Your First Visit to BEEM Light Sauna on Chattanooga’s Northshore: What to Expect and Why It’s Worth It
If you’ve been curious about all the buzz around light therapy and saunas—or you’re just looking for a new way to unwind and refresh in Chattanooga—BEEM Light Sauna on the Northshore might be exactly what you need. I recently dropped in for my very first session and walked away genuinely impressed, feeling lighter (mentally and physically), and surprisingly energized. Whether you're in it for the wellness benefits or just want to experience something new and social, BEEM offers a unique atmosphere that makes it easy to show up for yourself and your health.
Here’s what you can expect if you're thinking about booking your first session.
The Experience
From the moment you walk in, BEEM sets a calming, welcoming tone. The space feels clean and modern but retains a cozy vibe thanks to warm lighting and gentle background music. The layout is intentionally simple—this isn’t a place you’ll get lost in—but it’s thoughtfully designed to help you relax from the second you arrive.
BEEM offers two main services: their group infrared “Social Sauna” and individual Red Light Therapy beds. I started with the Social Sauna—a 45-minute guided sweat session. Note: “social” doesn’t mean chat the whole time (though friendly conversation is welcome)—it means you’ll share a cabin with up to six others, which makes it feel more like a mini wellness class than a private retreat.
Each session includes curated music and gentle encouragement from a BEEM guide, who reminds you to hydrate (they provide towels and water if you forget), breathe deeply, and stay tuned into how your body feels. The heat builds slowly—I began to sweat around the 15-minute mark—and by the end, I felt like I had just walked out of a gentle hot yoga class. Calm, clear-headed, and grounded.
After a quick rinse at the in-house shower stations, you can opt to follow up with a Red Light Therapy bed, which involves lying under red and near-infrared LED lights for about 15 minutes. No heat, no sweat—just a gentle, warm light designed to support skin and cellular health, mood, and recovery.
What to Know Before You Go
Location: BEEM is located in Northshore Chattanooga at 512 Tremont St, just a couple blocks off Frazier Avenue and minutes from Coolidge Park.
Hours:
- Monday–Friday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday–Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
(Check their website for any holiday hours or schedule changes.)
Pricing:
- Intro Offer: First-timers can try a 45-minute social sauna session for $25.
- Unlimited Monthly Membership: Normally $149/month, but July 2024 features a special $100 offer for new members if you sign up by the end of the month.
- Single sessions, packs, and class bookings are also available online.
Booking: All sessions must be scheduled in advance on their website (beemsauna.com) or through the BEEM mobile app.
Parking: Free onsite parking is available in the lot out front. Street parking is another easy option if it’s busy.
What to Bring: Comfy clothes you can sweat in (sports bra, shorts, etc.), water bottle, and optional toiletries for freshening up afterward. Towels are provided. Showers and mirrors are available onsite.
Extra Tips or Bonuses
- Best Time to Go: Morning sessions are a great way to start your day clear-headed and focused. Evenings are more relaxing if you’re winding down.
- Pair It With: Grab a smoothie next door at Southern Squeeze if you're on a wellness kick, or walk over to Mean Mug for a more indulgent post-sauna coffee and breakfast.
- Be Social: Don’t be surprised if you end up chatting with someone new in your session—it’s a naturally friendly atmosphere, especially for locals looking to meet like-minded people.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been feeling stressed, sluggish, or just in need of a mind-body reset, BEEM Light Sauna offers a low-pressure, accessible way to do something good for yourself. It’s easy to try, surprisingly affordable if you commit to a membership, and actually quite fun—especially if you go with a friend or strike up a convo while you sweat.
Whether you're a fitness regular, a wellness newbie, or just someone looking to feel a little better, a session at BEEM is definitely worth checking out.
For more Chattanooga tips, follow @webbchatts on Instagram!
Light Sauna at Beem Northshore: Finding a New Favorite Way to Recharge in Chattanooga
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Chattanooga’s Water Lantern Festival at Chester Frost Park July 2025
Water Lantern Festival at Chester Frost Park: An Unforgettable Summer Evening in Chattanooga
If you’re looking for a unique, meaningful way to spend a summer evening in Chattanooga, circle July 12th on your calendar. The Water Lantern Festival is returning to Chester Frost Park for one night only, and it's a beautiful celebration of hope, connection, and community — all set to music, with glowing lanterns drifting peacefully across the water.
It’s one of those events that’s hard to describe until you’re there, watching thousands of hand-decorated lanterns light up the lake at sunset. Whether you go with family, friends, or your significant other, it’s the kind of night that sticks with you.
The Experience
When you arrive at Chester Frost Park for the Water Lantern Festival, you’re greeted with a relaxed, welcoming festival atmosphere. There’s live music playing, local food trucks serving dinner and treats, and booths where you can grab your materials and start decorating your lantern.
Each guest receives a lantern kit included with their ticket. The idea is simple but powerful: you write a message, a dream, a memory, or a dedication on your lantern — whatever’s on your heart — and then release it onto the water as the sun goes down. As the lake starts to fill with lanterns, the view becomes more magical by the minute.
The event particularly shines around sunset. The gentle glow of thousands of lanterns floating silently across the water, accompanied by soft music and the hum of conversations, creates a reflective and emotional ambiance that’s hard to replicate at any other event in the city.
The festival is also a Zero Waste event, designed with care for the environment. All lanterns are made from eco-friendly materials, and a dedicated cleanup crew ensures everything is removed from the water afterward.
What to Know Before You Go
Date & Time:
Saturday, July 12, 2024
Gates typically open in the late afternoon, with lantern launch at sunset.
Location:
Chester Frost Park
2318 N. Gold Point Circle, Hixson, TN 37343
This scenic park is about 25 minutes from downtown Chattanooga and offers plenty of green space and lakeside views.
Parking:
Plenty of parking is available on-site.
Tickets:
Tickets must be purchased online in advance. Every ticket includes:
- Entry to the festival
- One floating lantern kit with a commemorative drawstring bag
- Marker for decorating your lantern
- LED candle
- Access to live music and food trucks
Food & Drink:
There are several food vendors and food trucks on site, so come hungry or plan on grabbing dinner while you’re there. Vegetarian and kid-friendly options are often available.
Extra Tips or Bonuses
- Great Photo Ops: Bring your phone or camera — the lantern launch at twilight is a photogenic moment you’ll want to remember.
- BYO Blanket or Chairs: There’s plenty of space to spread out, so bring a blanket or lawn chairs for comfort.
- Sunset Timing: Be sure to be there well before sunset to decorate your lantern and find a good spot by the water.
- Make a Day of It: If you arrive early, Chester Frost Park has swimming areas, picnic spots, and walking trails — worth making a full day date or family outing.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for a unique date night, a creative way to reflect on meaningful moments, or just a serene evening outdoors, the Water Lantern Festival offers something for everyone. It’s one of those rare events that feels both festive and personal — creating space for celebration, remembrance, and community. And when the lanterns begin to float out across the water together… there’s something really special about that shared experience.
Highly recommended for families, couples, friend groups, and anyone who loves slowing down and connecting with others in a beautiful place.
For more Chattanooga tips, follow @webbchatts on Instagram!
Together Cafe: One of Chattanooga’s Best Kept Coffee Shop Secrets
The Together Cafe: A Cozy Chattanooga Coffee Shop With Heart
Tucked into the Highland Park neighborhood, The Together Cafe is one of those rare spots that’s equally cozy, community-focused, and genuinely delicious. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to work, meet a friend, or sip on something creative, this locally loved coffee shop delivers in all the right ways — and it’s doing good behind the scenes, too.
This one’s a true hidden gem, just east of downtown Chattanooga, and it’s the kind of place you’ll find yourself returning to again and again (especially once you try the cereal milk latte). Here’s everything you need to know if you’re thinking about stopping by.
The Experience
From the outside, The Together Cafe looks humble, but inside you'll find a warm, inviting space that clearly prioritizes comfort and connection. There’s a mix of seating — cozy couches upstairs, window perches downstairs, and a separate side room that adds extra space, complete with a small kids’ play area. It’s clear they’ve thought about families, remote workers, and anyone who just wants a peaceful break in their day.
The menu is creative and fun, with espresso drinks that go well beyond the usual. A longtime favorite is the cereal milk latte (yes, it tastes like the end of a bowl of your favorite childhood cereal), but don’t miss their seasonal creations. This summer, it’s the “Summer in Dubai” latte — a unique blend of Nutella and pistachio syrup with strawberry cold foam and flaky kataifi on top. It’s indulgent, refreshing, and unlike anything you’ll find at a chain coffee shop.
For non-coffee drinkers or hotter days, The Together Cafe also serves up bubble tea-style refreshers with rotating popping boba flavors. Watermelon seems to be a standout right now if you want something fruity and fresh.
What to Know Before You Go
Address:
801 S. Orchard Knob Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404
Located in the Highland Park neighborhood, just a short drive from downtown
Hours:
Monday–Friday: 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Parking:
They offer free parking (a definite plus in this area), so you shouldn't have to circle the block.
Atmosphere:
The cafe plays soft, uplifting Christian music, and there’s a prayer wall where visitors can leave thoughts or read the reflections of others. It’s a genuinely peaceful setting that welcomes everyone.
Community Support:
This isn’t just a coffee shop that serves good drinks; it’s also one that supports a great cause. A portion of the cafe’s proceeds goes toward nonprofits that support survivors of human trafficking, so your coffee here goes a little further.
Extra Tips or Bonuses
- the upstairs nook is the best place for working or studying.
- The separate room to the side of the shop is often quieter and has kid-friendly space, making it a good pick for parents with little ones in tow.
- Check in regularly for seasonal drinks and limited-time specials — their barista team clearly has fun coming up with unexpected combos.
Nearby:
If you’re making a morning of it, Highland Park has been steadily growing its list of cool spots — consider swinging by Mad Priest Coffee just a few blocks away if you’re up for a little coffee-hopping. For lunch nearby, Main Street is close enough to reach in just a few minutes.
Final Thoughts
The Together Cafe is a spot that feels thoughtful, from its welcoming layout to its unique menu and mission. Whether you’re a Chattanooga local looking for a new regular coffee shop, or a traveler seeking an off-the-beaten-path stop with purpose, this place is absolutely worth a visit.
Families, students, remote workers, and anyone who appreciates a little personality in their coffee — you’ll feel right at home here.
For more Chattanooga tips, follow @webbchatts on Instagram!
Discover Chattanooga's Salt Cave: An Oasis for Relaxation and Respiratory Wellness
Breathe Deep and Relax: Inside Chattanooga Salt Cavern in St. Elmo
Tucked right into the base of Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga Salt Cavern offers one of the most calming and restorative experiences in the city — and if you haven’t been yet, it’s well worth a visit. This is Chattanooga’s only salt cave, nestled in St. Elmo, and brings the benefits of halotherapy (dry salt therapy) in a truly peaceful setting. Whether you’re dealing with seasonal allergies, breathing issues, or just need a mental reset, spending time at the Salt Cavern is a quiet way to recharge — and yes, you may even find yourself dozing off in a zero-gravity chair.
The Experience:
Chattanooga Salt Cavern isn’t just visually impressive — it’s an active salt cave, which means it features a halogenerator that disperses microparticles of dry salt into the air. That salt-rich environment may help reduce inflammation, clear sinuses, and support overall respiratory health. You’ll notice it right away: the air is crisp and dry, and the softly glowing walls set the mood for instant calm.
Most visitors spend their 45-minute session reclining in one of the zero-gravity chairs, covered with a cozy blanket. You can meditate, nap, stretch, or simply talk quietly with friends. The environment naturally encourages your body to shift into a parasympathetic state — that’s the deep rest-and-reset mode that’s increasingly hard to come by in daily life.
Community sessions are open to anyone and incredibly peaceful, but if you’re hoping for a more private moment — or want to bring a small group — private sessions are available and easy to book online.
In addition to the regular salt therapy sessions, the Salt Cavern hosts special events like yoga classes inside the cave, sound baths, and even drum circles, blending wellness and community in a really unique space.
What to Know Before You Go:
Location:
Chattanooga Salt Cavern
3924 Tennessee Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37409
Located in St. Elmo, about 10 minutes from downtown, right near the base of Lookout Mountain.
Hours:
Open Tuesday through Sunday, with appointments available throughout the day. Closed Mondays. (but always check their website before you go!)
Pricing:
Sessions start at $25 for adults, with special pricing for kids, groups, and event offerings. You can book online via their website: https://www.chattanoogasaltcavern.com/
Parking:
Free on-site parking is available when you book a session.
Session Info:
Sessions last 45 minutes. Community sessions are open to the public, while private sessions must be booked in advance. Event sessions (like yoga) are posted on their website and Instagram.
Extra Tips or Bonuses:
- Bring or wear cozy clothes — you’ll be reclining in a cool, quiet cave.
- With Lookout Mountain just around the corner, consider pairing your visit with a ride on the Incline Railway (currently closed as of May 2025, opens in July 2025 after repairs are done!) or a stroll around St. Elmo’s walkable neighborhood.
- Looking for a nearby café? Head to The Tap House for craft beer and lunch bites, or grab a coffee and visit with cats at the Naughty Cat Cafe just down the street.
- Check their event calendar for special experiences like Prenatal Yoga, Chakra Balancing, or seasonal workshops.
Final Thoughts:
Whether you’re exploring new wellness treatments or just craving a calm hour away from your to-do list, Chattanooga Salt Cavern is a peaceful spot to breathe easier — literally and figuratively. It’s a great experience for individuals, couples, or even small groups looking for something low-key but special. A lot of locals swear by it for allergy season relief, while others consider it their go-to reset between busy weeks.
For more Chattanooga tips, follow @webbchatts on Instagram!