Maybe you're looking for date night ideas or planning a day with
the whole gang. Either way, there's a lot to do in Chattanooga.
1. A WALK ON THE "WILD" SIDE —
Morning:
• Begin your day at the Chattanooga
Zoo at Warner Park. (You may be tempted to play a
round of “Which Animal Do I Look Like?” but do so at your
own risk. Your friends may be WAY too honest.) Hank and
his chimpanzee friends will be hangin’ out in the Gombe
Forest exhibit and you can check out some of the amazing
birds in the newly renovated African Aviary.
• Head over to the Ross’s
Landing area and score some lunch. Chee Burger Chee Burger
offers a retro 1950s dining experience, Qdoba has Tex-Mex
food and Panera have cool salads and sandwiches.
Afternoon:
• Next, explore the Tennessee
Aquarium. Groups of 10 or more receive discounted
admission. 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 river otters,
marvel at the enormous catfish and see who’s game for
getting hands-on with the prehistoric looking lake sturgeon
in Discovery Hall. Don’t miss the special exhibition,
“Seahorses: Beyond Imagination.”
Have your friends climb into the pop-up tank in the Seahorse
Gallery (it isn’t just for kids) for a fishy photo. 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.
• Cross the street to the IMAX
3D Theater and dive into a unique viewing experience.
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!
• Climb the Walnut Street Bridge with The
Adventure Guild. Their technical rock climbing staff
is an experienced group of teachers, accomplished climbers,
and climbing enthusiasts. If you’d rather climb in the
great indoors, check out the Chattanooga Bouldering Authority They offer
equipment rentals and instruction. Advance reservations required for both. Click
here for more on Outdoor
Chattanooga!
Evening:
•
Take some time to explore the new 21st
Century Riverfront. Learn more about the Trail of
Tears and the Cherokee Culture by exploring the Trail
of Tears Passage (located between the Aquarium’s Ocean
Journey building and the Market Street Bridge). Take in
the views from the Chattanooga Pier and stroll along the
River Walk.
•
Wrap up the evening at Big
River Grille. They have a varied menu with everything
from pizza to steak. Share one of their great desserts
and challenge your friends to a game of pool.
2. NOT THE SAME OLD "DINNER AND A MOVIE"—
Evening:
• Dinner and a movie are standard date night fare, but
why not shake it up a bit? Have an extreme movie experience
at the IMAX 3D Theater. 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!
• Then at 7p.m. walk over to the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
downtown. You'll meet and talk with the play's crazy
characters -- then witness a crime that you help solve.
Enjoy unlimited Italian food, beverages and dessert and
laugh along with a zany detective as he interrogates
the suspects with your clues.
• Take a stroll along the Walnut
Street Bridge to Coolidge
Park and enjoy the city lights and the stars above.
Or, take a step back in time and catch a horse and buggy
ride through downtown. (You can find them parked in the
driveway directly in front of the Aquarium.)
