SUMMER FUN & ADVENTURE IS JUST A ONE-TANK TRIP AWAY
Chattanooga is an affordable vacation where you'll save both time and money on accommodations, dining and attractions. It's also easy to get here so you can vacation closer to home. Chattanooga's less than a two-hour drive and only a tank of gas away from Nashville, Knoxville, Atlanta, Huntsville and Birmingham - all connected to Chattanooga by three major interstates and an airport.
Voted one of America's top family weekend getaways by "Southern Living" magazine, and one of America's top family destinations by Disney's "FamilyFun" magazine, Chattanooga provides a visitor experience second to none.
As summertime heats up, get ready to cool down in Chattanooga for a summer filled with fun and adventure. We're offering visitors an exciting vacation destination chock-full of family fun, diverse outdoor adventure, breathtaking beauty, boating activities, great shopping, unique arts scene, rich history, and numerous music and entertainment events.
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There is always something to do in Chattanooga - from toddlers to grandparents and everyone in between. Chattanooga boasts a diverse collection of world-class attractions offering new and exciting adventures every time you visit. What's even cooler about all of our family fun attractions is that they are either downtown or within 20 minutes of downtown! While you're downtown, you can park your car and take the free electric shuttle that connects hotels, attractions, dining, shopping and parks. Here are a few of Chattanooga's top attractions:
- Tennessee Aquarium - Discover amazing creatures from giant catfish and playful otters to fierce sharks and tropical butterflies. Making it easier & more affordable, you can now get the 2-day Fish Pass with discounts to the Aquarium and other Chattanooga attractions.
- Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater - Come face to face with some of the most inspiring creatures in "Dolphins & Whales 3D" or enjoy a splashy ride on the Colorado River in "Grand Canyon Adventure 3D."
- Rock City Gardens - 4,100-foot walking trail, massive rock formations, lush gardens, Fairyland Caverns, 200-foot swinging bridge or see seven different states from Lover's Leap. Meet a hawk, an owl and a vivacious vulture in the Rock City Raptors Birds of Prey show.
- Ruby Falls - located 1,100 feet below the ground, marvel at stalagmites, rock formations and the 145-foot waterfall, the largest underground commercial waterfall in the world. Explore the cave by day with lights or at night with only a lantern on the Lantern Tours!
- Incline Railway - Straight up the side of Lookout Mountain, the 72.7 percent grade is steepest passenger railway in the world exhibits breathtaking views through the roof.
- Southern Belle Riverboat - Enjoy lunch and dinner and specialty cruises as you cruise down the beautiful Tennessee River.
- Chattanooga Choo Choo - The Choo Choo offers several restaurants, retail stores, a ride aboard an authentic New Orleans trolley, railroad museum and stationary sleeper traincars. The Chattanooga Choo Choo is celebrating 100 years in 2009!
- Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum - Ride ‘Railroadings Golden Age' aboard the Tennessee Valley Railroad's restored vintage trains.
- Lake Winnepesaukah - The South's favorite family amusement park offers great rides, games, miniature golf, great food, events and a new "Stay & Play Hideaway" cool-down area.
- Creative Discovery Museum for Children - Dig for dinosaurs, splash in RiverPlay, play in the Rooftop Fun Factory or visit Clifford the Big Red Dog in the new summer exhibit.
- Hunter Museum of American Art - You don't want to miss the Hunter's new summer exhibits: "Charles Burchfield: The Seasons" (view through June 1) and the amazing glasswork of "William Morris: Myth, Object and the Animal" (opening June 23). Be sure to check out the gift shop and café.
- Bluff View Art District - Only a few steps from downtown, this inclusive district on the bluff has a gallery, sculpture garden, museum, 2 restaurants, a café and a bed & breakfast.
- Free Electric Shuttle - The free shuttle route takes people from the Southside to the downtown riverfront and over the Tennessee River to the North Shore.
