Imagine a city that is rich in history, but still current with the times. Perhaps this is a place that has all the serenity and comfort of a small town, but still the amenities of much larger cities. That’s Chattanooga, Tenn. Along with this city’s popular suburbs, such as Soddy-Daisy, Hixson, Signal Mountain or Red Bank, Chattanooga meets expectations with its natural beauty, robust economy and southern charm.
Chattanooga holds title as a nine-time Gunther Blue Ribbon Award recipient for excellence in housing and consolidated planning, and has national awards for outstanding livability, along with two nods from Outside Magazine as “Best Town Ever.”
Located near the Tennessee-Georgia border in Southeast, Tenn., Chattanooga is easily accessible from Interstates 24, 75 and 59. With a population just under 184,000 (as of 2021, not including other cities in the entire metro area), Chattanooga has no state income tax, low property taxes and a generally moderate cost of living.
Let’s take a closer look at why so many residents and visitors alike are drawn to this part of Southeast Tennessee.
The history of Soddy-Daisy and Chattanooga (The former town is where United Country Real Estate | Southeast Land Solutions LLC is located.) has ties to the area’s native Cherokee population. Soddy originates from the Americanized version of the Cherokee word “Tsati,” or in English, “sipping place,” while Daisy is the namesake of Daisy Coal Company founder Thomas Parks’ daughter. Originally two different cities, Soddy and Daisy were combined in 1969 when they incorporated.
Early people may have lived in Chattanooga as far back as 10,000 BC. Eventually, the city’s name came about from the native phrase for “rock rising to a point,” which is believed to refer to Lookout Mountain. As in many parts of the country, the railroad industry gave Chattanooga an economic boost post-1850. Additionally, the importance of agriculture to the region then has not waned in the modern era.
Once known as the place “where cotton meets corn, this part of Southeast Tennessee today is big on nursery products, fresh vegetables and hay, as well as livestock commodities such as poultry, horses and cattle.
With its tranquil lakes, rolling rivers, rustic mountains and green valleys, it’s no surprise Chattanooga has the nickname “The Scenic City.” Here in Soddy-Daisy, we’re about 18 miles northwest of Downtown Chattanooga. The Tennessee River and Chickamauga Lake stretch across the city’s center, making for nice scenery and hinting at outdoor adventures like fishing, boating and hiking.
One good way to discover outdoor recreation opportunities here (or even just to enjoy the scenery as you float by) is by taking one of the many river cruises available. Coast in luxury along the Tennessee River Gorge in a classic southern riverboat, charter a yacht or go simple with a small motor boat … the latter might even allow you to do a bit of duck hunting.
Speaking of hunting, Chattanooga and the surrounding areas offer extensive hunts on public land. Pursue turkey, deer, wild hogs and even large game like elk and bear when in season and where permitted. If that’s not your thing, no worries. There are all kinds of other activities, from ziplining to hang gliding, kayaking to swimming, mountain biking and beyond.
A must-see destination, about an hour-and-a-half north of Chattanooga, is Fall Creek Falls State Park. One of the state’s most-visited and largest parks, it features nearly 30,000 acres across the Cumberland Plateau, with waterfalls, untouched timber and gorges. Hiking trails, camp sites, a nature center and a golf course all contribute to the fun here. That said, there are a great many other state and national parks and forests in Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau Region – some closer, some farther out – but all worth a visit.
It’s not entirely about outdoor recreation in Southeastern Tennessee, though; there’s a world of other activities to discover. Those who enjoy a slower, or at least less physically active pace, should check out Downtown Chattanooga for its shopping district, arts scene, restaurants and museums.
The Tennessee Aquarium and the Chattanooga Zoo are great spots for kids, while the Tennessee Valley Railroad – the largest historic railroad in the southern U.S. - also offers family-friendly excursions on vintage trains. A separate system called the Incline Railway takes passengers up and down Lookout Mountain, with historic, cultural and just generally enjoyable stops along the way.
If you prefer to navigate the city on foot, you might consider the various tours popular here. From foodie tours, to ghost tours, brewery tours and more, there’s something for everyone. Last but not least are the festivals. There’s the Riverbend Music Festival, 4 Bridges Art Festival, 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival and a whole lot more. You can even search for Chattanooga area events by season!
Sources:
Visitchattanooga.com; Chattanooga.gov; Soddy-daisy.org; Tnvacation.com; Tn.gov; Chattanoogacalling.com; En.wikipedia.org; Stateparks.com