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Christmas in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Y’all know we travel every year for the holidays. This year I didn’t feel like a long drive so I needed something close. We decided to do Chattanooga which is about a 2 hr drive from me. I’m going to give you all an outline of our trip tell you where we stayed and what we did. Also, give you some tips on what to do and the real deal about that cave that everyone talks about. Join me as I recap our Christmas in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Christmas in Chattanooga, Tennessee

We stayed at the Westin. A lot of the hotels were booked so we didn’t have much to choose from and I didn’t want to do an Airbnb.

When we arrived that Monday we got in late so we decided to eat at Edley’s Bar B Que. The food was actually pretty good. It was empty in there when we went and they had run out of some staple items but overall it was a great spot if you like bbq.

That Tuesday was when we went exploring. First up the famous caves or you can call it Ruby Falls.

Christmas in Chattanooga, Tennesee

Christmas in Chattanooga, Tennesee

Get your tickets online for this and you might as well pay for all the attractions at once. The cave was fun but here are a few things you should know

  • The cave has narrow walkways so if you are not small it can be a tight space. Make sure you aren’t claustrophobic
  •  I am 5’2 I had to duck in a lot of spots. If you are tall like over 6ft you might be bending a lot to get through the cave. Be prepared for that
  • I didn’t see any signs for wheelchair accessible so I don’t think it is but let me know if I’m wrong.
  • It’s a group tour so be prepared to be in a group with a guide and don’t get lost…
  • The drive up the mountain can be a bit scary so be prepared to not look down if you are afraid of heights
  • Something in the cave broke my friend out and I started scratching…take your Allegra and pills before you go down there and try not to touch anything
  • Cameras are welcome but you will need a flash it’s dark

We did a mini video of the tour you can see it below

https://youtu.be/CvF9dmfFg0o

Overall it was a good experience. At least I can say I was in a cave. I say go for it once and try it out but once you’ve done it once you should be good.

After we did the cave we went on and did the Incline Railway.

Christmas in Chattanooga Tennessee

I wasn’t ready. All types of thoughts were going through my head. Is that the bottom of the railway? Geesus, let me close my eyes. I had my eyes closed for the first part of the trip because I am not good with heights. It levels out but whew…When you get to the bottom you can go exploring or you can wait until the next train comes back and picks you up. We did a little sightseeing at the bottom and went back on the next train up.

The next day which was Christmas day we got up and ordered room service and watched some movies in our room. I had to work so I spent the morning working on my job (can we say time and a half) then went to dinner at Ruth Christie which is usually open during the holidays.  After we left dinner we went to see the lights at Rock City.

My lazy but is used to driving through lights but I loved that we were able to walk through them and see the lights up close and personal. It was scary to look over the edge but I enjoyed the view…from the back. It was pretty packed and it was fun that we were actually in GA for this event. Love how we crossed state lines right quick. It was packed in there and well worth the drive from GA to check out. I do recommend doing this.

Overall I had a good time in Chattanooga. My kids didn’t like it and thought it was kind of boring minus the cave and the lights. They weren’t impressed and said can we just stay home in 2020 smh. Oh well can’t please them all the time but I will say we have tackled Chattanooga so we can’t say we’ve never been there. Here are some more pointers

  • You will drive through a mountain spot or two. Make sure you chew gum
  • When you do the incline railway you do have to pay to park
  • We went to the mall….no comment on that

So that is how we spent our Christmas. How was your Christmas? Any suggestions of where to go this year for the holidays?

 

 

15 Comments

  • melissa chapman
    January 3, 2020 at 5:48 pm

    Sounds like you had a great time. I never knew there were caves in Chatanooga they also seemed like a fun way to spend the holiday.

    Reply
  • Stesha Sims
    January 3, 2020 at 5:52 pm

    I love Tennessee but the mountains scare me. This Christmas, I would like to take the kids on a skiing trip! We don’t know how to ski, but I really want to visit aspen.

    Reply
  • cait
    January 3, 2020 at 6:58 pm

    its been forever since ive been there but i love it just the same 🙂 sounds like such a great time during the holiday festive season of christmas! your pictures are adorable

    Reply
  • Brianne Tursi Manz
    January 3, 2020 at 10:42 pm

    I never knew all of this was in Chattanooga! I really want to try Edley’s Bar B Que!

    Reply
  • Shannon Graham
    January 3, 2020 at 11:42 pm

    I don’t blame you for not wanting to do the Airbnb. Ugh, those get scary quick in my opinion lol Plus, you never know what you’ll end up with when you get there.

    Reply
  • Theresa
    January 4, 2020 at 2:15 am

    Too bad the kids didn’t like it. Mine loved it when we were there a few years back. We did most of what you did too. Rock City wasn’t lit up like that when we were there, but it sure is pretty with the lights!

    Reply
  • Brandy
    January 4, 2020 at 4:02 am

    What a fun way to spend Christmas. I do love the idea of traveling to Tennessee some time. I know that’s on my travel bucket list! Looks like a beautiful, and fun family time together.

    Reply
  • Sherry
    January 4, 2020 at 5:34 am

    This is my kind of trip. I like to explore new places. We had a quiet Christmas at home this year.

    Reply
  • Catalina
    January 4, 2020 at 8:26 am

    Seems that you had a nice and fun family Christmas! This is the most important thing about Christmas!

    Reply
  • Toni
    January 4, 2020 at 1:50 pm

    I haven’t been in Chattanooga but I think I’d love to explore it with my kids too.

    Reply
  • Monica Y
    January 5, 2020 at 2:10 am

    I have never been there, but for sure I would love to visit during Christmas, everything looks great, seems like a great trip

    Reply
  • Ice Cream n Sticky Fingers DFW Parenting/LIfestyle
    January 5, 2020 at 5:01 am

    I haven’t gone anywhere for Christmas in a very long time. I’ll have to plan a Christmas vacation for 2021 (yes that far out due to custody). I’m hoping that I can pull off a surprise Disney trip or something closer. I haven’t been to Chattanooga TN but it sounds like a wonderful town to visit. Kids typically want fun/entertaining but sometimes they need to go off the beaten path. They will appreciate the time spent together as a family as they get older. I still remember memories of family vacations.

    Reply
  • Eileen M Loya
    January 5, 2020 at 11:55 am

    The incline cars looked like it be an enjoyable ride. I have not been to TN yet, but you sure made me want to go! Those caves would be nice to explore!

    Reply
  • […] Chattanooga, Tennessee is just under two hours from Atlanta and is a fun Spring Break getaway for families looking to get away from home. Similarly, Dahlonega is a little over an hour away and offers plenty of family-friendly fun in the North Georgia Mountains. Nearby Pine Mountain is another destination near Atlanta that provides plenty of fun attractions, nature trails, and hiking, biking and exploring opportunities.  […]

    Reply
  • […] Chattanooga, Tennessee is just under two hours from Atlanta and is a fun Spring Break getaway for families looking to get away from home. Similarly, Dahlonega is a little over an hour away and offers plenty of family-friendly fun in the North Georgia Mountains. Nearby Pine Mountain is another destination near Atlanta that provides plenty of fun attractions, nature trails, and hiking, biking and exploring opportunities. […]

    Reply

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