Chattanooga, Tennessee, is situated in the southeast part of the state near the Georgia border. An accessible city, Chattanooga can be found at the junction of four interstate highways. The city was originally established by a Cherokee Indian chief. The name Chattanooga is derived from an Indian word that means "rock coming to a point," according to the City of Chattanooga website. Lookout Mountain, the Smoky Mountains, and the Tennessee River are some of the geographic wonders that are a part of Chattanooga, making it a popular tourist attraction for outdoor enthusiasts.
Ruby Falls
Nestled deep in the center of Lookout Mountain is Ruby Falls, a roaring 145-foot underground waterfall that is projected to be nearly 30 million years old. Each year hundreds of visitors witness hundreds of gallons of thundering through the largest and deepest underground waterfall available to the public in the United States, according to the Ruby Falls website. At the Ruby Falls Cave, which is made of limestone, visitors enjoy a guided tour of the unique underground geology that includes stalactites and stalagmites that took millions of years to form. Besides an underground tour, visitors can catch a glimpse of the scenic Chattanooga and Tennessee Valley on a mountainside deck.
Ruby Falls
1720 Scenic Highway
Chattanooga, TN 37409
(423) 821-2544
rubyfalls.com
Chattanooga Riverboat Tour
The Chattanooga Riverboat Company offers Southern hospitality on its 500-passenger riverboat. Cruise along the Tennessee River while enjoying some slow-cooked prime rib or shrimp. Cruises run nearly two hours in length and provide narration of the history of the Tennessee River as well as Lookout Mountain. The company offers daily lunch cruises, evening dinner cruises, and moonlight cruises for special occasions.
Chattanooga Riverboat Company
201 Riverfront Pkwy No. 2
Chattanooga, TN 37402
(423) 266-4488
ChattanoogaRiverboat.com
Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
Established in the 1960s by rail enthusiasts, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum is a nonprofit educational agency that provides trips on restored vintage trains. An hour-long trip guides riders through a tunnel built during the Civil War era and provides a guided tour of a train restoration shop where visitors can learn how trains are maintained. Those looking for a longer adventure can hop aboard for a six-hour roundtrip ride to nearby Chickamauga, Georgia.
Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
4119 Cromwell Rd.
Chattanooga, TN 37421
(423) 894-8028
tvrail.com
Sir Goony's Family Fun Center
With more than 50 years of entertainment experience, Sir Goony's Family Fun Center offers a unique experience for the entire family. The center offers two miniature golf courses, three go-kart tracks, and bumper boats. Other entertainment attractions include batting cages, virtual reality games and a paintball park. In the fall, Sir Goony's becomes a spook-filed attraction with its Haunted Carnival.
Sir Goony's Family Fun Center
5918 Brainerd Road
Chattanooga, TN 37421
(423) 892-5922
sirgoonys.com
Tags: Ruby Falls, Tennessee Valley, Chattanooga Riverboat, Family Center, Goony Family
