Chattanooga, Tennessee - The Dirtiest City, Now the Beautiful City!

Chattanooga was known as the dirtiest city in the nation with the iron mills polluting the air, the river was black. It was considered a wasteland of industry and pavement. Well, Chattanooga is reborn. Since 1992 when the Tennessee Aquarium opened the city has grown leaps and bounds. There are more restaurants and attractions now that you can't see everything in just one weekend; multiple visits are needed and once you visit for your first time you will want to go back. Chattanooga is now a beautiful city!

As you visit you don't want to miss Chattanooga's Riverfront. It's beautiful parks and pathways to stroll down takes you to wonderful restaurants, neat little shops and attractions that are family friendly right by the river. You can even enjoy your meal while watching the boats arrive at the piers for the evening attractions. The Riverfront Riverwalk is 13 miles long and it starts from downtown to the Chickamauga Dam.

The city has taken the concrete up that lined the river banks and replaced it with grass and cascades down to the waters edge. You can even wade in the waterfall that is stairs that leads to the six fountains right down by the river.

The next item that you should visit is called The Passage, this is a special place that is a tribute to the people the gathered at that spot before walking the Trail of Tears. There are seven bronze discs that tell the story of the Cherokee that walked this trail.

The Tennessee Aquarium is a have to for the young and old. Since 1992 the aquarium has doubled in size and it's newest item is the salt water wing. You have to see the sharks and penguin exhibits. You will fall in love with the penguins. There is also a beautiful butterfly garden that will take your breath away.

There are two museums that you can visit. The Creative Discovery Museum and the Hunter Museum of American Art. If you have little ones then the Creative Discovery Museum will keep them occupied for hours on end. The Hunter Museum has interactive exhibits and English guides. You just have to see this building at night. It is connected to the waterfront; has a steel and glass bridge that lights up at night.

If you visit in the middle of summer your children will just have to see the Coolidge Park. It offers a giant fountain that kids can splash in and also ride a carousel that was refurbished. The carousel animals were hand carved right there in Chattanooga. The young and old will get a kick out of the Walnut Street Bridge. The bridge was built in 1891 and closed in the 1970's. It was restored and is now a pedestrian bridge that you can walk over the river. It gives you a great and weird feeling knowing the river is under your feet.

The greatest thing about Chattanooga is that about ever attraction is located around the aquarium. Just 5 to 15 minutes and you are where you want to be. There is even a sidewalk elevator that will carry wheelchairs and strollers up the steep hill, this is great! If you would like to take a taxi there is a water taxi that only cost $3 to cross the river.

You just have to stop and eat at the Chattanooga Choo Choo restaurant. You can't say you were in Chattanooga without stop there. There is a free electric shuttle that will take you there.

Chattanooga has some wonderful restaurants that you should check out. The blue Plate, is really blue with blue-toned booths and a full bar. Every dish is delicious, affordable, and made form scratch. The Bluewater Grille has fresh seafood flown in from the Gulf every week. The lobster tacos and the sashimi-grade ahi tuna are wonderful. For lunch you have to stop at Food Works Riverside. They serve trendy power lunches in a stylishly revamped warehouse on the North Shore. Then to top it off you just have to try Clumpies Ice Cream Co. There ice cream is to die for. You might have to fight your way in its a favorite for the locals.

You just have to check out World Next Door. They sell fair-trade gifts such as colorful beach bags that are made from recycled materials. Blue Skies is one of the best boutiques in town, with purses, jewelry, and gifts. If you are looking for hiking, paddling, camping, and rock climbing gear stop at Rock Creek Outfitters, Inc. Even if you don't need any gear the staff will help you find the great trails in the area.

For a city that was the dirtiest it has cleaned up well and most of this was done within 35 months. Can't believe that then go ahead, visit Chattanooga for yourself!