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| Image Credit: Abundant Family Living |
Recently, my family visited
Chattanooga, Tennessee. We live
approximately two and one-half hours from the city and visit there from
time to time, but our visits are usually short and restricted to only
activities that will fit into a short weekend. This year, we needed a
family friendly vacation within a short distance from home so we decided
to spend an entire week in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We found Chattanooga
to be an incredibly family friendly place to visit. Residents there
have spent a great deal of time, money, and efforts to improve the
city’s previously neglected areas. Parks, bridges, and shopping venues
have been added to the city’s attractions and older attractions have
been well-kept and improved. Chattanooga, Tennessee is a perfect place
to spend quality with the most special people on earth, family.
Chattanooga, Tennessee Family Activities
While visiting Chattanooga, be sure to take in a baseball game. The
Chattanooga Lookouts’ is the local minor league baseball team and the
stadium is located within walking distance from the Tennessee Aquarium
and Imax Theater. The tickets are well priced and the stadium is rarely
crowded. The mascots put on a great show and you never know who might
show up to surprise the fans. When my family attended the game, we were
entertained by the famous San Diego Chicken. A minor league baseball
game is an inexpensive way to entertain a family and add to the
experience of a Chattanooga vacation.
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| Image Credit: Abundant Family Living |
The Tennessee River offers several opportunities for family fun along
the Chattanooga shores. One unique experience is a meal, lunch or
dinner, aboard the Riverboat The “Southern Belle”. Once a family boards
the boat, they are guided to their assigned seats. After all passengers
have boarded, dinner is served buffet style. An attendant will ask a few
tables at a time to begin the line. The last few tables to be served
must practice a bit of patience; however, the boat is small so this
method of service does seem to be the best option. Passengers are
offered several desserts to finish the meal. Once dinner is over,
passengers may remain below, in the dining room for relaxation, dancing,
and singing. Others may spend the remainder of the tour above deck
while enjoying the beautiful Chattanooga evening. The dinner tours run
about two hours long and provide another unique experience along the
Tennessee River.
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| Image Credit: Abundant Family Living |
The Tennessee Aquarium offers a world of aquatic exploration for all
ages. Visitors will find the Ocean Journey Building just as pleasing as
The River Journey Building. Both experiences are sure to be remembered
as a vacation favorite as families view the world of sharks, sea horses,
sting ray, jellyfish, aquatic plants, and much more. Watch for divers
as they interact with the animals and maintain the tank. Be sure to
visit the Aquarium’s Butterfly Garden. Visitors may obtain a chart which
features photographs and descriptions of various types of butterflies.
Then, they are encouraged to move about the room and discover all the
varieties of the beautiful creatures and the plants among which they
live. Butterflies are fragile creatures so please encourage gentleness
and respect for the butterflies and their habitat.
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| Image Credit: Abundant Family Living |
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| Image Credit: Abundant Family Living |
Across the bridge from Downtown Chattanooga, visit the North Shore
shopping district. This older section of town has been given a new look
with the addition of Coolidge Park and renovated shops. Coolidge Park
offers a walkway alongside the Tennessee River which includes a small,
but usually uncrowded water play area and carousel. Along the sidewalks
are engraved footprints that teach steps to dances such as the Waltz,
the Cha-Cha, and the Twist. The first two shops were stocked with finer
items such as jewelry, paintings, and collectibles. Further down the
street, visit River City Apparel for affordable clothing such as
dresses, blouses, and accessories. For the more artistic visitors, step
inside Art Creations for a large variety of art supplies such as
brushes, canvases, paints, easels, and various other necessities. Prices
are more than reasonable and artists are bound to leave the store well
supplied for their next project.
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| Image Credit: Abundant Family Living |
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| Image Credit: Abundant Family Living |
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| Image Credit: Abundant Family Living |
Chattanooga visitors must take a stroll or bicycle ride along the
Tennessee Riverpark. The Riverpark provides miles of walkway alongside
the beautiful Tennessee River. Along the way, you will find rest areas
complete with pic-nic tables and stationary charcoal grills, trash
receptacles, clean restrooms, and mile markers. Walkers and bicycle
riders enjoy a variety of atmosphere including tree covered shaded
areas, sunny areas beside the waters, straightaways and curves, all
adorned with trees and flowering plants. An individual or a family might
choose to walk the entire distance or choose to walk only a short
distance as we chose to do with our family. Park your vehicle in a
number of marked parking lots along the way, walk a mile or two, and
then return to your vehicle. Couples might enjoy a nice romantic evening
walk. Families with young children can easily stroll infants and
toddlers along in their strollers. Students from Chattanooga colleges
and universities often find a nice place to study along the trail.
Visitors are allowed to fish as well. The park prohibits skateboards,
swimming, alcoholic beverages, and reckless behavior. The park is
enjoyed by individuals and families of all ages.
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| Image Credit: Abundant Family Living |
Another “must do” while visiting Chattanooga, Tennessee is the River
Gorge Explorer boat ride. The River Gorge Explorer is a Tennessee
Aquarium activity which proves to be one of Chattanooga’s most exciting
adventures. The boat carries its passengers approximately sixteen miles
down the Tennessee River while featuring both fast and slow rides along
the river. The boat slows for other boaters, docks, and barges; then
speeds up for a bit. Once the boat enters the gorge, passengers are
allowed to enjoy several minutes above deck while enjoying the
Chattanooga sunshine as the boat remains at a slower pace. A tour guide
interacts with passengers while identifying various wildlife along the
way. The ride lasts approximately two hours.
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| Image Credit: Abundant Family Living |
Read more about places to visit in Chattanooga, Tennessee
here.
