Chattanooga vs Knoxville vs Memphis (Tourism) (East Brainerd, Lookout Mountain: condos, townhouses, casinos)

[adelashk]

Hi,
I plan to visit TN. Which of these is worth visiting? From my online research I gathered that Nashville is a must. What about the others? Are they worth a detour? If so, which ones?

If this helps; I am 24 years old and price is not an issue since I will be spending a maximum of 3-4 days.

Thanks!

[hiknapster]

I choose Knoxville to live in, above all the others.

But a would recommend Chattanooga for tourism, even over Nashville.

The Hunter Art Museum, which sit on a bluff over the TN river, two beautiful aquariums, see Rock City, the DUCKS tour, pedestrian bridge that goes to a charming park with equally charming carousel, lots of outdoor opportunities.

[TNKY]

As usual, hiknapster is right. Chattanooga for tourism. It's a beautiful city with many things to do. Adding to what hik already mentioned, there's an IMAX, TN's biggest shopping mall, Ruby Falls and the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

[JoeCartpath]

I suppose it would depend on your interests! Memphis has Beale Street, Graceland, museums. etc. Chattanooga has the Aquarium, museums, Lookout Mountain with Ruby Falls and Rock City. Knoxville is close to the Smoky Mountain National Park...

[JMT]

If it were me, I'd do Chattanooga and Nashville. Knoxville is near the Smoky Mountains, but Chattanooga is surrounded by mountains. And driving from Chattanooga to Nashville (or vice-versa) is gorgeous. I'm not kidding, the most beautiful interstate rest area in the country is on I-24 just west of Chattanooga, on an island in a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. I promise I'm not making that up.

Since you'll have 3-4 days, I say do Chattanooga and Nashville. You might not find enough to do in Chattanooga by itself for 3-4 days.

Still, if it were up to me, I'd do:

1. Nashville (tie)
1. Chattanooga (tie)
3. Knoxville/Smoky Mountains
4. Memphis (unless you like casinos, in which case Memphis/Tunica would move up on the list)

[JoeCartpath]

Originally Posted by JMT

I'm not kidding, the most beautiful interstate rest area in the country is on I-24 just west of Chattanooga, on an island in a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. I promise I'm not making that up.

Chattanooga to Monteagle is by far the most scenic Interstate I've ever seen. Now, if they could just get rid of that fireworks thing

[VolDude]

Marion County is the or one of the largest fireworks manufacturers in the country.

[adelashk]

Great feedback! Thanks all. I think I will do Nashville and Chattanooga.

[kingchef]

Originally Posted by JoeCartpath

Chattanooga to Monteagle is by far the most scenic Interstate I've ever seen. Now, if they could just get rid of that fireworks thing

the state of georgia will probably knock it down, when marion county becomes part of georgia. then, there will be enough water for atlanta. my aunt and uncle and their two children wanted to take a long weekend holiday. they talked to some family, who live in warren county. my uncle could not be dissuaded from taking a trip to ruby falls and the chattanooga area. he and his family returned from their journey crest fallen. they all said that ruby falls was a "rip-off." i could never understand why they did not take advantage of the state parks at fall creek falls and rock island. i didn't know they were going at the time, or i would have told him of the experience our choir there, when we were going from new york, on our way to miami. waste of time and money for the ruby falls venue. really, it really is true, really!

[shinestx]

^^
So much more to Chattanooga than Ruby Falls... I'd say for the full package (they call it the Scenic City for a reason... and it's not just for self-promotion), Chattanooga provides more than Memphis and Knoxville. It's compact but nestled in the beautiful Tennessee Valley. I say Full Package because you can see all of it in less than two days. You can go for mountain drives within 15 minutes from downtown. You can see Civil War battle sights (one of the most stunning sites with monuments is Chickamauga)... you can walk from the Aquarium across a beautiful drawbridge to the North Shore which has a huge waterfront park and quirky little shops and restaurants... and walk back across a 130 year old pedestrian bridge with a very impressive iron trestle and wooden planks for its "road". The Hunter Museum and the Arts District provide a great respite when you get back to the other side (downtown side). You can take a short shuttle ride to the Choo Choo and walk around it to see/learn a little about America's railroad history. Next door is a new, but in an old building brew-pub that I checked out last month. That is the South End which is seeing a renaissance with new restaurants, art galleries and condos/townhouses. Two blocks to the north is our "Little Mexico"... not much to look at, but you can get great meals there (I love Cancun). There are also some great little gems along the Main Street between Market and Broad. Niko's is in that area too.

Check out Missionary Ridge, where beautiful houses abut preserved battlefields overlooking downtown. If you're still on the hunt for views (they're all around), go to Point Park at the very northern tip of Lookout Mountain (yes, it was also a Civil War battlefield) and nearby Rock City... and/or Signal Park. Oh, and don't forget to ride the Incline, which is an interesting ("world's steepest mile") look at Chattanooga. Then you will also be near some of the best Tennessee BBQ you could ever dream of... just ask the locals... I like Bones in East Brainerd.