My husband had never been to Ruby Falls so we went exploring. The site has been around since 1930…read moreand is in great shape! Everything is well maintained and updated. We enjoyed the tour down into the cavern. Our tour guide Michael was funny, easy to understand, knowledgeable, and genuinely seemed to enjoy his job. Seeing the rock formations and the falls had us in awe of what we saw. It was absolutely beautiful! The video to start and the stories along the way really added to the experience. I appreciated that a sound system had been installed (and well hidden) so we could hear clearly. It was a fun morning!

Ruby Falls has been on my "must see" list for years and every time it pops up in a video on my…read moreinstagram account, I'm more determined to come for a visit. Finally, was able to do it last month. Purchased tickets in advance and showed up with enough time to shop in the gift shop and use the restroom. They have a very nice facility here with plenty of parking, a cafe, a large gift shop, and an observation tower. Spotless inside and well-run. Also, a penny press! Our tour guide, Chuck I believe, was wonderful. Extremely friends and funny and knowledgable about the cave but also about Chattanooga and the surrounding area. They are really doing a lot of tours. Since you walk 0.5 miles to the waterfall underground, it's a bit of a slog to keep getting to the side so groups of 30-40 can go by (tight space). We probably had to do this about 5-6x during our tour. The falls are amazing, but, walking the half mile through the cave and seeing all the other formations was wonderful too. There really are a lot of examples of formations and some unique ones like Angel's Wings, Western Sunset and Leo's Passage. Our group was large, but we had a good time and everyone was polite. The only thing I was disappointed in was that the waterfall wasn't illuminated for us to walk up to it - instead, we walked in in the dark and all crowded around it - so, when the lights came on, I wasn't able to get an approach or long shot of it in full length. They do have first tours of the day and adult-only tours so, if I come back again, I may look into that.

On a visit to Chattanooga during Labor Day weekend, we strolled the bridge after dark one evening…read more Beautiful sights, sounds from local musicians, and numerous photo opportunities. You cannot park on the bridge, so be prepared to walk to it. This is a perfect free activity for date night or if out with the kids.

Neat place to check out the views of the river! Even though it was pretty cold, there were a lot of…read morepeople walking their dogs, jogging, or comtemplating the views from benches. There are little placards explaining the history, but thy were a bit worn and had a lot of tiny text on them. Some of the wood planks are uneven so watch your step. There's limited free parking in nearby Coolidge Park, as well as bathroom facilites. Across the bridge is the Bluff View Art District. Since I went early in the morning, nothing was open yet other than some coffee shops.

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.

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

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

City of Chattanooga is so nice. I've been to Chattanooga many times and always loved the atmosphere…read moreand surrounding areas. Tennessee is definitely an inexpensive place to retire. I can't tell you how many relatives and friends moved to Tennessee. I've got lots of family in Chattanooga. Recently my aunt and uncle moved to Chattanooga because their children didn't want them to be alone in Georgia. They rented a very nice apartment for 18 month lease! The landlord even held it vacant for two months while they were in the process of moving. That's Tennessee folks for you. I'm posting photos of their home. You can see my uncle in one looking gruntled about getting in the photo. I love their space and the look of their housing community. I believe it's gated. My aunt and uncle are in their 80's but still drive. You have to have a car in Chattanooga. They do have a convenient parking space near the apartment. I'm recommending you retire to a nice size city like Chattanooga!

Chattanooga is a nice town! Growing up, my family visited the Chattanooga Choo Choo frequently and…read moredined at the "fancy" Choo Choo restaurant, which was a rare dining experience for us. At that time annually a train would depart from Huntsville and make round trips to Chattanooga for folks to see the fall foliage from the trains. My sweet Grandma always wanted to take that train ride, and I don't recall if she did or not; however, I sure hope she did. As others mentioned the Chattanooga Aquarium is a good one! It's fun to view the one location where you can see seven states atop Lookout Mountain! I still fondly recall the Kid Rock show I attended at McKenzie Arena in Chattannoga! There is a lot of history in Chattannoga! From Trail of Tears landmarks to prominent Civil War landmarks. Chatanooga truly does offer something for everyone!

This is a public library. It's services should be free to the public and that's because I pay…read moretaxes. They want to charge $60 a year to become a member. They say you can pay $1 for a guest pass for two hours. It's located by the police department in the Tractor Supply parking lot. The people seem nice waiting on you.

Collegedale Public Library is one of the best libraries I've ever been too. The staffs friendly and…read moredo their best to assist you with your needs. If it comes to a situation where they do not know something, they will do their best to find out for you.  When I was looking for a certain book and couldn't find it, I came to find out that by telling them what I was looking for was not available. I was assure that they will do their best to get it for me. [It's not a guarantee but I appreciate the attempt]  While I was there, I saw the library had numerous of children's programs. From books, to movies to learning materials.  I also learned they have free movie days, dog therapy days, fun activities for everyone. These are just a few of the things they offer. Collegedale Public Library may look small, but it has so much to offer. For $1, you can have access to internet for 2 hours. For .10cents you can print a page. You can fax as well.  Overall, it's a great public library.

I took the Basic Motorcycle Training Course at the DDS in Dalton. It was taught by John Ringhoffer…read moreand Bart Williams. It was an excellent class. I expected this to be mainly classroom work and a little time on the bikes but I was pleasantly surprised. The bikes are furnished by the state and are all in excellent condition. I would say that 70-80% of the class was was on the bikes. We did numerous well thought out drills with lots of practice. I came in being very hesitant on my bike and left feeling 100 times more confident. I highly recommend it for even riders with some experience and for those thinking of getting one. You will know for sure if motorcycles are for you after this class. You get a discount on your insurance and for 90 days after the course you can just go pay the fee and get your M class GA license. John and Bart were great. Super passionate about motorcycles and a wealth of knowledge.