Until we
cruised up the inland waterway from Alabama and onto the Tennessee River, I had
never even heard of Chattanooga.
Little did I know that this cute waterfront city would charm me enough to stay
three summers and counting. Traveling up and down the eastern seaboard, and now
inland through Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee has given me lots of
opportunities to explore many small towns and cities. From my observation, Chattanooga
is the most successful in redeveloping its downtown and riverfront,
transforming the city from an industrial manufacturing town to a beautiful
waterfront city that now competes with Nashville, Memphis and Gatlinburg as a
tourist destination.
Located
in southeastern Tennessee, this little gem is an easy two hours drive from most
major cities in the area - Knoxville, Nashville, Atlanta, Georgia, and
Huntsville, Alabama; a tad longer to Birmingham, Alabama and Gatlinburg,
Tennessee. From the mountains to the river, Chattanooga has much to offer.
These are my top 5 favorite things to do in Chattanooga:
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| Chattanooga waterfront |
Tennessee
Aquarium
Of all
the attractions in Chattanooga, perhaps the most famous is the Tennessee Aquarium. Located on the
Tennessee River in the heart of downtown, The Tennessee Aquarium is unique in
that it has exhibits for both freshwater (river journey) and saltwater (ocean
journey). There are many hands-on features, giving you the opportunity to pet
sea creatures from prehistoric sturgeon to sting rays and nurse sharks. The
butterfly exhibit is great fun, and you can let them land on you.
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| The Hunter Museum in the Bluff View Arts District |
Bluff
View Arts District
Sitting
atop stone cliffs that overlook the scenic Tennessee River, the Bluff View Art District is a unique neighborhood that
resembles a small European village, complete with restaurants, café, art
galleries, and a sculpture garden. Enjoy the picturesque view of the Tennessee
River, Chattanooga, and the Hunter Museum of
American Art as you stroll along the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge.
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| Chattanooga Choo Choo, now a Holiday Inn |
Chattanooga
Choo Choo
Whether
you are a fan of trains or train station, you can go back in time with a stop
at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. A renowned landmark
of the South, the 1909 Terminal Station was saved from the wrecking ball in
1973 and is now a Holiday Inn. You can sleep aboard and dine in an authentic
railcar. Stroll through the gardens and catch a trolley for a ride around the
Choo Choo complex. You can take the free electric shuttle from the Chattanooga
Choo Choo to downtown.
.jpg) |
| Point Park |
Point
Park
High atop
of Lookout Mountain, Point Park, a national military
park, is full of civil war history, monuments and canons. Not only you get to
learn about Civil War history, you also get an awesome view of Chattanooga. Start at the visitor
center to see paintings and watch a film about the battles. Then, tour the
grounds and take a hike on trails that wind around massive rock boulders and
stop at lookout points to admire the awesome vistas of the Tennessee River and
Missionary Ridge.
 |
| Rock City |
Rock
City or Ruby Falls
These two
attractions are located in the same vicinity on Lookout Mountain. If you prefer
caves, choose Ruby Falls. Your tour will take you down 260
feet into a cavern on an elevator. You will pass by unique rock formations as
you meander around the cavern on your way to the beautiful 145-foot underground
waterfall that is Ruby Falls.
If you
are claustrophobic but not acrophobic, opt for Rock
City. An exhilarating walk along the Enchanted Trail through giant rock
boulders and across the thrilling Swing-A-Long Bridge will reward you with a
stunning view of Chattanooga Valley. If you are lucky, you may get a glimpse of
the rare white deer at Deer Park. Make sure you have proper shoes for walking.
Sources:
This article was originally
published in Associated Content in May, 2010
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