Here’s How We Spent Our First Day Trip to Chattanooga
Chattanooga is one of four major cities here in our new home state of Tennessee. And, being that we are almost halfway in between Knoxville and Chattanooga, it was only a matter of time before we made the drive south. In this post I’ll recount the places we visited during our first day trip, and whether or not I think you should visit them too.
One of my goals is to explore Tennessee as much as we can. Especially East Tennessee. It’s so beautiful here, and highly underrated. You’re surrounded by acres of unspoiled nature, as well as some of the friendliest people I have ever met. Yes, southern hospitality is real and still going strong here in the Volunteer State.
Even the transplants who seem to be coming to this freedom loving (and God fearing) state by droves are here to honor and preserve the values that this state has to offer. Our move has been the biggest blessing for our little family, and Justin and I are very happy to be here. So far, life has reminded us of our childhood on Long Island. Kids are still, well, kids that happily spend more time outdoors then pressed to their screens.
Yes, life can be slower in a town of 5,000 people, and while it can take some getting used to, it’s exactly the pace at which we have chosen to raise our girls. However, if I am being honest, this girl from New York needs some adventure in her life every now again. Exploring new places brings on a new set of challenges, perspective, and encourages growth. And, truthfully, even though I am a homebody, I can’t sit still for very long.
Roane County Travel Guide
So, each month I am planning a day trip for the family. Not only are we venturing out of town once a month but, we are exploring closer to home too.
That’s right, the Ravitch family is actively visiting nature trails, local shops and restaurants, etc. And, all of the best spots will be added to a Roane County Travel Guide right here on the blog. The RoCo Travel Guide will be launched in April 2023, and new information will be uploaded monthly.
How did this travel guide come to be? Well, from my research, I cannot find one dedicated space to sift through all of the opportunities to shop and explore locally, so I decided to start one myself. So, if you are planning a trip to Roane County, make sure to check it out.
Okay, let’s get back to our Chattanooga trip…
Visiting Rock City Gardens
Technically, Rock City Gardens sits atop Lookout Mountain in Georgia (not Tennessee). But, at just 6 miles outside of Chattanooga’s city center, I’d say it’s close enough to be an honorary Tennessee attraction, right?
Before hopping in the car one Saturday morning in mid February, we made reservations for our visit. That’s right, advance purchase of your tickets is highly recommended, even though they let in up to 100 people every 15 minutes from 8:30 am – 4:45 pm. If you’re planning a trip, you can purchase your tickets right here.
We chose to let the girls sleep in and have breakfast at home before heading out for our 10:30 reservation. The ride down to Chattanooga was an easy one, and eye opening. Our family has traveled west into Crossville, and North to Knoxville but this was our first trip south. And it was a straight shot. We were surrounded by pastures, wooded areas, and mountains. The landscape of Tennessee is definitely eye-catching.
Driving up the windy mountain side to reach Rock City Gardens is an adventure in itself. We took our Silverado 1500, and it felt a little snug. The key is to go slow, and enjoy the vistas the ride up affords you.
When we arrived at the car park, it was half full. I guess that’s because it was an overcast, windy day, with temperatures in the low 50s. Regardless, it was rare to have a part of the trail to yourself. Upon entering the attraction, you can visit the little village to pick up a souvenir, and some snacks. We picked up an ornament for our christmas tree, the girls got some wooden swords (to slay the giants in our front yard), and some chocolate covered oreos. YUM!
Then, we were off on the trail! As you may know, we love our nature walks in this family, and this one did not disappoint. There’s 4,100 feet of trail that lead you through magical caves, gardens, and rock formations. My favorite part was crossing the wooden suspension bridge to get to Lover’s Leap. From here you can view seven states, it’s pretty amazing, even on an overcast day.
It took our family of four about 90 minutes to walk through Rock City Gardens, we stopped many times along the way, and kind of meandered through the trail. We may have stayed a bit longer if it wasn’t so cold. Oh, and if you’re wondering whether or not I think you should visit, the answer is yes! And, I think the best time to visit would be the Spring or Fall.
Lunch at the City Cafe Diner
After our walk 1700 feet above sea level, we were pretty hungry. So, we took the drive back down Lookout Mountain, and into downtown Chattanooga to have lunch at the City Cafe Diner. Justin is a big fan of diners, and we knew that we would be able to find something for everyone to enjoy. Here’s what we ate – Nora: Pigs in a Blanket, Sadie: Chocolate Chip Pancake, Justin: a Chicken Sandwich, and Me: Chicken Caesar Wrap. We all enjoyed our meals, ate most of what we ordered, and were completely content when it was time to leave.
The diner staff is extremely friendly, and it’s the perfect atmosphere to grab a meal when you have kiddos that can’t sit still for long, or know how to control the volume of their own voice. And, it was the perfect launchpad for our next destination.
The Tennessee Aquarium
We’ve been told that the Tennessee Aquarium is the better of the two in East Tennessee. The second being Ripley’s Aquarium in the Smokies. We haven’t been to Ripley’s Aquarium yet, so we can’t share our perspective on the matter. But, I think we can confidently say that our aquarium visiting days are over.
Justin used to have a pretty serious hobby aquarium before we were married, and he said he was surprised to see that most of the fish housed at the Tennessee Aquarium were ones that he’s had in his own tank. Half jokingly, on our way out I asked “So, we can visit a fish store and get the same experience for free?”. I wish you could have seen his facial expression.
But, if you have younger kids (6 and younger), and are looking for a way to spend your afternoon in Chattanooga, it may be the perfect spot for you. I think it’s an experience we’ve outgrown.
Though our time in Chattanooga was brief, and the weather wasn’t the best, we had a blast! During our next visit we are hoping to take advantage of some of the free things there are to do in town – like visiting Coolidge Park, and taking a walk over the Walnut Street Bridge. While mixing in some attractions like – the Incline Railway and Ruby Falls. One thing I know for sure is that we will definitely be visiting this southern city again, we can’t wait!
