Here are Tennessee spring break vacations you can take with your family in Chattanooga Tennessee!
As the Tennessee snow melts away Spring Break is on the way! If you are looking for a quick getaway or a change to explore around home here are some of our favorite spots for the perfect Tennessee staycation.
Chattanooga offers families a delightful spring break destination with perfect mild temperatures and stunning natural beauty. In April, you’ll enjoys comfortable weather with average highs around 71°F and lows near 49°F, creating ideal conditions for outdoor adventures. While visiting “The Scenic City,” your family will love the big city fun right in the middle of the beautiful mountains and picturesque river views.
Chattanooga is a yearly adventure for my family and my kids beg to go back. Number 10 on the list is my kiddos’ personal favorite, FREE, Chattanooga activity.
1. The Tennessee Aquarium
Why You Should Go: You can spend an entire day at The Tennessee Aquarium. Room after room, floor after floor, of amazing colors and experiences.
What to Expect: The Tennessee Aquarium is separated into two buildings The River Journey and The Ocean Journey. Neither area is to be skipped with amazing highlights including penguins, hands on animal encounters, sharks, jelly fish, river otters! There is also an IMAX theater and food for purchase.
Parent Tip: While you cannot bring outside coolers and food, feel free to bring in your own beverages with screw top lids. This is a quick money saver!
Also, note that you can purchase just the IMAX ticket (without aquarium admission) if you have a short time to fill.
2. Creative Discovery Museum
Why You Should Go: I could, I mean my kids could, play here all day! Learning through play is so important and at The Creative Discovery Museum your kids won’t even know they are learning.
What to Expect: With 15 permanent interactive exhibits, new rotating exhibits added regularly, a 3-story Lookout Tower, indoor and outdoor spaces, a Culinary Corner for play cooking, pretend play spaces, art areas for crafting and creating, and much more you don’t want to miss this museum. My kids usually spend 2-3 hours at The Creative Discovery Museum during our visits, but I believe my youngest would just move in if I let her!
Parent Tip: The Creative Discovery Museum is a part of Association of Children’s Museums (AMC) which makes it a part of the reciprocal program. They also offer discounted or free visits for many community members including foster families, teachers, firefighters, and more. Checkout the list here.
3. The Chattanooga Zoo
Why You Should Go: I’m a sucker for a zoo! Over 500 animals, representing over 150 different species, many of which are endangered, will welcome your family at the Chattanooga Zoo.
What to Expect: Some major highlights are the chimpanzees, giraffe feedings, keeper talks, and Nature Play spaces. My kids adore climbing, running, jumping and swinging through the naturalistic playground. There’s a space to dig, boulders to scale, and tunnels to hide in. It is perfect for a game of hide-n-seek or imagination play.
Parent Tip: There are additional zoo rides for purchase. Keep in mind that the Zoo Choo train is only available Wednesday through Sunday.
4. Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
Why You Should Go: All three of my kids have gone through their Train Era. Trains become an obsession around here and The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum provides the perfect place for all their “ooohs and ahhhs.”
What to Expect: Between the actual running train experiences, the chance to ride historic locomotives, and the hands-on interactive exhibits about railroad history this is the perfect excursion for your little conductor.
Parent Tip: While the museum is open most days, train ride dates vary. Be sure to check out the calendar here for availability and pricing.
5. Pinball Museum
Why You Should Go: The truth is it can be hard to find family fun activities that will entertain everyone, including the “bored” tweens. I get it, I have one of those too. The Pinball Museum will be a game changer for your too cool big kid.
What to Expect: The Pinball Museum will be a game changer for your too cool big kid. For one entry price, you can play retro arcade games until your heart is content. Challenge your big kids to a competition on a racing game or pinball machine to prove that you’ve still got it. Hours of fun can be had at The Pinball Museum and you’ll get some awesome photo ops too!
Parent Tip: During your visit you can leave and return with your wristband, so plan a midday break before heading back for more gaming. The Pinball Museum is also open later than other museums in the area, making it a great evening out option.
6. Coolidge Park
Why You Should Go: The Instagrammable Coolidge Park is a great place to run out those wiggles in Chattanooga. The 100-year-old restored carousel is fun for all ages and provides that photo op you don’t want to skip.
What to Expect: If you have space to pack bikes and scooters or you feel like a run, Coolidge Park is part of the Tennessee Riverwalk, a 13-mile-long public greenway that runs along the Tennessee River – from the Southern Belle Riverboat to Chickamauga Dam.
Parent Tip: Plan for the interactive water fountain, because my kids run to it like a moth to a flame. You’ll regret not having dry clothes and a towel on hand!
7. Renaissance Park
Why You Should Go: While you’re visiting Coolidge Park (see above) you want to schedule time to also check out Renaissance Park. Renaissance Park is a 23-acre wetlands park where your kids will enjoy learning about Chattanooga’s ecology.
What to Expect: Renaissance Park previously was a polluted manufacturing area, which has been transformed into a clean natural park. Renaissance Park shows that urban areas can be renewed, and wildlife can again flourish with community efforts. This is an incredible outdoor space, and little environmentalists can learn so much about ecosystems and development here.
Parent Tip: Bring binoculars and watch for local birds and turtles in this lush environment.
8. Rock City
Why You Should Go: As soon as you tell folks you visited Chattanooga, they will say, “Did you visit Rock City?” Rock City is quite the tourist spot. I ventured to Rock City with my crew last year and I must say, it was quite a sight. We didn’t go with many expectations but were pleasantly surprised. We did an evening stroll with lights and it was lovely.
What to Expect: Rainbow Hall, Mother Goose Village, and the Swing-A-Long Bridge were definitely highlights for us. The rock formations and winding caverns make for an unforgettable experience. The Seven States Flag Court is not to be missed, as you can view seven states from the lookout point. Can you say photo op?
Parent Tip: There is a Starbucks right by the entrance if you need a little pick me up!
9. Ruby Falls
Why You Should Go: Up for a real memory maker? How about taking a glass elevator 260 feet down into a mountain to view the largest public cave waterfall in the United States? You don’t see that every day.
What to Expect: Ruby Falls offers a wide variety of options for your family depending on ages and abilities. My kids were amazed by the light-show at the falls!
Parent Tip: This is a very popular tourist activity during Spring Break, and you will want to schedule your time online weeks in advance.
10. Cardboard Hill
Why You Should Go: While visiting Renaissance Park you must stop at my kids’ favorite spot in Chattanooga… Cardboard Hill. After you buy all the tickets to museums and aquariums your heart will skip a beat as you hear, “My favorite part of the trip was Cardboard Hill.” Trust me. It’s coming.
What to Expect: Cardboard Hill is exactly what is sounds like, a large hill where your kids will laugh with glee as they “sled” down on cardboard. Don’t diss it til you try it. It’s so fun! Locals and tourists alike head to the hill for year-round sliding.
Parent Tip: Pack up those Amazon boxes before you head that way. There are almost always boxes available, but some may be work out so plan ahead and bring your own.
