QUICK TRIP TO CHATTANOOGA
Five ways to get a slice of Americana in Tennessee’s River City.
THE DWELL HOTEL
Once the site of the historic Fort James, a stone stronghold used during the Civil War, the Dwell Hotel is home to 16 guest rooms brimming with colourful artwork and mid-century-modern furniture. Owner, designer and vintage collector Seija Ojanpera used a different wallpaper as the jumping-off point for each room’s design, like the Bee, which has an insect-flecked wall, and the Tiki, with a lush green accent print. After getting settled, which may include a soak in your deep tub with C.O. Bigelow bath products, head downstairs for a cocktail at Matilda Midnight and try the Midas – Chattanooga Whiskey with orange marmalade and ginger beer.
Location Chattanooga is just over a two-hour drive from Nashville International Airport. Now you know The city has the fastest (and most affordable) Internet in the country, clocking one gigabit per second. Translation: Download a two-hour HD movie in seconds.
2 BLUFF VIEW ART DISTRICT
Perched on the bluffs at the edge of the Tennessee River, this historic neighbourhood is where art lovers will find the Hunter Museum of American Art – with works by Andy Warhol, Edward Hopper and Clementine Hunter – and the River Gallery. Wander the latter’s sculpture garden, passing more than 14 installations, then finish your self-guided tour at local favourite Rembrandt’s Coffee House for a latte and buttery biscuit.
3 TANASI TRAIL SYSTEM RÉSEAU DE SENTIERS TANASI
A 75-minute drive east of Chattanooga will put you on the south side of the Cherokee National Forest, with access to more than 30 kilometres of trails. Take the Rhododendron Trail from the Ocoee Adventure Center to watch paddlers navigate the same rapids as the Olympians who competed in the whitewater events at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Or, try the creekcrossing trek to Rainbow Falls, with three waterfalls on the 5.6-kilometre route.
4 AMERICAN DRAFT
Tap into American beer culture at this pour-yourown bar located inside a revamped train car at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Terminal Station. Sip your way from west coast to east by sampling the 29 cross-country brews, making an extra-long stop in Chattanooga with the four dedicated local taps, like the grapefruity Rope Gun Rye ale by Hutton & Smith. For a non-alcoholic buzz, go for a bottle of Tennessee-brewed kombucha by Muse + Mettā.
5 SONGBIRDS
One of the world’s largest and rarest vintage guitar collections is at this hybrid museum-concert venue, including an assortment of Gretsch Sparkle Jets and a rosewood guitar that was handmade for Jimi
Hendrix. If you’re still rocking after taking in over 1,700 music makers, stick around for a show at one of the two on-site venues, where gigs range from local up-and-comers to country acts like Ward Davis.