This post is sponsored by Read House Hotel. As always, all opinions are my own.

Last week Cameron and I had the chance to spend a few days in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It’s just about a two hour drive from Nashville. Both of us have grown up visiting the town for things like the Aquarium or a quick afternoon trip here and there. This was our first time to truly take in Chattanooga and all of its charms. It was a great destination for a relaxing couple’s weekend or even a family trip and we can’t wait to go back again soon! Below I’m sharing some of the highlights of our trip and some must-do’s if you get the chance to visit!

WHERE TO STAY

We worked with The Read House Hotel for this trip and had a wonderful stay. It is centrally located and within walking distance of tons of amazing restaurants and areas. Cameron and I love staying at historical properties when visiting new places. Whether it’s a bed and breakfast or a boutique hotel like the Read House, we are always fascinated by the stories and how the property came to be.

The Read House is rich with history, and everyone who works there is eager to share. It was first opened in 1847 and has since gone through many changes. The Read House was purchased in 2016 and underwent a $25 million renovation. It has been restored to reflect its original grandeur in the 1920’s.

If you’re feeling brave… they’ll show you the haunted Room 311. We got a tour and it was definitely a bit chilling! Many believe Room 311 is haunted by the ghost of Annalisa Netherly. There are so many bizarre stories about the room and its mysterious history. If this is something you’re interested in I definitely suggest looking it up online.

WHAT TO DO

Go shopping at the local boutiques. A few of our favorites were Jonesy Wood, Milk Boutique and Homegrown Silver and Stone. I really enjoyed the shopping around Warehouse Row and North Shore. We also made a visit to Dirty Jane’s antique mall and found a few treasures for the new house.

Visit the Aquarium – We didn’t visit the Aquarium on this trip, but it’s definitely worth seeing! It’s said to be one of the best aquariums in America.

Stroll Around the Art District – This historic neighborhood is a breath of fresh air. From bakeries to art galleries and more, it was so nice to spend a slow morning in this area. There is also a sculpture garden you can walk through that leads to the most amazing view over the river.

Go On a Hike – Chattanooga has some absolutely breathtaking views! Several people recommended Signal Point and we will definitely plan to go there the next time we visit.

WHERE TO DRINK

Whiskey Thief – This was definitely our favorite bar we visited. It has a really great vibe and an amazing drink selection. We met up with some new friends here and it was the perfect spot to relax after a long day of walking around town. It’s also Chattanooga’s first rooftop bar.

Oddstory Brewing Co. – We absolutely loved this brewery! It has such unique and vibrant decor for a brewery. With bright colors, lots of natural light and plants throughout, you immediately feel welcome here. Their New England IPA was absolutely delicious and we definitely brought a few cases back to Nashville with us.

Rembrandt’s Coffee – This place was so charming! We had coffee outside in their courtyard one morning before strolling around the Art District. This European style café offers a wide assortment of house-roasted coffees and homemade bread.

WHERE TO EAT

Bridgeman’s Chophouse – I can’t say enough great things about this restaurant! It was one of the best traditional steak dinners we have had in ages. I’m pretty sure they brought us the entire menu to sample… and every single dish was delicious. The lobster bisque, mashed potatoes and of course the filet are not to be missed.

Alleia – Under the same ownership as one of our local Nashville favorites, 5th and Taylor, we were eager to try this Italian restaurant. Their menu is carefully crafted and theur Nimbus cocktail was one of the best vodka cocktails I’ve ever had.

Stir – I really enjoyed their Elderflower Sour cocktail and Cameron was a big fan of the Aviation cocktail. Sadly we only had time for appetizers here but everything else looked amazing! We will definitely be back on our next trip.

Yellow Deli – This place takes the term “cult favorite” to the next level. It’s owned by a communal religious group called the Twelve Tribes… I won’t go into too much detail but if you’re fascinated by stuff like that you should totally look it up! Everyone warned us that they would try to recruit us so I was kind of disappinted when they didn’t. Ha! In all seriousness, their food was delicious and the owners were warm and welcoming. It seems to be a UTC campus favorite as well based on my DM’s about it!