Girlfriend Getaway in Chattanooga

Cyndi Lauper said it best – girls just want to have fun. And when a girl becomes a woman, that means taking a breather from spouses, bosses, kids and housework. Prepare the mixed tape, make a honey-do list and set the GPS for Chattanooga. It’s road trip time.

Time to Check In

Exterior photo of the Chattanoogan

First stop, The Chattanoogan Hotel. Unpack your things and get ready for a girl’s weekend in style. The Chattanoogan has taken it to the next level with sweeping renovations in the rooms and throughout the property.

Once settled, it’s crucial to set your priorities: shopping, food, wine, and chocolate. Happily, you can find all of these just a short walk away.

Take in some Art

Historic Main Street was once the financial hub of Chattanooga. Today, it’s known as the cultural center of the city, where street art is as prevalent as the old warehouses now converted into restaurants and shops.

Gallery 1401 offers a beautiful collection of original fine art. Inside, you'll find works from over 30 nationally and internationally acclaimed artists in a space that also serves as a beautiful venue for events. And then there’s the HART Gallery, a non-profit that allows homeless or other non-traditional artists a chance to create and sell their artwork. You're guaranteed to find something of rare and unusual beauty to hang on your walls while helping local artists in our community.


You deserve a sweet treat

Time to make a preliminary stop at the Hot Chocolatier to taste hot chocolate and truffles.

A graduate of The French Pastry School in Chicago, Wendy Buckner now blesses her hometown with fine chocolates and pastries, creating confections that are almost too pretty to eat.

Yeah, I said ALMOST. Some must-trys are the Hottie truffle – dark chocolate ganache with ancho, chipotle, and cayenne peppers – and the Orange Blossom truffle – dark and milk chocolate infused with orange flower water, fresh oranges, and a splash of extra fine orange liqueur.


Enjoy all the food Main Street has to offer.

Last but certainly not least, Main Street offers a cornucopia of yummy restaurants. FEED Co. Table & Tavern, Hi-Fi Clyde's, and Niedlov’s Bakery are all great lunch choices.

For dinner, Alleia is an Italian concept by local restaurateurs James Beard Nominee and Daniel Lindley. With sky-high ceilings, velvet curtains, foxed antique mirrors, and minimalistic furnishings, you feel like you’re walking into a swank Manhattan eatery. The food, however, transports you to Tuscany…particularly the wood-fired pork shoulder with strawberry mostarda and balsamic glaze.


Retail Therapy at Warehouse Row

Of course, Main Street isn’t the only place in town where shopping and food live in harmony. Warehouse Row boasts a collection of upscale boutiques for home, kids, clothes, shoes, and everything in between. You'll be ready to refine your wardrobe when you walk into Embellish, with brands such as Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Claudia Ciuti, and Rupert Sanderson.

There is also a select group of nationwide stores, like J. CrewAnthropologie, and lululemon athletica that will complete your retail therapy for a while.

Whatever your fancy, shop ‘til you drop – literally – into a booth at Public House. Specialties at this Southern bistro include their Southern fried chicken with macaroni and cheese, and their pimento cheese, grilled sourdough and fried pickle appetizer.

 

CHA_Warehouse Row 1

 

Pamper Yourself

After all this indulging, it’s time to detox at The Chattanoogan Hotel's Spa. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early to soak in the whirlpool or enjoy the sauna. Finish your evening of pampering with a trip--that's not too far--to the Chattanoogan's rooftop bar, High Rail. The perfect stop to savor a nightcap and the sweeping views of downtown with Lookout Mountain's iconic form in the background.

Yep…it’s true. Girls just want to have fun. But women…they just want a vacation.

Girlfriend Getaway Itinerary Map

Find all the places we mentioned above in this map we made just for you.

Explore More Itineraries

3-Day Family Vacation

We've packed three days full of fun, food, and adventure for the whole family. First up, the Tennessee Aquarium.

3-Day Romantic Getaway

Grab your honey and head to the heart of Chattanooga for some adventure, relaxation, and fine dining.

Accessible Chattanooga

Three days full of the best ways to explore Chattanooga via a wheelchair or scooter.

Family Fun Week

If you're going to bother packing up the minivan, shouldn't you stay longer than a few days? Sometimes you need a week's vacation to connect with your kiddos, and to have a conversation...

Pet Friendly Chattanooga

Chattanooga seems to be going to the dogs (or cats as it were) with a number of attractions, hotels, and restaurants adopting pet-friendly policies. Check out our top recommendations for where to...

History Buffs

For a history buff, deciding to visit Chattanooga is a no-brainer. The challenge comes when deciding what to do when you get here. Few places in the country can claim such a rich concentration of...

Foodie, Foodie, Foodie!

If you're a true foodie, it's not so much what you see and do in a city, it's what you taste. With that in mind, we created a travel itinerary based around breakfast, lunch, and dinner...

Art Lover's Guide

Voted #2 Top Arts Destination for Mid-Sized Cities by American Style magazine, Chattanooga is quickly giving new meaning to our moniker as the Scenic City. We rounded up three days’ worth of...

Guys' Trip

The recipe for the perfect guys' trip is a simple concoction of live music, outdoor activity and beer. Wait…make that lots of beer. Fortunately, Chattanooga has all of these ingredients and...