Drive Time: Highland Park is located 2 miles east of downtown Chattanooga and is an 11-minute drive from the Tennessee Aquarium.
Locator Maps: Highland Park is a neighborhood that was incorporated into the city of Chattanooga in 1929. The neighborhood's boundaries are South Willow Street and South Holtzclaw Avenue on the east and west, and McCallie Avenue and East Main Street on the north and south.
Curb Appeal: Median listing home price is $365,000 according to Realtor.com.
Highland Park is a booming urban neighborhood with extremely close proximity to downtown Chattanooga. With the revitalization of the neighborhood in the 1990s and many newly renovated historic houses, this location has been a hot spot for home buyers over the years. The homes in the area have interesting styles of architecture from the 1880s to 1920s. Highland Park is a very diverse and friendly neighborhood. The majority of homes in Highland Park are within three blocks of a park, while the Chattanooga Zoo is only one mile away.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner:
With just 0.5 square miles of land the options for food are limited. However, there are numerous hidden gems. Together Café, located at 801 South Orchard Knob Avenue, is a great spot to get the day started with a coffee and pastry. The shop always has unique seasonal drinks, including vegan options, and has open and comfy seating areas. A Pumpkin Pie Chai or Cookie Butter Latte will help start the day on a good note. A portion of every sale goes toward ending human trafficking. The Spot, located at 1800 East Main Street, is a great option for a late breakfast or early lunch. The paninis are flavorful and the reuben, bacon turkey and grilled chicken pesto paninis are top favorites. The Spot also offers live music and has bagels, soups, salads and other sandwiches and breakfast items. If craving authentic Mexican/Guatemalan food, San Marcos Restaurant is the spot right on Main Street. The al pastor tacos are a hit while the burritos, nachos, spicy salsa and carne asada are all very tasty.
In The News:
- Highland Park 'block party' serving up COVID-19 vaccines and education with free food, music
- Healthy Places park opens at Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy in Highland Park
Happy Place: Soccer plays a big part of the Highland Park Community. The Highland Park Commons, on Union Avenue, is a recreational sports facility with six professional grade futsal fields (mini soccer fields) surrounded by a playground, local garden, large pavilion and concessions. Soccer tournaments and leagues are offered and the members of the public can make reservations for concerts, parties and other gatherings. Highland Park Commons is open seven days a week and is open for the longest on Sunday's from 3-10 p.m.
Shop Talk: While shopping spots are limited, Highland Park is home to two must-visit vintage/antique stores. Edith's Emporium, on McCallie Avenue is a great spot for treasure hunters. Several reviews have considered the shop to be one of Chattanooga's hidden gems. The shop, inside a vintage Highland Park home, offers original art, jewelry, antique/vintage furniture and all sorts of restored items. There are also tasty treats from local vendors and a vast selection of Chattanooga merchandise. Shoppers can spend hours inside The Refindery on McCallie Avenue. This is a great trip down memory lane and a place to find vintage treasures. The store has a little bit of everything, including very hard-to-find antiques.
Livability score sheet
Walkability: The Highland Park Neighborhood Association's website states that the neighborhood layout is truly convenient to "take a walk around the block". Highland Park is a great place for neighbors to walk the street and meet one another.
Health care assets:
- Erlanger, 979 E Third Street
- Children's Hospital at Erlanger 910 Blackford Street
- Parkridge Medical Center, 2333 McCallie Ave.
- CHI Memorial Hospital, 2525 de Sales Ave.
- Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, 2415 McCallie Ave.
- Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation, 1 Siskin Plaza
Claim to fame: As jobs were lost and downtown property declined throughout the 1970s, Highland Park suffered greatly. Homes were abandoned and left in poor shape. A turnaround started in the 1980s when resident Judith Schorr formed what is now the Highland Park Neighborhood Association. Schorr's help led to a revitalization of historic houses in Highland Park starting in the 1990s. Crime rates were significantly lowered and the area became a safe and go-to spot to live once again around 2000. By 2001, Highland Park was awarded "Neighborhood of the Year" by Neighborhoods, USA. The area is home to breathtaking architecture, which gives Highland Park a unique feel and vibe different from many other areas in the city.
Parks and Rec:
- Highland Park Commons at 2000 Union Ave
- BlueCross Healthy Place at Highland Park, 1800 Vance Ave.
- Tatum Park at 1609 Union Ave
- Shaw Park at S Highland Park Ave
Schools:
- Montessori Elementary at Highland Park
- Chattanooga Preparatory School
- Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy
- East Side Elementary