Page 267 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

TENNESSEE  265

f Chattanooga
* 174,000. ~ @ n 215 Broad St,
(800) 322­3344.
∑ chattanoogafun.com
Located on the banks of the
Tennessee River along the
Georgia border, Chattanooga
is surrounded by several high
landmasses – the plateaus of
Lookout Mountain, Signal
Mountain, and Missionary
Ridge. Founded as a ferry
landing by the Cherokee Chief
John Ross in 1815, Chattanooga Former Chickamauga battlefield, with cannons, statuary, and memorials
was later occupied by white
settlers after the Cherokees visitors can trace the journey of Union soldiers who fought on
were forced out from here a single drop of water from its the precipitous slopes of this
along the tragic “Trail of Tears” origins in the Smoky Mountains steep plateau in the Battle
to Oklahoma in 1838 (see p56). through rivers, reservoirs, and Above the Clouds in 1863. This
The railroad leading to Atlanta deltas, then out into the Gulf of battle took place after Union
provided a natural target for Mexico. Over 9,000 species of fish, forces were able to reverse an
the Union Army during the Civil amphibians, reptiles, mammals, earlier Confederate victory and
War, and several battles were and birds illustrate the state’s planted the US flag on the top
fought on this dramatic terrain. varied habitats and ecosystems. of Lookout Mountain. At Ruby
Downtown Chattanooga is A short drive south of Falls, 3 miles (5 km) away,
today a revitalized center sur­ downtown on East visitors descend by
rounding the original site of the Brow Road, the home­ elevator to the floor of
ferry landing known as Ross’s spun Battles for a cave, then walk past
Landing. Within this compact Chattanooga stala ctites and stalag­
area are many of the city’s most Electric Map was mites to the 145­ft
popular attractions such as the originally known as (44­m) waterfall. A
Chattanooga Regional History “Confederama.” It tells light show trans forms
Museum, which covers the the story of local Civil the lovely natural
area’s local history – Native War battles with 5,000 Lookout Mountain surroundings of the
American, Civil War, and cultural; miniature soldiers and Incline Railway falls into a some what
the Tennessee Aquarium; the a series of tiny lights gaudy display.
attractive Riverwalk prom enade; on large boards which are used On the Georgia side of
and the pedestrian­only Walnut to represent the advancing Lookout Mountain, Rock City
Street Bridge that spans the river Confederate and Union troops. Gardens has natural limestone
to Coolidge Park and Carousel. At the foot of Look out Mountain rock form ations beautified
At the Tennessee Aquarium, is the start point for the mile­ by the Enchanted Trail, with
long Lookout Mountain little gnomes peering out from
Incline Railway. The train the crevices.
climbs a gradient of
72.7 percent up the  Tennessee Aquarium
1 Broad St. Tel (800) 262­0695. Open
side of Lookout Mountain 10am–6pm daily. Closed Thanksgiving,
for panora mic views. Dec 25. & 7 ∑ tnaqua.org
It was built in the 1890s
to bring tourists up to Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
the hotels that were 827 E Brow Rd. Tel (423) 821­4224.
once located on top. Open 10am–6pm daily. Closed
The Chickamauga and Thanksgiving, Dec 25. &
Chattanooga National ∑ ridetheincline.com
Military Park of Point P Chickamauga and
Park is a three­block walk Chattanooga National
away. The other section Military Park
of the military park is the 110 Point Park Rd. Tel (423) 821­7786.
Chickamauga battlefield Open 8:30am–5pm daily.
across the border in Closed Dec 25. 7 ∑ nps.gov/chch
northwest Georgia. } Ruby Falls
The site at Point Park 1720 Hwy 148. Tel (423) 821­2544.
commemorates all the Open 8am–8pm daily. Closed Dec 25.
The Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga brave Confederate and & ∑ rubyfalls.com

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