This past weekend, Harrison and I took a 24-hour getaway to Chattanooga, which is just a 2-hour drive from Nashville, where we live. This trip scratches the surface of the area’s possibilities, but provides a delightful and fairly low-key way to spend a weekend when you need a little escape.
Saturday
9 a.m. Get on the road. Arrive by noon (since Chattanooga is on Eastern time).
12 p.m. Drive directly to the Bluff View Art District to walk around. This is such a charming area! Eat lunch at Rembrandt’s and grab a coffee to go. Stroll around the neighborhood, perhaps popping by the River Valley Sculpture Garden or the Hunter Museum of American Art.
2 p.m. Head to the Tennessee Aquarium. It is pretty impressive and worth seeing all the sea creatures, from sharks to otters! If that’s not your thing, after touring the Bluff View Art District, I would walk across the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge to Coolidge Park.
4 p.m. Check in at the Dwell Hotel. This hotel is filled with retro decor, dazzling colors, plants, and fun surprises that I won’t spoil. Okay, just one: You’ll be greeted with a glass of ginger champagne, then taken to your room. All rooms are unique and distinctive.
4:15 p.m. Soak it in. We stayed in the Argyle room. To me, the stay is all part of the experience. Take a bath. Sit by the fireplace. Soak up some late sunshine on the balcony. Relax for a little before heading out for the evening.
5:45 p.m. Head downstairs for a drink at Matilda Midnight, the seemingly magical bar inside the Dwell. Sit beneath the stars of the bar, or lounge in the bright plant-filled area.
7 p.m. Dinner at Alleia, a cozy Italian restaurant. Try the ravioli with spring vegetables and prosciutto (my pick) or the gnocchi with blue crab and tomato (Harrison’s pick). Pair with your choice of wine.
8:30 p.m. Walk over to the Chattanooga Choo-Choo and check out the trains in the back. Then walk down Station Street (a cool walkable street that reminds me a little of Printer’s Alley in Nashville). and pop in a bar or two. We saw a show at Songbirds and had so much fun.
11:00 p.m. Head back to the Dwell, perhaps popping in Matilda Midnight once more or treating yourself to a bedtime dessert.
Sunday
9:00 a.m. Wake up, bathe in the rain shower in your room, and linger downstairs over a complimentary breakfast in this cheerful space! Take your time.
11:00 a.m. Check out of the Dwell and head to Coolidge Park for a final stroll before getting on the road.
Fini! Simple, but lovely. I really enjoyed this little getaway! Please let me know if you decide to do this little trip, too.
Love, Bee
Sounds like a great trip! I use to live in Chattanooga, but I never stayed at the Dwell. Your pictures are amazing so I may have to check it out whenever I make it back that way.
Thank you so much, friend! Definitely do!