Chattanooga, Tennessee, Family Vacation

Chattanooga is an easy-to-navigate town chock-full of history and iconic American attractions; older kids will love exploring Rock City while school-agers will be mystified at Ruby Falls, and the entire family will be enthralled with the huge aquarium.

Summer is the big tourist season. Chattanooga's downtown area is bordered by the Tennessee River on one end and Lookout Mountain on the other, so spring and fall are the prettiest times, (although every season offers plenty of activity).

Temperatures in Chattanooga are mild most of the year, although it's always a bit cooler at the higher elevations. Layering is a good plan. Summer temperatures average in the mid-70s and come with high humidity making searing temperatures not unheard of. Get more weather info.

Despite its history as a rail town, there's no passenger train service to Chattanooga. The Chattanooga Metropolitan Aiport (CHA) is the primary route into town, although the city is a quick two-hour drive from Atlanta's Hartsfield International Aiport (ATL). Greyhound bus lines serve Chattanooga.

Chattanooga is a driving city, although the attractions are laid out in two primary areas -- downtown and Lookout Mountain -- so depending on your itinerary, a car may not be a necessity. The Downtown Electric Shuttle runs about every five minutes from the Choo-Choo to the Aquarium downtown, with stops on every block between the two points. Some hotels offer shuttles to various attractions. It's best to call ahead for a taxi rather than rely on a cab being available when you walk out your hotel door.

• Four Bridges Arts Festival (April)
• Tour De Georgia (April)
• TaleSpin Festival (May)
• Wine Over Water (Sept.)
• CultureFest (Sept.)
• Chatta-BOO-ga (Oct.)
• Rocktoberfest (Oct.)

Chattanooga Fun is the official visitors' website

Discount coupons for attractions and lodging can be found at the Chattanooga Visitor's Center at 2 Broad Street next to the aquarium.

• Chattanooga was home to the first Coca-Cola bottling plant -- the rights to bottle the popular drink were sold for just a buck.