My plan for our family vacation in 2020 was to spend a few days in Chattanooga. Where we live in TN, it's only a two-hour drive, which is so much easier with two wiggly children. Of course, we all know what happened in 2020. Needless to say, vacation didn't happen last year. So, this year, as I started to think about summer, and as things opened up more and more, the plan was on once again. And, as all things in life go, plans formed, changed, formed again, and changed again. Originally, I meant for us to stay for three days and two nights. I also thought it would be fun to go see the train museum, as my son is a big fan. That, however, was still closed. And the more I looked at what we really wanted to do this time (my kids are still a bit young for me to trust them to not have to go potty at the bottom of Ruby Falls), we changed it to two days and only one night.
The first day, we arrived around lunchtime. We checked out a fun little restaurant called Maple Street Biscuit Company. It was yummy, but a long wait because they were having some computer glitches. Then, we tackled the aquarium. I love sharks, so we made sure to take my picture with some. ;-) The kids preferred the turtles and penguins. A quick drive-by of the Chattanooga Choo Choo was a little disappointing. You can only climb on the engine itself. The cars have been converted into things like a bar and an escape room, which is neat, but not when you wanted to see inside. We ended the day with dinner and a quick swim in the hotel pool. Sleep wasn't great. I forgot how wiggly the four-year-old was, and he's the one I shared a bed with so he'd quit keeping his sister awake. Day two started with donuts since the hotel wasn't doing continental breakfast due to stupid COVID (and they should really say that on the website instead of indicating that they are serving it). Then, we headed up, up, up to Rock City on top of Lookout Mountain. It's sort of magical up there, and the kids were charmed. I've discovered the older I get, the scarier it is to get close to the edge of a high place, though. Lunch was at a quaint little barbeque place at the bottom of the mountain called Purple Daisy Cafe. Yummy. Then, we headed over to the Creative Discovery Museum where the kids could explore all the different things to play with. I think their favorites were the big sand pit to dig for dinosaurs and the climbing toys upstairs. We ended by letting them make a bubble big enough to surround them, but my son stepped in the bubbles and left a trail for the rest of the afternoon. One more stop at Clumpy's ice cream finished our vacation for the year. We crammed a lot into two days. Part of me wished for longer, but the other part was glad to have everyone back in our own beds. Have you ever been to Chattanooga? Where's one of your favorite places to spend a couple days as a family?
4 Comments
7/8/2021 09:32:13 am
Traveling with small ones is a challenge for sure! If you ever venture to Arkansas, Oklahoma or Texas, let me know. Either me or one of my experienced daughters/moms can give you some tips!(oh, and one is a central Florida expert, too).
Reply
Amy Anguish
7/8/2021 01:25:03 pm
I've done some vacationing in those states. I've lived in Arkansas and Texas, and my grandparents lived in Oklahoma for over 60 years. :-) It's beautiful country and I hope I haven't vacationed there for the last time.
Reply
Kathy
7/8/2021 10:06:12 am
When our daughter was little our go to vacation was to East Tennessee/ Pigeon Forge/ Gatlinburg area. We usually rented a cabin with all 3 grandparents and an aunt or 2. It was very cost effective with multiple families splitting the cost. It worked out well because everyone can go to bed on their own schedule and get up on their own schedule. I always cook a big breakfast every morning and if weather permits we usually grill out one night. It is a precious time to get to spend the night under the same roof with most of your family. For those of us who remained in the same town as our family/parents that doesn’t happen. I have so many treasured memories from those trips. It also helps to have a home away from home for little ones to get some rest during the day if needed. There are tons of things to do in the mountains both outdoors and indoors. There used to be an arcade on the main strip in Gatlinburg that had hand dipped corn dogs. They were delicious! We would pack up chips and drinks, stop to grab the corn dogs, and head into the National park to enjoy them at one of the numerous picnic tables with a fabulous view of nature. Every once in a while nature would come up to see if we would share.😃
Reply
Amy R Anguish
7/8/2021 01:26:41 pm
Kathy, I agree. Gatlingburg/Pigeon Forge is a fun place to visit. I hope to take my family that way in the future. Hand-dipped corn dogs are always a good thing. :-) As are mountain views. And family time.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
This is a place for me to share thoughts and ideas not just related to writing. Thoughts about what's going on in my life, about an idea I got that I thought shareworthy, or just a funny anecdote.
Categories
All
Archives
April 2024
|