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Activities

 • Climb the Walnut Street Bridge Climbing Wall . Inside Coolidge Park, 266-5709 (The Adventure Guild). 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! From April through November, the wall is open Friday 6pm - 9pm, Saturday 1pm - 9pm, and Sunday 1pm - 5pm. 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.

 • 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 craved wood.

 • 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 is 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.

 • Walk the Riverwalk. Enjoy the natural beautiful of Chattanooga's riverfront by taking a walk down it's linear green space. 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 one of any number of picnic areas along the way.

 • Get Married at the Grandview . Telephone 706-820-7920. Located near Rock City Gardens, 1700 feet above sea level, the Grandview is a 4100sq foot Tudor style house that is perfect for special events! The amazing view will certainly add to any event, especially those shots of the newlywed couple looking out over the city of Chattanooga. The Grandview is also available for meetings and other such activities. On-site overnight accommodations are also available at Chanticleer, a beautiful mountain stone inn.

 • Take a ride on the Southern Belle Riverboat  - 201 Riverfront Parkway, Pier 2, telephone 266-4488 or 800-766-2784. The Southern Belle is a lovely paddlewheel boat that cruises the Tennessee River near Chattanooga. Lunch, Dinner or just sightseeing cruises are available. The "Dixieland Dinner Cruise" features fantastic 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. Sight seeing 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 2 1/2 hours on the river, depending on your cruise type.

 • Attend the Annual Riverbed Festival  - Telephone 756-2211. An annual nine-day music festival that just celebrated its 25th 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. The 2006 Riverbed Festival will be June 9 - 17.

 • See a Chattanooga Lookouts baseball game at Bellsouth Park - 201 Power Alley (Less than a block from the Aquarium), Box Office Telephone 267-4849, Office Telephone 267-2208. The Chattanooga Lookouts, an AA farm team for the Cincinnati Reds, have moved from Historic Engle Stadium into the brand new, $10 million dollar, Bellsouth Park. The brick walled stadium sits on Hawk Hill and offers the majority of their seating along the first base line. General Admission is $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.

 • Enjoy Lake Winnipesauke Amusement Park  - Lakeview Drive, Rossville, GA. (Almost literally just over the state line) Telephone 1-877-525-3946. Lake Winnie, as its referred to amongst the locals, has been putting smiles on faces for 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. Gate Admission, required of everyone, is $3. An unlimited ride pass, the best deal, is $19. You can, however, pick up individual ride tickets for $.80 each or a strip of 14 for $10. Each ride ranges from 2 to 5 tickets. (All prices listed for the 2005 season) 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  - 319 West Hills Drive, telephone 821-9403 or 800-823-2267. Visit Raccoon Mountain's 5 1/2 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. (Its underground...)

 • Play Mini Golf at Sir Gooney's Family Fun Center  - 5918 Brainerd Road, telephone 892-5922. The mini-golf is great, but don't limit yourself to just that! They've got two mini-golf courses, three go-karts, paintball, bumper boats, batting cages, karaoke, laser tag and an arcade! Each attraction has it's own price, but expect to spend between $2 and $14 per attraction. As they say, "Fun for all ages!"