At the foot of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by lakes, forests and the Tennessee River, Chattanooga has rightfully earned the nickname “Scenic City.” Locals spend weekends kayaking, rafting and climbing the sandstone face of the legendary Tennessee Wall. The Chattanooga Bike system offers a fun and convenient way to get around (a 24-hour pass costs just $10), and its beautiful 16.1-mile riverfront has access points downtown and on multiple trails, so you can bike through the landscape urban and forest in the same exit.
In addition to its breathtaking landscapes, Chatt is home to some of the best art in the United States, displayed at the Hunter Museum of American Art (free on Thursday evenings) and more than 100 permanent art installations throughout the city. In June, the Chattanooga Film Festival, a “cheesy, punk rock, messy island of film geeks and movie buffs,” will screen dozens of independent features and shorts for the 11th consecutive year. The city’s lively music scene thrives in the dark, rowdy corners of venues like JJ’s Bohemia and Barrelhouse Ballroom.
Chattanooga’s charm – and its low cost of living – has led to an influx of newcomers, but the city remains devoted to its existing community. New programs aimed at preventing evictions, among other initiatives, helped the city cut its homeless population in half last year, officials say.