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Road Trip: A Parent’s Guide to Chattanooga

By Phebe Wahl October 30, 2013

Something about crisp, fall air just makes you want to pack up the kids and hit the road. If you are looking for an easy trip to enjoy the season, try trucking over to Chattanooga. It’s a mere 100 miles from Atlanta—meaning you can probably make it to the outskirts of the Scenic City before you even have to put on another movie in the DVD player or any massive meltdowns ensue. The area has lots to offer: beautiful scenery, yummy eats, and attractions to intrigue all ages. Check out our hot spots for a cool, fall weekend in Chattanooga.

Tennessee Aquarium

While it’s hard to top our own Georgia Aquarium, Chattanooga’s version offers a totally different experience, with separate buildings for River Journey and Ocean Journey (both included with the ticket price). In the Ocean Journey building, you’ll start at the top in a beautiful atrium that features birds, butterflies and a touch pool whose most famous inhabitant is a ray that’s just about as friendly as a dog, practically leaping out of the pool to beg for pats! As you work your way through the rest of the building, you’ll encounter penguins, sea turtles, sharks, tropical fish and other creatures. The River Journey Building is laid out to give the sensation of sinking slowly to the bottom of a river; you’ll begin at the surface of the water and follow walkways that descend through the building, showing the wide variety of mammals, fish and amphibians that inhabit our world’s rivers. Don’t forget to save some time for Ranger Rick’s Backyard Safari, an interactive children’s area where kids might even get the chance to touch some of the aquarium’s residents.
One Broad Street
Chattanooga, TN
800-262-0695
Online: www.tnaqua.org