Chattanooga’s Hidden Gems of the South – POSTPONED (To be rescheduled)

We are excited to be offering a spring trip to Tennessee this year, and hope you will be thrilled to join us on this rare adventure! This six-day, five-night trip takes place from April 19 – 24, 2020, and is offering you both popular destinations as well as some of the less well-known attractions you have asked for. As always, you can depart from either Davenport or Moline, and please remember that both Stoney Creek Inn and the Steeplegate Inn offer special room rates for Plus 60 travelers for use on the night before departure, or the night we get back! We have brokered those deals for people not living in the immediate Quad Cities who don’t want to drive early or drive late! Included with this tour are five breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, and three dinner shows! You probably will not be hungry on this trip!

Some of the highlights of this tour on our way to Chattanooga include a stop at the Indianapolis White River Gardens where brilliant displays of floral come to life in the 5,000 square foot Hilbert Conservatory. A dinner show that evening is planned at the Beef & Boards Dining Theater. I’m not sure what the “Boards” alludes to, but anything with Beef is bound to be good!

Arriving in Chattanooga, America’s Scenic City, we check into our stunning and modern hotel right in the heart of downtown. Located just steps away from the Tennessee Aquarium and the Moon Pie General Store, our hotel offers lovely new high-end guest rooms. I checked Google and found the General Store stocks fresh moon pies in every flavor made, and has a huge selection of vintage candy and a lot of unusual souvenirs. Later we will head to River City Sessions, Chattanooga’s newest dining and entertainment experience. Our dinner show features Bluegrass and American music with storytelling and comedy, all in the Appalachian Roots tradition!

Experiencing Chattanooga to the fullest extent, our step on guide will share fascinating stories of local history. Sites will include Chattanooga Choo Choo, Northshore & Coolidge Park, the Bluff View Art District (artists, specialty coffees, artisan breads and bakery, etc.), the National Cemetery, and St. Elmo, a historic part of Chattanooga. We then will be taking a step back in time when railroad travel was a way of life as we board the Tennessee Valley Railroad for a 1 ½ hour ride. This ride is a rolling time machine, providing the sights and sounds of yesterday. Later, on Chattanooga’s beautiful downtown riverfront, we will find the Tennessee Aquarium. It features two buildings open for our exploration:
The first, River Journey, sets the stage for a fascinating adventure tracing the path of freshwater, from the mountains to the sea. The second building, Ocean Journey, immerses us in saltwater habitats where we will see playful penguins, be able to touch stingrays, admire the hundreds of beautiful butterflies, and admire the spectacular coral reef. You will cruise down the Tennessee River that evening on Chattanooga’s Southern Belle Riverboat where dinner is included.

Do you know what the top three rated attractions are in Chattanooga? By days end you will. Imagine your excitement and thrill as you ride one of the world’s steepest passenger railways up a breathtaking 72.7% grade up the mountain. Sit back and enjoy the scenic views of mountains and valleys from the observation windows on the train. There are also panoramic views from the observation tower at the top of the incline. You will have time to wander about and see the views which encompasses seven states! For lunch there is a delicious fried chicken entree enjoyed at Rock City’s Big Rock Grill. The location provides views that are everything you could wish for.
Afterwards the waterfalls (named Ruby Falls) will amaze you when you learn a group of excavators discovered them in 1928, 1120 feet beneath the surface of Lookout Mountain! This is the tallest and deepest underground waterfall in the United States. The location opened as a public attraction in 1930, and cannot be missed! You will have the option of viewing the falls from the top, or going down an elevator into the cavern to walk to the falls. Dinner this evening features an all-you-can-eat authentic Southern cooked meal, served on Lazy Susan tables at a popular restaurant, Bea’s.

Leaving Chattanooga the next day, we head for Louisville, KY. This stop promises to interest everyone when we visit the Louisville Slugger Museum. This museum showcases the story of the Slugger Baseball Bats. The store has everything you could want regarding baseball memorabilia. I would recommend visiting their website for a 10% off coupon (some exclusions). A fun time tonight is promised when we head for the Derby Dinner Theatre where the show and the food is known to be terrific!

A visit to the country is on the agenda for our last adventure before reaching home. The Fair Oak Farms can be explored at your own pace, seeing and experiencing all things country farm life has to offer. Lunch and an ice cream cone are included, promising a relaxing respite for all.

The prices for this tour are $1765 for a double, and $2225 for a single. Additional rates are available for triples or quads.