1. Coolidge Park (150 River Street)
Getting to Coolidge Park is almost as fun as the park itself, the journey over the Tennessee River via the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge is a novelty for kids. The sturdy wooden structure takes you from the toursity side of the city to the more sedated and funky north side, with it's collection of boutique stores and coffee shops. A beautifully restored, hand-carved carousel and water play area await!
Bring a towel. Face it, they're gonna get soaked in that water play park. Dress them appropriately and bring a towel or change of clothes.
- Pack snacks. There are plenty of places to grab a cup of coffee or a quick adult-friendly bite, but kid snacks are harder to come by.
- Hours: Carousel: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 1 p.m.-6 p.m. during school year. Summer: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Fountain: 8 a.m.-10:30 p.m. daily.
- Fees: Under $10.
- Recommended Time: 1 to 2 hours.
2. Incline Railway www.ridetheincline.com 3917 Saint Elmo Ave.
It's a mile-long feat of mechanical engineering: A steep trolley-car-type ride straight up the side of Lookout Mountain. At the top, you'll be on the highest point of the mountain, and it's said that even the Great Smokey Mountains -- more than 100 miles to the east -- are visible on a clear day.
It's a mile-long feat of mechanical engineering: A steep trolley-car-type ride straight up the side of Lookout Mountain. At the top, you'll be on the highest point of the mountain, and it's said that even the Great Smokey Mountains -- more than 100 miles to the east -- are visible on a clear day.
Planning Notes
- A quick trip. It's a 20-minute round trip on the railway.
- Buy the package. The combo tickets for Rock City, Incline Railway, and Ruby Falls will save you some money if you plan to see all three.
- Hours: Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas. 8:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Memorial to Labor Day 9 a.m.-6 p.m. April, May, September, October 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov.-March,
- Fees: Under $10.
- Recommended Time: Less than 1 hour.
Twin buildings on the Tennessee River contain two diverse ecosystems -- the ocean and a river. Each journey begins at the top of each building; children press their noses up to the glass at every level of the easy-to-navigate walkway, which brings them deeper into the respective ecosystem.
- Go early. The aquarium is the most popular attraction downtown, so be sure to get there early to avoid long lines.
- Bring snacks. There's no food service at the aquarium, although there are plenty of restaurants just outside its doors.
- Fees: $10 - $20Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
- Recommended Time: 2 to 4 hours
4. Creative Discovery Museum http://www.cdmfun.org/ 321 Chestnut Street
The castle-like exterior gets a child's imagination going even before she enters the Creative Discovery Museum. Inside, kids dart from one area to the next, their curiosity unbridled and contagious. The museum's roof has been turned into a fun factory; giant bubble machines, musical instruments and pulleys are cleverly used to illustrate how machines work. Back inside, toddlers love the river play area, piloting boats in the water, then climbing the two-story structure and sliding down again.
The castle-like exterior gets a child's imagination going even before she enters the Creative Discovery Museum. Inside, kids dart from one area to the next, their curiosity unbridled and contagious. The museum's roof has been turned into a fun factory; giant bubble machines, musical instruments and pulleys are cleverly used to illustrate how machines work. Back inside, toddlers love the river play area, piloting boats in the water, then climbing the two-story structure and sliding down again.
Planning Notes
- Dress for play. This is a serious run-around-and-get-sweaty kind of museum.
- Food for thought. There's a cafe on site that sells sandwiches, salads and snacks.
- Fees: Under $11.
- Hours: Sept. 4-February: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. noon-5 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. March to Labor Day: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. noon-5 p.m.
- Recommended Time: 1 to 2 hours.
5. Chattanooga Lookouts www.chattanoogalookouts.com 201 Power Alley
Farm-team baseball is a blast with the Cincinatti Reds-affiliated Lookouts. Come for a game and enjoy the low ticket prices -- it's sticker shock, but in a good way. The Lookouts are playing at home on July 23-27.
Farm-team baseball is a blast with the Cincinatti Reds-affiliated Lookouts. Come for a game and enjoy the low ticket prices -- it's sticker shock, but in a good way. The Lookouts are playing at home on July 23-27.
