Lodging - We Suggest
The Clarion Hotel on Chestnut Street in downtown Chattanooga is being renovated and will become a Doubletree Hotel. It's located near the Chattanooga Children's Museum, two blocks from the Tennessee Aquarium, IMax Theater, Bijou Theatre, and many great restaurants. The rooms are very nice, have comfy beds, a small refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and free wireless internet. A continental breakfast is included in the special rate of $100/night (reg $149). Parking is discounted to $5/day. There will be a meeting room available for late-night jamming. This is a great rate for downtown during tourist season.
Hotel reservations must be made by June 1st in order to receive the festival rate.
You need to call the hotel directly at 423-756-5150 and request the Chattanooga Dulcimer Festival rate. The sales person's name to mention, if there is any problem, is Kimberly Schnell. You have three options: a room with 2 double beds, a room with a king bed, or a suite (which would be $150, but you could have four people - if 2 people don't mind sharing a sofa bed.) The hotel's website is Clarion Hotel.
Other Options
We have a block of dorm rooms available at University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Bring your own linens, towels, etc. You'll have to pay ahead to reserve these rooms. Rates are $18/person/night. There's a limited number, so let us know soon if you're interested and we'll get you the details.
Dry camping is available for RVs in UTC arena parking lot for $10/night. Let me know if you're interested, so we know how many to expect.
Raccoon Mountain campground is full. I recommend trying Shipp's Campground, which is south of the city, or Chester Frost Park, which is north of the city. You can read about these and other camping options at HikerCentral.com.
Call for information about Chester Frost Park at 423-842-0177. The address is 2318 North Gold Point Circle, Hixson, TN. Google maps the route from Chester Frost Park to Memorial Auditorium traveling through Hixson, which has a lot of traffic. You could also take Thrasher Pike over to Hwy 27, which has almost no traffic until you hit Chattanooga. It is much faster, and a pretty drive.
Food
We are thrilled to have an excellent local restaurant taking care of us at this year's festival. Although there are other restaurants within walking distance, we'd like to invite you dine with Mercatino's Delicatessan and Coffee, without even leaving the festival building. Mercatino's is providing food for a light breakfast, and each morning we'll take lunch orders. This is high quality food that is being delivered at prices lower than you'll get if you walk into the restaurant. Place your order in the morning, and your food will be waiting for you at lunch. (You're on your own for supper - get out and enjoy Chattanooga!)
Breakfast
Croissants $1.85
Chocolate, cream cheese Danish, almond, whole wheat, butter.
Muffins - small $1.00 - large $2.50
Blueberry
Scones - $1.85
Double Chocolate and Cranberry walnut
Cookies $.85
Chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin
Yogurt $1.50
black berries, natural, grape fruit, blueberries
Almond Biscotti $1.00
Fresh Fruit $1.00
Beverages
Coffee (regular and decaf)
Small $1.50 Large $2.25
Apple juice $2.50
Aranciatta and Limonatta $2.25
Lunch
Panini - all paninis are served with Terra Chips and pickle - $6.00
Turkey and Ham- Comte cheese, lettuce and tomato. Seasoned with garlic aioli. Served on sour dough bread.
Caprese - Fresh sliced tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil. Seasoned with extra virgin olive oil salt and pepper on Italian rustic bread.
Roast beef – Aged cheddar cheese with béarnaise mayo on sour dough.
Salads
All salads come with our house fig vinaigrette and bread. $5.00
Mediterranean salad – Mix field greens with olives, avocado, fontina cheese and hearts of palms.
Seasonal – Mix field greens with pears, nuts and goat cheese.
Greek – Mix field greens with sliced tomato, cucumber, red onions, greek olives and feta cheese.