Weekend visit (Chattanooga, Huntsville: hotels, live in, restaurants)

[Evad35801]

The wife and I are celebrating our anniversary this weekend and we have decided to make last minute plans to take a short trip out of town. We live in Huntsville so not far away, but neither of us have spent much time in Chattanooga. I did the aquarium/choo choo/tourist thing as a child, and more recently I did eat dinner at the Terminal Brewhouse(which was pretty awesome) while passing through, but that's really all the time I've spent there.

Any suggestions as far as lodging, where to eat, and what to do? How lively is downtown on a Sunday/Monday(particularly with it being a holiday weekend)?

The plan now is to come there early Sunday, stay somewhere close to downtown, and return Monday afternoon sometime. Might do the aquarium Sunday during the day, but open to other ideas. As far as what we are into, we are an openminded late 20s couple, no kids. She's an artist and loves areas with galleries and little boutiques, so are there any we should make sure to visit? I've seen Bluff's View pop up in searches. Any great hole in the wall restaurants/bars we should visit? We're both into nature too and there seems to be plenty of outdoor opportunities around, but our time is limited and the forecast says 88, so we will probably stick to the city. Thanks in advance for any help.

[RiverView]

Originally Posted by Evad35801

The wife and I are celebrating our anniversary this weekend and we have decided to make last minute plans to take a short trip out of town. We live in Huntsville so not far away, but neither of us have spent much time in Chattanooga. I did the aquarium/choo choo/tourist thing as a child, and more recently I did eat dinner at the Terminal Brewhouse(which was pretty awesome) while passing through, but that's really all the time I've spent there.

Any suggestions as far as lodging, where to eat, and what to do? How lively is downtown on a Sunday/Monday(particularly with it being a holiday weekend)?

The plan now is to come there early Sunday, stay somewhere close to downtown, and return Monday afternoon sometime. Might do the aquarium Sunday during the day, but open to other ideas. As far as what we are into, we are an openminded late 20s couple, no kids. She's an artist and loves areas with galleries and little boutiques, so are there any we should make sure to visit? I've seen Bluff's View pop up in searches. Any great hole in the wall restaurants/bars we should visit? We're both into nature too and there seems to be plenty of outdoor opportunities around, but our time is limited and the forecast says 88, so we will probably stick to the city. Thanks in advance for any help.

There are some great hotels down by the Aquarium:

The Double Tree
Courtyard by Marriott
Hilton Garden Inn
The Chattanoogan with is a few blocks from the Riverfront but very nice

You could check out the Bluff View Inn (Bluff View Art District) and stay in real nice B&B.

I would recommend Blue Water and Table 2 for dining.

Check out the shop at Frazier Ave, 2 Northshore as well as some shops on Broad St Downtown. Take a ride on he River Gorge explorer. Take a long walk on the Riverwalk. Walk over the Walnut Street Bridge to the Northshore (shops at Frazier). You'll have a blast. Also, check out a Lookouts Game. That's always big fun and cheap too.