Things to do, places to stay near Sewanee/Chattanooga, TN

[JFSinIL]

As long as we are driving to see University of the South, hubby wants to make a family vacation out of the trip. We will stop in Nashville (been there before - hubby's kid sister is a Sister there) and I promised the kids rollercoasters at Dollywood - beyond that, what do we want to see in the region? What are the Bestest Bits of the Smokies to see? Any good places to stay, cheap, for a family of 6 (all long-legged teens, not tiny tots anymore.)

 

I am picking the brains of the WTMoms who KNOW EVERYTHING!!!!

 

(after all, ya'all sent us to Hotel Harrington in DC, and I learned of Sewanee here, too.)

[3littlekeets]

The Chattanooga Aquarium is amazing. The train tour at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Holiday Inn Hotel is fun and quick, BUT don't stay there. It's a nasty dump inside (icky!). We always stay at the Convention Marriott b/c it's what we get on Priceline ;-).

 

Lookout Mountain is a blast for kids and the views from the top are breathtaking. My kids adore the flag exhibit at the top. We love just walking around the Bluff Art District and the museum of American Art is outstanding!

 

And, there are many tours of Southern History, Native American History, Military History, etc. We never run out of things to do. It is a charming town to visit!

 

Oh: we aren't big Dollywood/Gatlinburg fans, but do take time just to wander the Smokies. They truly are a wonder! And, if your family is up for it, there is no better camping than in the Smokies, imho ;-).

Edited April 5, 2009 by 3littlekeets

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

As long as we are driving to see University of the South, hubby wants to make a family vacation out of the trip. We will stop in Nashville (been there before - hubby's kid sister is a Sister there) and I promised the kids rollercoasters at Dollywood - beyond that, what do we want to see in the region? What are the Bestest Bits of the Smokies to see? Any good places to stay, cheap, for a family of 6 (all long-legged teens, not tiny tots anymore.)

 

I am picking the brains of the WTMoms who KNOW EVERYTHING!!!!

 

(after all, ya'all sent us to Hotel Harrington in DC, and I learned of Sewanee here, too.)

 

Well, um, when are you going/coming? :D

 

:auto:

[Country Mouse]

We have been to Chattanooga several times and our favorite place to go is the Tennessee Aquarium.

It is a beautiful region, enjoy!

[Mommy22alyns]

The Aquarium in Chattanooga is excellent - we love it!

[Jan in SC]

If you're not opposed to alcohol, the Jack Daniels place is awesome! There are some cool hiking opportunities, as well. There is a natural bridge nearby.

 

There used to be a really cool and cheap hotel- The Smokehouse Inn- but I don't know if it is still there.

Edited April 5, 2009 by Jan in SC

[TN Mama]

My favorite place in the Smokies is Cades Cove.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

As long as we are driving to see University of the South, hubby wants to make a family vacation out of the trip. We will stop in Nashville (been there before - hubby's kid sister is a Sister there) and I promised the kids rollercoasters at Dollywood - beyond that, what do we want to see in the region? What are the Bestest Bits of the Smokies to see? Any good places to stay, cheap, for a family of 6 (all long-legged teens, not tiny tots anymore.)

 

I am picking the brains of the WTMoms who KNOW EVERYTHING!!!!

 

(after all, ya'all sent us to Hotel Harrington in DC, and I learned of Sewanee here, too.)

 

Oh, and Fall Creek Falls State Park is simply lovely. Bring suits and play in the cascades. Hike down to the bottom of the falls. Gorgeous.

[TN Mama]

Oh, and Fall Creek Falls State Park is simply lovely. Bring suits and play in the cascades. Hike down to the bottom of the falls. Gorgeous.

:iagree:

[Tree House Academy]

Rock City, Cades Cove, Bristol Caverns, Dollywood, Chattanooga Acquarium, Knoxville Zoo, Coolidge Park in Chatt is FUN - there are springs that just shoot up now and again. The kids LOVE it. Ruby Falls is pretty too. I have to admit, though, I am confused how Dollywood (in Piegon Forge TN) and Chattanooga will involve a trip to Nashville. Nashville is about 4 hours from Chattanooga and about 3 hours from Piegon Forge...and you take the split to the RIGHT on I 40 to head toward Nashville and the split to the LEFT on I-40 to go to Chattanooga. My point is...they are in different directions and quite a ways apart.

 

If you are coming down I-81, you will pass through Bristol (Bristol Caverns, Hungry Mother Park is neat and is right off the interstate too). Then you hit I-40 and go on toward Knoxville (Knoxville Zoo is also right off the interstate). Then you stay on I-40 and split there either going toward Nashville or Chattanooga.

Edited April 5, 2009 by Tree House Academy

[Tree House Academy]

Oh...and PLEASE eat at J. Alexanders for me while you are there. ;) It is off the interstate in Chattanooga near the Gunbarrel Rd. Exit. Wonderful, wonderful restaurant. :)

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Rock City, Cades Cove, Bristol Caverns, Dollywood, Chattanooga Acquarium, Knoxville Zoo, Coolidge Park in Chatt is FUN - there are springs that just shoot up now and again. The kids LOVE it. Ruby Falls is pretty too. I have to admit, though, I am confused how Dollywood (in Piegon Forge TN) and Chattanooga will involve a trip to Nashville. Nashville is about 4 hours from Chattanooga and about 3 hours from Piegon Forge...and you take the split to the RIGHT on I 40 to head toward Nashville and the split to the LEFT on I-40 to go to Chattanooga. My point is...they are in different directions and quite a ways apart.

 

If you are coming down I-81, you will pass through Bristol (Bristol Caverns, Hungry Mother Park is neat and is right off the interstate too). Then you hit I-40 and go on toward Knoxville (Knoxville Zoo is also right off the interstate). Then you stay on I-40 and split there either going toward Nashville or Chattanooga.

 

Ooh, and I just remembered -- Lost Sea in Sweetwater is definitely worth a side trip.

[Jennifer in MI]

My sister went to University of the South and now lives in Chattanooga! We LOVE visiting her. The aquarium is amazing. We spent a LOT of time there. We also loved Lookout Mountain. There's a Civil War fort and small museum up there. We all liked Ruby Falls, but it was a bit touristy. The kids liked the Chikamonga (sp?) Battlefield. Rock City is great too. There's a fun walkway that's amazing.

 

Have a great time!! If you have any questions about Sewanee, let me know. I'll ask her. She LOVED it there!

[JFSinIL]

 

We are driving down from Northern Illinois, and aim for Nashville first since we can visit Aunt Binky, er, Sr. Thomas More at the St. Cecelia Mother House in Nashville. Then on to Sewanee, (ds want to tour the school there) and then to Chattanooga and mountains, Dollywood - a big loop, if you will. Where exactly we drive depends on what we want to see before we mosey on back home. We are not adverse to driving 6 - 8 hours a day to get somewhere, and may take up to two weeks on a trip. So far all I have planned is July 27th we have a morning campus tour at Sewanee. Everything else rotates around that.

[JFSinIL]

Oh...and PLEASE eat at J. Alexanders for me while you are there. ;) It is off the interstate in Chattanooga near the Gunbarrel Rd. Exit. Wonderful, wonderful restaurant. :)

 

You got it!!!!;)

[Ailaena]

In Chattanooga, there is a pass you can buy that includes the Aquarium and the Creative Discovery Museum (which are walking distance from one another). Next to the aquarium is there is also the huge pedestrian brige to cross that leads to a park with a carousel and a neat outdoor climbing wall (and Clumpie's Ice Cream). Nearby, there is the Hunter museum, which we enjoyed.

 

Lookout Mountain is lovely, Ruby Falls may or may not be interesting to you depending on your experience with caves. And as many times as we have been to Chattanooga, I am mildly embarrassed to admit that we have not been to Rock City:blush:

 

We went on the Jack Daniels tour and it was actually pretty interesting, even to us non-drinkers!

 

I hope you all have a great time!!

 

 

OK, clearly I did not notice your age group. Probably forget I said anything about the Creative Discovery Museum... it's only a short drive to the Six Flags in Atlanta!

Edited April 5, 2009 by Ailaena

[mcconnellboys]

Well, while you're in Nashville, the Science Center is great and don't miss the Parthenon! You're switching up visits with me. We did DePauw over spring break and will do Sewanee when school's out. Let me know what you think. Ds liked DePauw a lot. He's going to do a repeat visit there.

 

It sounds to me like you're looking at the same sorts of schools as us. You might want to check out Centre, in Danville, KY. I'm also casting my eye toward Kenyon, Oberlin, and Denison, all in Ohio, for summer visits. (I'd be looking at Earlham long and hard if they had a swim program, too....)

[chanda7]

If your kids are really into rollercoasters, you should check out Six Flags Over Georgia in Atlanta (about 3 hours south of Chattanooga). Also in Atlanta, Stone Mountain is very cool to see and hike.

 

Tell me some of your kids' interests, and I might be able to better direct you. I live about an hour outside of Chattanooga.

[Tree House Academy]

We are driving down from Northern Illinois, and aim for Nashville first since we can visit Aunt Binky, er, Sr. Thomas More at the St. Cecelia Mother House in Nashville. Then on to Sewanee, (ds want to tour the school there) and then to Chattanooga and mountains, Dollywood - a big loop, if you will. Where exactly we drive depends on what we want to see before we mosey on back home. We are not adverse to driving 6 - 8 hours a day to get somewhere, and may take up to two weeks on a trip. So far all I have planned is July 27th we have a morning campus tour at Sewanee. Everything else rotates around that.

 

Gotcha! Scratch the Bristol stuff then. LOL

 

Oh...the riverboat cruise in Chattanooga. DH and I actually really enjoyed that!

[JFSinIL]

If your kids are really into rollercoasters, you should check out Six Flags Over Georgia in Atlanta (about 3 hours south of Chattanooga). Also in Atlanta, Stone Mountain is very cool to see and hike.

 

Tell me some of your kids' interests, and I might be able to better direct you. I live about an hour outside of Chattanooga.

 

 

Rollercoasters. We already have been a few times to the Six Flags up in Gurnee, IL, so looking for something new. Dollywood looks fun/hokey.

 

History stuff (well, two kids and us grown-up love it - can't please everyone!)

Big old houses to tour (me and the girls). Nature (grown-ups and one son). Sitting in front of a tv or 'puter screen all day - kids ;) (not tolerated on a vacation road trip.) Water parks with lots of slides, even kayaks if possible.

Horseback riding (not that we are very good at it.)

[ereks mom]

Sticky Fingers restaurant!

[tnmomofboys]

Definitely the Chattanooga Aquarium. The one ticket will get you in to both the salt water aquarium and the fresh water. They are right next to one another. Restaurants within walking distance would be Mellow Mushroom, TGIFs, Sticky Fingers, Big River Grill, Panera, plus lots more. Lupi's Pizza is REALLY good. We love the pizza and the calzones. The walking bridge is great and on the other side is Coolidge Park where there is a really cool fountain area that kids play in and a beautiful indoor carousel, I think$1 a ride?

Just as the barns read you must See Rock City. My kids have always loved going.

Have a great trip!

[Margaret in GA]

Last year we took the kids to Chatanooga and we stayed here http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=1474&PS=PS_aa_SSP_SE_Sheraton_Red_House_Hotel_Chattanooga_POP_060107_NAD_FM

 

We thought it was rather nice, even though it gets mixed reviews online. I really love going to Chatanooga. Lots of great things to do-- Ruby Falls, Lookout Mountain, etc.

 

I'm not big on the Jack Daniels thing since I grew up there and the smell of corn mash makes me ill. They used to give the lefover mash to farmers to feed their animals and on a hot August day the smell of that decomposing corn drifting through the air... ick. I can see the draw if you don't have that association, though. ;)

 

margaret

[Year Round Mom]

We love the Aquarium, too!

[StephinAL]

Well, I live about 25 minutes from Chattanooga. Chattanooga is only 2hrs away from Nashville (1.5 hrs if you are my brother who lives close to Nashville, lol).

 

Well, Cherokee NC has a casino, lol! Seriously, I love the Smokies, especially the drive from Murphy NC to Cherokee and the Nantahala area where you can do some mild white water rafting.

 

Downtown Chattanooga has lots to do. The Hunter Museum is really nice and located next to the Walnut Street Bridge and the Bluff View Art distric. Everyone has mentioned the usual touristy places, but there is also the Towing & Recovery Museum if you have boys, TVA's Racoon Mountain for biking (you can rent bikes downtown), the Incline and Lake Winnepesaukah if you don't want to drive all the way to Atlanta for an amusement park. Oh and the Chattanooga Ducks, it is an amphibious vehicle you can ride for a river tour of downtown, but kind of pricy I think. If I think of anything else not mentioned, I'll post it, but that is all I've got right now.

[chanda7]

Rollercoasters. We already have been a few times to the Six Flags up in Gurnee, IL, so looking for something new. Dollywood looks fun/hokey.

 

History stuff (well, two kids and us grown-up love it - can't please everyone!)

Big old houses to tour (me and the girls). Nature (grown-ups and one son). Sitting in front of a tv or 'puter screen all day - kids ;) (not tolerated on a vacation road trip.) Water parks with lots of slides, even kayaks if possible.

Horseback riding (not that we are very good at it.)

 

I don't know how much overlap there is between the two Six Flags parks, but that is the only place with decent rollercoasters around here. Dollywood is considered more of a place for small kids and pre-teens, but I can't give it an honest assessment because I've never been. There is a water park run by Six Flags in Atlanta called White Water, no kayaks, though.

 

Concerning big old houses to tour, the Biltmore in Ashville, NC, is the first thing that comes to mind.

 

We have all kinds of really nice parks and hiking trails in TN. You can't go wrong :)

 

Check out http://www.tnvacation.com/ from the state tourism office. I use it a lot to plan our field trips! It has an extensive list of the historical sites, parks, etc.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

I don't know how much overlap there is between the two Six Flags parks, but that is the only place with decent rollercoasters around here. Dollywood is considered more of a place for small kids and pre-teens, but I can't give it an honest assessment because I've never been. There is a water park run by Six Flags in Atlanta called White Water, no kayaks, though.

 

 

 

Maybe used to be, but Dollywood is a big hit with my dh and older teens. Big thumbs up. It's changed a LOT since it was Silver Dollar City.

[TN Mama]

Maybe used to be, but Dollywood is a big hit with my dh and older teens. Big thumbs up. It's changed a LOT since it was Silver Dollar City.

 

There are some good coasters at Dollywood. The newest, Mystery Mine, is probably one of the most unique and frightening roller coasters I've ever ridden.