Amazing trip & crew! This is must to do on your trip!…read more Travis & Lane were awesome.

I came here to walk around while staying in town and wanted to see the park. It's interesting and…read morecute, a large courtyard where one of the historic train cars sits explaining the famous Choo Choo and all around the inside are open-air patios and restaurants. There is a small arcade with a penny press, a few shops, and about 4-5 restaurants. There is a boutique hotel where about 8 of the train cars have been converted to hotel rooms and the lobby and interior of the hotel is beautiful. Parking nearby is plentiful and metered. Easy enough to find.

If you're visiting Chattanooga, do yourself a favor and don't skip the Coker Museum. Whether you're…read morea lifelong car enthusiast or someone who couldn't tell a Model T from a Mustang, this place is absolutely fascinating. It ended up being one of my favorite museums I've ever visited. The museum is built around the incredible collection of the Coker family, who made their name through Coker Tire, and you can feel the passion behind every display. I had the chance to meet Casey, who now helps lead the family business, and she was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable. It was so refreshing to see a family-run museum where everyone genuinely loves what they do. The collection is unbelievable. You'll find everything from antique automobiles and classic sports cars to vintage trucks, motorcycles, race cars, buses, and even airplanes hanging from the ceiling. They also have a working restoration shop where you can watch vintage vehicles being brought back to life, plus displays of the original tires and automotive memorabilia that tell the story behind the collection. One of the coolest pieces was the historic Yellowstone tour bus used in filming, which was such a fun surprise. (Content Rhino) At $25 per person, this museum is worth every penny. We spent far longer here than we expected because there was always something new to discover around every corner. Even if cars aren't normally your thing, the history, craftsmanship, and stories behind these vehicles make this an experience you won't forget. Hands down, this is one of the best museums I've visited, and it's now at the top of my list of recommendations for anyone visiting Chattanooga.

This is such a cool museum. I have never seen so many pre-1940s cars in one place before! I even…read moresaw some I hadn't heard of! There is a little something for everyone to enjoy. I appreciate how many of the cars are in original condition. It's also fascinating to see the restorations in progress and get to see the working areas for painting, fabricating, woodwork, etc. Aside from cars there are tons of motorcycles, a few planes, buses, and even a boat or two. The staff member was friendly and knowledgeable. Ladies' restrooms were clean and comfortable. I highly recommend a visit here!

This large Sculpture park is gorgeous and a big surprise to me while visiting Chattanooga last…read moremonth. It's a free park about 10 minutes drive from downtown with 33 acres to roam on gravel/dirt paths to see a few dozen large-scale sculptures from some world-renowned artists. I really enjoyed myself on a lazy afternoon here and some of these sculptures are incredibly interesting and detailed. Easy to find and a large parking lot with a restroom available.

This place is SO COOL. We had some time to kill in the afternoon before we grabbed dinner with some…read morefriends, and this came up as a spot to visit. It's free and a great way to spend some time outside. You do not need hiking boots for this - you will be fine in a pair of tennis shoes or closed-toe shoes. It's an easy meander through a grass field. Full of tons of sculptures - we spent a little over an hour here looking at all of the sculptures. We saw other people come with items for a picnic, so I think it would also be a perfect spot for an afternoon picnic or to sit and read a book.

We've visited Chattanooga several times, but we realized we'd never been to the art museum. We fell…read morein love with the view of the water as soon as we walked in, and we hadn't even made it to the exhibits yet. We took our time in each gallery, reading and studying the art. It wasn't busy at all, so we had plenty of time and space to enjoy ourselves. Some of my favorites were the still life pieces. All in all, there was a good amount to see, and we'd recommend it as a relaxing afternoon activity for those who appreciate not only the art itself but the history of the pieces. We'd consider coming back again for any new exhibits next time we're in town.

What drew me to the Hunter was the photo of the stunning architecture above the bluff on the…read moreTennessee River. What I found was a pretty decent collection of American art for a small city! ++. The HMAA is really 3 buildings in one : The main building is where the entrance and the gift shop are. It has exhibits and event space. In between the main building and the mansion is a long hallway with series of rooms filled with most of their permanent collection, works from the 20th century. The mansion seems to house earlier works from 18th and 19th centuries and a few from the 20th century . +. There were several pieces that grabbed my attention. Andrew Wyeth's striking The Lobsterman, 1937 from his first one man show. It was painted when he was only 20 years old. Willem de Kooning's Untitled 1969. First of his that didn't cause strong reaction. Edward Curtis' Canyon de Chelly was on exhibit. I was thrilled as it's rare to find Curtis' work in the South. Edward Ruscha's America, Her Best Product 1974-1975 struck me with current tariffs and policy changes. Perhaps so much yet not much has changed in the past 6 decades. James Cameron's View of Moccasin Bend, Chattanooga. It's the site of 12,000 years of continuous human habitation since the Paleo-Indian Period (10,000 BCE - 8,000 BCE), My favorite find was Victor De Grailly's Niagara Falls, c. 1850. It captured the view of the Falls from the American side overlooks Terrapin Point. In 1833, an observation tower was connected to a 300-foot-long wooden bridge to walk above the rushing water! So if you've been to Niagara Falls, you know THIS BRIDGE no longer exists! I soO wish it was still there :) +. The Hunter charges $20pp and $18pp for seniors, students, veterans and others. It's a bit steep for a collection worth apx. 1-2 hour visit. Though it's good to support this non-profit! ++. Service was friendly and informative by Tim? at the front desk. He shared with us that Chattanooga has deep Native American roots with the Cherokee and Trail of Tears while he showed us their 2nd floor balcony. =. Parking is a tiny (~20) private paid lot. It was full and we were lucky to find a street parking nearly. The HMAA owes its legacy to the original owner of the mansion, George Hunter of the Coke Bottling Company. This museum is worth a stop. MY RATINGS - - - Inhumane - - Disgusted - Don't bother = Missed the Mark +. Good ++ Better +++ EDIBLE... WHERE have you bee my LiFe!

A couple weeks ago I flew into town, the weekend before one of my best friend's shoulder surgery to…read moreget her out for some fun. We decided to check out the Fleetwood Mac tribute band concert on the riverfront. Every Saturday night in the summer here's a concert at Ross's Landing as part of the Riverfront Nights concert series. Although it took a little while to find parking and all parking in downtown Chattanooga costs a bit these days, we enjoyed the night. The lights on the boats on the water and the stage created a magical inviting ambiance. The music sounded great while we sat perched above the river. The crowd was festive. On a hot summer night, music remains a part of this river town experience.

We walked some of the park after we visited the aquarium. This park lines the riverbank of the…read moreTennessee River and is adjacent to the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge. It had been pouring rain and let up to a drizzle for long enough to explore! John went off to read historical markers, while Robert and I walked closer towards the bridge. There are deep steps leading down from the roadside towards the waterfront that I imagine could act as an amphitheater. The park runs all the way toward the Southern Belle Riverboat and the Duck Boat tours. Or the opposite direction towards the art museum and sculpture garden. Even on a dreary, rainy day~ this park is beautiful.

I occasionally afford myself the luxury of visiting places without really knowing what to expect…read more This park just wasn't that clear to me in its purpose, but it became more so after arrival, with a visitor center focused on Native American history and identifying this as a Cherokee Nation headquarters. A spread of recreated buildings outside offers opportunities for perusal. The most aesthetically distinctive site is a large spring of the sort that seem more common in Kentucky than Tennessee, which evinces a robust blue color and empties into a clear stream. The spring itself is off-limits, but the stream is open for wading. All of these sites are within sight of the initial entrance, but a trek uphill reveals picnic areas, an amphitheater, and a couple of mile trail through the woods. Between the different elements of the park, it was easy to spend a couple of hours there, and best of all, it's free, though the gift shop warrants examination.

Red Clay is not the type of state park that I would normally seek out. Why? It's not in the…read moremountains and the trails are tame. Nonetheless, something about it lured me in for a visit and I'm glad I ventured out here (on Indigenous People's Day coincidentally). Historically, it's really interesting that this was the last meeting site for the Cherokee tribe's council. The signs claim it is "where the Trail of Tears really began." I was really intrigued by the natural Spring called "the Blue Hole." I've never seen a spring that appears bright blue in a forest setting. Seeing this cool natural sight was pretty awesome. Also, I could just imagine the Cherokee using this spring water and being here hundreds of years before. Trail wise: Pretty flat and easy trails. It's not very challenging. But, it makes up for it because it's a calm place with beautiful forest. I loved walking around. Also, since this is small and off the beaten path, it's not crowded at all. Overall: highly recommended. Worth a visit!

So great!! This is an amazing attraction. Perfect for train lovers. Lots of vintage trains to see,…read morea functioning workshop, and a TURN TABLE!! Our tour guide Jack made the whole experience a blast. We went with our family of 11: grandparents, adults, and kids ages 7-12. Every person really enjoyed it. I was disappointed that the Chattanooga Choo Choo is not a ride, so it was wonderful to find the TVRM and satisfy my itch for a train adventure. Ps. It's on Cromwell Road. Do not go to Chamberlain Ave.

Let me start with the staff: these folks don't just clock in, they genuinely care, and you can feel…read moreit. That alone puts this place ahead of half the businesses I've walked into this year. Scenery was a bit limited since everything is in full bloom, but I refuse to leave a bad review because nature was too healthy. The trees were simply thriving. Good for them. Now the real hazard nobody warns you about: this train is dangerously comfortable. That gentle rocking had me fighting for consciousness like a toddler after Thanksgiving dinner. If they ever add pillows, nobody is getting off at the final stop. Will absolutely bring the family back. Easy 10/10, highly recommend. Blessings

Love this every time we go. Whether you own a chihuahua or not everyone should try this at least…read moreonce. Definitely worth your time.

Free event with love free music, food trucks, and chihuahua races…read more For the 2016 event (the 9th annual event) there were a few hours of live music by pretty good artists and bands. Ruth B was one of the more popular performers, and she and the other sI heard did great jobs. During this time, where wasn't too much going on, but there were some food vendors, trucks, and drink vendors (beer, frozen lemonade, etc.). There was also a first aid and veterinary first aid stand. Especially considering how many dogs there were at the venue, I thought the vet aid was a very thoughtful addition on the part of the event organizers. The event is sponsored and run by Hits 96, the Chattanooga radio station. DJs from the station were the emcees of the event. The main attraction is the dog races. There are 4 sets of bleachers for spectators, but that's not enough to support all the guests. Many of us were standing on the floor flanking the edges of the race lanes. Visibility is very low if you're in the back rows, especially since the competitors are so small, haha! The first round of races takes the longest time. Chihuahuas are split into groups of about 5 and are taken out onto the racing lanes by two of their owners/guardians. One guardian takes the pooch to the starting line, and the second waits at the finish line doing everything to get their dog's attention in order to coax it over the finish line first, thus winning the heat and moving on to the next round. Many of the dogs in the first round seem to be ambivalent, confused, or maybe a little nervous about the race. Only a few dogs each heat will actually make it across the finish line, many will scuttle around their starting line guardian unsure of what to do. First guardians, when sending their dog off at the signal, which do a small tossing of the dog in the right direction, which doesn't seem to faze the dogs. Even though athletic ability was a rare sight during this part of the event, it was fun to watch because of the funny situations that would come about (two dogs almost started getting it on!). Once their dogs fail in the first round, many of the owners and spectators will leave the event. By halftime after the first round, the crowd had thinned out a lot. My friends and I were able to have a much better view, and we were able to get some of the many empty spots on the bleachers. The third, fourth, and final rounds of the races are much more competitive. The dogs involved usually know the deal by now, and there's real excitement and anticipation to see which dogs will win. This half of the races also goes much faster, and not just because the dogs are actually running instead of dawdling. At the end, the fasted dog is crowned winner. There are also competitions for best team spirit and best costume (awarded during halftime, I believe). I know at least one of the prizes was tickets to see Adele. Parking nearby cost us $5, but the event itself is free. There were many, many dogs and not just chihuahuas. I brought my beagle mix, my sister brought her great dane mix, and I saw many other varieties. Suffice it to say: DON'T COME IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH DOGS. I didn't see any misconduct from any of the dogs, but some of the chihuahuas were yappy and aggressive with some of the other dogs. No fights ever broke out that I saw, which was good. All in all, it was a fun event, especially for a first timer like myself. Since I don't have any friends or dogs racing, I'm not sure if I'd go again, especially if it were out of my way and cost $ for parking. I'd recommend it for the fun spectacle, thought.