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Thankful in Nooga

November 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Today’s guest post is from Dava Stewart, a copywriter who lives and works in Chattanooga. In this post, she shares some of the things she loves about Chattanooga. You can learn more about Dava at smilingtreewriting.com. 

 

It is the month when we all pause and acknowledge the gratitude we feel for loved ones, jobs, homes, good food, and our lives in general. Here are just a few things about Chattanooga for which I am particularly thankful:

1. The breathtaking scenery– It’s not called “the Scenic City” for no reason! We live in a gorgeous area. Spring, summer, fall, or winter our location offers views that will stop you in your tracks. Whether

Chattanooga is a pretty good place for gardening, too!

you are downtown, on a mountain, at the lake, or standing somewhere in the valley, you can step outside, look around, and see something beautiful.

2. An indefinable energy – Chattanooga has…something. It’s hard to describe the feeling in Chattanooga. From the robust and unusual public/private partnerships that have driven one of the most amazing downtown revitalizations in the country, to the efforts to bring more artists to the city, to the support given to entrepreneurs, there is something special about our town. We feel it, and we are grateful for it.

3. Lifestyle options – If you want an urban lifestyle, with no car and easy access to the city, you can find it downtown. If you would rather enjoy a rural lifestyle, even have livestock and grow a big garden, you can find that within a relatively short driving distance. Are you more of a traditional neighborhood type? Chattanooga has plenty of those, too. When it comes to designing a life that suits your tastes, Chattanooga has a dizzying array of options.

4. It’s kid-friendly – There are opportunities to stimulate, educate, and entertain your children all over the city. You can choose a public or private education. If you are looking for after-school activities, or summer camps, there are lots of those, too. Chattanooga is a great place to raise kids, a fact parents are thankful for!

5. The entertainment – Obviously, Chattanooga does not rival New York city in entertainment options. But, for a mid-sized city, there is a LOT to do in Chattanooga. There are public events every season of the year, several venues for live entertainment, restaurants by the dozen, movies theaters, plus all of the outdoor activities, and so much more. There is never a reason to be bored and that is a reason to feel grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Santa Comes to Nooga

November 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment

You can see Santa at the mall, of course, and there are lots of good reasons to do that. But, if you are looking for something a little different this year when it comes to a special Santa visit, check out these five unusual venues:

Santa’s Northshore Workshop

You can visit with Santa at the gorgeous Knitting Mill, enjoy the decorations, and also get a warm fuzzy feeling by bringing in toys for the children served by the Northside Neighborhood House!

Addi and Santa at Northgate

The Chattanooga Choo Choo

Could there be a better setting than the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo to tell Santa your wishes? The decorations are stunning, and there are packages available to “Ride the Rails” with Santa. A Train? With Santa?! Definitely a memory to last a lifetime!

The Chattanooga Zoo

The zoo has a special appeal on any day of the year, but combine sparkling, beautiful holiday lights, and SANTA, and you have a winning combination for sure. Be sure to check the schedule for the date and admission prices so you don’t miss this fun event!

Rock City

Rock City transforms into the Enchanted Garden of Lights for the season, and there are tons of special events, including a Dinner with Santa. A jaunt through this favorite attraction during the holidays is perfect for visiting friends or relatives, or just for a fun family afternoon.

The Southern Belle

Several packages are available that include a cruise on the riverboat, music, food, and SANTA! Be sure to check the dates so that you can reserve a place on the cruise that suits you best.

Hamilton Place

Of course the largest mall in the state has Santa!

Northgate Mall

If you find the thought of Hamilton Place a bit overwhelming this time of year, but seeing Santa at the mall is part of your tradition, you might want to pay a visit to Northgate.

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Shopping in Nooga

November 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

There is no Macy’s in Chattanooga, nor is there a Trader Joe’s. While there is a MacAuthority, there is not an Apple Store. There are lots of furniture stores, but none of them are Ikea.

Now that we have covered most of what is not in Nooga, let’s talk about what is here! If you love the mall scene, Hamilton Place is the place for you. Teeming with stores and people, Hamilton Place has a

Image courtesy of chattanoogafun.com

little of what every mall should have. There’s the requisite food court, a JC Penny’s, and a Dillard’s. As the largest mall in Tennessee, Hamilton Place is home to hundreds of stores and restaurants, and the area around the mall is home to many more.

Hixson is home to the smaller, and some say friendlier, Northgate Mall. Though it is smaller, you can still find all the mall essentials at Northgate. Rumor has it that the mall will soon see major renovations and new stores moving in.

For those of you prefer shopping of the local variety, there are plenty of options. The Northshore is home to many art galleries, shops, and restaurants, most of which are locally owned. One quickly growing area is that of 2 Northshore, the area’s only Leed Certified shopping center. Greenlife Grocery, Rock Creek Outfitters, and SmartFurniture, and many others are located at 2 Northshore.

Main Street is becoming a go-to shopping destination, as well. There are many art galleries, gift shops and coffee shops along Main Street, making it a perfect place to shop for something original, unusual, and sure to please. Merchants on Main offers “an eclectic shopping experience located on Main Street” where you will find everything from handcrafted pottery to gourmet foods.

Warehouse Row, downtown has shops, eateries, and ambiance to go with it all. A renovated complex of old warehouses, Warehouse Row has been featured in publications like Garden & Gun Magazine, and attracts shoppers from all over.

There are plenty of shopping gems scattered across the city, as well. The Treehouse on Signal Mountain specializes in gorgeous childrens clothes, and Boutique Couture on Market Street offers bridal wear. Learning Express has two locations, making it easy to find the perfect toy, whatever the occasion.

On Sundays, from April until December, Chattanoogans can shop and enjoy the sights and sounds at the Chattanooga Market. Artists, farmers, craftspeople, and more bring their best to the market every week. There is also live music, food vendors, and plenty of special events.

So, while there is still space for a few important retailers, Chattanooga does offer a fairly well-rounded shopping experience. There’s really not much need to drive to Atlanta to spend a day shopping anymore!

Filed Under: the 'NOOGA things to do