Drive Time:
0 minutes, you're already downtown!
Locator maps:
Downtown Chattanooga encompasses everything from the Tennessee River to the west to the Tennessee River to the north, as well as east to Georgia Avenue and south to Main Street. Individual neighborhoods in the area may be referred to as City Center, Riverfront and Westside.
Curb appeal
Breakfast:
Head to Syrup and Eggs on Custom Street for a bevy of breakfast and brunch options, including hazelnut pancakes or a biscuit breakfast sandwich.
Lunch:
Community Pie on Market Street is a hip spot that serves Neapolitan- and New York-style pizza, salads, craft beers and gelato.
Dinner:
The Feed Co. is a great place for dinner and cocktails. Located on Main Street, it presents an array of Southern staples like North Carolina catfish or hushpuppies alongside many local drink options and includes patio seating and a large indoor space.
Ribbon Cutters:
Last fall, the Songbirds Foundation opened offices in the former Chattanooga Guitar Museum space at the Chattanooga Choo Choo to offer music education, specifically guitar lessons, to youth throughout the region. The foundation has already brought music education to more than 5,000 kids.
In the News:
- Music fans will flock to the riverfront in June for the Riverbend Festival, which features three days of live music from national artists.
- The annual Motorcar Festival showcases European-style design and horsepower for visitors. The event includes races and car displays from a variety of eras.
Happy Place: Downtown offers great recreational areas for walking, running, biking or taking in live music.
The Tennessee Riverwalk stretches 13 miles along the Tennessee River and is primarily used for walking and running, although you'll see some cyclists and dog walkers.
The River Market is held every Saturday from April-September at the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza and features live music, arts and crafts, jewelry and other goods and sometimes free yoga classes and live performances by local musicians.
Miller Park on Market Street offers a night market and free live music on Friday nights during the summer.
Shop Talk: The marshmallow pie snuggled between two graham cookies, better known as a Moon Pie, was created in Chattanooga and is sold downtown from the aptly named Moonpie General Store, located at 429 Broad St. Shopping there you can find fresh-baked pies, as well as dozens of other deliciously sweet treats.
Livability score sheet
Walkability: There are plenty of sidewalks and walkable spaces in the downtown area. Bikers, rollerskaters, musicians and more flock to the Walnut Street Bridge, which is only open to pedestrian traffic and spans the Downtown and the Northshore areas of Chattanooga. Take a stroll along Ross's Landing and check out The Passage Waterwalk, which features running water and a Native American memorial with sculptures.
Health care assets: Erlanger hoispital, the largest health care provider in the region, is just a few minutes walk from downtown along East Third Street. There are also many smaller health care services and clinics available in and surrounding the downtown area.
Claim to fame: Many long-time locals will tout the Tennessee Aquarium, at 1 Broad St, as the staple of downtown and the catalyst for the renovation of the area about 50 years ago. It hosts special events centered around spring break and holidays and in a typical year is the site of routine after-hours events including scavenger hunts, trivia nights and more.
Parks and Rec:
- Ross's Landing
- Boynton Park
- Miller Park
- Sheila M. Jennings Westside Park
Schools: (none within the boundaries indicated above)