Day 1 You'll See:
- Chattanooga Zoo
- Creative Discovery Museum
- Lunch at Museum
- Rock City
This 1-day sample itinerary is perfect for groups looking for a quick but extremely memorable field trip day with their students!
**Note the Creative Discovery Museum is meant for younger children, if you are traveling with a group of older students switch this museum experience out for the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.
1
Chattanooga Zoo
Located on 13 acres within Warner Park, the Chattanooga Zoo is a must-visit for your group while in the area. There are several different animal areas within the zoo, such as Deserts and Forests, Walking the Tracks, Warner Park Ranch, Corcavado Jungle, Gombe Forest, and Himalayan Passage. Within Gombe Forest, you can visit chimpanzees and black mangabeys, in the Warner Park Ranch you will have the chance to visit a petting zoo, and in the Himalayan Passage come face to face with red pandas and snow leopards.
Creative Discovery Museum
The Creative, first opened in 1995, is a downtown staple fixture that sits right next to the Tennessee Aquarium and Riverfront. Its mission is to 'spark children's passions for learning through hands-on experiences', something we think it does very well. Check out various art, music, field science, and technology exhibits throughout as your students get fully immersed into a world of discovery.
Rock City
During your visit to Rock City, your group will be able to explore freely the 4,100-foot walking trail with various rock formations, caves, and gardens. See the Enchanted Trail, Fairyland Caverns, and Mother Goose Village, each providing their own unique charm and beauty. Head to the Swing-a-Long Bridge for an epic view and bit of a thrill, or to the 'See Seven States' Lookout to see, on a clear day that is, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Children will enjoy the climbing wall, mining for gemstones area, and various installments of 'Art in the Gardens'.
**Optional Tennessee Valley Railroad
Welcome to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, the only 'moving museum' and only regularly scheduled, full-sized train ride in Tennessee. This interactive historical experience works to interpret and display railroad artifacts in an authentic setting, aiding in educating the public about the history and development of the region. Learn more about the railway's war history, train restoration in general, and of course, enjoy your very own train ride during your visit!