Chattanooga

Attend the Annual Riverbend Festival

An annual nine-day music festival that just celebrated its 30th year that consumes the riverfront part of downtown. 6 stages, including one on a barge, and vendors are set up all over the area. Don't expect big, crazy headliners, though - the organizers of the festival have said time and time again that they bring in acts that A) They can afford and B) Will make the majority of the attendees happy. Some nights can get a little rowdy, as this is the south and beer certainly is popular, but the local Sheriff's Department and Police Department bring out their finest to keep things safe. For fans of the blues, be sure to check out the Bessie Smith Strut, which features great blues artists and the town's finest BBQ.

Catch the Chattanooga Mocs

The Mocs represent the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in NCAA Division I sports, competing in six men's sports and nine women's sports as a member of the Southern Conference. The most popular sports, as at most schools, are football (competing in the second-level Division I FCS) and men's basketball, with women's basketball gaining a higher profile.

Climb the Walnut Street Bridge Climbing Wall

The Adventure Guild

Inside Coolidge Park, (The Adventure Guild). From April through November, the wall is open F 6PM-9PM, Sa 1-9PM, and Su 1-5PM. Climb on one of the limestone towers that supports the Walnut Street Bridge. Located within Coolidge Park, the wall is open seasonally to the general public and for groups on a reservation basis. There are as many as 30 distinct climbing routes perfect for novices to experienced climbers. All equipment is provided! The price for open climbing $5 per-hour-per-person with a three climb minimum or $15 for the entire day, with the capability to come and go as you'd like.

Craft Axe Throwing

Axe, Hatchet or Tomahawk Throwing

A destination for axe-throwing, tomahawk, and hatchet enthusiasts. Craft beverages are available. Groups and parties welcome. Experts will guide you through axe-throwing, ensuring a safe and entertaining experience for all skill levels.

Enjoy Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park

Lakeview Drive, Rossville, Georgia. (Just over the state line). Lake Winnie, as it's referred to amongst the locals, has been putting smiles on faces for over 80 years. With rides for the whole family and concerts featuring famous country artists, Lake Winnie is open Thursday through Sunday from late April through early August. They are also open on weekends in the beginning of April and after the end of the summer season into September. An unlimited ride pass, with admission to Lake Soakya, is $35 ($25 for seniors 60+ and children 1-2). Other packages available. All guests under 21 must accompanied by a parent or adult chaperone - it seems that too many people were just dropping their kids off.

Explore the Raccoon Mountain Caverns

Visit Raccoon Mountain's 5½ miles of explored and mapped passageways in the Lookout Valley either on a 45 minute, come-as-you-are walking tour or on a deeper cave expedition. The front portion of the cave, the Crystal Palace, is where you'll take a guided walking tour. Admission for this trip is $11 for adults (13 - 64), $10 for seniors (65+), and $5.50 for children (5 - 12). The "wild cave" tours have a number of different packages, prices and times. They range from 1 hour to 8 hours, even overnight if you'd like and from $25 to $100 per person, with discounts for groups. All equipment, lights, helmets, pads, and gloves, are part your wild cave admission. The caves are open year round except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, rain or shine, because it's underground.

Play in the fountain at Coolidge Park

If you've got kids, be sure to bring them either a change of clothes or a swimsuit as the fountain is nearly irresistible. If they are still in diapers, swim diapers are required. Water spouting animals ring the fountain area and are fair game for climbing. Adults have been known to thoroughly enjoy playing in the water as well.

Ride the Carousel in Coolidge Park

All of the various animals represented on the carousel were hand carved in St. Elmo, a historic neighborhood in Chattanooga. The carousel is 50 cents for children 12 or under and Seniors 55 or over. There are no wet clothes allowed on the carousel since it is all hand carved wood.

See a Chattanooga Lookouts baseball game

The Chattanooga Lookouts, an AA farm team for the Minnesota Twins, have moved from Historic Engle Stadium into the brand new, $10 million, AT&T Field. The brick walled stadium sits on Hawk Hill and offers the majority of their seating along the first base line.

General admission: $4 for adults, $2 for seniors 55+ and children 7 - 12, with children 6 and under getting in free. Upper Box Seats are $5 and Lower Box Seats are $8. If you really want to splurge, skyboxes are available as well: 14 seats for $275, 32 for $425 per night.

Take a ride on the Southern Belle Riverboat

Pier 2. The Southern Belle is a lovely paddlewheel boat that cruises the Tennessee River near Chattanooga. Lunch, dinner or just sightseeing cruises are available. The "Dixeland Dinner Cruise" features delicious slow-cooked prime rib, shrimp creole and live music. Starting in mid-October, the Fall Leaf Cruises begin allowing you to take a ride up the river and marvel at the changing colors of the trees. The Riverboat is also available for private parties, including the opportunity to be wed on the promenade deck. Sightseeing cruises are $12 for adults, and $5.25 for children ages 3 - 12. Lunch cruises, $17 for adults and $8 for children, and the dinner cruise is $31 for adults, $17 for children. Expect to spend between 1 hour and 2½ hours on the river, depending on your cruise type.

Take a ride with the Chattanooga Ducks

Climb aboard a World War II-era amphibious vehicle for a tour of downtown Chattanooga before it glides into the water for a tour of the Tennessee River. Tours run from 10AM to around dusk and last approximately 1 hour.

Walk the Riverwalk

Enjoy the natural beautiful of Chattanooga's riverfront by taking a walk down its linear greenspace. This project has drawn and inspired civic leaders from around the country. Take a picnic lunch and slip under the shade to watch time pass you by in any one of a number of picnic areas along the way.