Old restored mansion from late 1700s owned by Chief Vann of the Cherokee Indian people. Lovely…read morehistoric home that is a sad reminder of the Trail of Tears. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

We had a trip to the Vann House on our radar for quite some time. They do an annual candle-lit…read moretour of the house and a few buildings on the grounds. And I'm glad we went! This place was quite the glimpse into our state's past. There's enough here to make any history buff happy--a wonderful educational experience for all ages, with an interpretive center that is rich with information. The house is a very nicely restored Mansion once owned by a Cherokee Chief, James Vann. Construction on the house was completed in 1804. The "Friends of the Chief Vann House" take a great deal of pride in their restoration efforts, and there are plenty of volunteers around during the candle-light tour to clue you in on history and trivia about the occupants. They don't seem to pull any punches when talking about the Trail of Tears, and how the Cherokee were treated back then. Vann House was working plantation with slaves, so there is also a good deal of information about the treatment of the estate's slaves, getting down to some history on specific individuals. The amount of research that has been done on the Vann House is impressive. They also have "Vann House Days" during the summer. And the site is not far from New Echota Historic Site. Next time we'll visit both when we're in the area. Holler if you're coming with.

Went here in the afternoon with my husband and kids (age 7&8). We did the guided tour and it was…read morewonderful! The inside museum is self guided. We took probably 20-30 minutes inside, then hopped on a golf cart for the guided part of the tour. It ended up taking about an hour to an hour and a half. Our guide was so knowledgeable and made learning fun (per my kids!). If you want to learn a little history in a relaxed and engaging environment, you should stop in here! Keep in mind that most of the tour/museum is outside, so if you don't want to get wet or be too cold or too hot, plan your visit with the weather in mind.

Our guide, Jody, made it great! Upon driving up to the museum, we didn't expect much and inside the…read moresmall museum wasn't much. But once we boarded the golf cart on the guided tour with Jody, that all changed. The weather was great, which always helps but the knowledge Jody shared at each stop took us back in history. As a teacher, I appreciated each detail and he (Jody) was always ready to answer questions. The property around the museum is where all of the history took place and Tunnel Hill takes great pride in their local treasure. I was surprised to learn all the seemingly small place had to offer. Kudos to all the people who work hard to keep this place alive. My kids and I had a great visit! I will note that it is more for middle school and up. And it's good for the kids to already have some knowledge about the Civil War. I only rate it one star less than perfect because the displays and mannequins need quite a bit of updating. You do have to have a good guide!

The Cravens House is a historic landmark on Lookout Mountain, known for its role in the Civil War…read moreand its sweeping views. Built in 1856 by Robert Cravens, a Chattanooga industrialist, it originally served as his summer retreat. During the Civil War, the house became a headquarters and observation point for both Union and Confederate forces, playing a key role in the famous "Battle Above the Clouds." The original structure was destroyed during the war, but Cravens later rebuilt it. Today, the house is part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, offering visitors a glimpse into the past as well as access to scenic hiking trails.

If you love history, views, and hidden gems, you have to visit Cravens House on Lookout Mountain in…read moreChattanooga, Tennessee. This place is absolutely fascinating -- it's the oldest surviving home on the mountain, built in 1856 by Robert Cravens, and it literally sat in the middle of the Battle Above the Clouds during the Civil War. It's wild to think this quiet, peaceful spot was once the site of major fighting, and yet the house still stands today! The home is part of the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, and the rangers do a fantastic job explaining the history and significance of the area. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and the surrounding trails -- especially the Cravens-to-Sunset Rock hike -- offer some of the best views in all of Chattanooga. Even if you're not a huge history buff, the mix of scenery, storytelling, and atmosphere makes this a really special stop. It's calm, educational, and surprisingly moving to walk where history actually happened. Highly recommend adding this to your Chattanooga itinerary -- it's a five-star experience all around! https://linktr.ee/reessroots

This was something I very much wanted to see while in Chattanooga. I remember learning about the…read moreTrail of Tears in school in Virginia but, hadn't known a great deal about it. I read about it before visiting and was very impressed by this monument paying tribute to the Cherokee nation and the suffering of those forced from their ancestral lands by mass exodus and essentially a death march, hence the name. I was surprised to see that this is a monument that the city allows you to fully walk, play, and swim in and there were dozens of families with children playing and splashing in the water. It was something I'm not used to seeing and I thought it was wonderful that the city allows this. It was extremely hot the day I visited in July but also, this is interactive and encourages people to come and spent time here. It's a physical tribute to the countless tears shed no doubt during this event and a powerful tribute to a darker part of American history.

The Passage is a permanent exhibit near the aquarium, and pays tribute to the seven clans of the…read moreCherokee Nation through symbolism. The Trail of Tears, when Cherokee tribes were forced from their lands in Chattanooga to Oklahoma, started nearby. The Passage is a walkway, where people can see the Weeping Wall, representing the tears shed as Cherokees were forced from their homes and made to walk the Trail of Tears. 7 disks along the Weeping Wall tell the story of the Cherokee Nation. Facing the Tennessee River are 7 figures playing stickball. Playing the important game of stickball provided a way for members of the Cherokee Nation to settle disagreements, even to the point of players getting injured or killed. Just my opinion, but I think this a valuable exhibit that should be maintained a lot better and treated with respect. During my visit, to The Passage, there were a lot of people wading in the water, and wall that the stainless steel stickball players are on appeared water damaged.

If love history and any kind then you must take a few minutes and stop and just take it in. I…read morethink sometimes we forget what this country has gone through and remembering is a way to make the future better for all.

THE BATTLE AT RINGGOLD GAP: A HERO IS REMEMBERED!…read more This little park is easy to miss if you are not looking for it along Highway 41 just east of downtown Ringgold. We drove right past it but realizing what we had missed, we stopped on the return trip. Just look for the stone wall and the large statue. This park consists of a historical monument to General Cleburne and several historic markers commemorating the Battle at Ringgold Gap and the beginning of the Atlanta Campaign. With only 4100 Confederate soldiers, Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne successfully defended the city of Ringgold against an army of 20,000 Union soldiers. The bronze statue, erected in 2003, depicts a man in a reflective posture with a determined expression. It pays great respect to a man who faced a sudden call to lead a demoralized group of men. With the number of men he went up against, it was sheer strategy and tenacity that allowed him to stay in control as long as he did. He became known as Stonewall of the West. This little park is a simple roadside park with picnic tables and not much else. It clearly exists as a Civil War Monument and should be respected as such. I

Here at Lula Lake Land Trust in Lookout Mountain, Georgia (20 miles southwest of Chattanooga,…read moreTennessee), this is a fun little journey, a 4-mile out and back or roundtrip hike getting to experience the prized highlight here...120-foot Lula Falls. The area around Lula Falls is private property. The Board of Trustees are sensitive about protecting the ecology of this land and so...visiting capacity is greatly reduced. In order to visit, you must book a reservation online ahead of time at lulalake.org. It's $16 entry per car, regardless of the number of passengers. Visitation dates are totally out of the norm, outside guests can enter the grounds on the first and last weekends of each month. That's 4 days per month and 48 days out of the entire year! Eye opening when you think about that statistic within the bigger picture of making plans to see Lula Falls. The pathway trail to reach Lula Falls is moderately easy. Follow the gravel dirt road for the first 1.5 out of 2 miles. Along the way, on the left hand side of the trail is a terrific overlook of Lula Falls. Although you can enter down to the falls taking Old Falls Trail, those stair steps are pretty steep. It was suggested to me to walk just a little further down to Lula Falls Trail and follow that pathway to Lula Falls. Upon arriving at the heart of it all, Lula Falls is mighty impressive, a magical wonder of a waterfall plunging 120 feet in a straight free-fall. While the sun was shining, I even caught a rainbow at the base of the falls which made the setting here somewhat of a pause in time moment. Backdrops like these don't come around often, I was relishing it all. Feeling thankful and blessed would describe things well. There's no swimming at the falls and I respect that, just enjoying the beauty of the falls was good enough for me. On the return trip back towards the entrance, you can follow the Bluff Trail above the forest tree-line to a panoramic clearing from high atop Lookout Mountain. It's a good chance to view the Chattanooga Valley from an undisturbed vantage point. You can finish out the hike taking the Bluff Trail almost all the way back to the start, or the Middle Trail is just as good too. But if you enjoy hiking in nature, either pathway will get the job done. Overall, getting to venture out to Lula Lake Land Trust and hike to Lula Falls was a joyous occasion for me, someone who loves the great outdoors and takes nothing for granted. Thank you for having me.

Beautiful hike at Lula Falls. It is about 4 miles round trip. We went in May when it wasn't hot but…read morewas still warm enough that my jacket didn't stay on long. The trails are well maintained and easy except for the last quarter mile to the lower falls. Worth the trek down to the lower falls area. A bit of a challenge for this 62 year old but slow and steady won the day. We enjoyed a nice lunch in the picnic area near the stairs to the lower falls.

If you're searching for a spot that blends breathtaking scenery with a dash of local history,…read moreLookout Point is an absolute must-visit. Perched high above the landscape, it offers panorama views that make you feel like you're standing at the edge of the world. Sunsets here don't just glow--they ignite the entire horizon. What really elevates the experience is the historical depth woven into the place. Lookout Point has long served as a natural vantage point, used for centuries by early travelers, surveyors, and even Indigenous communities who recognized its strategic height and sweeping visibility. In the early 1900s, as the area developed, the point became a favored destination for weekend picnics, stargazing nights, and scenic drives. Some of the original stonework and trail markers still remain, giving the area a timeless charm. Today, it continues to be a beloved spot for hikers, photographers, history buffs, and anyone who wants a quiet escape. The trails are well-kept, the air feels crisp, and the soundscape is a blend of wind, birds, and quiet awe from other visitors. Whether you're capturing the view through a camera lens or simply taking a moment to breathe, the place has a way of grounding you. Verdict: If you're anywhere nearby, don't just think about visiting--go. Bring a camera, bring someone you like, or just bring yourself. Lookout Point is one of those places that leaves you a little different than when you arrived.

This place existed prior to the War between the States. This was the site of the Confederate siege…read moreof Chattanooga from the mountain in 1863. It's a 10 acre memorial park that overlooks Chattanooga and the battlefield. There's many historic buildings and relics of the war. The original house of 1856 was destroyed during the war, but rebuilt and finished in 1866. It is free entry and overlooks Chattanooga as well.

This was my first visit here. I started not to go but I am very glad I did. Today was a beautiful…read moreday to be out and doing an outdoor activity. This Fall Festival is well talked about in around Chattanooga and brings in people from miles around. Features: Well, one is that there is the Sequatchie River flowing right beside it. There's also a dam on it too built by early settlers. There's an old two story house on the property that I wish they would let people tour. There is a non- working water powered sawmill on the site with the equipment still there. Anyway you get all kinds of different food here like; fried pies, BBQ sandwiches, roasted sweet potato, roasted sweet corn, kettle corn, local honey, northern beans, turnip greens, chicken on a stick and etc. of course you can get sweet tea here too. They have some talented crafters. One makes things from leather like belts, gun holsters, bill folds, any etc. he was very reasonable too. They have entertainers that come here too where you can sit back in your lawn chair and relax to music. They had two places for entertainers. One at the main stage and the other at the Jammin Tent ( Food Barn). History: Ketners Mill was built in 1868 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The last year that the sawmill operated was in 1955. The last year that Ketners Mill was in full operation was in 1992. Wagon Rides: For only $3 you ride a horse drawn wagon thru the woods. See photos. I really regret not doing this. Extra thoughts: I think Ketners Mill is a place to come and relax and enjoy good food and entertainment. I wished I had brought my lawn chair and stayed longer in front of the stage where people were singing and playing their instruments. There are some shade trees to put them under close to the stage. Directions: I recommend using I 75 and taking exit 155. You can also get here by using exit 158 but 155 is what I will use next time. Once arriving at the site you can park in the open field they direct you to depending upon where you enter. I made a mistake and decided to go through the mountains on the way back and ended up in the Signal Mountain area. I thought I wanted to take more scenic view but it's just a bunch of woods and a winding curvy road that just slows you down big time. I should have gone back the way I came in.

I have visited Ketner's Mill a few times over many years. It is not far from Chattanooga and easy…read moreto find. We got there on a Sunday around 1 PM and left around 3 or so. It got very busy during our visit and the line to enter when we left was long. They have free parking and it cost 7 dollars a person to enter, which I felt was a little steep but we paid. It is a typical farm fair atmosphere with numerous vendors, food, craft and drink (no alcohol). They had everything from carmel corn to chicken on a stick. Lots of homemade jams, honey, bread and other food stuff. We walked around the area and looked at various crafts, which there is a huge selection. They have an animal petting area and also canoes you can rent. They had a rustic stage where musicians played various blue grass and country music. It is a great place to take the family for a nice afternoon get away. I give it a 4 even though I am kind of cheap and personally will not go again for $7. There are too many free or more reasonable festivals all summer.

Excellent spot for sightseeing. Great for adults; mildly ok for kids, as its light on interaction…read more Lovely, knowledgeable Docents waiting to share the story. Nice home, small for its era of plantation homes. It was nice seeing the true story of the impact of African Americans - without them there is no Roswell. Without black free labor there is no America in the way we see it now. Free labor fueled the wealth of many dynasties. A nice one hour or 1.5 hr is enough time to see everything. You may want to read up on the house and area before you arrive to ground you in the founding of Roswell. If you love antiques, there's tons to see! Lots of pics on wall. This specific founder wasn't ostentatious so its the opposite of gold, lavish, etc. Its humble wealth! They were devout Presbyterians who were conflicted on owning slaves; private/ secret abolitionist who taught their slaves to write. Telling other locals it was for God so his slaves could read the Bible. But truly it was so they had a skill and could be more than slaves! Remarkable! Fun visit. There are two more grand homes, larger, more lavish by 2 other Roswell early founders, about a mile away. So if you have more time, do it all in 2 to 3 hours. We sat on the porch for 30 min just rocking, nice chairs! We may not ever go back but it was worth seeing!

The city of Roswell has 3 preserved antebellum houses open for public tours. We stopped by all 3…read moreone Saturday afternoon in February. All are located within a 1/2-mile radius, and 2 are literally within about 200 yards of each other. Our third stop was at Smith Plantation. It is located close to the Roswell business / restaurant district, and is adjacent to the city hall (with which it shares a parking lot). Like the others, there is no fee here. We entered via the front door and interacted with the welcoming docent, who asked for our zip code and how we'd heard about the venue. You are then free to wander the house via whatever route you like. Most rooms have a sign with a 4-digit code. You call a phone number (the same one used at the other 2 houses) and enter successive codes as you proceed. For each code, there is an accompanying description of the room's historical context and of its furnishings. These mansions all seemed to follow the same basic floorplan - a central linear hallway with 2 or 3 rooms off each side and a staircase at the end. This home had been upgraded / modernized in the 1940s, so some parts have a different feel than the other 2 open homes. For instance, this one has a kitchen that is more relatable, and there is an actual master bath added upstairs. This also seemed to be the smallest of the 3 homes. There is a bit more information about the last people who lived in the house, as they were there until the 1980s. There are also a few outbuildings here. If you only had time to tour one house of the 3, I'd still begin with Bulloch Hall. However, this place was nice to visit if you have another 30 - 45 minutes.

Wow, way more than I expected. Staff was fantastic wealth of knowledge, static displays are well…read morepresented, everywhere you look is something else that's unexpected. Not only do they have tow vehicles spanning over 100 years, they have recovery apparatus, recovery pedal car display, Matchbox car display. What ism saying there is some thing for everybody.

This was a very unique and memorable museum with a very neat collection. From antique cars, toys,…read morepedal cars and oil and gas memorabilia this is sure to delight fans of the tow industry or just vehicle enthusiasts. This is a great place for kids as there are several vehicles kids can sit in and one at the end children can turn on lights, etc. Very kind people working. Our family learned a whole part of our TN history we didn't know. Definitely a worthwhile trip!