J Alexander's Restaurant in Chattanooga, Tennessee

When we visit Chattanooga, Tennessee, we like to visit many of the great restaurants.  One of our favorites is J Alexander's.  This one is located a short drive away from the downtown tourist area.  We've eaten here several times and each experience was great.  The atmosphere is relaxing, the food is great, and so is the service.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

J Alexander's Restaurant

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

We ordered the spinach cheese dip for our appetizer.  It tasted as good as it looks. 

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

I ordered the chicken strips.  I asked to trade the fries for a loaded baked potato.  I didn't even notice the dinner plate came with cole slaw until the waiter brought it out.  You can't tell from the picture, but that was a huge mountain of cole slaw.   

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

It was my birthday trip so I couldn't pass up J Alexander's carrot cake.  Oh my goodness.  We only live 2.5 hours away.  I might have to drive back up there some time just for this carrot cake.  If you choose to eat at the J Alexander's Restaurant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and you should, don't pass up the carrot cake!

Visit J Alexander's website for a location near you!

Read about more places to visit in Chattanooga, Tennessee here.

The Chattanooga Riverwalk stretches for 13 miles along the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  We've walked different parts of the Riverwalk in the past but never the whole thing at once.  On this particular day, we began our walk from the downtown Chattanooga area. Two of the first things you'll pass on your walk are the water spout area and the Hunter Museum of American Art.  Then you'll wind your way through a residential area before landing beside the river.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

 The Chattanooga Riverwalk

I was a little disappointed that we had walked a good ways before finally landing on a stretch by the river.  I was actually disappointed that the entire stretch we walked on this particular day had very little riverside areas.  The following photos are the ones I took from the area we walked this past weekend.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Soon after we landing on the stretch by the river from the downtown starting point, we were able to get a good view of the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge.  If you are planning your first visit to Chattanooga, you'll want to allow time to walk across this bridge.  The river view is beautiful and there is a nice shopping district and a beautiful park on the other side.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

There are several shady areas on the trail.  The Riverwalk is a great place for biking too.  There are several places in Chattanooga to rent bikes if you don't plan to take your own.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Beautiful homes line the other side of the river.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

My only complaints about the Chattanooga Riverwalk are that not enough of it is close enough to the water.  There are times when you can't see the river at all.  My other complaint is that there are several less than attractive areas you'll have to pass through.  One of those areas is a sewer water treatment plant and well . . . it stinks.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

The restroom area was nice and clean both times we've visited the Chattanooga Riverwalk.  

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

When you stop at the restroom area, you can enjoy a nice break on the benches provided.  

This is as far as we got before heading back to the van to head to dinner at J Alexander.  The last time we walked along the Riverwalk, we started from the opposite end from the downtown entrance.  It seems like, if I remember correctly, the stretch from the restroom area to the other end of the trail offers more riverside views.  Maybe we'll walk the entire 13 miles someday.  Then, we'll be able to show you lots of river view pictures.

Read about more places to visit in Chattanooga, Tennessee here.

We visit Chattanooga, Tennessee a lot and we have visited most of the main tourist attractions multiple times, but here is a place we never knew about until this past weekend.  We were looking for something new to explore and our Google search led us to this place.  The Chattanooga Audubon Society was started in 1944 by Robert Sparks Walker.  The society was his way to protect his family farm.  He was an author and poet who believed in protecting the environment.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

The Chattanooga Audubon Society

Today, the Audubon Society carries on Mr. Walker's mission of protecting the environment through programming and stewardship.  The society offers several events throughout the year such as the Little Owl Festival, summer camps, a haunted hayride in the fall, and pioneer days.

They also offer a variety of educational events, exhibits, and programs.  There are property rentals and pic nic tables on the property.  See the Chattanooga Audubon Society website for full details.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Visitors will need to go inside the front office cabin to purchase admission to the property and trails.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Inside the front office cabin, there is a museum section.  The exhibits contain artifacts found on the property and surrounding areas.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

The pottery exhibit was the most interesting to me.  The other exhibits contained arrowheads and other tools.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

The hayride was set up for the hunted trail, but they only offer that on Friday's and Saturdays in October.  We were there on a Sunday.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

The first trail led to a creek. 

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Livng

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

There is a large campfire area on the property.  This is a good spot for youth groups or scout troops.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

We didn't ask about camping but we did see tents set up on the property.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

Robert Walker's Grave-site

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living

The Chattanooga Audubon Society is tucked away from the downtown tourist area.  It's a quiet place to enjoy all the events and services they offer.  

On this particular trip, we were unable to complete the trails because the mosquito population was too thick. We tried.  I went inside before we left simply to use the restroom.  I had not planned on complaining or asking for a refund, but after explaining to the lady at the desk our reason for spending so little time there, she insisted on refunding our money. She explained that only a few weeks ago, when Hurricane Florence came through, the whole area where the trails are located was under water.  I told here we would visit again on our next trip to Chattanooga.

I can't offer any information about any other experiences with the Chattanooga Audubon Society because we just found it.  Since the staff member on duty was pleasant and immediately offered a refund as soon as she heard that we could not walk the trails, we will go back.  Maybe we can share pictures of the trails and an event or two later.  If you have visited the Chattanooga Audubon Society in the past, feel free to tell us about your experience in the comment section below.

Read about more places to visit in Chattanooga, Tennessee here.