Page 21 - Sept-Oct 2024 Vol 42 No 3

CHATTANOOGA By Lisa Hood Skinner
Chattanooga: Fun Things To Do!

Attendees for the annual TCAPWA/
SWANA Conference in Chattanooga Oct.
28-30, might consider arriving early or
staying a day late (or bring the family) to
further enjoy the city and its surrounding
areas.
And with the conference taking place at
Chattanooga’s Marriott Downtown Hotel,
1100 Carter Street (Two Carter Plaza),
many interesting attractions are within
walking distance or a short drive before or
after sessions.
Four Events Are Included In Our
Conference Package:
On Monday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m., our
Golf Open will begin with a shotgun
start at Brown Acres Golf Course (lunch Photo © Chattanooga Tourism Co.
provided.) At 2 p.m. a Chattanooga Solar
Electrification Tour will be held at the Within Downtown Chattanooga Itself: The equivalent to the height of a twelve-story
Chattanooga Development Resource Chattanooga Arcade Pinball Museum building.
Center (no charge). 1201-1283 King St., Thwack! Flip! Metal balls pinging across The aquarium plaza also houses the
Chattanooga, TN 37403. the game board! It’s old-school pinball IMAX Theatre, a stunning attraction on
Tuesday night Oct. 29, the Young and more in the Chattanooga Arcade its own, and the city’s Visitor Information
Professionals Event begins at 7 p.m. at Pinball Museum on 409 Broad Street, Center, where you can create your own
TopGolf, 490 Camp Jordan Parkway, East a few streets away from the hotel. The Chattanooga Itinerary through its digital
Ridge - food and beverages included. space is crammed with a collection of information kiosks or by engaging its
The final night of the conference, vintage pinball machines and informative friendly staff.
Wednesday, Oct. 30, we’ll be celebrating placards explaining the story of each Or, you can do the Chattanooga
TCAPWA’s 70th Anniversary on the game. A wristband gets you unlimited Riverwalk. For an urban hike, bring your
500-passenger, climate-controlled play for the day. tennis shoes and explore some of the 13
“Southern Belle” Riverboat, departing It’s an impressive variety of more miles of paved trails along the Tennessee
from Ross’s Landing in downtown than 60 old-style pinball and arcade River from the Chickamauga Dam,
Chattanooga. It’s at 151 Riverfront games, ranging from the years 1971 to downtown and all the way to the foot
Parkway, 37402. Boarding begins at 5:30 2024. The museum’s nostalgic, analog of Lookout Mountain. These areas offer
p.m. and the event ends at 7:30 p.m. sounds reverberate throughout the space, beautiful fall views with an assortment of
Dinner is included. bringing “back to life” many pinball wildlife.
Getting Around Downtown Chattanooga machines that were lovingly rescued and Hiking and Nature
restored from basements and game rooms
and Beyond of enthusiasts. Speaking of hiking, Chattanooga’s
Several options exist for getting around many trails range from leisurely urban
downtown and beyond. In addition to Water, Water, Everywhere routes leading to city vistas, to the
walking, the bus or your standard UBERs, Lots of water: The Tennessee River runs Reflection Riding Arboretum, a wildlife
adventurous convention attendants can zip straight through downtown Chattanooga, sanctuary located at the base of Lookout
around on Segways and ChattaScooters. with several possible access points to drop Mountain with more than 300 acres with
Or, you can go on a bicycle tour or use in and explore. Conference attendees can hiking trails, canoeing, animal encounters,
the bike share system. bring their paddleboards or kayaks to and unlimited nature experiences.
Speaking of biking, if you want to go down the river on their own, weather Other outdoor adventures include
bring your own bike, you also can view permitting. Lookout Mountain Hang Gliding,
breathtaking vistas along the trails to Of course, a well-known water Ruby Falls’ High Point ZIP Adventure,
Raccoon Mountain, featuring nearly 30 experience is a short distance from skydiving via Chattanooga Skydiving
miles of intermediate to advanced trails, the hotel, Chattanooga’s Tennessee Company, or even Rock Creek Aviation
Enterprise South Nature Park, home Aquarium, at 1 Broad Street. A Helicopter Tours. Additionally, rock
of the 2022 USA Cycling Paracycling freshwater public aquarium that’s been climbers come from all over to explore
Road National Championships, or any of operating since 1992, it opens at 10 a.m., areas such as Stone Fort (aka Little Rock
Chattanooga’s 50 trails. with its massive River Journey building City) and Foster Falls.

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