Weekend Trips

[Hershmeister]

Lots to do and see in chattanooga
Ocooee rafting is awesome

[none]

The "not a lot of traffic" part is going to be tough. It's summer, lots of people are out doing stuff. You'll need to hit some of the more out-of-the-way places or go during the week.
You might like the Museum of Appalachia near Clinton. Museum of Science and Industry and the Children's museum in Oak Ridge. Knoxville zoo, Smokies baseball, ....
In Chattanooga there's the Aquarium, IMAX, Creative Discovery Museum, Ruby Falls, Incline Railway, Railroad museum, Lookouts baseball, ...

Incline Railway? And Railroad museum. That's a great idea. My son really likes old trains.

Thanks

[WindHawk]

The Adventure Science Center in Nashville.  Took our 8 year old granddaughter last year and she loved it.  There an admission and some things are extra but it was interesting.  A very full 1/2 day, maybe more and an easy drive for you.  Check their web site:  http://www.adventuresci.org/

 

The "cave country" in the south part of Kentucky.  Several cave tours to chose depending on your interest.  Corvette Museum is in Bowling Green.  Some amusement parks in the area too.  Could definitely be a weekend trip.http://www.kentuckytourism.com/articles/hart-county-the-heart-of-kentucky-cave-country/41/  ;  http://www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm

 

It might stretch your 3 hour travel, but consider Land Between the Lakes.  National Recreation Area.  1850 Working Homestead and museum, Bison and elk herds roaming on open range. Several other things.  Camping or cabins.  http://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/

Edited June 20, 2015 by WindHawk

[Jeb48]

Thinking back to our travels last Summer, it looks like Louisville KY is within your distant requirements.  If you haven't been to Mega Cavern you might want to look into it. They have a bunch of neat stuff for the younger crowd, being old farts we just watched the fun and took the tram ride. A bit pricy but it was nice and cool under ground on a hot day. http://www.louisvillemegacavern.com/

 

If you go to Louisville and your 11 year old is into history of battles and weapons the Frazier Museum was excellent. Live demonstrations and lots of stuff for kids. The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft is just down the street, we parked and my wife went there and I went to the Fraizer.  We agreed to meet back at the truck and whoever got back first would just read to kill time.  My wife finished her museum and read for an hour or so at the car before I got back and I could have spent more time there with no trouble. http://fraziermuseum.org/

 

There are several other museums that looked interesting but we only had an afternoon left in town. The The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory would be fun for baseball fans, we are not, so were not tempted. http://www.sluggermuseum.com/

[jgradyc]

First Saturday of the month is exotic cars at the Cars and Coffee car show at the Thoroughbred 20 movie theatre parking lot in Franklin (Cool Springs). It's pretty impressive if you like exotic cars. 

[Hershmeister]

Be sure to come to the wilson county fair in august!

Also - check out a movie under the stars at the Stardust Drive In in watertown tn. Open 7 days a week during the summer

[peejman]

Incline Railway? And Railroad museum. That's a great idea. My son really likes old trains.

Thanks

 

 

Me too.  :)

[Caster]

You can do the train ride in Nashville too.  They have rides as little as 5 miles to over 200+ miles.  They do trips to wineries and all manner of things.  I see Spet. 26 they are gonna have an old west robbery.  That would be entertaining, getting to watch the train get robbed by old west bandits.  

 

http://tcry.org/pass_ops.htm

[gregintenn]

Incline Railway? And Railroad museum. That's a great idea. My son really likes old trains.

Thanks

http://www.kentuckytourism.com/big-south-fork-scenic-railway/2248/

I've done this several times, and always enjoyed it. There is also some breathtaking scenery along the hiking trails in Big South Fork. Nearby Pickett State Park is pretty also.

 

My family  has always enjoyed a weekend trip to any of our state parks; especially the ones with Inns on the grounds. Hiking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, playing ball, trap shooting, biking, etc. are a few of the things we've enjoyed at Montgomery Bell, Fall Creek Falls, Henry Horton, and others. There are always park rangers there with various activities for the kids. I've enjoyed many of these as well.

 

We always have a great time in Chattanooga as well. The aquarium is great. There are a lot of good restaurants and things to do near it. Lake Winnie is great as well. It's like you stepped back in time about 50 years. A lot of history is on display in Chattanooga. Just stay in the touristy parts and don't venture too far off the beaten trail. My wife still fusses about the Holmes Wrecker Body Museum, but I thought it was interesting.

 

I'm out on Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. It's a giant traffic jam/money grab/tourist trap.

Edited June 22, 2015 by gregintenn

[gregintenn]

Ever been to Stone Mountain, Ga?

 

We're planning a whitewater rafting/zipline trip to the mountains next month. That's always fun.

Edited June 25, 2015 by gregintenn

[Jonnin]

Incline Railway? And Railroad museum. That's a great idea. My son really likes old trains.

Thanks

 

The incline is cool --- its a good ride and practical engineering.  Its still, I think, the fastest working way up or down that mountain (not counting jumping).   On top of being gravity operated etc.   Goes right thru an old and sadly a bit run down neighborhood -- there are some great homes all around it, if you like seeing 1920s or whatever buildings.    On good years, its something to see in the fall, the mountain and leaves etc.