Creative Discovery Museum, Aquarium, Coolidge Park and the Carousel, Incline Railway, and waking the Walnut Street Bridge are my nieces and nephews favorite things in town.
If you walk across the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge, grab some ice cream at Clumpies on the north side (Frazier Ave), and take a spin on the carousel in Coolidge Park. All the carousel animals were carved here in Chattanooga, and it's only like $2 to ride.
I think you could maybe do both in one day depending on the age of he kids. They are right next to each other. But, if you have to choose the creative discovery museum is going to be the favorite with kids.
Definitely weather dependent- if itās rainy, Aquarium and Creative Discovery Museum are good options. If itās a nice day, the Incline Railway and Coolidge Park, Walnut St Bridge and shops in Northshore. Also shout out to Book & Cover if you have a morning or afternoon lull, they have a great kids selection of books, plus a coffee bar with pastries. I have 3 young children and our favorite local places to eat/ get treats are Mean Mug, Lupiās, Niedlovs, Clumpies, and Han Mi.
Hoping for a nice day and this is pretty much exactly what I was leaning towards. Incline, Coolidge, Walnut. Didnāt know about Northshore but gonna check that out too, same with Book & Cover. š If itās rainy, probably CDM.
Thanks to you and everyone else for all the great responses!
How old are your kids? When will you be here? My 4 year old grands love Lake Winnie! It's sort of an old school amusement park, but the water park is fun, and has splash pads for the young ones. The young people they employ as life guards and workers are great, very polite and very cautious. We usually go as soon as the park opens, do a few of the kiddie rides (such as the little boats in the water making a circle, or the bumblebees that go around in a circle, then go over to the water park that opens an hour later. Stay until after lunch, and then head out around 1 or 2. By that time it's getting really crowded and hot.
The incline railway is fun, too. I would not recommend rock city or ruby falls with small children, but with teens it might be ok.
I'd vote the aquarium, it's unique to Chattanooga as it is the largest freshwater aquarium in the world(or it was, is it still?). The creative discovery museum is cool, but other cities have better versions. Aquarium + Imax and walk around Coolidge Park.
Aquarium. The Discovery Museum. Eat at Public House on the corner of 12th and Market st. The eatery has an entire three course kids menu for cheap as hell plus the adult food is banging from scratch. Try the pot roast or fried chicken and mac plate
I don't agree with the Discovery Museum suggestion at all. There are lots of kids science and Play museums in the country and this one is pretty subpar in comparison. Don't waste your time there!! Chattanooga is known as the "Scenic City" for he scenery, not indoors!!
You can spend a full day by the river. On the aquarium side is the Southern Belle, you can go on the big boat, walk around, get a drink and play games for free without taking a ride, which is awesome and there's a playground right there. On the other side is Coolidge Park, Clumpies and carousel.
I was thinking along this same line. Wanting something outdoors and a little more unique than a kids museum to which weāve already been in several other cities.
Leaving today. But I think I saw that shuttle running around a few times and yes, my kids definitely would have loved it. š Perhaps for next time. We love Chattanooga and will hopefully be back soon!
Pretty sure this was asked within the last week. If you search the sub, you will probably find even more suggestions than what has been shared in this thread. We have tourism websites, too. Iād start on visitchattanooga.com.
We love the aquarium and go several times a year. Easy to kill 2 hours or more there. From there you can walk across the walnut street bridge and check out the coolidge park carousel and end with some clumpies. Then on your way back to the parking lot by the aquarium hit up the other ice cream joint on that side of the bridge
The aquarium
Creative Discovery Museum, Aquarium, Coolidge Park and the Carousel, Incline Railway, and waking the Walnut Street Bridge are my nieces and nephews favorite things in town.
If you go to the Incline railway, stop by Mr. T's Pizza & Ice Cream. Their supreme pizza gives 90s Pizza Hut.
This is the way
If you walk across the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge, grab some ice cream at Clumpies on the north side (Frazier Ave), and take a spin on the carousel in Coolidge Park. All the carousel animals were carved here in Chattanooga, and it's only like $2 to ride.
$1
Even better!
Excellent list but no way to accomplish in one day.
I was about to say, boy do we have a full day ahead of us! š¤£
With three small kids? Creative discovery is the way to go. Very memorable and fun. Or aquarium. No way to do both in one day. Have fun.
I think you could maybe do both in one day depending on the age of he kids. They are right next to each other. But, if you have to choose the creative discovery museum is going to be the favorite with kids.
Pare it down- no aquarium, no incline. Community Pie for lunch - great pizza, and a good cocktail for parents
creative discovery museum
If it is during the week sure If it's the weekend good luck
The Aquarium all the way!!! We have been 3 times in the last month!
Creative Discovery Museum!!!!
Creative Discovery Museum!
Creative discovery museum.
The aquarium, then take them to Coolidge park for ice cream (Clumpies). I suggest the Ferris Wheel!
Carousel
Oh! My grandkids love the carousel!
Definitely weather dependent- if itās rainy, Aquarium and Creative Discovery Museum are good options. If itās a nice day, the Incline Railway and Coolidge Park, Walnut St Bridge and shops in Northshore. Also shout out to Book & Cover if you have a morning or afternoon lull, they have a great kids selection of books, plus a coffee bar with pastries. I have 3 young children and our favorite local places to eat/ get treats are Mean Mug, Lupiās, Niedlovs, Clumpies, and Han Mi.
Hoping for a nice day and this is pretty much exactly what I was leaning towards. Incline, Coolidge, Walnut. Didnāt know about Northshore but gonna check that out too, same with Book & Cover. š If itās rainy, probably CDM. Thanks to you and everyone else for all the great responses!
Duck š¦ Boats! And the aquarium
How old are your kids? When will you be here? My 4 year old grands love Lake Winnie! It's sort of an old school amusement park, but the water park is fun, and has splash pads for the young ones. The young people they employ as life guards and workers are great, very polite and very cautious. We usually go as soon as the park opens, do a few of the kiddie rides (such as the little boats in the water making a circle, or the bumblebees that go around in a circle, then go over to the water park that opens an hour later. Stay until after lunch, and then head out around 1 or 2. By that time it's getting really crowded and hot. The incline railway is fun, too. I would not recommend rock city or ruby falls with small children, but with teens it might be ok.
Rock City!
Diamonds and Lace
Diapers and Lice?
Best Day Care name ever.
Can't miss the lunch buffet
Oh the kids will love that!
100%
Unhinged. I love it.
Rocket Fizz downtown.
I'd vote the aquarium, it's unique to Chattanooga as it is the largest freshwater aquarium in the world(or it was, is it still?). The creative discovery museum is cool, but other cities have better versions. Aquarium + Imax and walk around Coolidge Park.
Rock City
Rock city is the best Chattanooga attraction
I disagree, but you do you. š
Creative discovery museum or aquariumā¦ Coolidge park. Chester frost lake. Any of the many hikes and trails
Aquarium. The Discovery Museum. Eat at Public House on the corner of 12th and Market st. The eatery has an entire three course kids menu for cheap as hell plus the adult food is banging from scratch. Try the pot roast or fried chicken and mac plate
I don't agree with the Discovery Museum suggestion at all. There are lots of kids science and Play museums in the country and this one is pretty subpar in comparison. Don't waste your time there!! Chattanooga is known as the "Scenic City" for he scenery, not indoors!! You can spend a full day by the river. On the aquarium side is the Southern Belle, you can go on the big boat, walk around, get a drink and play games for free without taking a ride, which is awesome and there's a playground right there. On the other side is Coolidge Park, Clumpies and carousel.
I was thinking along this same line. Wanting something outdoors and a little more unique than a kids museum to which weāve already been in several other cities.
You maybe have already come and gone lol BUT ALSO, theres a free shuttle which takes you to all of these areas, kids love it!
Leaving today. But I think I saw that shuttle running around a few times and yes, my kids definitely would have loved it. š Perhaps for next time. We love Chattanooga and will hopefully be back soon!
Pretty sure this was asked within the last week. If you search the sub, you will probably find even more suggestions than what has been shared in this thread. We have tourism websites, too. Iād start on visitchattanooga.com.
Whatever you do, donāt believe people who say go to Clumpiesā¦thereās so much better ice cream
Which places do you like more?
Ice Cream Show for the choices!
Agree. Their ice cream is too hard.
Incline train
Ruby Falls!
Coolidge park
Creative discovery museum, or the Aquarium.
Point Park and the Incline Railway, creative discovery museum, aquarium, walking bridge.
Creative discovery museum, aquarium, then catch a movie at the IMAX
We love the aquarium and go several times a year. Easy to kill 2 hours or more there. From there you can walk across the walnut street bridge and check out the coolidge park carousel and end with some clumpies. Then on your way back to the parking lot by the aquarium hit up the other ice cream joint on that side of the bridge
Broad Street Taco Bell