what are unsafe areas for mom and daughter tourists to avoid while in chattanooga? (Lookout Mountain: new home, live)

[future texan]

my daughter and I will be traveling to chattanooga in a couple months with my husband, who will be at business meetings...while there, she and I will take day trips all over to check out what there is to see and do...we were wondering what parts of town we should avoid, for safety reasons, and will really appreciate any info you guys can give us..thanks!!

[future texan]

well the lack of response means, that the whole town must be scary......

[beachbyrd]

Actually, I do not believe it is, but I do not live there yet, so I did not want to answer. From what others have posted previous, the downtown area that has been brought back to life, surrounding the aquarium, Coolidge Park, Northshore, etc are safe areas. Many areas appear to be street to street or neighborhood to neighborhood. Seems like most of the suburbs are fine, the area around Hamilton Place, and so on. My husband loved the downtown and riverfront area when he was there. Lookout Mountain is supposed to have a wonderful view. I cannot speak to unsafe areas...sorry. Did you do a search for up above for other posts about this?

[jkmewright]

Future Texan, I don't believe you have anything to worry about. We spend MANY nights downtown riding the shuttle and hanging out and have never had any troubles. I have a small child and would never place him in harm's way so that should tell ya something. Hang out downtown, cruise the riverfront, go across the river for some more fun and enjoy yourself. The scary parts are pretty obvious (housing projects etc...) so you should be able to decide what's good and what's not even if you don't live here. Have a nice trip.

[future texan]

ok thanks! from pics I have seen, it looks like such a pretty place! now if you guys can send us in the direction of great BBQ, we would be very grateful!!

[beachbyrd]

Here is the thread for that:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/chatt...attanooga.html

Have a great trip

[future texan]

thanks so much!...also my daughter and I are into trying unusual regional foods, i.e. alligator and frog legs in FL...is there any unusual menu items to try, and where would I get them...

[arblair79]

As mentioned in the Chattanooga BBQ thread, I also usually try to avoid chains for local fare......but have to make an exception on this one.

I thought Sticky Fingers at 420 Broad St downtown was some of the best I've ever had

[jkmewright]

Future, we have a new home cookin' place on Brainerd Rd called ChooChoo Hot Fish. They have fried fish sandwiches (bone on), frog legs, whiting, etc... I have not been but I hear it's great. This place is not fancy but can give you what alot of us eat. Also, we have a great gas station just on 3rd St. (close to downtown) that serves the BEST fried chicken livers and smoked turkey legs lol Yup, it's a gas station. We can go fancy, but if you wanna do as the Romans do...

[jkmewright]

OH yeah, I forgot the catfish house out in Tiftonia, just a few minutes from downtown. It's a laid back nothin fancy place out on the river. Good stuff there!