Pre-Trip Fun for Chattanooga, Tennessee

"The Adventures of Ociee Nash" --Chattanooga is the backdrop for this adventurous coming-of-age story about a young girl in the turn-of-the-century South. (School Age)

"Heaven's Fall" --Although Chattanooga plays Alabama there are plenty of train scenes and historic buildings in this excellent story of racial prejudice. (Pre-Teens and Up)

"October Sky" -- A young Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a teen-age rocket launcher during the Sputnik era while Chattanooga and other Tennessee spots provide the scenery. (School Age and Up)

Moon Pies -- Similar to the whoopie pies of Maine, these graham-cracker laden desserts originated in Chattanooga in 1917.

Tennessee Fry Bread -- Make some fried toast to soak up the gravy left on the plate from dinner.

"T Is for Tennessee" by E.J. Sullivan -- Learn everything about the Volunteer State from A to Z. (Ages 2 to 8)

"It Happened in Tennessee" by Susan Sawyer -- An informative historical trivia guide to everything from famous Tennesseans to details on Civil War battles and antislavery movements. (Ages 6 to 12)

"Riding the Rails: Teenagers on the Move During the Great Depression" by Errol Lincoln Uys -- See what life was like riding the Chattanooga trains and other cars during the 1930s. (Ages 13 to 17)

"This Grand Spectacle: The Battle of Chattanooga" by Steven E. Woodworth -- Everything from maps to biographies offer an interactive way for kids to learn about the famous Civil War battle. (Ages 10 to 14)

"Suttree" by Cormac McCarthy -- Older kids interested in the Southern American writing style popular in these parts can dive into this novel about a fisherman in Knoxville, Tenn. (Ages 15 to Adult)

Marine Soap Menagerie -- Get ready for that trip the Tennessee Aquarium.

Hydro Bracelets -- These glittery, go-anywhere jewelry can survive the Coolidge Park water play area or the river play space at the Creative Discovery Museum.

Pipe Cleaner Penguins -- Craft a few feathered friends in honor of the Penguins Rock area of the Tennessee Aquarium.