What's New This Year in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Find all the new spots to check out in Chattanooga for 2023  

• New to Do
• New Food to Find
• New Places to Stay
• New Developments Popping Up
• Anniversaries and Milestones

NEW TO DO  

• New Experiences:  

  • Little Debbie Park contains multiple pavilions, walking trails, and a playground featuring Cosmic Brownies, Oatmeal Cream Pies, Christmas Tree Cake sculptures, and more.

  • Creative Discovery Museum, opened multiple new and renovated permanent exhibits this year, including the STEM Zone gallery, Little FarmHouse, Unearthed, and Treehouse Adventure.

  • The Signal, a live music and event space, moved to its new location on the Chattanooga Choo Choo grounds.

  • ChattaScooter Art Tour, by Adventure Sports Innovation, utilizes electric scooters and bikes to show off a variety of Chattanooga’s public art displays around the city.

  • Immersion Gallery, deemed one part gallery, one part theater, and one part funhouse, is a new art venue concept that offers an immersive experience with interconnected, ever-changing rooms.

• Temporary Experiences: 

  • Amy Pleasant: Passing Through, at the Hunter Museum of American Art (July 30, 2022-July 28, 2024) 
  • Gilded: Contemporary Artists Explore Value and Worth, at the Hunter Museum of American Art (Sept. 2023-Jan. 2024) 

NEW FOOD TO FIND  

• New Restaurants, Breweries & Bars: 

  • Sleepyhead Main + Dodds | Southside – A new Sleepyhead location offering later hours, vegan pastries, and its newest concept of hand-crafted mocktails.

  • Sweet Lunispops | Northshore – New shop owned by Taconooga featuring Mexican paletas, candy, cold drinks, fresh fruits, house-made popsicles, and more.

  • Kai Bistro | Southside – A new approach to Asian foods, fusing together cooking techniques that combine traditional flavors with more contemporary ingredients.

  • Sabor Modern Latino & Sushi | Red Bank – A flavorful selection of Costa Rican and other Latin American inspired food.

  • Civil Provisions and Bar | Signal Mountain - A seasonally informed and chef-driven community restaurant and cocktail bar.

  • I Heart Mac and Cheese | Hixson – A casual concept specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls.

  • Big Bad Breakfast | Northshore – A New Orleans style breakfast and lunch spot with a menu with a few surprises and food full of inspiration and energy.

  • Community Pie | Hamilton Place – A gathering place for all, serving up Detroit and New York-style pizzas, ice cream, craft beers, and more.

  • Smelly Cat Lounge & Rescue | Northshore – The perfect place to unwind and spend time with adorable cats and kittens, who are all up for adoption.

  • Tinker’s Soft Serve | West Village – A place of happiness serving up snow cones, dole whip, Coke floats, and more to always make sure you have a treat in your hand.

  • Old Man Rivers Table & Tavern | Red Bank – Focused on people, Chattanooga’s newest eco-conscious neighborhood tavern is serving elevated, local Southern cuisine with a full-service bar in a small family atmosphere.

  • Squirrel Rabbit Coffee Bar & Creamery | Northshore – Created with a passion for community and all natural local products, this unique coffee shop specializes in locally brewed coffee and authentic gelato.

  • Massey’s Kitchen | Lookout Mountain – The ultimate gathering spot for friends and family, offers an elevated dining experience, serving dishes made from scratch and bringing Mediterranean flavors to our community.

  • Shady’s Corner | Southside – With an all-day deli and all-day bar, your everyday hangout spot features signature sandwiches, a full-service bar, a Barcade, and more.

  • Mac’s Kitchen & Bar at Flora De Mel | Rossville, GA – A restaurant project in residence at Flora de Mel focused on sustainability, quality farm-to-table cuisine, and personable connections.

  • Fonda San Jose Mexican Restaurant | Riverfront District – An authentic Mexican family-run business that honors Latino heritage through the art of cooking and creates from the best quality Mexican cuisine using all-natural ingredients.

  • Oscar’s Frozen Bananas Food Cart – A Chattanooga food cart popping up around town to serve chocolate dipped frozen bananas, cheesecake, and more.

  • Apna Kitchen | East Ridge – Aiming to bring the taste of India to our community, this authentic Indian restaurant offers uniquely blended flavors from time creating a culinary adventure you won’t find anywhere else.

  • Irie Jamaican Cuisine | Red Bank – An authentic Jamaican dining experience where the menu is filled with traditional Jamaican cuisine that will transport you to the sunny shores of the Caribbean.

  • Osaka Sushi and Steakhouse | Red Bank – A Japanese cuisine restaurant offering a variety of traditional sushi and hibachi dishes.

  • Pizza Bros | East Ridge – The newest location of Chattanooga’s local New York style Pizzeria and bar.

  • 7 Brew | Hixson – A mind-blowing drive through experience serving up custom-hand crafted coffee, teas, shakes, and more.

  • Santi’s Mexican Grill and Sports Bar | Hamilton Place – A new bar experience with authentic Mexican cuisine, karaoke nights, trivia, game watch parties, and more

  • The Greenhouse Barrel + Taproom | MLK/UTC – A gathering place where history is alive, and the boundaries of brewing are pushed to provide cold pints of locally brewed beer.

  • The Livingstone Café | MLK/UTC – A charming café offering delicious handmade coffees, teas, and more fair-trade products made in Kenya and Uganda.

  • Number Ten Chattanooga | Southside – A luxury steakhouse inside an old, renovated manufacturing building where guests can curb their appetites with high-quality steak cuts, small plates, and weekly specials.

• Coming Soon: 

  • Attack of the Tatsu | City Center 

  • Blaze Pizza | TBD 

  • Broad’s Lounge Bar | City Center 

  • BUNZ Chattanooga Food Truck 

  • The Downtowner Bistro Breakfast & Bar | West Village 

  • Little Coyote | St. Elmo 

  • Longhorn Steakhouse | Hamilton Place 

  • Parlor Doughnuts | TBD 

  • The Reading Room | TBD 

  • Taco Mamacita | Hamilton Place 

  • Ernest Chinese | Southside 

  • Outpost Bar & Restaurant | Southside  

NEW PLACES TO STAY  

• New Accommodations:  

  • Hotel Chalet at the Choo Choo | Southside – This newly renovated hotel allows visitors to experience a night inside restored train carriages and blends historic elements and modern to offer an inviting and captivating atmosphere. (Oct. 2023) 

  • Hotel Clemons | Downtown - Live like a local and immerse yourself in Chattanooga culture. Hotel Clemons is within walking distance of city attractions and top cuisine and is the perfect home away from home for creating lasting memories with your entire family. (June 2023) 

  • TownePlace Suites | Hixson - The brand-new tower will elevate your stay with a full kitchen, a spacious suite, scenic views of Walden's Ridge, and a welcoming atmosphere to make you feel right at home. (June 2023) 

  • Treetop Hideaways | Lookout Mountain at Ruby Falls - Three new boutique treehouses sit overlooking the city at Ruby Falls. The treehouse retreats provide the right mix of childhood nostalgia, rustic charm, playful creativity, and luxurious lodging. (July 2023) 

• Upcoming Accommodations Opening:  

  • Embassy Suites | Downtown 

  • La Quinta Inn & Suites | Downtown 

  • Tapestry Collection by Hilton | Downtown 

  • Drury Hotel | Hamilton Place  

  • Holiday Inn Express Candlewood Suites | Hamilton Place  

  • Caption by Hyatt | Southside  

  • Home2 Suites by Hilton Hotel | East Ridge  

  • McLemore Resort by Hilton Curio Collection | Lookout Mountain

NEW DEVELOPMENTS POPPING UP  

• New Developments: 

  • Chattanooga Airport is under construction to add new gates, enlarge the security checkpoint, and bolster new amenities for travelers to be complete in 2024. 

    • New CHA direct flights: Miami, FL 

  • Walden’s Ridge Park | Signal Mountain – A new 200-acre park on the side of the mountain. It features more than 10 miles of trails for activities such as mountain biking, hiking, trail running and bouldering.

• Upcoming Developments: 

  • The Bend, Chattanooga’s next great experience will transform an old industrial site to a vibrant community that blends commercial and residential space with entertainment and green spaces anchored by the bend in the Tennessee River. (Phase 1 Opens 2023)  

  • Tivoli Theatre is under a major renovation and expansion to turn the theatre into a performing arts center. The Tivoli Center, next door to the theatre, was acquired and will add space for more bathrooms, ADA access, and space for educational opportunities. (Opens 2023)  

  • River’s Edge at South Chick will be a 70-acre waterfront residential and commercial project just outside downtown Chattanooga with a new marina slated to hold 71 boat slips. (Opens 2024) 

  • South Broad Street District is set for a new live-work-play area with a new multi-use stadium to house the Chattanooga Lookouts, with supporting shops and restaurants, residential buildings, office space, and public recreation areas. (Opens 2025)    

  • Montague Park - Located in the heart of the city, this park will embody a sound mind in a sound body and serve as a beautiful setting for recreation, play, quiet reflection, exercise, and more.  

ANNIVERSARIES & MILESTONES  

• Significant Anniversaries:  

  • Ruby Falls - 95th Anniversary of the discovery of the falls on Dec. 30, 2023  

    • Celebrate the 95th anniversary of the discovery of Ruby Falls on Discovery Day! On Dec. 30, 2023, Ruby Falls will offer specially priced admission of $2 on select tours, and all guests visiting will receive a keepsake postcard and Discovery Day flyer while supplies last. 

  • Flying Squirrel Bar - 10th Anniversary Celebration on May 20, 2023 

    • Saturdays in the Beer Garden: 10th Anniversary of Flying Squirrel Bar on May 20, 2023. The big party will include food, drinks, giveaways, games and the launch of their private-label whiskey!  

  • Chattanooga Whiskey - 10th Anniversary Celebration on April 7, 2023 

    • An open house cocktail party celebrating a decade of Chattanooga Whiskey release of our Founder’s 10th Anniversary Blend. April 7, 2023, 5 – 8 pm, tickets are $10 and include two drink tickets.