Panda Express Opens Near Camp Jordan!

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.  
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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!

Bubble Way: Chattanooga's New Spot for Boba, Bubble Waffles, and Taiwanese Treats

If you’re a fan of bubble tea—or curious to try new Taiwanese-inspired snacks—there’s a fresh addition to the Chattanooga food scene that’s worth checking out. Bubble Way is a family-owned shop bringing boba, bubble waffles, snow ice, and ramen to East Brainerd, and it's already become a welcoming go-to for something a little different. Whether you love a classic milk tea or want to branch out with a creamy shaved snow dessert, Bubble Way blends flavor, creativity, and comfort all in one cozy spot.

The Experience

Walking into Bubble Way feels like stepping into a bright, cheerful corner of Taipei right here in Chattanooga. The interior is simple but inviting, with cute touches and a clean layout that makes it easy to drop by for a quick sip or a more filling snack.

The menu has a great mix of familiar favorites and hard-to-find-in-Chattanooga items. Bubble tea lovers will be glad to see a wide range of options—from fruity teas like passionfruit and mango to indulgent milk teas with brown sugar and taro. You can customize your sugar level and toppings (tapioca pearls, popping boba, agar jelly, and more), making it easy to find your perfect combo.

But what really sets Bubble Way apart is the variety beyond boba. Their bubble waffles—a crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside grid of puffs—can be ordered plain or as a dessert wrapped around toppings like ice cream, fruit, and sauces. It’s fun to eat and perfect for sharing (or not sharing, we won’t judge).

Another standout is their snow ice, a light, fluffy frozen dessert that’s kind of like a cross between ice cream and shaved ice. It’s delicate, creamy, and comes with a choice of toppings. Bubble Way is the first in Chattanooga to offer this unique treat, and it’s an especially great pick on hot days or after something spicy.

Speaking of savory, there’s also ramen on the menu for when you’re in the mood for soup. Simple but hearty, it rounds out the offerings and makes Bubble Way more of a one-stop spot for snacking and meals alike.

What to Know Before You Go

Address:
7550 E Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Right next to Fuji Steak & Sushi and behind the East Brainerd Publix

Hours:
12pm-7pm Monday- Saturday

Parking:
Plenty of parking is available in the shared lot, though it can get busy at peak hours depending on surrounding businesses.

Menu Favorites:
Milk Tea with brown sugar boba, fruit teas, bubble waffles with Nutella and strawberries, snow ice!
I got the Immortal Peach; it was INCREDIBLE!

Prices:
Very reasonable—most drinks and desserts fall under $8, and portion sizes are generous.

Extra Tips or Bonuses

- Bubble Way is family-owned, and the staff is friendly and happy to walk guests through the menu if you’re new to boba or snow ice.
- Their Instagram (@bubblewayinc) is worth a follow—not just for updates but for cute drink inspiration and seasonal specials.
- Looking to make it a full outing? The shop is just a short drive from Heritage Park, so you can grab your order to go and enjoy it with a walk or a picnic.
- It’s a great alternative to coffee when you want a sweet pick-me-up in the afternoon!

Final Thoughts

Bubble Way is one of those places that just makes you feel glad it exists in town. It brings a piece of Taiwanese street food culture to Chattanooga in a way that’s approachable, delicious, and fun. Whether you’re coming for the boba or staying for the waffles and snow ice, the menu has something for everyone. Families, teens, couples—really anyone with a sweet tooth or love for global flavors—will find something worth coming back for.

For more Chattanooga tips, follow @webbchatts on Instagram!

Goat Yoga with Wild Roots Collective at Hixson Farms: A Relaxing and Laugh-Filled Day in the Country

If you're looking for something lighthearted, outdoorsy, and genuinely fun around Chattanooga, goat yoga at Hixson Farms with Wild Roots Collective checks every box. Whether you’re planning a girls’ day out, a bachelorette weekend, or just want a unique way to rewind (and maybe giggle a little), this yoga experience is equal parts wholesome and hilarious.

You’ll stretch, laugh, and maybe get a little goat cuddle—all in the middle of the scenic farmland just outside the city. Add in friendly animals, handmade natural products, and a great local instructor, and you’ve got one of the more memorable ways to spend a Saturday.

The Experience

Goat yoga with Wild Roots Collective isn’t just a yoga class—it’s an experience. It’s held at Hixson Farms, a peaceful location in north Georgia that offers private farm tours and family-friendly animal encounters. The class itself combines restorative yoga poses with the occasional goat clambering onto your back, nuzzling your arm, or lounging nearby. Baby goats wander through the session, and they’re the perfect mix of unpredictable and adorable.

The classes are led by Meg with Wild Roots Collective TN, a certified yoga instructor who brings a warm and laid-back energy to the session. She does a great job creating a calming flow while also embracing the lightness that having goats around naturally brings. So whether you're experienced or brand new to yoga, you'll feel welcomed and comfortable.

Beyond the yoga, Hixson Farms gives you time afterward to meet their other animals. On our visit, we got to feed and pet cows and goats—not something you do every day. The whole day felt relaxed and low-key, but also had that “this is something I’ll talk about for a while” feeling.

What to Know Before You Go

Location:
Hixson Farms is located in Flintstone, Georgia—about 20 minutes south of downtown Chattanooga. It’s an easy and scenic drive.

Booking:
Goat yoga sessions are organized by Wild Roots Collective TN and offered seasonally or by private request. Follow @wildrootscollective_tn on Instagram to see upcoming classes or DM for private bookings. They offer group options for birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, team events, and more.

Meg also teaches regular yoga classes around the Chattanooga area, both in-person and online. She’s responsive via Instagram if you’re interested in setting something up.

Pricing:
Prices vary by session and group size.

Parking:
Free parking is available on-site at Hixson Farms. It’s a farm setting, so wear shoes that you don’t mind getting a little dusty.

What to Bring:
A yoga mat, water bottle, sunscreen, and maybe a towel or wipes for afterward. You’ll be outside, so dress for the weather.

Extra Tips or Bonuses

- After your goat yoga class, make time to explore Hixson Farms a bit more. They offer private farm tours with other animals, and it’s a hit with both kids and animal-loving adults.

- Meg with Wild Roots also creates her own line of small-batch natural products. Her bug spray and beef tallow balm are local favorites. She ships nationwide and sometimes holds local meetups to shop in person.

- Want to turn it into a full outing? Hixson Farms is near Lookout Mountain, Cloudland Canyon, and Rock City—perfect for pairing yoga with a scenic hike or picnic.

Final Thoughts

Goat yoga at Hixson Farms is one of those things you might not think to do—until you do it and wonder why you waited. It’s light and fun but also grounding, and a good reminder that wellness doesn’t have to feel serious. It’s great for small groups, birthday plans, or anyone who wants to enjoy nature while doing something truly different.

If goofy goats, fresh air, and genuine joy sound like your kind of escape, this is a local experience you’ll want to try.

For more Chattanooga tips, follow @webbchatts on Instagram!