Clumpies Icecream Shop in Chattanooga, Tennessee

If you've been following this blog for a while, then you know how much we love Chattanooga, Tennessee.  We go there a lot.  My husband goes there for business quiet often.  It's only a few hours from our home so we go there pretty often for fun too.  On our last visit, we were told about an ice cream shop called Clumpies.  We had never been to Clumpies so we were excited to find out about a new place to visit.  The fact that they sold old fashioned ice cream was definitely a bonus.  We were not disappointed.

Clumpies Ice cream Shop

Clumpies Icecream Shop in Chattanooga, Tennessee

The ice cream shop was clean.  They offered a lot of flavors.  The decor was fun with sort of a retro air about it.

We enjoyed the wall murals.  The colors were light, fun, and very appealing.  The dining room was a place that made you feel like you just want to hang out in there for awhile.

They sell merchandise in the store so if you visit Clumpies and you love it, you might want to buy a Clumpies mug or hat.  We loved the mixed feel of both modern and retro in the shop.

Now to the best part . . . the ice cream!

When we waled into Clumpies Ice Cream Shop, I knew the ice cream just had to be good.  I was correct.  The ice cream was so delicious.  I chose the black walnut flavor.  It tasted pretty close to home made.  The flavor, coupled with the retro environment, reminded me of my childhood.  When I was growing up, we couldn't afford to eat out all the time or just go for ice cream any time we wanted it.  Those treats were only for special occasions.  Most of the ice cream we enjoyed was made from one of those old hand crank ice cream machines.  We used to take turns rotating the handle.  It was quiet the workout but always worth it.  Those were good days.  Clumpies Ice Cream Shop reminded me of those good days.  

Now I get to look forward to making new memories with my family at one of our new favorite places in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Clumpies Ice Cream Shop has 4 locations in Chattanooga.  Visit their website here to find the one closest to you.

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Clumpies Icecream Shop in Chattanooga, Tennessee

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If you haven't figured it out already, we go to Chattanooga, Tennessee a lot.  A few years ago, we discovered a little gem tucked away over on the North Shore.  It's a little Tex Mex restaurant called Taco Mamacita.  They serve a large variety of southwestern foods.  You can check out their complete menu in more detail here on the Taco Mamacita website.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

 Places to Eat in Chattanooga, Tennessee:  Taco Mamacita

One of our favorite items is their Sloppy Joe Taco.  Yes, a Sloppy Joe Taco.  I had never heard of one until we visited this little tucked away North Shore restaurant.  I like Sloppy Joe sandwiches and I like Tacos.  Well, the folks at Taco Mamacita figured out how to combine these two yummy foods into one and it is soooooo good.

Image Credit:  Abundant Family Living (Tina Truelove)

Look at that photo.  This really huge soft taco is filled with Sloppy Joe filling, loads of cheese, jalopeno peppers and I don't even know what else.  It is simply amazing.  Some days I want to drive the 2.5 hours up there just to eat one.

So, if you find yourself on Chattanooga's North Shore at meal time, head over to Taco Mamacita's and order one of these Sloppy Joe Tacos - or choose from a huge variety of other mouth-watering menu items.

Their Chattanooga address is:

109 North Market Street
Chattanooga, TN  37405

Check them out on Facebook here.

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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. 

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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.

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 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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

The Southern Belle Riverboat Dinner Cruise is a great family activity in Chattanooga, Tennessee

 

Several years ago, we took our three children on the Southern Belle Riverboat Dinner Cruise on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  We enjoyed the ride, the dinner, all the river views, and a gorgeous sunset.  I wanted to do that again this year for my birthday.  Now that our children are grown with jobs, they couldn't make the trip, but it was still a fun, relaxing few days for my husband and me.  We stayed at the Homewood Suites by Hilton in the Chattanooga - Hamilton Place area.  It is a short drive to the riverboat cruise.

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 The Southern Belle Riverboat Dinner Cruise

We usually visit Chattanooga in early to mid-summer when the sun doesn't set until much later into the evening.  This year, we made the trip in the fall of the year when the sun sets earlier.  It was also mostly cloudy on this particularly evening so there was no impressive sunset but the ride was still nice.

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When we first entered the "boat area," it looks and feels like you are already on the boat, but you're not.  Anyone can enter and shop in the Southern Belle Gift Shop, even without a ticket.  If you have a ticket, don't linger in here after they board.  This is not part of the boat.  If you are still in this area when the boat pulls away, you will be left here.  You'll have plenty of time to shop but you'll miss your riverboat cruise.

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We were seated in the dining area on the second floor.  It was not a crowded cruise so it wasn't cramped.  There was plenty of room to move around.

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This is the view from the other side of our table.  No one was seated in this area for this particular cruise.

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The cherry cheesecake was already at the table when we were seated.  I enjoyed mine early.  It was a little warm in the room and I like my cheesecake a little cold.

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We were also given these cute little sailor caps.  Not all of these are complimentary.  My husband purchased the tickets for my birthday which included the sailor caps, a guaranteed window seat, and glasses.

Image Credits:  Abundant Family Living

The next few pictures show our view from our seats.  The building to the left of the lawn is the Tennessee Aquarium.

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I've always loved this water spout area.  The sun was beginning to set so the lights on the water spouts was pretty.

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We were about to pass under the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge.  Although we didn't get to it this past weekend, I always love walking this bridge.  It's a nice walk with beautiful views of the river.

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Dinner was good.  We were served a roast, seasoned roasted potatoes, green beans, and rolls.  There was also an amazing looking garden salad but I failed to get a picture.  Dinner was served buffet style.

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After sunset, the lights were beautiful.  This is a view of the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge after dark.

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Here are those water spouts again on the way back after dark.  The lights are beautiful.

The Southern Bell Riverboat Dinner Cruise is one of the downtown Chattanooga attractions that we have enjoyed more than once.  We are in Chattanooga a lot so we will likely do this again.  We will have to remember to book an earlier cruise in the fall months if we want to enjoy a gorgeous sunset over the river.  

If you're in the area, book a dinner cruise for your family.  They do serve alcoholic beverages on the boat but it has been a nice family environment both times that we've done this.  They serve sweet tea and water for non-alcoholic drinkers like us.  You can also purchase soft drinks from the Gift Shop and take them on board if you wish.

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