10-25-16 Day 1 of Chattanooga. Whiskey and Chocolate. How can we not like it here?

We arrived intentionally early afternoon to spend as much time playing as possible. Chattanooga has done a nice job making the river front spectacular.  We got off the boat and had to climb stairs up to the street.  Much to our surprise the stairs were a work of art.  They purposely made half of the steps into a waterfall.  Immediately our shoes came off and we were like kids running up the water stairs. It also had beautiful artwork on the walls. It was a tribute to the Indians that were removed from the area. Our first impression was a good one.

The town has free electric buses that go up and down the main street and across the river.  We thought we would hop on and take a spin through the city to see what they have. At the end of the line we saw the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

We got off to explore what it was about. We found out it was a hotel not a museum. Residents stay in the train cars as their room.  They let the public in to see the Chattanooga Choo Choo Train.  It was the first passenger train to provide nonstop service from Chattanooga to Cincinnati Ohio in 1880. The old station was the lobby of the hotel and has been beautifully restored. The main engine was nicely painted and they are working on upgrading more of the cars.

When we came out of the train station, across the street, we saw a sign for distillery tours. Why not.

It was a small distillery that recently opened. There was an old law on the books that prevented anyone from making whiskey in Chattanooga. First they got the law changed, then they opened Tennessee Stillhouse. It was a very interesting tour.

This facility is very small and is intended to be the place they try recipes.  Plans are already in the works to open a much larger distillery down closer to the river. When we were done with the tour we were able to do a flight of three whiskies and three whiskey drinks. I have to say, it was surprisingly interesting. 

As we left the distillery there was a store called Hot Chocolate right next door. We HAD to go in! We got a small piece of candy and a dessert for that night.  Best Carmel, Chocolate, Pecan cheese cake ever!

We hopped the bus back to the boat and of course there were other loopers there. Docktails ended up on Tidings of Joy’s boat.  It was quite funny that people were standing on the swim platform with the edged of the back deck the perfect bar height. When someone new came, they invited them to “belly up to the bar” We went to Tony’s Italian Restaurant with 2 other couples we just met.  Very good food.

Wow what a busy day. We had already decided Chattanooga is a pretty cool city.

Thanks for reading.

Karen and Scott

I am doing an addition to the end of each blog. Interesting things found along the way: I hope you enjoy these Unique Random Pic of the Day: