I’m from Northern California. A trip to the southern end of the state was always a big deal. The drive eats up the entire day; there’s no such thing as a day trip to hit the SoCal hot spots.
The “north-to-south” scale of Tennessee is a little less daunting so a visitor to Nashville can take a leisurely day trip down to Chattanooga to see the famous Choo-Choo and a lot more.
River Journey building at the Tennessee Aquarium.
For many visitors to Chattanooga, the Tennessee Aquarium is the major draw. The sprawling, three-building facility anchors the lively, revitalized downtown area. Recently my family toured the Tennessee Aquarium and I put together a short video tour that gives you a glimpse of some of the aquarium’s highlights.
There are two main exhibit buildings. One focuses on the rivers of the world with an emphasis on local ecology. The other gives visitors a tour of the world’s oceans. There’s also an IMAX theater on the campus that screens a variety of programs.
For more adventurous aquarium goers, the River Gorge Explorer is a combination thrill ride and nature tour. Passengers cruise along the Tennessee River Gorge at speeds up to 50 mph. Trip are from two to three hours.
After getting your feet wet at the aquarium—figuratively speaking, of course—you can chug a block or two uphill to the Bluff View Art District where you’ll find some great restaurants, inns and art galleries. The area is also home to the Hunter Museum of American Art which houses an impressive collection as well as great traveling shows.
