DEL.ICIO.USOne-tank trip: Chattanooga
Critters to see, a river to ride
For the AJC
Sunday, May 24, 2009
As if a revitalized riverfront that includes a new pier, boat slips, vast stretches of green space, playground, wetlands park, restaurants and shopping — all enlivened with striking art and a dramatic passageway that leads right down to Old Man River — weren’t enough, Chattanooga has unveiled yet more come-hither charms. Here are five must-experience attractions in a city that just keeps getting better and better:
Warren-McLelland Photography/The Tennessee Aquarium
The Tennessee Aquarium’s new eco-cruise vessel, the River Gorge Explorer
Delta Queen Hotel
The legendary Delta Queen has been transformed from a passenger steamboat into a boutique hotel. It will be ready for overnight guests in mid-June.
Alex McMahan Photography/Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park
Building endangered species awareness at the Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park is the new carousel with its hand-carved animals.
Hold onto your hats!
The Tennessee Aquarium’s sleek new catamaran, the 70-passenger River Gorge Explorer, does S-curves at 50 mph and can stop and turn on a dime. In fact, the eco-cruise vessel, which covers 26 miles of the Tennessee River, is so cutting edge that her captains worked with the U.S. Coast Guard to write the safety manual.
“It’s a $3 million Jet Ski,” says Capt. Mike Hosemann, who takes to the controls of the world’s only high-speed passenger vessel plying the inland waterways of North America and Europe with all the glee of a young boy operating his Wii.
During the two-hour excursion into the protected habitat of the gorge, expect to see bald eagles, blue herons and other river life, as well as historical landmarks, including Lookout Mountain, the top of which was the site of the Union Army’s Civil War assault on Confederate troops during the “Battle Above the Clouds.” At jaunt’s conclusion, Capt. Mike treats everyone to a spin — literally turning the vessel a full revolution by remote control. Docking, you’re just down the road from the Tennessee Aquarium with its giant catfish, otters, prehistoric sturgeon, sharks, stingrays, penguins and tropical butterflies.
Jellies galore
Speaking of the Tennessee Aquarium, it has joined creative forces with Chattanooga’s Hunter Museum of American Art to mount the special exhibition, “Jellies: Living Art,” a show inspired by the award-winning gallery at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. Newly opened in the aquarium’s Ocean Journey building, the exhibit will show off glass renditions of six species of slimy and mysterious animals.
The delicate beauty of the glassworks, by renowned artist Dale Chihuly and glass masters Stephen Rolfe Powell, Cork Marcheschi and Thomas Spake will be showcased at both the aquarium and the Hunter Museum.
Round we go
Just inside the new front entrance of the Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park is the glossy new endangered species carousel. This intricately carved attraction, with beautiful animal renderings and the rollicking good music you’d expect on a merry-go-round, arrived last summer. The carousel is part of the zoo’s recent expansion.
Visit Hank, a local celebrity of sorts and one of five chimpanzees in Gombe Forest. Beside’s Hank’s digs, the 12-acre zoo, located two miles from downtown Chattanooga, comprises the Himalayan Passage — the newest exhibit and one featuring red pandas, snow leopards, langurs (Old World monkeys) and the highly endangered “Bali-Mynahs,” a South America exhibit with swinging spider monkeys, jaguars and macaws and the Warner Park Ranch Exhibit where you can feed the goats.
Queen comes to town
The newest attraction in Chattanooga is the legendary Delta Queen, a passenger steamboat transformed into gracious boutique hotel. A National Historic Landmark, the Delta Queen has been tied down on the North Shore and will be ready to receive overnight guests in mid-June.
Her restaurant and lounge is open now and features live music, theatrical performances, lounge entertainment, card magic acts and historical lecture series.
Group tours of the vessel/hotel will also be available.
Milestone and laughs
Jukebox Junction Theater opened at the Chattanooga Choo Choo with all the song, dance and hoopla befitting an uber family-friendly variety show. The comedy production, “Elwood Smooch’s Choo Choo Cha Boogie Show,” is a mouthful to say and belly laugh to watch. It stars Billy Baker, a featured clown with the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus.
If you go
Chattanooga is 118 miles north of Atlanta; plan about two hours’ drive. For information, contact Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN 37402, 800-322-3344, http://chattanoogafun.com.
Where to stay
Delta Queen Hotel, www.deltaqueenhotel.com. Rooms will range from $89-$175.
Chattanooga Choo Choo/Holiday Inn, www.choochoo.com. Room rates range from $139.99-$229.99.
Country Inn & Suites/Hamilton Place Mall, www.countryinns.com/chattanoogatn_east. Room rates range from $109-159 and include hot breakfast daily with changing entrée and cookies in the afternoon. Lending library in the lobby.
Where to Eat
In downtown, head to the Easy Bistro & Bar (www.easybistro.com), a swanky place for cocktails (good food too!); Big River Grille (www.bigrivergrille.com), located across from the Tennessee Aquarium for casual and delicious all-American fare at an eatery that brews its own beer; or Sticky Fingers (www.stickyfingersonline.com), known for its barbecue. In the Bluff View Art District, go casual at Tony’s Pasta (www.bluffviewartdistrict.com) or pop into Rembrandt’s Coffee Shop for homemade breads and pastries washed down with freshly ground coffee roasted onsite.
Attractions
Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park, 1101 McCallie Ave., 423-697-1322, www.chattanooga.gov/PRAC/30_Zoo.htm. Hours: 9-5 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. Admission: $6/general; $4/seniors; $3 children ages 3-15; free for children under age 3.
Hunter Museum of American Art, 10 Bluff View, 423-267-0968, www.huntermuseum.org. Hours: 10-5 p.m. Mon., Tues., Fri., Sat., 10-8 p.m. Thurs. and 12-5 p.m. Wed. and Sun. Admission: $8/general; $4/children ages 3-17; free on weekends and holidays for children under age 13; free for children under age 3.
Jukebox Junction at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market Street, 866-466-2916, www.jukebox
junctiontheater.com. Show time: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with shows beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $24/general (incl. tax); $22.75/seniors; $18.50/teens ages 13-17; free for kids ages 6-12 with each paid adult admission (additional kids $10.75 each); free for kids 5 and under.
Tennessee Aquarium River Gorge Explorer, 423-785-3007, 800-262-0695, www.tnaqua.org. The boat boards at the Chattanooga Pier, two blocks from the Tennessee Aquarium. Visit the Web site for excursion schedule. Admission: $29/general; $21.50/children ages 3-12; $18/children under 3. Early Bird Special: $20 per person when you book the 10 a.m. cruise on Sat. or Sun. in advance. Call 800-262-0695 for your reservation and mention the “Early Bird Special.” Refreshments and restrooms are available on the boat.
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