Chattanooga
is the perfect
destination for the outdoor enthusiast. Whether your idea
of adventure is wild or mild, there’s an activity to suit
every age group (and bravery level).
CHATTANOOGA FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO
THE SEA
— Day Trip
Morning:
• Begin your day on Lookout
Mountain.
See Rock
City, a true marvel of nature featuring massive
ancient rock formations, gardens with more than 400 different
native plant species and panoramic views. A 100-foot waterfall
cascades from Rock
City down Lookout
Mountain; a Swing-A-Long Bridge
offers thrilling views to the adventurous souls who cross
it.
OR
• Visit
Ruby Falls,
“the jewel of Lookout
Mountain.”
Your journey will take you deep into the heart of the
mountain, where you’ll watch as the 145-foot waterfall
cascades.
OR
• Pack up some breakfast
goodies, take an early drive and enjoy a cool, misty morning
on the many trails around Chattanooga. Enjoy
the breathtaking views of Chattanooga's
mountains, valleys and streams and watch for glimpses of our native animals.
OR
Join
The
Adventure Guild for one of their many adventure
options including guided rock climbing, rappelling,
caving, hiking - and beginning in late 2008 -
a trip to their Zipstream Adventure Center, featuring
east TN's FIRST Eco-Zip Tour!"
Afternoon:
• Journey from the mountains to the sea when you visit
the Tennessee
Aquarium in downtown Chattanooga.
The Aquarium features thousands of animals that swim,
fly and crawl in natural habitats.
Begin your Aquarium adventure in the River Journey
building and follow a drop of water from streams high
in the Appalachian Mountains to the Gulf
of Mexico - and all the places in-between.
Don’t miss the special exhibition, “Seahorses: Beyond Imagination,” on
River Journey’s A Level. Then cross the Plaza and visit
Ocean
Journey, the Aquarium’s new $30 million expansion.
You’ll enter a Tropical Cove, island hop and touch harmless
sharks and stingrays and visit a garden with hundreds
of free-flying butterflies. You’ll also discover a Secret
Reef with 10-foot sharks, dramatic coral formations and
thousands of colorful reef fish. Complete your visit by
exploring the Undersea Cavern, where sharks swim overhead
and amazing reef creatures surround you.
• The IMAX 3D Theater will take you to worlds you’ve only dreamed
of. With its six-story screen and digital surround sound,
you don't just watch the movie — you feel as if you're
in it! It's so real, it's
unreal! Aquarium and IMAX combination tickets are available.
Afternoon:
• After your Aquarium and IMAX adventure, take some time
to explore Chattanooga’s
new 21st Century Riverfront. Walk through
the Passage and learn more about Native American culture.
Then walk along the Tennessee River to the Chattanooga
Pier, which offers a spectacular view of the river and
Chattanooga’s North
Shore. Follow the Riverwalk, cross the
Walnut Street
Bridge and discover
the beauty of Renaissance and Coolidge
Parks.
A
WEEKEND OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURES – Weekend trip
Friday
evening:
• Pitch a tent or park
your RV and camp out under the stars at nearby Raccoon
Mountain or one of the many RV
parks in our area. The cool mountain air makes
the stars seem close enough to touch.
OR
• If you’d rather enjoy
the creature comforts of a hotel, you can find great accommodations in downtown
Chattanooga. Hotel packages
are available. For those staying downtown, have dinner
at one of the downtown restaurants and stroll across the
Walnut Street
Bridge.
Saturday
morning:
• Begin your day with breakfast – cook your own on the
campfire or come downtown and visit Panera Bread. After
breakfast, head down Broad Street and visit the Tennessee
Aquarium. The Aquarium features thousands of
animals that swim, fly and crawl in natural habitats.
Begin your adventure in the Aquarium’s River Journey
building and follow a drop of water from streams high
in the Appalachian Mountains to the Gulf
of Mexico - and all the places in-between.
Don’t miss the special exhibition, “Seahorses: Beyond Imagination,” on
River Journey’s A Level. Then cross the Plaza and visit
Ocean Journey, the Aquarium’s new $30 million expansion.
You’ll enter a Tropical Cove, island hop and touch harmless
sharks and stingrays and visit a garden with hundreds
of free-flying butterflies. You’ll also discover a Secret
Reef with 10-foot sharks, dramatic coral formations and
thousands of colorful reef fish. Complete your visit by
exploring the Undersea Cavern, where sharks swim overhead
and amazing reef creatures surround you.
Saturday
afternoon:
• Climb to new heights — indoors or out — at one of Chattanooga’s many locations for rock climbers.
The area offers great spots for seasoned climbers and
many instructional groups for those who are just starting
out. If you’d prefer to do your climbing indoors, visit
the Chattanooga Bouldering Authority. They offer instruction and
equipment rental as well as indoor climbing walls. Advance reservations may be required.
OR
• After your Aquarium and
IMAX adventure, take some time to explore Chattanooga’s
new 21st Century Riverfront. Walk through
the Passage and learn more about Native American culture.
Then walk along the Tennessee River to the Chattanooga
Pier, which offers a spectacular view of the river and
Chattanooga’s North
Shore. Follow the Riverwalk, cross the
Walnut Street
Bridge and discover
the beauty of Renaissance and Coolidge
Parks.
Saturday
evening:
• Have dinner at Big River Grille, located just across
the street from the Aquarium, and then catch a BIG film
at the IMAX Theater and dive in to a unique viewing experience. The
six-story IMAX screen and digital surround sound make
you feel as if you're in the movie, not just watching
it! Aquarium and IMAX combination tickets are available.
Sunday
morning:
• Have brunch at one of the restaurants in the Museum District and take a leisurely stroll along the Riverwalk.
You’ll get a great view of the Tennessee
River.
• Weather permitting; get
a real bird’s-eye view of the Chattanooga area by taking a tandem hang gliding
flight from Lookout Mountain Flight Park. Fly tandem with a professional
certified instructor pilot by your side. Just imagine
seeing beautiful Lookout Mountain from 2,000 feet, soaring effortlessly
with the hawks and eagles. You will be amazed by the grace
of this aerial dance.
OR
• Begin your day on Lookout Mountain. See Rock City, a true marvel of nature
featuring massive ancient rock formations, gardens with
more than 400 different native plant species and panoramic
views. A 100-foot waterfall cascades from Rock
City down Lookout
Mountain; a Swing-A-Long Bridge
offers thrilling views to the adventurous souls who cross
it.
OR
• Visit
Ruby Falls,
“the jewel of Lookout
Mountain.”
Your journey will take you deep into the heart of the
mountain, where you’ll watch as the 145-foot waterfall
cascades.
OR
• Get a bird’s-eye view
of Chattanooga and the
surrounding area when you explore Lookout
Mountain’s Point Park.
The many trails around this military park take you to
points of historical significance as well as to various
overlooks. Learn more about the Civil War and the “Battle
Above the Clouds.”
OR
• Test your courage with
a whitewater adventure. The Ocoee area
offers a variety of whitewater outfitters that provide
gear, guides and safety instruction. You can paddle the
Olympic Whitewater course of the upper Ocoee or take on
the imaginatively named rapids of the lower river --
Grumpy, Double Trouble, Table Saw, and the awesome Hell’s
Hole. A trip on the Ocoee is one you’ll talk about for
years.
