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Started By
Message
Chattanooga vs. Gatlinburg Weekend
Posted on 8/26/24 at 7:51 am
Posted on 8/26/24 at 7:51 am
Planning a quick weekend trip with the family (wife and 2 kids under 7). Short drive. Chattanooga or Gatlinburg? Best things to do? TIA
Posted on 8/26/24 at 9:30 am to PoBoy1
Time of the year? This weekend? For kids that age, I think Gatlinburg would be great (and this is coming from a person that loves Chattanooga). If you are talking about this weekend, the long lines and traffic may not make it worth it.
This post was edited on 8/26/24 at 9:33 am
Posted on 8/26/24 at 9:31 am to PoBoy1
If you want nature and hiking, go to Gatlinburg and avoid spending any time in the town. Spend all of the time in the National Park.
Not a fan of the touristy nature of Gatlinburg myself.
If you want fun family outings in shorter bursts, Chattanooga is a big winner to me. The aquarium is maybe my favorite anywhere. Rock City is a huge hit for kids that age and I really love it as an adult. Incline Railway... Ruby Falls...
I'd vote Chattanooga.
Not a fan of the touristy nature of Gatlinburg myself.
If you want fun family outings in shorter bursts, Chattanooga is a big winner to me. The aquarium is maybe my favorite anywhere. Rock City is a huge hit for kids that age and I really love it as an adult. Incline Railway... Ruby Falls...
I'd vote Chattanooga.
Posted on 8/26/24 at 9:32 am to PoBoy1
We used to take the kids to Chattanooga every year for a long weekend. Lots of kid things to do.
The Aquarium
Incline Railway
Ruby Falls
Rock City
Chattanooga Lookouts baseball
Stay at the Chattanooga Cho Cho in one of the old rail cars
Chattanooga is better than Gatlinburg in every conceivable way.
The Aquarium
Incline Railway
Ruby Falls
Rock City
Chattanooga Lookouts baseball
Stay at the Chattanooga Cho Cho in one of the old rail cars
Chattanooga is better than Gatlinburg in every conceivable way.
Posted on 8/26/24 at 10:00 am to RaginCajunz
quote:
I'd vote Chattanooga.
For a long weekend, Chattanooga will fill in a few days. That's not enough time for Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/GSMNP.
If you want more of an outdoorsy experience closer to Louisiana, check out the Little River Canyon area. DeSoto State park has cabins. It's about 7 hours from Baton Rouge.
Posted on 8/26/24 at 12:24 pm to Shexter
Chattanooga for a quick trip, GSMNP is more of a week long trip unless you have been there a bunch.
Posted on 8/26/24 at 3:38 pm to PoBoy1
Gatlinburg is Panama City Beach, but with mountains.
Posted on 8/26/24 at 4:02 pm to Slippy
quote:
Gatlinburg is Panama City Beach, but with mountains.
People told me this and I had never been, I had no idea. Now that I've been, I disagree.
Panama city beach is the gatlinburg of the beaches. Pigeon Forge/ gatlinburg is even more crappy tourism than PCB IMO.
I like Chattanooga, but for a long weekend IDK. For a regular weekend absolutely. Its a great city, but there's only so much really past Rock city, the aquarium, down town, baseball game, etc.
But I'm sure you can find more to do.
If you do want to hit up gatlinburg, you may consider finding a place with some elevation it may be quite a bit cooler up high.
Posted on 8/26/24 at 6:37 pm to RaginCajunz
quote:
Ruby Falls
Listen to me very carefully. Do not let anyone drink fluids for four hours and make everyone go to the restroom before you get on that elevator.
Posted on 8/26/24 at 8:30 pm to RougeDawg
quote:Can you imagine having to pee and then you get the the actual falls and hear that water slapping in the pool. Might as well find a crevice and let it whirl.
Listen to me very carefully. Do not let anyone drink fluids for four hours and make everyone go to the restroom before you get on that elevator.
Posted on 8/26/24 at 9:13 pm to PoBoy1
Chattanooga has an underrated food scene. Plenty of good breweries too
Posted on 8/26/24 at 9:30 pm to baldona
quote:
Its a great city, but there's only so much really past Rock city, the aquarium, down town, baseball game, etc. But I'm sure you can find more to do.
What? All the great hiking, mountain biking, rafting, camping, civil war history, kayaking, fishing/fly fishing, off roading, and so on in the area really makes this place shine. The area immediately around Chattanooga is an outdoor playground that you can find endless things to do.
We also have giant little Debbie cakes at a playground lol.
Posted on 8/27/24 at 8:17 am to Dam Guide
This. Chattanooga has been top rated by outdoor magazines for the past 10 years.
Gatlinburg>Pigeon Forge. Gatlinburg is 100% walkable and has a retro 60's vibe that I love.
PF is just a huge tourist trap with heavy traffic.
Posted on 8/27/24 at 11:00 am to baldona
quote:
I like Chattanooga, but for a long weekend IDK. For a regular weekend absolutely. Its a great city, but there's only so much really past Rock city, the aquarium, down town, baseball game, etc.
Add in Tennessee Valley Railroad, Point Park at the top of Lookout Mountain, the old Confederama 3D battle map has been moved to the entrance of the park and renamed Battles for Chattanooga Museum, the Little Debbie park, several great hiking areas...you can easily fill a long weekend in Chattanooga.
Posted on 8/27/24 at 11:57 am to PJinAtl
there's also the Creative Discovery Museum downtown.
Hands on Science center. our kids always liked these type places. (15 yrs ago)
Hands on Science center. our kids always liked these type places. (15 yrs ago)
This post was edited on 8/27/24 at 11:58 am
Posted on 8/27/24 at 12:23 pm to PoBoy1
Here’s some more things that I like around town all within short drive:
Tons of mountain bike trails - 5 points, white oak mountain, bauxite
Hiking trails in Prentice Cooper state park - Snoopers rock, etc. Or drive up Hwy 27 toward Dayton and hike one of the numerous trails up the side of the Cumberland escarpment
Drive through Sequatchie Valley - beautiful, like a closer Shenandoah Valley
Rent a pontoon boat at Erwin marine and cruise through the TN River gorge
Go rafting on Ocoee River or Hiwassee River
I live in area and still could spend a week doing stuff I love.
Tons of mountain bike trails - 5 points, white oak mountain, bauxite
Hiking trails in Prentice Cooper state park - Snoopers rock, etc. Or drive up Hwy 27 toward Dayton and hike one of the numerous trails up the side of the Cumberland escarpment
Drive through Sequatchie Valley - beautiful, like a closer Shenandoah Valley
Rent a pontoon boat at Erwin marine and cruise through the TN River gorge
Go rafting on Ocoee River or Hiwassee River
I live in area and still could spend a week doing stuff I love.
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