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Morning
Start
your day off at Tennessee Aquarium’s River Journey for
a look in and around the rivers of the southeast and the world.
Not only will you see river otters play inside a cove forest
teeming with birds and trout, you’ll see prehistoric
looking paddlefish, humongous catfish, eerie alligators and
some seriously ‘only-your-momma-could-love’ looking
snapping turtles.
Then head
next door to the Tennessee
Aquarium’s new Ocean Journey. Stroll through a lush,
tropical beach where you’ll pet baby stingrays and bamboo
sharks; enter a garden where jewel-toned butterflies fly all
around you; get up-close with sea turtles, eels and schools
of fish, then enter the undersea cavern where 10-foot sharks
lurk in the shadows.
Lunch
Enjoy lunch as you a cruise down the Tennessee River aboard
the magnificent Southern
Belle Riverboat. At the new Pier 2, you’ll set afloat
for a magnificent cruise past artful water-spewing cannons,
under the world’s longest pedestrian bridge before heading
down river past wetlands teeming with wildlife.
Afternoon
After your cruise, head up to the Tennessee Aquarium
IMAX 3D Theater for a movie experience you won’t
soon forget. The theater draws you in with its six-story-high
screen and digital surround sound. You’ll experience
up-close underwater adventure as sharks and stingrays come
alive and seemingly out of the screen. With crystal clear
3D images, it’s the largest and most exciting film format
in the world.
- ONE
NIGHT/TWO DAY ITINERARY
DAY
ONE
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Same as above --
DAY
TWO
Kids learn
best when having fun, so jump in and be a kid for the day.
At Chattanooga’s Creative
Discovery Museum you can pilot a river boat, learn about
dams; create your own music; dig for dinosaur bones; and finish
off blowing soap bubbles from atop the Rooftop Fun Factory.
Then,
fill your soul with all things art, inside and out. Meander
two blocks down to Ross’s Landing and take in the 160
foot pier extending out on the river while standing next to
magnificent 40-foot stainless steel light masts piercing the
skyline. Travel along the riverfront through the Passage,
a tiered stream and wading pool lined with public art celebrating
Cherokee culture, before heading up First Street to Chattanooga’s
jewel, the Bluff View Arts District. Here, you’ll cross
over a glass bridge leading you to the Hunter
Museum of Art. Holding the South’s premiere collection
of American Art, the Hunter also offers up prominent views
of the river, expansive gallery areas and a café with
an outdoor patio.
Grab a
bite to eat or continue your artful exploration through a
wondrous sculpture garden before heading across the worlds
longest pedestrian bridge—the Walnut Street Bridge –for
an eclectic Northshore shopping excursion. Whether you’re
shopping local or global, the Northshore has just the right
mix of inimitable, quirky little shops that make your trip
complete. Head back across the river on Chattanooga’s
water taxi and select from countless downtown restaurants
serving up everything from burgers to four-star cuisine.
TWO
NIGHT/THREE DAY ITINERARY
DAY
ONE
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Same as above --
DAY
TWO
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Same as above --
DAY
THREE
Morning
Start
your day with a thrilling ride on "America's Most Amazing
Mile," the Incline
Railway. The world's steepest passenger railway takes
you above the clouds to the highest point on Lookout Mountain.
A short
walk leads you to “Point Park” and “Battles
for Chattanooga.” “Point Park,” a site well
known in the Civil War battle as the ‘Battle Above the
Clouds,’ allows visitors the chance to learn about the
civil war battle site in and around Chattanooga and stand
on the same fighting ground as union and confederate soldiers
stood some over 140 years ago. “Battles
for Chattanooga” takes you deeper into the conflict
as you view a multi dimensional electronic battle map presentation
featuring 5,000 miniature figures, 650 lights, sound effects
and details of conflicts in the Chattanooga area in 1863.
Lunch
Journey
on up the mountain to “See Rock City”. Prearrange
your meal and enjoy lunch at the new pavilion or Big Rock
Grill, or pack your lunch and enjoy the great outdoors at
one of Rock City’s picnic tables.
Afternoon
You’ve
no doubt seen the old barns and signs as far north as Michigan
and as far west as Texas—now, come “See Rock City”
and discover what it’s all about. This spectacular rock
garden opened to the public in 1932 and the lovely gardens
started by the owner have now grown to include over 400 different
species of native wildflowers, shrubs and trees. An afternoon
walk along the ‘Enchanted Trail’ of Rock City’s
gardens reveals natural mountain beauty along a woodland path
surrounded by huge boulders that lead you out to panoramic
view of seven states. You’ll also spot a 90-foot waterfall
along the way and a Swing-a-Long suspension bridge some 180-feet
long. Don’t miss the popular Fairyland Caverns, Mother
Goose Village, the Cornerstone Station, as well as a myriad
of other shops and restaurants around the gardens. www.seerockcity.com
Continue
your journey on Lookout Mountain to one of the most unusual
geological features—“Ruby Falls.” Learn
all about stalactites, stalagmites, columns, drapes, and flowstone
and discover how some 200 million years ago this magnificent
place was created. With a 145-foot underground waterfall located
over 1120 feet beneath the mountain’s surface, Ruby
Falls is one of the largest underground waterfalls accessible
to the public and is a definite must see. www.Rubyfalls.com.
HOLIDAY
2007 HAPPENINGS
Tennessee
Aquarium’s Ho Ho H20
Mid November through December, open daily 10am to 6pm.
(Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.)
You
don’t have to travel far to catch high tide during the
Yuletide. Crystal clear ocean views, Caribbean holiday music,
cascading waterfalls and lush tropical forests greet you while
you bask in balmy temperatures and explore exotic island wildlife
during a Tropical Holiday Adventure.
Talk to
“Santa” Divers as they take you on a shark-filled
journey through spectacular coral reef formations where thousands
of tropical fish hang out. Island hop and catch aquarium staff
surface feed stingrays and bamboo sharks. Or join the seahorses
for their version of “Slurpin’ a Cheeseburger
in Paradise,” and discover what these steeds of the
deep really eat. Get a gander at one of the real “Parrot
Heads,” the highly social hyacinth macaw, during a program
that explores the bold behaviors and adaptations of the largest
member of the parrot family.
Tennessee
Aquarium IMAX Theater
Open daily at 11am.
(Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.)
With a six-story screen and digital surround sound, IMAX
is a perfect place to enjoy a holiday film.Polar Express
3D, a holiday classic, shows Nov. 16 - Jan 5.
Southern
Belle Riverboat Christmas Carol Cruise
December, Lunch and Dinner cruises available
The
singing deckhands will get everyone playing along as you cruise
past dancing water cannons, under the world’s longest
pedestrian bridge then down the scenic Tennessee River. Prime
rib and shrimp creole dinner is served along with a side dish
of live entertainment. And let’s not forget Santa—he’ll
be on board to start the dancing.
Creative
Discovery Museum Cool Wonders
November through December, open daily 10am to 5pm.
(Closed Wednesdays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day)
Designed
for kids under 12, this museum’s special exhibit let’s
kids dress up like a grizzly, learn how to identify animals
by their tracks, cozy up in a winter cabin or find their way
through a white wintry maze. Children can also play in an
ice fishing hut, climb an eight foot high ‘ice mountain’
or try their skill at downhill skiing on a computer simulator.
Rock
City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights
Mid November through December, 6pm-9pm
For
the holiday season, Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of
Lights is a family tradition. This award-winning, light extravaganza
features more than 25 holiday scenes and nearly a million
lights that transform the gardens’ natural daytime splendor
into a nocturnal fantasyland. Enjoy gingerbread cookie decorating,
hot cocoa and nightly music, too. |
