanooga's Southside neighborhood is always bustling with evening activities.
