Relive
important moments in history from the Civil War to the
Chattanooga Choo Choo.
1. CIVIL WAR,
NATURAL HISTORY & CHATTANOOGA HISTORY —
Morning:
• Be a witness to a Civil War battle as it unfolds at
the Battles for Chattanooga Museum
on Lookout Mountain. The museum features a three-dimensional
map that charts the course of battles using sound effects
and miniature soldiers with smoking guns.
• Tour an actual battlefield
when you visit the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military
Park. Take a self-guided tour or join a group as you
explore America's first and largest National Military
Park. As you explore the monuments and markers, you'll
wind your way through lush, rolling hills and colorful
forests. Keep your eyes open for herds of deer and migrating
birds. If the weather is mild pack a picnic lunch - tables
are available.
Afternoon:
• Don't miss the Chattanooga
African American Museum located on Martin Luther King,
Jr. Boulevard in downtown Chattanooga. The museum is filled
with information about the African experience in the world,
in America, and of course in Chattanooga. Bessie Smith,
the Empress of the Blues; Free Africans that ran businesses
and politics in spite of slavery and Jim Crow laws; Samuel
L. Jackson of A Time To Kill and Spike Lee's Jungle
Fever are some of the exciting stories told about
Chattanoogans in the new, spacious museum.
• Explore the forests, canyons and mountain streams at the
world's largest freshwater aquarium, the Tennessee
Aquarium. 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. Check out the cuddly
river otters, marvel at the enormous catfish and maybe
even get "hands-on" with a lake sturgeon in
Discovery Hall. Don’t miss the special exhibition, “Seahorses: Beyond Imagination.”
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. And you might want to check out our behind-the-scenes tour
to learn more about how the Aquarium staff cares for the
animals.
• Dive in at the IMAX
3D Theater located just across the street from the
Aquarium. With a six-story screen and digital surround
sound, the IMAX experience will make you feel like you're
in the movie, not just watching it!
Afternoon:
• Take a stroll over the Walnut
Street Bridge, the longest pedestrian bridge in America.
The bridge connects the Aquarium side of the river to
the north side of the river - another great hangout for
families. Big kids and adults also enjoy the fun and funky
shops and restaurants along Frazier Avenue. Visit the
Coolidge Park Carousel, play in the interactive fountain
and enjoy the park's beautiful landscaping and wide open
spaces.
OR
•
Learn more about the early history as you cool off in
the Aquarium Plaza stream and explore the Trail of Tears
Passage. You’ll learn more about the natural history of
Chattanooga and about the Cherokee culture. Don’t forget
to stroll along the new 21st Century Riverfront
to the Chattanooga Pier where you can take in the sights
and sounds of the Tennessee River.
Evening:
• Take the free electric shuttle from the Bijou parking
garage (across from the Aquarium) and explore another
part of Chattanooga's past at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. You can
explore the depot and have "dinner at the diner"
if you'd like. The Southside of Chattanooga
offers other dining and shopping options as well.
· Wrap up your journey into the past with an old-fashioned
horse and buggy ride through downtown Chattanooga
as your driver brings you back to the parking areas near
the Aquarium.
2.
A DOWNTOWN HISTORY SAMPLER —
Morning:
• Start your day in the Bluff
View Art District, where you can explore the Hunter
Museum of American Art. Perched on an 80-foot bluff on the edge of the Tennessee River, the
Hunter Museum of American Art offers stunning views of
the river and the surrounding mountains. Once inside,
the inspiration continues, because it's not just about
the art; it's all about you, the visitor. The Hunter is
for the entire family to enjoy. Together, you will see
art with new eyes as a way to better understand American
history and to learn more about what makes us Americans
today.
•
While you’re in the museum district, check out the Houston Museum of
Decorative Art. Holdings
include large collections of antique glass and ceramics.
The museum was named for Anna Safley Houston, an eccentric
antiques dealer who was known as "Antique Annie."
• Enjoy the view as you explore the Sculpture Garden and
get a breathtaking look at the Tennessee River.
Afternoon:
• Have lunch at the Big
River Grille, located in downtown Chattanooga's restored
trolley barn.
• Then visit the Chattanooga Regional History Museum,
where you'll learn about the city's history, from Civil
War battles and the Choo Choo to Coca-Cola and Moon Pies.
•
Check out an IMAX
3D movie and then explore the forests, canyons and
mountain streams at the world's largest freshwater aquarium,
the Tennessee Aquarium.
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.
Check out the cuddly river otters, marvel at the enormous
catfish and maybe even get "hands-on" with a
lake sturgeon in Discovery Hall. Don’t miss the special
exhibition, “Seahorses: Beyond Imagination.”
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. And you might want to check out our behind-the-scenes tour
to learn more about how the Aquarium staff cares for the
animals.
•
Learn more about the early history as you cool off in
the Aquarium Plaza stream and explore the Trail of Tears
Passage. You’ll learn more about the natural history of
Chattanooga and about the Cherokee culture. Don’t forget
to stroll along the new 21st Century Riverfront
to the Chattanooga Pier where you can take in the sights
and sounds of the Tennessee River.
Evening:
•
Take an old-fashioned horse and buggy ride through downtown
Chattanooga. You can have dinner at one of the many restaurants
downtown or visit the real Chattanooga Choo Choo and have
dinner on the city's Southside.
3.
MAINLY TRAINS —
Morning:
• After breakfast, journey from the mountains
to the sea at the Tennessee Aquarium. 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. Check out the cuddly
river otters, marvel at the enormous catfish and maybe
even get "hands-on" with a lake sturgeon in
Discovery Hall. Don’t miss the special exhibition, “Seahorses: Beyond Imagination.” 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.
• Then get in the car and head over to the Tennessee
Valley Railroad where you'll take a step back in time
as you board a restored passenger train for a six-mile
venture across Chickamauga Creek. Wondering how to get
back? Watch the turntable in action.
Afternoon:
• You can have lunch at one of the many restaurants downtown
or visit the real Chattanooga Choo Choo.
• While at the Choo Choo you can explore the fully restored
train as it sits at the station. Don't miss the Model Railroad Museum.
This is a working display that consists of Chattanooga's
Terminal and Union Stations. It is one of the world's
largest working "HO" gauge model railroads.
This model ranks as one of the largest model railroad
exhibits in the world.
Evening:
• All the romance of days gone by can be enjoyed aboard
the Dinner in the Diner
at the Chattanooga Choo Choo where the on-board chef will
prepare a special dinner for you and your family.
• Then spend the night in a restored Victorian train car
at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel. (Reservations are
required).
