I have to give a shout out to Signal Mountain. We went here a few years go and it was beautiful. We…read morewent up to the look out point early in the morning and watched the fog clear over the river. I felt like I was in a special place. I could really envision the civil war being fought here in that area. It was really neat to be in a place so deeply rooted in history. Being from the west coast, I don't know anything about the Civil War. They had placards of information available for visitors to read. It was very helpful, I learned a lot about the history and the importance of signal mountain in the history of the Civil War. Check it it out if you have the chance.

The Cravens House is a historic landmark on Lookout Mountain, known for its role in the Civil War…read moreand its sweeping views. Built in 1856 by Robert Cravens, a Chattanooga industrialist, it originally served as his summer retreat. During the Civil War, the house became a headquarters and observation point for both Union and Confederate forces, playing a key role in the famous "Battle Above the Clouds." The original structure was destroyed during the war, but Cravens later rebuilt it. Today, the house is part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, offering visitors a glimpse into the past as well as access to scenic hiking trails.

If you love history, views, and hidden gems, you have to visit Cravens House on Lookout Mountain in…read moreChattanooga, Tennessee. This place is absolutely fascinating -- it's the oldest surviving home on the mountain, built in 1856 by Robert Cravens, and it literally sat in the middle of the Battle Above the Clouds during the Civil War. It's wild to think this quiet, peaceful spot was once the site of major fighting, and yet the house still stands today! The home is part of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, and the rangers do a fantastic job explaining the history and significance of the area. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the surrounding trails -- especially the Cravens-to-Sunset Rock hike -- offer some of the best views in all of Chattanooga. Even if you're not a huge history buff, the mix of scenery, storytelling, and atmosphere makes this a really special stop. It's calm, educational, and surprisingly moving to walk where history actually happened. Highly recommend adding this to your Chattanooga itinerary -- it's a five-star experience all around! https://linktr.ee/reessroots

This was something I very much wanted to see while in Chattanooga. I remember learning about the…read moreTrail of Tears in school in Virginia but, hadn't known a great deal about it. I read about it before visiting and was very impressed by this monument paying tribute to the Cherokee nation and the suffering of those forced from their ancestral lands by mass exodus and essentially a death march, hence the name. I was surprised to see that this is a monument that the city allows you to fully walk, play, and swim in and there were dozens of families with children playing and splashing in the water. It was something I'm not used to seeing and I thought it was wonderful that the city allows this. It was extremely hot the day I visited in July but also, this is interactive and encourages people to come and spent time here. It's a physical tribute to the countless tears shed no doubt during this event and a powerful tribute to a darker part of American history.

The Passage is a permanent exhibit near the aquarium, and pays tribute to the seven clans of the…read moreCherokee Nation through symbolism. The Trail of Tears, when Cherokee tribes were forced from their lands in Chattanooga to Oklahoma, started nearby. The Passage is a walkway, where people can see the Weeping Wall, representing the tears shed as Cherokees were forced from their homes and made to walk the Trail of Tears. 7 disks along the Weeping Wall tell the story of the Cherokee Nation. Facing the Tennessee River are 7 figures playing stickball. Playing the important game of stickball provided a way for members of the Cherokee Nation to settle disagreements, even to the point of players getting injured or killed. Just my opinion, but I think this a valuable exhibit that should be maintained a lot better and treated with respect. During my visit, to The Passage, there were a lot of people wading in the water, and wall that the stainless steel stickball players are on appeared water damaged.

If you're searching for a spot that blends breathtaking scenery with a dash of local history,…read moreLookout Point is an absolute must-visit. Perched high above the landscape, it offers panorama views that make you feel like you're standing at the edge of the world. Sunsets here don't just glow--they ignite the entire horizon. What really elevates the experience is the historical depth woven into the place. Lookout Point has long served as a natural vantage point, used for centuries by early travelers, surveyors, and even Indigenous communities who recognized its strategic height and sweeping visibility. In the early 1900s, as the area developed, the point became a favored destination for weekend picnics, stargazing nights, and scenic drives. Some of the original stonework and trail markers still remain, giving the area a timeless charm. Today, it continues to be a beloved spot for hikers, photographers, history buffs, and anyone who wants a quiet escape. The trails are well-kept, the air feels crisp, and the soundscape is a blend of wind, birds, and quiet awe from other visitors. Whether you're capturing the view through a camera lens or simply taking a moment to breathe, the place has a way of grounding you. Verdict: If you're anywhere nearby, don't just think about visiting--go. Bring a camera, bring someone you like, or just bring yourself. Lookout Point is one of those places that leaves you a little different than when you arrived.

This place existed prior to the War between the States. This was the site of the Confederate siege…read moreof Chattanooga from the mountain in 1863. It's a 10 acre memorial park that overlooks Chattanooga and the battlefield. There's many historic buildings and relics of the war. The original house of 1856 was destroyed during the war, but rebuilt and finished in 1866. It is free entry and overlooks Chattanooga as well.

Old restored mansion from late 1700s owned by Chief Vann of the Cherokee Indian people. Lovely…read morehistoric home that is a sad reminder of the Trail of Tears. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

We had a trip to the Vann House on our radar for quite some time. They do an annual candle-lit…read moretour of the house and a few buildings on the grounds. And I'm glad we went! This place was quite the glimpse into our state's past. There's enough here to make any history buff happy--a wonderful educational experience for all ages, with an interpretive center that is rich with information. The house is a very nicely restored Mansion once owned by a Cherokee Chief, James Vann. Construction on the house was completed in 1804. The "Friends of the Chief Vann House" take a great deal of pride in their restoration efforts, and there are plenty of volunteers around during the candle-light tour to clue you in on history and trivia about the occupants. They don't seem to pull any punches when talking about the Trail of Tears, and how the Cherokee were treated back then. Vann House was working plantation with slaves, so there is also a good deal of information about the treatment of the estate's slaves, getting down to some history on specific individuals. The amount of research that has been done on the Vann House is impressive. They also have "Vann House Days" during the summer. And the site is not far from New Echota Historic Site. Next time we'll visit both when we're in the area. Holler if you're coming with.

Here at Lula Lake Land Trust in Lookout Mountain, Georgia (20 miles southwest of Chattanooga,…read moreTennessee), this is a fun little journey, a 4-mile out and back or roundtrip hike getting to experience the prized highlight here...120-foot Lula Falls. The area around Lula Falls is private property. The Board of Trustees are sensitive about protecting the ecology of this land and so...visiting capacity is greatly reduced. In order to visit, you must book a reservation online ahead of time at lulalake.org. It's $16 entry per car, regardless of the number of passengers. Visitation dates are totally out of the norm, outside guests can enter the grounds on the first and last weekends of each month. That's 4 days per month and 48 days out of the entire year! Eye opening when you think about that statistic within the bigger picture of making plans to see Lula Falls. The pathway trail to reach Lula Falls is moderately easy. Follow the gravel dirt road for the first 1.5 out of 2 miles. Along the way, on the left hand side of the trail is a terrific overlook of Lula Falls. Although you can enter down to the falls taking Old Falls Trail, those stair steps are pretty steep. It was suggested to me to walk just a little further down to Lula Falls Trail and follow that pathway to Lula Falls. Upon arriving at the heart of it all, Lula Falls is mighty impressive, a magical wonder of a waterfall plunging 120 feet in a straight free-fall. While the sun was shining, I even caught a rainbow at the base of the falls which made the setting here somewhat of a pause in time moment. Backdrops like these don't come around often, I was relishing it all. Feeling thankful and blessed would describe things well. There's no swimming at the falls and I respect that, just enjoying the beauty of the falls was good enough for me. On the return trip back towards the entrance, you can follow the Bluff Trail above the forest tree-line to a panoramic clearing from high atop Lookout Mountain. It's a good chance to view the Chattanooga Valley from an undisturbed vantage point. You can finish out the hike taking the Bluff Trail almost all the way back to the start, or the Middle Trail is just as good too. But if you enjoy hiking in nature, either pathway will get the job done. Overall, getting to venture out to Lula Lake Land Trust and hike to Lula Falls was a joyous occasion for me, someone who loves the great outdoors and takes nothing for granted. Thank you for having me.

Beautiful hike at Lula Falls. It is about 4 miles round trip. We went in May when it wasn't hot but…read morewas still warm enough that my jacket didn't stay on long. The trails are well maintained and easy except for the last quarter mile to the lower falls. Worth the trek down to the lower falls area. A bit of a challenge for this 62 year old but slow and steady won the day. We enjoyed a nice lunch in the picnic area near the stairs to the lower falls.

Caterpillar garden is a public art monument located in the rear of a jasper Tennessee rest stop…read more Me and my buddies were on the way home from a weekend getaway from Atlanta headed to Lousiville when we stopped at the local rest stop to take a break. While walking around the area we came across this cool little sculpture garden. Not sure it's affiliation with caterpillars but it was a nice place to check out. From memory I don't think I've ever seen a random piece of public art at a truck stop before so it was a nice surprise.

Cool looking garden with sculptures located on the inside of it. This is located in a rest stop in…read moreTennesse and we ran into it on our way home from Atlanta. This is just one of the cool sites at this location

Wow, way more than I expected. Staff was fantastic wealth of knowledge, static displays are well…read morepresented, everywhere you look is something else that's unexpected. Not only do they have tow vehicles spanning over 100 years, they have recovery apparatus, recovery pedal car display, Matchbox car display. What ism saying there is some thing for everybody.

This was a very unique and memorable museum with a very neat collection. From antique cars, toys,…read morepedal cars and oil and gas memorabilia this is sure to delight fans of the tow industry or just vehicle enthusiasts. This is a great place for kids as there are several vehicles kids can sit in and one at the end children can turn on lights, etc. Very kind people working. Our family learned a whole part of our TN history we didn't know. Definitely a worthwhile trip!

The song America the Beautiful sums it up…read more The view is heaven sent. Take your loved one with you. It is breathtaking.