Monday, June 23, 2008

Chattanooga

I really want to plan a family vacation this year and I'm thinking of a fall trip to Chattanooga, does anyone have any recommendations about what to do or where to stay? I was thinking of taking the girls to the kids museum, aquarium, and choo choo. Are these good choices or not worth our time?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Stamper family is an expert with Chat town. We had our first family vacation there, and to tell you the truth, it will be the last time Matthew plans ANYTHING!!! with out letting me know.
The Aquarium is the BEST. You will get your $$$'s worth. They also added on a new addition as well. The butterfly display is awesome. When you walk through the butterfly aquarium all these butterflies land in your hair. When you walk out the vent comes on brushing all the butterflies off.
Do not go to the movie house on top of Look Out Mountain. Electric Battle Field is the name. It's a light show of the civil war. Matthew wanted us to go to that, and when I walked in there all I saw was Rebel flags. I told him I was not interested and that he could go. This was his reply, "But I just got your ticket." I slept through the 30 minute light show! Good thing I was not pregnant at the time because one of my mood swings would have kicked in:0)
Look Out Mountain is the best. They have an attraction for kids. They will enjoy seeing the waterfall.
They may have fun at the incline rail way. I kinda got sick to my stomach looking so far down the mountain. I don't do well with heights anymore:0)
As for the hotel. I can't remember the name, I want to say Ameri Suites but we were packed tight in our room. The information on the guide book was not 100 percent accurate... and was not the cleanest facility either.
With just the three of us, we have to have two rooms because of the snoring competition that Matthew and Taylor have...UGGGGG.
I loved Ruby Falls but I don't think the kids will probably like that because it's so dark and they have times where all the lights shut off so they can display the falls, and it's really slippery in there too, not to mention tight squeeze.
They do have an I-Max, so you may want to check to see if they have any kids shows before you go.
I hope this helps. It's a big difference between planning for kids and a teenager.
The best family vacation we had was Dolly Wood, Smoky Mountains, and Gatlinburg. But don't go through Pigeon Forge to go to Gatlinburg (go through the mountains). We stayed in traffic for 1 hour. And that was from Dolly Wood to our hotel in Gatlinburg (about a 7 miles). They had some kind of Red Neck Car show on the street. People lined up all day to see classic cars go back and forth on the high way.

Susan said...

We LOVE Chattanooga. Its an easy drive and there is so much to do there. I'm sure Ashley could help you out since she grew up around there.

Anonymous said...

Yes...one of my favorites too. Aaron and I like to go alone, or with the kids. It's perfect.

We stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown. It's next door to the Children's Museum and the new baseball park. You can do both with little ones and have a great time. Short walk (a block or two) and you're at the movie theatre and Ben and Jerry's. Next over is the IMAX. Then one block down toward the river and you're at the Aquarium. Very worthwhile. But you have to eat at STICKY FINGERS!! It's on the main street there in downtown, and not a far walk either. It's the best BBQ, ribs, chicken in the South. The Choo-Choo is a short drive from these areas. But I don't recommend staying there. Still, it's historical appeal is lovely. But I just prefer newer hotels. Yes, I know. I'm a snob.

Enjoy.....we're taking the girls in a few weeks! Before school starts. Oh, and they have a great little zoo that is tucked away in a "not so nice" part of town, but it's really fun. Not too big, and adjacent to a park. Check it out. If you're a member of the Nashville Zoo, then it's free. And Rock City is my favorite. It's CHEESY! But oh so fun. The girls would love it. Ours always do. But stay away from the swinging bridge. It really is quite "swingy" and for little feet, that can get a bit scary. I'm not big on caves or incline railways, so we've stayed away from those activities. But still, plenty, plenty to do. Horse and carriage rides downtown too. It's the place to stay.

Laura