Mother’s Day is coming up, and Chattanooga is a great place to celebrate it! Whether you have young or adult children, one child or many, come hang with us Chattanoogans.
For the whole family
We’re a big fan of starting any celebration early, and with the Family Fun Day on the Chattanooga Green, you can do just that! On Saturday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., you can build your own kite (for free, but please RSVP!), make arts and crafts, play games, and enjoy some live music!
If you're not in town on Saturday, don’t fret, you can still enjoy some local fun! On Sunday, May 14, head on over to the Chattanooga Market for their Mother’s Day celebration. Strolling through the market with your kids in hand (or stroller) is a great way to enjoy the warmer weather. Or, if you're wanting to enjoy the last little bit of Spring, head up to Rock City for their annual Southern Blooms Festival happening May 6, 7, 14, and 14.
Grab some local food at the market or opt for one of the many Mother’s Day brunches in town (more info below).
After all that family fun, allow mom to ditch the kids for an hour and head over to Ama Spa at the Edwin for a massage or facial. While you let her get pampered, why not walk across the Walnut Street Bridge for some ice cream at Clumpies?
Finally, take a stroll through the Hunter Art Museum. Spanning three buildings, everyone in the family is sure to find some favorites.
For the empty nester
When you’re an empty nester, the sky is the limit for a quality-time-filled Mother’s Day weekend in Chattanooga. If you are looking to get pampered, go on an adventure or if you love art, we have a few great options that the mom of an adult child would enjoy!
Once you’ve checked into your hotel on Saturday afternoon, pamper yourself at Natural Body Spa & Shop. They specialize in massages, hot stone treatments, facials and more. Treat yo’ self, mama!
After a little bit of downtime, sing and dance the evening away and enjoy a Sightseeing or Sunset Cruise aboard the Southern Belle. Soak in the sights and snag a charcuterie board if you're feeling a little peckish.
If you’re looking to soak up some of Chattanooga’s natural wonders, head up to Signal Mountain for a classic Chattanooga hike, where you can hit up Rainbow Lake and Edward's Point. To access this 4.5-mile moderately difficult loop, park at the Rainbow Lake parking lot on Ohio Ave. Take the Rainbow Lake trail where you'll eventually follow the signs for Edward's Point. If you don't want to hike all the way out, a hike to Rainbow Lake and back is still a great choice!
After you’ve explored, it’s time to fuel up with some great Mother’s Day eats. If you don’t know precisely what your pallet is craving, why not try it all with Chatt Taste Food Tour? Choose from the Downtown, MLK, Soutshide, or Vegan Tours, offering amazing local eateries you don’t want to miss. Either way, you’ll have the chance to visit three or four restaurants in downtown Chattanooga.
After your bellies are full, there is nothing like a great walk to burn a few calories and enjoy some local art. The self-guided art tour – or the Experience Art Map – is a wonderful way to gaze and be inspired by the local art you’ll find around the city. The map highlights art located in the downtown footprint including beautiful murals, local art galleries, sculptures and more. These renowned pieces are from local and international artists. During your walk, grab a sweet treat like a gelato from Milk and Honey or a cupcake from the Cupcake Kitchen. We recommend the Almond Raspberry cupcake or the Pineapple Upside Down. One word: delish.
For the foodies
If you’re looking for a classy spot to spoil mom, check out Bridgemans Chophouse Mother’s Day Brunch in the Read House Hotel featuring an exquisite menu and some exclusive menu items only available for the day!
Another delicious option is 1885 Grill in St. Elmo. Treat mom to her Southern Coastal brunch favorites while enjoying live music from Rossville native Amber Fults. Try the Belgian Waffle Bananas Foster – you won’t regret it.
Last, but certainly not least, for a place that swells with luxurious ambiance as soon as you walk through the doors, Whitebird is a beautiful place to make mom feel like the queen she is. Take her on a stroll through the Edwin Autograph Collection and let her gaze at the beautiful pieces of artwork throughout the hotel. Share a Biscuit Board – because are you really in the South if you don’t eat a tray full of buttermilk biscuits, housemade jams and marmalades with smoked sorghum butter? No.
However you choose to spoil mom this year, make sure Chattanooga is on the list! You can thank us later.
To find more Mother’s Day events happening around the Scenic City, check out the event calendar (scroll down to the bottom for a complete list).
