Chattanooga TN, Bucketlist



Another bright, sunny day and hot in mid June with partial clouds hovering, me and Ani drove to Chattanooga, Tennessee. 2hrs away from Atlanta, the ride was not boring as we played our respective music on BMW's Bluetooth. A day before every long trip i make a list of new songs and read few good books so that i can to narrate them to my hubby,since he hates driving in total absence of talks and music. He is very much an attention seeker!

We reached in the late afternoon with the view of Tennessee river. Excitingly i gripped my camera to start my photo shooting as we crossed the other side of river on mark bridge. Now this photography is my thing and Ani gives me full space. We parked our car in the Coolidge park which cost us 2$ for two hours. Assuming we shall be done in two hours if it just a walk on the Walnut street bridge and lookout on the other side skipping the aquarium and Hunter museum.

WALNUT STREET BRIDGE


This is an old bridge erected in 1891, 2376 feet in length where you can walk taking amazing pictures of the Tennessee River, the Hunter Museum, the Coolidge Park and the Tennessee Aquarium.  You can rent a bike from Coolidge park instead if walking isn't your thing and take it a little further exploring the downtown. But we preferred the strolling with relaxing vibe of this pedestrian bridge while the cool breeze brushed across our face.
















The city is has got many interesting facts to learn starting with it is a home to some famous people like blues singer Bessie Smith,actor Leslie Jordan, NFL player Terrell Owens.Also it holds the first largest National Military Park, Chattanooga and Chikmauga park with largest collections of American art in Hunter museum. Talking of commerce the world's first franchised Coca cola bottling plant was built here by two local attorneys who bought the franchise bottling for 1$ each. That is quite a history for the day!






In the end of the bridge you can reward yourself with an ice cream at the ice cream showroom. And since our throats were really parched from the heat we actually felt this shop was a blessing. Free coupons were being distributed at the doorsteps as direct marketing offering 1$ off for every dollops of ice cream you buy. They really made our day!


Retreating another mile on the bridge, this time more energized and vigorous; from the chill effect of ice cream scoops, we decided to relax on well manicured grass in Coolidge park. With a nice view of river connecting the Renaissance park, it is a great spot to sit back and get sun soak as the toddlers splash in the fountain on a warm day. Right beside it is a carousel which is $1 per person! 




Before taking out our car for next sightseeing we satiate our hunger with four hot dogs from Nathan food truck. With summer quenching us further this food and cooler truck came as relief. 



INCLINE RAILWAY

Picking up our car we drove up to the Incline Railway via TN-148. The steepest train on world this is sure a must adventure. There is a free parking spot and luckily we got our space. Now people often get confuse which tickets to purchase since they come with lot of combo and offers. I will suggest buy one way ticket because it is just 10 mins ride and the waiting line is too time consuming to miss the other attractions. 
The ride is real fun and when it reach the top inclined at 73 degree angle it gave me shit goosebumps wanting me to scream. Getting out from the train we walked around with breathtaking panoramic view of Chattanooga from such height. 
On the top there is a National Battlefield Park just a 10 min walk down the road. It is well worth the walk to see the old cannons and monument if you are a history buff. Other than this you can visit the Point park, sunset rock, the Natural Bridge, Interactive Civil war map and museum which  all at the top of the Incline and is at walkable distance. While point park is about history of the civil war the Rock city is a botanical rock garden. You can always come down by taking uber. 













Almost famished we googled for places to eat, which popped up with numerous places. We wanted a glimpse of downtown so chose The Social at Warehouse Row.  Driving down to the down we parked our car near Choo Choo hotel for $5. We were more than glad to find free electric shuttles in the area running continually until 11pm. Shuttle not only being the easiest way to get around Downtown Chattanooga it is very much a FREE ride! Runnig daily about every 5 minutes from the Chattanooga Choo Choo to the Tennessee Aquarium with stops every block in between we didn't give a second thought and just hop on it.

We get down at the desired stop and the driver being very friendly it was not difficult to locate the restaurant. Tired and exhausted from the heat we chose to dine indoor(didn't want to miss the ambiance and a.c) While i started with a cocktail and sauteed scallop Ani had his grilled beef filet. 



CHOO CHOO HOTEL

After a sumptuous dinner we decided to walk down rather take the shuttle to get an idea of downtown places. We were almost near to our parking lot when Chattanooga Choo Choo hotel sign board get our attention. Not only this the whole place looked a party station. An historic railway station converted to a hotel,it will really a fun walking around like i entered the railway station back in India. So clean and creative there is a car that have converted to pizza eateries and for an experience book a Pullman's car room. 

Choo choo hotel's lobby contains the largest freestanding brick dome in world. with interior height of dome being 85 feet. On Dec 7. 1941 the Chattannoga Choo Choo became no. 1 song across USA.







OTHER THINGS TO DO


-Go camping in the Raccoon mountain


-See seven states sign and the Rock city


- Visit the Tennessee Aquarium

The last thing I suggest is: bring your camera, leash your pet, ride a bicycle, hike the rocks, play the Choo Choo song and return home with an experience like never before.





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