Chattanooga has a rich artistic and historic background. The city offers a wide array of arts and cultural activities that attracts both residents and visitors. Whether it?s the theater, symphony, museums, dance, or other art forms, you?ll be sure to have your interests satisfied.

Chattanooga is the home to the Hunter Museum of American Art, a well-known art museum and has one of the largest collections of American art. Perched on an 80-foot bluff, it is located in the Bluff View Art District, a distinctive little area with shops, restaurants and beds & breakfasts. Other notable museums include the Chattanooga Regional History Museum, the National Medal of Honor Museum, the Houston Museum, and the Chattanooga African American Museum.

Across the river from the Bluff View district in the trendy Northshore area is the Chattanooga Theatre Center which hosts productions almost every weekend in three separate theater programs: The Maintstage, the Circle Theater, and the Youth Theater.

Located in the heart of downtown is the beautifully restored Tivoli Theatre. It is home to the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera and hosts numerous concerts throughout the year.

The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium is an historic performance hall. Built between 1922 and 1924, the theatre honors area veterans of World War I. For over 80 years, this venue has hosted religious festivals, political rallies, debutante galas, opera, musicals and concerts. It continues to be an important cultural attraction for the city, and a key part of its history.

Chattanooga is host to several writing conferences, including the Conference on Southern Literature and the Festival of Writers, both sponsored by the Arts & Education Council of Chattanooga.

The annual Riverbend Festival, held every June on the riverfront, is a nine-day music festival with food and fun for everyone.

Nightfall, a Friday night summertime concert series, is the place to hear rock or zydeco, and everything in between. Arts festivals, such as the annual 4 Bridges Art Festival hosted by Allied Arts, Chattanooga's local arts organization, complement the local arts scene.