Artistic Escape to Chattanooga's River Gallery Sculpture Garden (Photos)

Everyone knows that Chattanooga makes an easy escape from Atlanta and is a great place for family trips, with the Tennessee Aquarium and Anna Ruby Falls. You might not be aware of the attractions in the Bluff View Arts District, including the picturesque River Gallery Sculpture Garden. You could easily enjoy a romantic weekend in the arts district without ever encountering the buzz of family tourism down the hill.

For accommodations, the Bluff View Inn offers three different bed and breakfast properties with views of the Tennessee River. There are plenty of restaurants in the area, including the Back Inn Cafe, Tony's, and Rembrandt's, all of which offer charming outdoor seating during warm weather. There is even a bakery nearby for all of your breakfast needs. The two main museums, the Hunter Museum and the Houston Museum of Decorative Arts, are just a few steps away, and there is a local gallery featuring several rooms of works for sale by local artists.

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The real star of the scene, though, is the sweet (and free!) sculpture garden. Opened in 1993, the display includes stunning sculptures of Icarus, the prodigal son, and other more abstract works by a variety of artists. The placement of the works on the river side heightens their natural drama and makes for a peaceful, enchanting afternoon visit.

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, Atlanta Travel Examiner

Keely Herrick spent eight years as an attorney in a New York law firm, then left in 2010 to chase the ghosts of Romantic poets Shelley and Byron around Europe. Her passion for travel has taken her to the Galapagos Islands, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong. Give her a map and a couple of days...

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