The Chattanooga area, noted throughout the South as a premiere destination for the avid outdoor enthusiast, is packed with a variety of activities to enjoy in the great outdoors.  Summer vacations to Chattanooga are spectacularly fun, and often include plenty of adventure, great shopping, live music, foodie finds, and plenty of cultural attractions to enjoy.  When you’re ready to take a break from the city and get a breath of fresh air, there’s plenty of that to find in Chattanooga as well.  There are lots of opportunities to get out for a summer hike near our Bed and Breakfast.  We’re located on Chattanooga’s signature Lookout Mountain.  On the mountain itself are a number of beautiful hiking trails, most of which will lead you through some of Lookout Mountain’s most scenic attractions.  Another popular place to hike is the Reflection Riding Arboretum, which is just down the road from us at the base of Lookout Mountain.  Book your summer getaway with us now, and make sure you find time to explore this beautiful portion of the greater Chattanooga area.

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center

The Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center is the perfect place to escape the heat and crowds of downtown Chattanooga. This beautiful 317-acre property only 5 minutes from downtown Chattanooga, and includes beautifully manicured botanical gardens, a driving loop for those who are short on time, and over 12 miles of hiking trails through woodland gardens, wildflower meadows, ponds, and a creek.  People visit from all over the area for a gentle stroll through nature, bird watching, mountain biking, canoeing, and wildlife viewing.  In total, there are more than 40 native animals in their wild wanderland, including turtles, raptors, the incredibly rare red wolf, and so much more.  The bird watching here is incredible as well.  A few of the species you’re likely to see are the Great Horned Owl, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Barn Owl, American Kestrel, and a Bald Eagle.

Other than the 3 mile gravel loop, which can be driven, walked, or biked, the Reflection Riding Arboretum has several wonderful trails to explore.  The Blue Heron Boardwalk traverses the wetlands of Lookout Creek.  The boardwalk also leads you to the George S. Bryan Discover Forest Treehouse, which is the largest treehouse in the Southeast made entirely from recycled materials.  Look carefully, and you should even see some windows that came all the way from Scotland.  The Boardwalk now also extends to Paddler’s Perch, complete with canoe dock.  From here, you can rent a canoe and head down the creek for a better glimpse at the wildlife and their natural habitat. There are also several other wonderful trails to explore, some of which link to other parks.  These trails include the Skyuka Springs trail, the Lower Truck trail, and the uncomfortably steep Gum Springs trail that leads you up to the rewarding views at Sunset Rock.  History buffs will also love this property, which houses restored log cabins, Confederate trenches from the Civil War, and some of the ancient trails walked by buffalo and Native Americans hundreds of years ago.

After your day at the Reflection Riding Arboretum, we recommend dinner at the Cafe on the Corner.  It’s conveniently located on Lookout Mountain, so there’s no need to head back in to downtown Chattanooga.  The comfortable atmosphere at the cafe features exposed brick walls, original hardwood floors and the stacked stone fireplace; perfect for a deliciously refined Southern meal.  After dinner, you’re just minutes from relaxation at our luxury Inn.  Book your room at our Chattanooga Bed and Breakfast today.