Chattanooga Travel and Things to Do Guide

Scenic Chattanooga offers a rugged natural beauty, modern amenities and Southern charm, all from a convenient central location in the Southeast. Located at the crossroads of Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, Chattanooga is just two hours away from major metropolitans such as Atlanta, Nashville, Knoxville and Birmingham. Situated where three major interstate highways (I-24, I-75, and I-59) meet, the city is an easy destination for guests traveling by car. At the same time, the first-class Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport offers direct or one stop service to most destinations.

Throughout its revitalized downtown and waterfront district, Chattanooga offers a wealth of first-class attractions that can easily serve as the backdrop to a memorable event. Make a splash by renting out private space at the renowned Tennessee Aquarium, which offers facilities for groups as large as 700 people. Sip cocktails among the works of American artists such as Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt and Andy Warhol at the Hunter Museum of American Art, which offers both indoor and outdoor spaces. Or, invite guests to experience a piece of Southern history at the Gordon-Lee Mansion, the only building that was used during and survived the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863.

Certainly the headliner for meetings and conventions in the city is the modern Chattanooga Convention Center, which offers over 100,000 square feet of column-free exhibit space, 21 meeting rooms and a 19,000-square-foot ballroom. Best of all, planners can take advantage of this versatile facility with a clear conscience, as the center is involved in an ever-growing process of being green. In addition to a comprehensive recycling program, the Chattanooga Convention Center's day lighting efforts allow natural light to fill its spaces. This both creates a more productive atmosphere and reduces the need for artificial lighting.

The convention center's green initiatives are just a few of the many ways Chattanooga has made environmental sustainability a priority. The city has established 25 miles of walking paths that preserve the area's natural beauty and allow for alternative transportation routes. Chattanooga also offers a free electric shuttle service to provide eco-friendly transportation to major downtown attractions.

Chattanooga's economy is built upon manufacturing and service industries. The city is home to the headquarters of such companies as BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Amazon, Volkswagen, Access America Transport, and The Chattanooga Bakery – the one and only manufacturer of the iconic MoonPie. Chattanooga is also home to a number of colleges and universities, including the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Technical Community College, Tennessee Temple University and the University of Tennessee's College of Medicine. Also there are notable well-renowned private schools including Baylor, GPS and McCallie.

Chattanooga is the first city in the Western Hemisphere to offer 10-gigabit-per-second fiber internet service to all residents and businesses. At hundreds of times the speed of the national average, the Gig opens the door to unimagined ways of learning, playing and conducting business. A prime example of this technology is now being utilized at the Chattanooga Airport. Live footage is streaming from cameras inside the Tennessee Aquarium's alligator habitat using EPB Fiber Optics' Internet connectivity powered by Nokia technology. This is the first municipal demonstration of ultra-high definition live video in the country. This is one more example of how Chattanooga continues to lead, be innovative, look forward, and stay ahead.

Chattanooga's downtown assets have assisted the expansion of the city into a formidable city centered technology hub. Harnessing the Gig's potential to draw innovative high-technology companies, the Innovation District was born and continues to attract and retain an assortment of startup businesses, 21st-century firms and technology oriented entrepreneurs such as Coyote Logistics and the Lamp Post Group.