Chattanooga, Tennessee

Dr Mary Travelbest Guide

In this episode, the FAQ is: How can I take a walking tour when I arrive in a city?

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Today’s Destination is: Chattanooga, Tennessee

Today’s Misstep- Getting stopped by TSA security

Travel Advice: Plan for the unexpected

FAQ: How can I get the walking tour when I get to a city?

Response: A guided walking tour of a city is a treat for a solo traveler, especially for a woman who is interested in its history.

The more popular ones are through platforms like Viator, TripAdvisor, Airbnb, and FreeWalkingtoursbylocals.com, but there are many ways to score a tour from someone who truly cares about the experience for you.

Be sure to read the reviews and book in advance during a busy season. Some are free, and suggest a tip at the end if you liked it. Your hotel could also gook you a tour. The Visitor Center or Tourism office can also give you guidance on this. You may also find a walking tour app for a self-guided tour, with maps and points of interest. You can GPS my city or check Detour. I found some walking tours on YouTube that were pretty fun to watch also.

https://freewalkingtoursbylocals.com/

Today’s destination: Chattanooga, Tennessee

My first visit here was in 1974, on a bus of young women heading to Florida. It was called Junior Trip. We were 80 women, two bus loads. I remember very little about Chattanooga from that visit.

I returned to see it in 2024, which made a more significant impression. This time, I was visiting the future Dr. Travelbest, who lives there now. We are currently working on a Planner for travel guidance, so look for that in the future.

It’s a central travel hub, especially for the railroads. A bridge crosses the railroad tracks, which are dozens of tracks wide. It may be one of the largest railroad hubs that I have experienced. You can see the city and the Moccasin Bend from the infamous Lookout Mountain.

Listen to the episode on Chickamauga to learn about President Abraham Lincoln's campaign to gain control of the South in the 1860s. It was a place of both Confederate and Union victories.

https://www.visitchattanooga.com/things-to-do/

https://www.visitchattanooga.com/plan/transportation/

The Zoo was a highlight, with a giraffe named George gladly accepting lunch from my hands to his 18-inch tongue. It seems that George loves romaine lettuce. Who would have guessed that? That experience was a treat. Kids like it, too. An assortment of other animals makes for a few hours of seeing wildlife at the Chattanooga Zoo.

Walk across the Pedestrian Bridge and the riverfront along the Tennessee River to get a flavor of the city. I walked the bridge at night, and it was a sparkling river with no watercraft because the weather was rainy and threatened winds. The Northshore District

has trendy boutiques, galleries, and food choices; you can walk everywhere. You can also learn much about the Civil War from an organized guided walking tour of the area.

I did get to see the historic train station, the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Parts of the terminal building were recently sold, so check the show notes for the latest.

https://www.local3news.com/local-news/preserve-chattanooga-sells-part-of-chattanooga-choo-choo-complex/article_a8d7781e-dbe5-11ee-abba-0b98f22b8f70.html

I also enjoyed Ruby Falls and will create a special episode about that destination soon.

• On my next visit, I plan to Explore the Tennessee Aquarium and dive into the fascinating world of marine life at one of the top-rated aquariums in the country. From river otters to penguins, the Tennessee Aquarium showcases various aquatic animals.

• I did a few hikes on this trip, but most of the days, it rained, so I will return and hike more. Chattanooga is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. You can go hiking on nearby trails like Stringers Ridge or Raccoon Mountain or try rock climbing at the Tennessee Wall, if you have that talent, or just go and watch the climbers.

• Next time I come, I may also Attend a Performance at the Tivoli Theatre: Catch a show at the beautifully restored Tivoli Theatre, which hosts concerts, Broadway shows, and ballets.

• My last item on the next time list is to Relax at Coolidge Park: Spend a leisurely afternoon at Coolidge Park, located along the riverfront. Picnic in the grass, ride the antique carousel, or simply enjoy the scenic views.

Today’s Misstep- Getting stopped by TSA security

How did I know that carrying a squash in my bag would keep me from getting through security the first time? It took an extra five minutes to get my bag checked. And then I did it again. I brought a squash on a second trip, and TSA stopped me for a short while Next time, don’t bring fresh squash on the trip in your carry on.

Today’s Travel Advice- Plan for the unexpected.

There’s no such thing as being fully prepared, so prepare for what could happen, and in your mind how you may deal with that.

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