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    Red Clay State Historic Park

    4.9 (18 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Brandi H.

    Red Clay State Park is AMAZING, let me get that out of the way. The park itself is about 250 acres. The museum alone is such a fitting tribute to the history of the land and the Cherokee who consider this land sacred. Outside of Chattanooga, this land was the permanent government seat of the Cherokee nation until they found out about the Indian Removal Act and were forcibly removed from the Southeast. This is considered the start of the Trail of Tears. When we went, it was raining, hard. So, we didn't see the Blue Hole Spring, or many of the replicas of buildings on the site. But, we did spend more time at the museum than we've spent in other parks. It's well curated, gorgeous, and moving. It tells the story of the Cherokee in a way that I feel is accessible to anyone. I can not recommend enough.

    The blue spring. The picture doesn't do it justice.
    Joe K.

    This park might not get the attention of others, but it very pleasant to visit. The blue spring and creek is amazing. So beautiful. The visitors center is also really cool. It's good to read about the history of the Cherokee Nation. So sad. I would recommend a day trip here. It's not a huge park and you can check it all out in just a few hours.

    Inside barn.

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    TN State P.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Magical and historic place, peaceful, not a lot of crowds! Worth the drive out in our mind

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    5 years ago

    This place is so full of history. If you've never been it's definitely worth a day trip and a picnic.

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    9 years ago

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    4 years ago

    So relaxing here. The water is perfect. Great place for family. Plan to visit frequently this summer.

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    7 years ago

    What an amazing place to swim!. Natural spring fed water that must have health benefits!! Very cool place to visit!!!

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    7 years ago

    Very beautiful and peaceful place to visit. The water is a gorgeous blue color. I would definitely recommend this park.

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    14 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Red Clay State Historic Park

    You don't mention the stained glass honoring the Cherokee people.is it still there?

    Yes, we still have the stain glass windows that depict the Trail of Tears.

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    Review Highlights - Red Clay State Historic Park

    Also, I could just imagine the Cherokee using this spring water and being here hundreds of years before.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    The Coker Museum

    The Coker Museum

    4.9
    (22 reviews)
    21.0 mi

    If you're visiting Chattanooga, do yourself a favor and don't skip the Coker Museum. Whether you're…read morea lifelong car enthusiast or someone who couldn't tell a Model T from a Mustang, this place is absolutely fascinating. It ended up being one of my favorite museums I've ever visited. The museum is built around the incredible collection of the Coker family, who made their name through Coker Tire, and you can feel the passion behind every display. I had the chance to meet Casey, who now helps lead the family business, and she was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable. It was so refreshing to see a family-run museum where everyone genuinely loves what they do. The collection is unbelievable. You'll find everything from antique automobiles and classic sports cars to vintage trucks, motorcycles, race cars, buses, and even airplanes hanging from the ceiling. They also have a working restoration shop where you can watch vintage vehicles being brought back to life, plus displays of the original tires and automotive memorabilia that tell the story behind the collection. One of the coolest pieces was the historic Yellowstone tour bus used in filming, which was such a fun surprise. (Content Rhino) At $25 per person, this museum is worth every penny. We spent far longer here than we expected because there was always something new to discover around every corner. Even if cars aren't normally your thing, the history, craftsmanship, and stories behind these vehicles make this an experience you won't forget. Hands down, this is one of the best museums I've visited, and it's now at the top of my list of recommendations for anyone visiting Chattanooga.

    This museum is a real gem! My husband and I have been to…read moreseveral car museums, but this one is truly special. Starting with the owners of the museum. Kind, polite, personable, and very passionate about their collection and their family. The vibe of the museum was our favorite part too. The garage vibe isn't something I've seen yet, and honestly, it's really something special in their favor. We took three laps around the museum and found something new every time. My favorite was the Piper Cub. I rode in one myself in high school. I never thought I'd see one again so it was a very special moment for me! I highly recommend this museum whether by yourself, with your family like I was, or for an event.

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    The Coker Museum
    Event Time - Call For Details for Weddings, Receptions, Corporate Events, Holiday Parties, Celebration of Life and more. 423.541.1867
    Event Time - Call For Details for Weddings, Receptions, Corporate Events, Holiday Parties, Celebration of Life and more. 423.541.1867
    The Coker Museum

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    American Museum of Science & Energy

    American Museum of Science & Energy

    4.1
    (45 reviews)
    80.6 mi

    Part history museum, science museum, and children's museum. There's a little something for everyone…read moreat the American Museum of Science & Energy. The museum tells the story of Oak Ridge's role in World War II and the top secret Manhattan Project. The way the museum is laid out tells the story in a chronological way where you'll begin by learning about how Oak Ridge came to be, its role in the war, and its role in nuclear research in the years since the hydrogen bomb was first dropped over Japan. Plan to spend about 2 hours here depending on how hands on you want to be. As you progress through the musuem it becomes more hands on and reminiscent of a children's museum where you can get hands on with science theories. The space has multiple exhibits, an introduction video, and gift shop. On certain days/times a bus tour is offered to the plant sites that will also include admission to the museum but I was not visiting on one of those days but would like to check it out if Im ever in the area on the right day.

    Located in Main Street in Oak Ridge at the end of the shopping strip. Much larger inside than…read moreanticipated and many interactive exhibits, movies, and teaching sessions. An affordable option ($10 per adult and $5 per child) in comparison to other local museums, too. I would say the best ages for this spot would be 8 and up. There is quite a bit of reading and many of the hands-on displays are complex. It is great for adults, too, and I learned so much about our city and nation's history...and science tidbits I had forgotten in the (longgg) time since high school. There is quite a bit of information on the Manhattan Project and the formation of Oak Ridge as a whole, including videos in the auditorium and in that specific section of the museum. We loved learning more! Did you know that when FDR died, his VP had no clue that M. Project was even underway? Or that Oak Ridge had over 75,000 people but did not show on a map? We loved the staff interaction, including the sessions that they lead throughout the afternoon in the auditorium. The one about static electricity was really cool and informative. My squirmy 10 yo was captivated! There were so many STEM exhibits and one of the lab rooms was open with many stations to build circuits, look into microscopes, etc. My kiddo enjoyed what he referred to as "practice for the claw machine," as well. Side notes: The gift shop had some really neat items (typical gift shop pricing) and the water fountains had the bottle filling spout. There are benches everywhere you look and it is all one level, making this a highly-accessible spot to visit. You will likely spend at least 1.5-2 hours here. Definitely worth the money!

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    American Museum of Science & Energy
    American Museum of Science & Energy
    American Museum of Science & Energy

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    Historic Western and Atlantic Railroad Tunnel

    Historic Western and Atlantic Railroad Tunnel

    4.5
    (11 reviews)
    11.6 mi

    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!

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    Historic Western and Atlantic Railroad Tunnel
    Historic Western and Atlantic Railroad Tunnel
    Main museum

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    Main museum
    Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

    Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

    4.4
    (401 reviews)
    15.6 mi

    We drove 500 miles to make this trip. I've ridden on a number of trains before including the…read moreJapanese Bullet Train (200 mph). This is a much different experience and a very pleasant one to say the least. We decided to make this trip just before the heat of summer as a possible scouting trip for the leaf color change in late October. While the trees which are in full foilage obstructed some of the views of the Gorge and the river, it was still a beautiful sight. We rode in the Dome Car so we had a very good vantage point. We bought an on board Lunch which was a turkey sandwich on a croissant dressed (green stuff was in a separate bag. There was also an amply supplied snack box which caused me to abandon my low carb diet for a day. The part of the trip which was the best part was the crew. EVERYONE of them was absolutely delightful. The Narrator(s) were exceptional and gave every detail about the route as we cruised along at about 12 mph going uphill and up to 16 mph coming back down. We had one of the Narrators come up to our car and give us extra details about the Loop which was super nice. All in all my wife and I had a wonderful time. TIP: If you get cold easily (the cars are air conditioned) bring a blanket. I broke the ice with the rest of the passengers when one of the conductors checked in on us and asked if everything was ok. I indicated that it was a bit warm, but we would struggle through it. That was all it took for us to really start talking and getting to know one another as most of the men were chilly, and the women were freezing. There were blankets on board and I managed to find one for my Princess, but You may want to bring one. I would highly recommend this trip. The steps up to the dome Car(s) are not bad but you have to be able to climb up about 7 or 8 steps. We may very well do this trip again in the fall as I suspect that the Leaf Color Change will be breathtaking. God puts on full display for us that beauty. Thanks to the Crew for making this slow train ride a very memorable experience.

    So great!! This is an amazing attraction. Perfect for train lovers. Lots of vintage trains to see,…read morea functioning workshop, and a TURN TABLE!! Our tour guide Jack made the whole experience a blast. We went with our family of 11: grandparents, adults, and kids ages 7-12. Every person really enjoyed it. I was disappointed that the Chattanooga Choo Choo is not a ride, so it was wonderful to find the TVRM and satisfy my itch for a train adventure. Ps. It's on Cromwell Road. Do not go to Chamberlain Ave.

    Photos
    Wonderful moment
    Wonderful moment
    Christmas dinner train 2024
    Christmas dinner train 2024
    Passenger cars were clean and well kept.

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    Passenger cars were clean and well kept.

    Red Clay State Historic Park - parks - Updated July 2026

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