Park at the Cravens House on the side of Lookout Mountain, as countless tourists, hikers, and trail runners do daily, and youll be immersed in the sites rich history. Monuments rise across the grassy lawn, while others stand as silent sentinels, honoring the soldiers who fought, shouted, and sacrificed during the Civil War.While nothing rivals the tragedy of that era, a lesser-known conflict followed: the War of the Mountain Roads. This bitter rivalry left behind roadbeds, railroads, and ruins s

Chattanoogas unique geology and steep gradients create world-class whitewater, drawing elite paddlers for decades. Nestled amid dramatic plateaus and escarpments, the city offers some of the planets finest creeks and streams. While beginners and intermediates can build skills here, its the experts who flock to Chattanooga and stay. Whether youre a local new to paddling or a visitor chasing thrills, summer releases extend your chance for unforgettable rapids. Explore these top Chattanooga white

Watching an IRONMAN race is an endurance feat in itself, requiring careful planning to track athletes through the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run. Yet, its profoundly rewarding. Whether supporting a specific athlete or cheering everyone, these expert tips enhance your viewing experience in Chattanooga. The Swim The unique point-to-point swim route lets you witness nearly every stroke. Rent a city bike for $8 with a credit card—docking stations abound downtown. Pedal the Riverwal

Autumn is in full swing in Chattanooga. After early Octobers hurricane rains, the area has enjoyed ideal fall weather with clear blue skies. Leaves are turning vibrantly in the higher elevations of Lookout and Signal Mountains. While cozy coffee shops and fireplaces beckon, save those for winter. Instead, embrace the season with active outdoor pursuits in Chattanoogas woods and waterways. Theres no better time to explore the Scenic City. Hiking Lula Lake, just outside downtown Chattanooga, ran

Artist: Nick Lutsko Type: Musician Birthplace: Orlando, FL Current Residence: Chattanooga, TN Known For: Innovative puppet costumes Genres: Funk, Pop, Folk, Psychedelia, Indie Rock, Blues Favorite Thing About Chattanooga: “Chattanooga has so many things going for it. Great size, great location, beautiful country surrounding it, good people, etc. The music scene has taken so many strides in the past year, its really remarkable. Its a great time to be a musician in Chattanooga.” Stream His Music:

Rock/Creek marked its 27th year in business by opening a new store in Cleveland, TN. With six local shops and a robust online presence, theyve nearly exhausted prime spots for more outdoor stores in Chattanooga.Note: The ideas below are purely for fun—Rock/Creek will reveal their next location soon. Stay tuned! Join their text list by texting CATT to 33233 (data & message rates may apply; text STOP to end).Rumors swirl of a seventh store in 2016. We eavesdropped on a brainstorming session at

Honor U.S. service members this Veterans Day at the Chattanooga Symphony & Orchestra’s free Veterans Day Concert. Conducted by Kayoko Dan, the program features The Star-Spangled Banner, Calvin Custer’s American Frontier, the Armed Forces Salute, John Williams’ “Hymn to the Fallen” from Saving Private Ryan, and a cappella performances by the Lee University Singers. Open to all, the concert is on Wednesday, November 11, at 7:00 p.m. at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium. Veterans Day –

Artist: Rick Rushing Performance Styles: Singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Delivers captivating sets solo, as an acoustic duo, or with his full band, Rick Rushing & The Blues Strangers. Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio Current Residence: Chattanooga, TN Known For: Soulful blues vocals and masterful electric or acoustic guitar performances. Genres: Blues, Jazz, Reggae, Rock Favorite Thing About Chattanooga: The people. Music Link: Rick Rushing & The Blues Strangers YouTube Page Recommended T

Chattanooga is rapidly emerging as one of the nations top trail running destinations, thanks to dedicated nonprofits and volunteers like Wild Trails, The Friends of the Cumberland Trail, Lookout Mountain Conservancy, and the Land Trust for Tennessee. Residents and visitors enjoy over 50 trailheads within 30 minutes of downtown.The local trail running scene is thriving, with weekly group trail runs drawing hundreds. Race organizers including Wild Trails (10 dates, 17 races), Rock/Creek, and the C

Band: Birds with Fleas Members: Matt Siegel (Vocals, Ukulele, Guitar & Keys); Drew Daniels (Drums); Spencer Karges (Guitar, Vocals); James Skelley (Bass) Origin: Formed in Pembroke, North Carolina; relocated to Chattanooga three years ago. Known For: Rich harmonies and infectious catchy hooks Genre: Indie Rock Favorite Thing About Chattanooga: The mountains. Theres a reason its called the Scenic City. – Matt Siegel Stream Their Music: birdswithfleas.bandcamp.com Recommended Tracks: Flat Circles,

Completing a marathon, triathlon, or other endurance event is a remarkable achievement, no matter the location. Increasingly, athletes are pairing their races with travel to discover new destinations. What better way to explore a city than following a course through its iconic spots—traffic-free, with cheering crowds? You may not linger during the race, but extend your stay to fully experience the area. Chattanooga, a premier outdoor destination, provides athletes with expanding opportunities t

Southern Living has dubbed the Chattanooga Film Festival "The Sundance of the South." This four-day celebration of independent cinema features standout films, lively parties, and insightful panels, solidifying its status as the Southeasts premier film hub. Buy your badge now to avoid missing out, and consider joining as a volunteer. Heres a glimpse at this years exciting lineup. Check the CFF website for full showtimes. OPENING NIGHT This year, the festival kicks off with the Hank Wil

Band: The Long Haul Members: Derrick Dixon (lead vocals and guitar), Savannah Roberts (lead and backup vocals), Jono Webb (drums) Birthplace: Cleveland, TN Known for: Seasoned instrumentation, passionate lyrics, and masterful harmonies that craft a unique style of musical storytelling. Genre: Americana Favorite Thing about Chattanooga: Our favorite thing about Chattanooga is the culture and how creative everyone is in the area. Link to Music: www.thelonghaulmusic.com Recommended Track: “Dirt On

Think youve got what it takes to headline Nightfall? Road to Nightfall is Chattanoogas top local music showcase, pitting over 30 bands against each other for a prime slot at Nightfall—the citys free Friday night concert series running May through August, drawing thousands of fans each summer.Experience five preliminary nights at the Granfalloon (March 11, 12, 17, 18, 19), featuring 6-7 bands per evening. Five winners advance to the Finals Night at the Revelry Room (March 26). Cash prizes go to t

Worlds Unite in Music at Bessie Smith Cultural Center Initiated by the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan, the Dosti Music Project—meaning friendship in Urdu and Hindi—brings together Pakistani, Indian, and U.S. musicians from diverse traditions, including Sufi singing, beatmaking, and avant-garde jazz. Participants collaboratively compose, record, and perform original music, reimagine traditional sounds, and launch community initiatives with positive local and global impact, transcending political and cu

Chattanooga is a city of diverse communities, and the historic Martin Luther King District—once known as the Big Nine—stands out as one of its most dynamic areas for living, working, and enjoying arts and culture. Today, the Big Nine along the MLK Corridor thrives with exciting organizations, businesses, and residents dedicated to fostering arts, culture, and community vitality. Jazzanooga Jazzanooga promotes jazz and related music across greater Chattanooga through performances and education.

Band Members: Shannon Dunn (Vocals & Guitar), Terry Crumley (Vocals & Percussion), Chip Ables (Vocals & Guitar), Daniel Fowler (Bass), Brandon Fitzsimmons (Drums). Birthplace: Chattanooga, TN Known For: Three-Part Harmonies Genre: Southern Rock Favorite Thing About Chattanooga: It’s a wonderful place to call home. The whole band was born and raised in North Georgia/Chattanooga. Listen to Their Music: www.backwaterstill.com Recommended Tracks: Your Love Makes Me High, Howl Like Wolves

Chattanooga rivals Vail for skiing when it comes to rock climbing. This regions vast, high-quality sandstone draws climbers worldwide. Exploring every crag could take years, but start with these five premier spots around the city.   1. Stone Fort Just a short drive from downtown Chattanooga, Stone Fort (also known as Little Rock City) ranks among Americas top boulder fields. Its exceptional sandstone and iconic lines have put Chattanooga on the national bouldering map. Access is straig

April 15, 2016 - Happy Birthday to Bessie Smith, the “Empress of the Blues.” Widely regarded as the greatest female blues singer of her era, she was born around 1894 in Chattanooga, Tennessees Blue Goose Hollow—now the intersection of MLK Blvd and Riverfront Parkway. Smith launched her career busking on Chattanooga street corners, honing her skills on the vibrant East Ninth Street scene, known as the Big Nine, a hotspot for blues and jazz performers. Today, East Ninth Street is MLK Blvd. Her bre

Jazzanooga isnt just introducing jazz to Chattanooga—its bringing it back home. Some people hear jazz and think its exclusive, reserved only for elites, says Shane Morrow, the visionary behind the Chattanooga jazz festival. Now in its fifth year, Jazzanooga is led by Shane and his partner, James McKissic, director of Chattanoogas Office of Multicultural Affairs. This month-long celebration occurs every April, aligning with Smithsonian Jazz Appreciation Month. The 2016 Jazzanooga Festival runs Ap