Ready to break the winter chill and get outside? Pack up and head to Chattanooga for an easy, close-to-home road trip to a city that offers a river, a lake and is surrounded by mountains. From exploring downtown to taking day trips into the mountains, Chattanooga and the surrounding area offer something for everyone.
“What makes Chattanooga really stand out is that Chickamauga Lake is one of its top attractions,” said area native Buddy Gross. “Chattanooga is unique in that the lake runs through it, and there is so much to do for families.”
What makes Chattanooga stand out, beyond its friendly layout, are even more attractions that provide entertainment, education and downright fun. Some have been entertaining visitors for generations and are must-see destinations for a trip to this east Tennessee vacation paradise. Here are some suggestions to get you started with planning your trip.
Tennessee Aquarium
The Tennessee Aquarium is the biggest attraction and for good reason. Museum visitors embark on a journey that follows the migration of a raindrop as it makes its way from atop a mountain stream to the bottom of the ocean, all of which is possible in the area. The “River Journey” exhibit winds through the Appalachian Cove Forrest to the Tennessee River, where visitors meet native wildlife along the way to the Gulf of Mexico. The trip ends at Ocean Journey, where encounters with saltwater animals are a highlight. The 130,000-square foot facility was the world’s largest freshwater aquarium when it opened in 1992. Its centerpiece is the 145,000-gallon Nickajack Lake tank, which has great appeal to anglers with up-close views of fish, birds and other wildlife inhabiting the lake.
Rock City Gardens
Drive along the interstates and backroads leading to Chattanooga and you can’t miss seeing the colorful red and black barns painted with “See Rock City” on their sides. The popular 4,100-foot path located on the Georgia side of Lookout Mountain offers attractions for everyone. Outdoor lovers will enjoy weaving through the tall boulders situated at Needle’s Eye and Fat Man’s Squeeze along the Enchanted Trail. Kids will feel like adventurers crossing the 180-foot Swing-a-Long Suspension Bridge, and the view of Lover’s Leap offers a lookout point for a 90-foot waterfall. And everyone can have fun counting the states in view from the See Seven States viewpoint.
Ruby Falls
Located 1,120 feet below the surface of Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls is America’s deepest commercial cave and largest underground waterfall. Visitors take an elevator down to the falls and learn about the various rock formations located along the way. A lookout tower, playground and ziplining adventure are part of the attractions.
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
The oldest and largest of America’s Civil War parks, the 9,523-acre Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park commemorates the 1863 battles for Chattanooga that marked a major turning point in the war. The park spans the borders of Tennessee and Georgia, with major units at Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Orchard Knob and Signal Point. The park is headquartered at Chickamauga Battlefield, where the fields and woods witnessed the last major Confederate victory in the war. The visitor center includes extensive exhibits, the Fuller Gun Collection, an orientation film and fiber-optic map, maps of hiking trails and how to experience the history of the park units.
About Chickamauga Lake
Lay of the lake: The lake stretches 59 miles on the Tennessee River from Watts Bar Dam to Chickamauga Dam near downtown Chattanooga, with 36,240 surface acres covering 810 miles of shoreline.
What makes it stand out: The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency stocked the lake years ago with Florida-strain largemouth to test its potential as a true trophy bass fishery in the upper South. The test worked. The lake record weighed 15.20 pounds and was believed to be 12 years old, evidence that it was a descendant of the stockings.
Launch here: Popular boat ramps near downtown include Booker T. Washington State Park, Harrison Bay State Park and Chester Frost Park.
Eat here: The catchphrase “amazing food with an awesome view” sums up the vibe at Lakeshore Grill, its deck and patio overlooking the dam. Dock at Lakeshore Marina and walk up to the restaurant. Steve’s Landing Waterfront Grill is accessible by boat from Pine Harbor Marina. Housed in a cabin reminiscent of a summer camp dining hall, the restaurant features a large deck with views of the water.
Plan your trip: www.tnvacation.com
