Heritage Park

Heritage park is a gem in the middle of a shopping haven. It's a great place to hop by in between errands to let the kiddos (or dogs) run around, but if you have all morning, it's also a great place to wade, catch crawdads and feed the fish.

PICNIC? yes

SWIMSUIT? yes

COST? none

PLAYGROUND? yes

AUTHOR'S RATING? five out of five stars!

HOURS? dawn to dusk

Along with the play structure, there are swings and a bocce ball court. There's also a great track around the whole park for jogging or riding bikes.

The Dog Park located at Heritage is open to your dog after it has been screened and you have paid a small annual fee.

one side of the dog park

water available for the dogs at the entrance

other side of the dog park

restrooms

Our favorite part of Heritage is definitely the creek. Along with being picturesque, it's also infinitely wadeable and splashable!

The creek goes under the bridge that brings you into the park.

It didn't take long before my kiddos were tossing their shirts and going into the water in their suits. I would say this is mainly a wading hole, but with my kids, I knew that if they wore clothes, it would only be a matter of minutes before they were soaked. Hence the bathing suits.

The Heritage House is an arts and civic center located on the grounds of the park. This house and grounds were once the private estate of the Henshaw family. There are festivals at the house throughout the year, and it can be rented out for private events.

{MAP FOR HERITAGE PARK}

Chickamauga Lake

After seeing the lower side of the Chickamauga Dam, we were all curious to see the other side, so we took the short drive to the Chickamauga Lake Park. This is the place to be if you want to put in a boat (we got to see a house boat being pulled out of the water) or if you want to feed the ducks.

There's also a step-down, partitioned off swimming area.

PICNIC? yes

SWIMSUIT? yes

COST? none

PLAYGROUND? no

AUTHOR'S RATING? four and a half out of five stars

HOURS? dawn to dusk

We loved going out on the floating docks and seeing the geese and herons land in the water.

On a hill just beside the dock area, there is a large covered pavilion with picnic tables. On the other side of that hill is a swimming area.

As far as I could tell, the area partitioned off included water up to about 4 feet.

In a group of trees behind the swimming area are picnic tables in the shade.

{MAP FOR CHICKAMAUGA LAKE}

The Chickamauga Dam

When you are biking or walking the Tennessee Riverwalk, the Chickamauga Dam is your northernmost point. Along with saving the city from flooding, this dam provides hydroelectric power to Chattanooga. 

PICNIC? yes

SWIMSUIT? no

COST? none

PLAYGROUND? no

AUTHOR'S RATING? four out of five stars!

HOURS? dawn to dusk

There is a picnic pavilion tucked beneath those trees.

Right up near the dam there is an excellent dock for fishing, and the birds know it as well. Watching for fish and herons were my favorite parts of visiting the dam. Though, if we were studying power sources, I could see where visiting the dam would be a great educational tool as well.

{MAP FOR CHICKAMAUGA DAM}

The Tennessee Riverpark

Like a strand of valuable pearls, the Tennessee Riverpark stretches along the river near Chattanooga. Many Chattanoogans have to a part of this park without ever realizing the extent of it.

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From the Chickamauga Dam to Ross's Landing downtown, there is a single connected wide pathway suitable for walking, jogging or biking. Though it passes totally unique play grounds (Riverpoint), amazing views of the river, and many pavilions, the largest play area located in the Riverpark is here at the Fishing Park.

PICNIC? yes

SWIMSUIT? no

COST? none

PLAYGROUND? yes

AUTHOR'S RATING? five out of five stars!

HOURS? dawn to dusk

Along with having a large older kid play structure and a smaller toddler play structure on rock/pebble base, the Fishing Park part of Riverpark is a great place for biking and picnicking.

The large pavilion houses bathrooms.

There are four pavilions available for rent in the Riverpark. Find availability and price HERE.

The picnic tables are on a first come first serve basis and are scattered throughout the park. Some even have grills alongside!

Though the park is a gem in itself, the views of the river dominate with their beauty and serenity. We had fun throwing pebbles off one of the fishing docks, watching the boats pass by and navigating the slippery rocks down below the dock.

{MAP FOR TENNESSEE RIVERPARK}

Ross's Landing and Riverfront Playground

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Ross's Landing is on the river side of The Passage and the Tennessee Aquarium. Ross's Landing has a river pier, a natural amphitheater, boat docks, and a beautiful view of the river. It's a great place to walk, read and because of a new playground just west of the main part of Ross's Landing it's also a great place to play!

Riverfront Playground is a wheel chair accessible play structure that accomplishes a lot in a small amount of space.

PICNIC? yes

SWIMSUIT? no (although the Water Steps are just a block down the road!)

COST? no cost

AUTHOR'S RATING? four and a half out of five stars

HOURS? none

The playground has a wood chip base, swings, a climbing wall and the main structure. My kiddos gave it a high rating as an obstacle course--they love for me to time them as they race up the ramp, over the bridge, along the bar, down the slide and over the rock wall.

The views are gorgeous, even on a hazy morning. 

Looking to the east of the park you can see a hill that is excellent for cardboard sliding! 

Beside the park there are a few picnic tables, and behind the park is the entrance to the Southern Belle, a Tennessee River cruise boat with daily lunch, dinner and sightseeing cruises.

{MAP FOR ROSS'S LANDING}