Chattanooga Attractions (Lookout Mountain, Hunter: motel, vacation, house)

[Jaybee]

Can anyone recommend "must sees" for a brief visit? My wife and I are travelling from Nashville to Atlanta-thru Chattanooga in mid September. I read the thread about the "mini-vacation"-but our situation is quite different. We're early 50's empty-nesters from the west coast taking a road trip throughout the southeast. We'll be flying into Nashville and renting a car for our visit. We're interested in history and sight-seeing.

Wondering if Chickamaugua (sp?) Battlefield is unique enough for a visit; having been to other battlefields at Manassas and Vicksburg. What about Lookout Mountain?

Anyway, we'll only be in town for a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. Any recommendations are appreciated.

[xtine]

Rock City is very cool.
I had the opportunity to visit Raccoon Mountain Caverns recently and it is spectacular.
Ruby Falls is disappointing for the cave, but that waterfall is uber impressive.
Northshore has some cool stores, and a decent coffee shop.
There is the TVA railroad museum.
African American Museum
Tennessee Aquarium
Hunter Museum, which is free the first Sunday of every month.
Also take a peak at the sculpture garden around the corner from Hunter. It is one of the nicest parts of the city.

[jkmewright]

All of those places xtine mentioned are great so I am going to take you on a verbal tour of downtown Chattanooga I would start out @ the ChooChoo, take the electric shuttle around town and stop @ anything you see that looks cool, hop off at the aquarium, see the museum, the awesome waterscaped sidewalk and the sculpture garden, walk across the river to the North Shore, chill @ Coolidge Park, check out some neat little shops and back to the ChooChoo. When downtown, you are close enough to St Elmo that you can do Rock City and/or Ruby Falls and the incline too. You might want to add an extra couple of hours as you won't wanna leave

I don't know how much of a history buff you are so I don't know if the battlefield will be that thrilling to you or not. It's pretty much one major road with little offshoots and a bunch of monuments along the way. The old training area/parade ground you see before the battlefield has some great historic homes that you might like.
Historic District TODAY

One thing we DO love about the battlefield is climbing the Wilder tower and the legend of ole Green Eyes Ghost. It's especially fun after dark with a 4 year old armed with a Garfield garden trowel and a flashlight BOO!

[Jaybee]

Thank you both for the responses. There are enough suggestions that we may spend the night.
What is Rock City, or St. Elmo for that matter?
OK, now we've all heard the wonderful Glenn Miller tune, but is there a deeper story about the "Chattanooga ChooChoo"?

[TriDad]

St Elmo is a neighborhood at the base of Lookout Mountain whereas Rock City is an attraction on top of Lookout Mtn.

See Rock City in Chattanooga

[atlantagreg30127]

You should spend the night, as you are considering.

Spend a few hours downtown at the Aquarium. Eat across the street from it at the Big River Grill restaurant. The rest later, is being suggested by others above.

[Jaybee]

I wanted you nice folks to know that we spent a night in Chattanooga and loved the area. Didn't have a lot of time to experience the area attractions, but had a great dinner at a restaurant near the Choo-Choo where the waitstaff sings with a live band. It was terrific. Rode the electric shuttle to and from our motel to the "Choo-Choo" area. Had an "old time" photo taken at the shop there too.

The people we met in the area were very friendly. We did have an encounter with a homeless guy named Darrell. He was actually quite nice and at no time confrontational. Of course we sprung for a $9.00 "room fee" at the "Salvation Army" house?

Next morning we drove up Lookout Mt. But, being the early risers we are, not much was open. Saw Rock City from the Starbucks across the street! Also saw the slanted railroad from outside the gate. Many of the homes up there must have terrific views!

Our itenerary required that we make it to Atlanta later that day, so our visit was cut short. Thanks again for all your recommendations. We've determined to return to your fine city some day-and sooner than later!

[TriDad]

thanks for the report - and we're so glad you enjoyed your visit (sorry it was shortened) but at least you got a taste of the Scenic City. Next time put the North Shore on your list, take a walk on the Walnut St Bridge and enjoy the views of the Bluff View Arts District.