Well, there’s Point Park, which has a nice view of the city. Not sure if it is picniccable, though. I remember it being smallish. The level part of it, anyway. And I’m not sure if there’s a picnic area.
Of course, if we are trying to provide a counterpoint to Gettysdope, perhaps the site of a Confederate victory would be appropriate. For that, there’s nearby Chickamauga Battlefield which has lots of picnic tables.
Or alternatively, there are some parks along the bank of the Tennessee River near downtown Chattanooga, notably Coolidge Park.
Downtown has a number of restaurant options. And Chattanooga’s North Shore neighborhood on the opposite side of the river from downtown is a cool walkable place with funky shops, galleries, bookstores, bars, and restaurants, such as Northshore Grill, and the North Chatt Cat, a hole-in-the-wall bar which has a deck with a view of the river and downtown.
There’s a nice pedestrian bridge across the river, connecting downtown and the North Shore.
I don’t know about picnic areas on the mountain but Lookout Mountain, home of Ruby Falls, Rock City, and the Incline Railway, would probably be a good spot for a fest if you wind up in Chattanooga. Or maybe Coolidge Park, which is downtown on the Tennessee River and is within walking distance (across the world’s longest pedestrian bridge) of the Tennessee Aquarium, an IMAX theater, and other touristy things.
Breaking news: Hubby demands a re-make of our infamous honeymoon at Red Top. We’re in (evidently ) no matter where it is. Chatanooga, Hot-lanta, whatever.
You gotta hand it to him, he doesnt read the Dope (is not on the Web at all) but when I started to ask him tonite … Honey, there’s some talk about another…
It does not have a private loo, unfortunately; you have to hike a short way up the hill to use the communal facility. We did check out a B&B near Dahlonega that had a yurt with a private bathroom, though…not that that helps at all with this discussion.
UncleBill and The Dudes and I are up for something; I think all our weekends are free up through…jeez, October, I think. Chattanooga sounds like a ton of fun, or we can do an Atlanta-area thang–both might be the way to go, since it sounds like a bunch of people wouldn’t be able to make it to one place or the other.
According to this thread, Gettysdope is on September 15. I vote we do something sooner.
HEY Y’ALL! Let’s get something going here. Since OpalCat will be leaving soon, I propose we do something in May/early June. Since we’re into late April already, the first weekend is probably too soon, so here are the other choices, speak up with which ones will work (and vote for where you’d like to have it–park, restaurant, or other–and a specific place if you have one in mind): 5/12-13, 5/19-20, 5/26-27, 6/2-3.
My clan is available all those dates AFAIK, and I vote for Red Top, since we’ve had so much fun there before.
) no matter where it is. Chatanooga, Hot-lanta, whatever. 
