Most of the time bloggers tell you all the reasons you should visit their city. Especially when they focus on the city like I do. I’m different. I do things my own style and my own way and I think it’s important that you know the reasons you should not visit Chattanooga. I don’t want you to miss out on a great vacation because you’re expecting the Scenic City to be something that it isn’t.

Reason 1o Not To Visit Chattanooga

I can not stress this enough. Do not visit Chattanooga if you are expecting a very touristy, generic city. This isn’t Myrtle Beach of the mountains (that’s down the road about 3 hours). You aren’t going to find the same generic tourist trap shops you find in touristy cities. If that’s what you are looking for Chattanooga isn’t for you.

Reason 9 Not To Visit The Scenic City

Chattanooga is a city of its own. Thats its super power. If you’re looking for a Tennessee version of Austin or Asheville this isn’t it. Now, if you like those cities Chattanooga may be the next city you should visit as long as you aren’t expecting it to be what those cities are.

Reason 8 Not To Visit The River City

If you hate towns or cities with more than one nickname. Chattanooga is not for you.  There are multiple nicknames, although I’m not sure anybody actually uses some of them, like river city for example. The Scenic City is the official nickname while some of the others are because people are too lazy to say Chattanooga in its entirety. I’m not really sure why it’s fun to say, seriously say it out loud.

Reason 7 Not To Visit The Gig City

Yes, I am having fun with this using all the nicknames in the list. You do not want to visit Chattanooga if you are the kind of person that hates festivals and markets. Between Wine Over Water, Riverbend, 4 Bridges Arts Festival, MAIN x 24 and the Chattanooga Market, we kinda have the festival life down.

Reason 6 Not To Visit The Gateway To The South

I’m gonna be honest with you. I’ve never heard it called this but I had to google so I could come up with 10 nicknames. Reason 6 not to visit Chattanooga is near and dear to my heart as a foodie. If you hate when there are lots of places for craft beer, brunch, and coffee this isn’t the city for you. We like our food and drinks here and there are so many amazing places I’m really not sure how you could avoid them all.

Reason 5 Not To Visit Chatt

Don’t even think about giving Chattanooga a chance for your next visit if you are not a fan of live music. I know, I know. When most people think of live music in Tennessee they are usually thinking of 3 hours northwestish. Yeah, whatever Nashville is cool and all, but it’s no Chattanooga. Every Friday night May through August is the Nightfall summer concert series. Free live music all summer long would be awful if you hate live music.

Reason 4 Not To Visit Nooga

You absolutely do not want to visit Chattanooga if you don’t like beautiful scenery. We are officially the Scenic City for a reason. Don’t like to be around Rivers? Sorry, Chattanooga is built around one. Detest mountains and beautiful views? Well, shit. We have Lookout Mountain, Raccoon Mountain & Signal Mountain. And one of them has a spaceship house. Fun fact of the day.

Reason 3 Not To Visit Chatt town

If you prefer chain restaurants and large box stores and malls Chattanooga isn’t for you. Yeah sure, we have those on the outskirts of town. There are very few cities that have such an emphasis on locally owned and locally made like we do. So if you really don’t want to be somewhere with unique small businesses and startups you’ll hate it in Chattanooga.

Reason 2 Not To Visit The Smartest City

Ok, Google is just making this shit up now. Well UTC is, because that for sure was from their website. Do not come to Chattanooga if you hate really fast internet. We were the first city in America to offer 10-gigabit-per second fiber internet service. Because of EPB the City of Chattanooga has free public wifi with Nooganet. If you really like your internet to be slow af you do not want to come here.

The #1 Reason Not To Visit Chattanooga

Chattanooga is not the city for you if you hate being outside and walking. In the city there isn’t many places you can’t walk to. We do have the worlds longest pedestrian bridge after all. With places like Coolidge Park and Ross’s Landing the places to enjoy the fresh air and views of the river are abundant. If you’re the kind of person that likes to stay inside you will probably hate this city.

While those are 10 reasons not to visit, they are 1o of my favorite things about Chattanooga. So, if you’re like me Chattanooga might need to be on top of your list of places to go. I promise no one actually calls it by most of those nicknames.