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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Chattanooga has officially been named the first National Park City in North America, a title confirmed by the National Park City Foundation.

Mayor Tim Kelly celebrated the achievement with a special video message, expressing pride in the city's new status.

"Here in Chattanooga, we’ve used the National Park City movement to encourage folks to think about Chattanooga as a city in a park, rather than a city with some parks in it," said Mayor Kelly. "The outdoors is our competitive advantage. It’s at the heart of our story of revitalization, and it’s core to our identity. We’ve always known how special Chattanooga’s connection to the outdoors is, and now it’ll be recognized around the world. I could not be more proud that Chattanooga is North America's first National Park City."

The City of Chattanooga journey to this designation began in late 2023, driven by the passion of thousands of residents, community leaders, businesses, and nonprofit partners.

The city gathered over 5,600 signatures of support and crafted a National Park City charter based on seven core commitments to people, place, and nature.

In November, Chattanooga submitted its "Journey Book," showcasing efforts to make the city one of the most livable in the United States.

A review team from the National Park City Foundation visited in March to experience the city's parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and urban landscapes firsthand.

The National Park City movement is a grassroots effort inviting everyone to make cities greener, healthier, and wilder. In Chattanooga, this designation will help prioritize connecting more people to the outdoors, a defining aspect of the city's identity.

Mayor Kelly highlighted the importance of embracing outdoor life, from supporting local conservancies to celebrating cultural diversity through art, history, and play. The recognition cements Chattanooga's reputation as a leader in green space, outdoor adventure, and community spirit.

To celebrate, the city will host an event on Saturday, April 19th, from 12 PM to 7 PM on the Chattanooga Green next to Ross’s Landing.

The event will feature local artists and a presentation by Dr. Daniel Raven Ellison, creator of the National Park City movement.

The celebration coincides with Earth Week, offering over 50 activities and events across the city.

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Team Stats

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Field Goal %

51.3

48.7

Three Point %

30.0

27.3

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11

16

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39

47

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Huff hits 3-pointer with 11.1 seconds left in triple OT as Chattanooga beats Middle Tennessee in NIT

— Bash Wieland scored 31 points and Honor Huff made a long 3-ponter with 11.1 seconds left in triple overtime as Chattanooga defeated Middle Tennessee 109-103 on Tuesday in the NIT.Mar 19, 2025, 03:28 am - Data Skrive

Chattanooga

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UTC 100%

UTC 109MTSU 103

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o148.5

EVEN

+1.5

-115

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-105

+105

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(22-12)

-4.5

EVEN

-1.5

-105

u153.5

-115

-125

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EPB crews were on the scene on Dayton Pike in Soddy Daisy, where a large tree was blown over onto power lines during a powerful storm that swept through the Tennessee Valley. The severe weather, which brought strong winds and lightning, left a path of destruction across the region, and crews are working tirelessly to restore power.

The storm caused significant damage in several counties, including Jackson, Marion, and Grundy, with numerous reports of trees down and power outages.

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However, perhaps one of the most shocking scenes was discovered in Chattanooga, where one local resident came face to face with the aftermath of a fallen tree in her own backyard.

“Is this not crazy!” said Claudia Broom.

A massive cedar tree was uprooted in the backyard of Broom's home.

“Imagine if that had come over on my house, I would be dead,” said Broom.

When we asked how she was feeling she said: “Thankful, grateful.”

At the time, the tree was blocking the road on 6th avenue. Broom says she didn't hear it get blown over, but stepped outside Sunday morning while the storm was still raging.

“I looked and I said ‘Holy smoke! the tree is gone’.”

She says she’s relieved it didn’t come crashing down on her.

“Someone was looking out for me this morning. God was looking out for me.”

Local 3 helped Broom contact the fire department, who said they were on their way to clear the tree from the road.

As far as she could tell, there was no other damage to her property, though she’s now reaching out to her insurance company to assess the situation.

If you come across a downed tree blocking any roads, make sure to call 911 right away.

In the “DC Getaway,” WTOP contributor Briana Thomas shares tips for trips a hop and a skip away from D.C. The story below is based on a press trip sponsored by the Chattanooga Tourism Company and reflects Briana’s independent editorial research. The sponsor has no editorial involvement.

Tennessee is no stranger to entertainment. There’s Nashville’s two-stepping country music venues, Memphis’ famous barbecue and Knoxville’s natural beauty. But Chattanooga — the southern state’s fourth largest city — adds its own unique fun to the mix.

And it’s a great option for a weekend trip. The travel time is just a two-hour flight from Reagan National Airport.

Beyond Chattanooga’s storied Civil War history, the city bursts with vibrant neighborhood adventures, nature excursions and an eclectic food and art scene that are sure to keep travelers hooked.

Here’s a guide to exploring some of Chattanooga’s most exciting attractions and experiences. Whether you’re traveling with kids, or exploring solo, these places cater to vacationers of all ages.

Chattanooga Choo Choo

In the early 1900s, the city’s Southside District was a high traffic area for industrial and passenger railway travel. Now, visitors can dine, see live stand-up shows or stay the night inside a train carriage at the historic Terminal Station at Chattanooga Choo Choo complex.

The rustic downtown hangout is a great option for having a laid-back lunch or breakfast. At Stir, there’s delectable made-from-scratch tastes of a variety of fresh dishes, including spicy chicken samosas, hand-cut sirloins and fish tacos.

If you’re looking for an early morning caffeine fix, Frothy Monkey is a neighborhood-favorite café pouring creative lattes with unique ingredients ranging from banana syrup to cayenne pepper.

At night, the complex lights up. A few steps from the Instagram-worthy “Chattanooga” neon sign there’s The Comedy Catch — a quaint comedy club where adults can laugh out loud at local and national stand-up acts in between bites of beer cheese-dipped pretzels.

If you’d prefer a night of dancing or bar hopping, there’s often live music along Station Street, and more than eight bars to visit.

If you visit: The Chattanooga Choo Choo complex is open daily, free entry, parking available on-site. It’s located at 1400 Market St, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Bessie Smith Cultural Center and Chattanooga African American Museum

This community-founded Black history museum keeps the “Big 9” legacy alive. In the early 20th century, major African American jazz and rhythm and blues stars, such as Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway, graced Chattanooga’s bustling Ninth Street.

The Ninth Street district — now named M.L. King Boulevard — thrived on Black-owned businesses and entertainment hot spots during the Segregation Era. Today, the legacy of the vibrant community can be relived inside the Bessie Smith Cultural Center and Chattanooga African American Museum.

The family-friendly museum, which opened in 1983, pays homage to Civil War history, Native American heritage and Black culture through educational short films, lifelike installations, artifacts and memorabilia, ranging from baseball jerseys to vintage photographs.

The center’s premiere exhibit “Chattanooga’s Black Soundtrack” presents retro and rare new collectibles, such as the piano of Empress of the Blues Bessie Smith, R&B superstar Usher’s Super Bowl LVIII halftime performance roller skates, and memorabilia from Chattanooga native and country vocalist Kane Brown.

If you visit: The Bessie Smith Center is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays by appointment only, $10 for ages 6 and older, parking available at the lot on the corner of Houston and M.L. King Boulevard. The address is 200 E Martin Luther King Blvd.

Chatt Taste Food Tours

Attention foodies: You can visit five restaurants in one night with a culinary tour guide thanks to Chatt Taste. The woman-owned tour company created by Briana Garza helps visitors experience the cuisine and culture of Chattanooga through the taste buds of a local.

Sightsee street murals and learn little-known neighborhood history facts from a local tour guide while traveling from restaurant to restaurant on foot or in a vehicle.

The itineraries are ever-changing, but you can expect to book brunch, lunch and dinner tours that journey through Downtown or Southside, stopping by eateries such as microbrewery Hello Monty and trendy social club The Common House.

If you visit: You can book the Chatt Taste Food Tours at select times Thursday to Sunday, $108+ for public food tours, tours are less than 1-mile walking distance.

Ruby Falls

Ruby Falls is home to America’s deepest commercial cave and tallest underground waterfall open for public viewing. Explorers can venture 260 feet underground to walk through a glowing cavern trail.

Along the trail you’ll catch glimpses of aging stalactites and stalagmites hanging from the cave’s roof while learning about the cave’s founder, Leo Lambert, and nearly 100 years of conservation from video and audio guides.

The best part of the 1-mile journey is discovering the breathtaking 145-foot underground waterfall located 1,120 feet beneath the surface of Lookout Mountain. The waterfall viewing accompanies a colorful flashing light show, and there’s time for photos in front of the natural phenomenon.

After the trip underground, you can visit the café for a bite to eat inside a 15th-century-designed castle. There’s also a seasonal zip line and wall climbing adventure that you can add to your Lookout Mountain experience.

If you visit: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., $28+ for Ruby Falls cave tour adult admission, $19 for children ages 4-12, free for ages 3 and under, tour experience takes about 90 minutes, parking lots on-site. The address is 1720 S Scenic Hwy.

Sculpture Fields at Montague Park

If you’re looking for local art, this outdoor park has a lot of cool visuals. Chattanooga artists, such as John Henry, Mark di Suvero and Linda Howard, teamed up with a few international creatives, including Claus Moor, Jan Meyer-Rogge and Heinz Aeschlimann, to transform 33 acres of Southside’s garden and green space into a giant field of sculptures.

The walkable outdoor museum, supported by a nonprofit, exhibits more than 50 large-scale pieces that portray reimagined trees, people, shapes and more lively artworks.

If you visit: The park is open daily from dusk to dawn, free, parking on-site at 1800 Polk St.

How to get there: A nonstop flight is approximately 2 hours from Reagan National Airport.

How to get around: The free electric shuttle or the Bike Chattanooga bicycle share system are easy ways to navigate the city.

Where to stay: If you want to stay near the Chattanooga Choo Choo complex and Southside attractions, the Kinley Chattanooga Hotel is a charming option.

Briana Thomas is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and tour guide with a passion for travel. She is the owner of local history and culture tour company Black Broadway Travel, and the Arts and Culture writer for Washingtonian Magazine. To read more of Briana’s cultural explorations sign-up for her Guide Culture newsletter.

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