Chattanooga Choo Choo Model Train Museum

The Chattanooga Choo Choo is not just a song or an icon of our fun city; 

it's also a great place to eat, play or hang out!

I've heard several people say that the Model Train Museum there is one of those hidden gems of the city--come and check it out!

You also might want the Chattanooga Choo Choo if you're looking to sleep in an old railcar, be sung to by a waiter, or walk in lovely formal gardens.

PICNIC? I don't see why not. I don't think I would go full out picnic, but hanging out in the gardens and having a picnic snack would probably be fine.

SWIMSUIT? no

COST? Model Train MuseumDaily at 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm: $5/adults; $3/ages 3-12

Trolley Ride: $3/person

(Daily at 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm)

PLAYGROUND? no

AUTHOR'S RATING? five out of five stars

HOURS? 

Sunday - Friday:  1pm - 6pm 

Saturday:             10am - 8pm

From its earliest days, Chattanooga was a river town. But in 1849 the first train arrived, and Chattanooga also became a town of the rails. In 1871 the luxurious Stanton House was opened to cater to the traffic of those rails. After its heyday the Stanton House was neglected and finally leveled in 1906 to make way for the Terminal Train Station, opened in 1909.

This train station bustled until the 60s and then closed entirely when the last passenger train passed through Chattanooga in August of 1970. It wasn't long (just 3 years) until The Chattanooga Choo Choo was opened as a hotel. Cincinnati Southern's engine was brought in to be the official Choo Choo and the bustle of the old railway days surrounds her in the yard of the hotel.

I've given the Choo Choo my highest rating because of its historical place in our city and its variety of entertainment and hotel options. Do you need train pictures of your toddler? A fun date idea? A fancy place for out of town friends to stay? A morning outing for your train-loving son? Shops? Garden background for prom/engagement pics? All of that and more can be found at the Choo Choo!

The Model Railroad Museum has a representation of Chattanooga, her attractions and her resources.

My kids favorite part of the model museum was the few interactive parts of the display. You could push a button to make the Incline Railway run or a lumber jack chop down a tree. They were enthralled!

{map for the Chattanooga Choo Choo}

Lookout Mountain Incline Railway

I can't think of a better way to view the Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain areas than from the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway! When paired with lovely Point Park on the top of Lookout Mountain, this makes the perfect morning's outing.

PICNIC? yes--at picnic tables at the bottom of the incline

SWIMSUIT? no

COST? $15/adults; $7/ages 3-12

PLAYGROUND? no

AUTHOR'S RATING? four out of five stars

HOURS? 10-6pm every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas

Don't miss the views from the observation decks at the top of the incline!

When getting on the incline, watch your step! The car itself is inclined!

Passing the other train car is one of the thrills of the ride.

I love the windows at the top of the car--the ride is so steep that these windows show the view of the valley.

This is the pulley that holds the whole thing together! When one car goes up, the other goes down.

I definitely recommend the incline!

{map for Incline Railway}

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

On Saturday, our family celebrated our first Adoption Day. (Hooray!) We want to celebrate that day well, and the best way I could think of to celebrate was to do something fun in our town that we've never done before.

Enter the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.

We took the Missionary Ridge Local service beginning at the Grand Junction Station.

PICNIC? yes

SWIMSUIT? no

COST? $17 for adults and $11 for children age 3-12.  There is no charge for children age 2 and under. 

PLAYGROUND? no

AUTHOR'S RATING? four out of five stars

HOURS? find complete schedule HERE

It was great to get so up close and personal with the fully-refurbished, beautiful 1910 locomotive. 

The kids loved finding our seats on one of the three train cars--also refurbished with loads of history. (The one we rode in still had a dividing wall for when the train cars were segregated.)

The very best part was that we got off at the East Chattanooga restoration shop and got to see the locomotive engine turn on a turntable. It is hard to put into words how impressive and beautiful that was! When this turntable was new, it was so well balanced that it could be turned by four men. It's still well-balanced, but today it turns with a small engine. 

After a quick tour of the restoration shop, it was back to the train for the return trip through a tunnel and over bridges back to the Grand Junction Station.

Oh! And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the two biggest kid-related events for TVRM:

Day Out With Thomas

Thomas the Tank Engine (as close as you're going to get to the real thing) actually pulls the train.

and

North Pole Limited

Ride the train in the evening to see Christmas lights, hear Christmas stories and have a special Christmas guest.

Don't let the location fool you; it's just a hop and skip from downtown!

{MAP FOR TENNESSEE VALLEY RAILROAD MUSEUM}