Let me just start by saying that I love the preserved natural state of the depot. The floors are so…read morecreaky and the wood is so wood-y and the interior is so dimly lit. I love that you can see just a few old furnishings and chairs. The original layout on the wall is great. Oh! and my favorite is the photograph of railroad workers..what a gorgeous photo! I'm telling you, that picture belongs in textbooks and in iconic images of turn-of-the century railroading. Okay, besides that I found that the layout was hard to follow. I'm not knocking it. But if I could I'd suggest a few things to enhance the experience here. Since I haven't taken a train ride or stopped by during one of the festivals, all I can do is comment on the museum part of the depot experience. Mostly, there are just anecdotes and archives and pictures adorning the walls. And that's great. But there was no flow or sequence to the visit. I found myself reading something on one wall and then running to the other end of the building because it finally explained more about the topic over there. Where am I again? Also, I wish there was an info-graphic to inform you of the supplies and labor that went into building the structure. I wish that the stage was set historically a little bit better too. I wonder if they flipped the exhibits around perhaps that would help. The displays in the back room give you more up-front information. If they brought this signage to the front where you enter your museum visit would make more sense from start to finish. A nice place but, honestly, only if you are in the area.

This is where we celebrate the 4th of July every year. The whole town seems to close down and we…read morehave food booths, and craft booths, and games for the kids and activities for the kids as well as music all day long and fireworks at night right after we read the Declaration of Independence on stage. There is also a museum inside talking about and showing the history of trains and the Depot when trains ran out of there. It is also where people meet to catch a train for scenic train rides. We also put on Dinner Theater plays upstairs with the dinner downstairs through the Gem Theater. (263-3270) It is the center and heart of our town of Etowah, Tennessee.

Simply amazing train ride. conductor are very nice lots of information given out. the commissary…read morecar was really nice. Looking forward to my next train ride with them. I willdo this again. Thank you.

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.

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!

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.

A interesting mind provocative experience for things that go bump in the night. I was surprised by…read morethe level of evidence and thought put into the experience. Definite a must stop to scratch that itch. Well done.

This place is really fun and really cool. It has been showcased in many travel shows and Sasquatch…read moreand cryptids shows, either on YT or podcasts, as well as regular cable networks. The museum is small but it is full of great information. It is true that any of the evidence here could be fabricated and false, but what if it is real? I have not seen any Big Foot, but I have had other experiences that are similar, and for that reason I cannot say this is fake. I don't know if this place will make you a believer or an investigator, but there are plenty of resources here to get won your way. Definitely worth a visit.

Definitely worth a visit! McMinn County has a lot of history that you probably didn't know about…read more For example, you bet that as a woman I exercise my right to vote. And I'm so proud Harry T. Burn did the right thing in 1920 to ratify the 19th amendment. Or how about Time Magazine's vote for the world's best ice cream a right here at Mayfield creamery. And by the way, Mayfields' is soooo delish. Go get some now! All the exhibits start off simple with modest display cases of 1-2 artifacts. Then as you progress the vignettes become more elaborate. Before you know it you are walking toward a chapel, a general store and a replica cabin displays. You can also see a showcase of 19th-20th century wars and Tennessee's role in each. There is just one thing I would change. If only there was a seamless explanation of the early settlers in McMinn County. At first you see the exhibit about Native Americans and then you see anecdotes here and there about town officials and then before you know it you are looking at modern-day. I find myself wondering more about the pre-civil war period from colonial to pioneer. It was a bit patchy to follow this timeline and I think they could dedicate an exhibit for this.

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.

Everything is amazing , all the vintage automobiles, trucks and motorcycles was very enjoyable to…read moresee . They do auto restorations on site. They do the old wooden spokes wheel and tires there also. We were fortunate to meet up with the owner of the museum, he is very friendly person, made us very welcoming. We highly recommend stopping by. One of the best highlights of Chattanooga.

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.

Good history of science and technology. I actually learned the concept of what it takes to keep us…read moresafe and comfortable.

Wonderful place to see God's creation. The beautiful animals are friendly and all around. The store…read morepart is great with things to buy from the past. The restaurant serves the old country food from years ago. I do wish they'd expand their menu some but it is still good. Lots of vendors on special days there as well.

Surprised at how well exhibited the museum is! It's a fairly large outdoor exhibit. If you're a…read moresenior, you might want to ho when it's cooler out. Highly recommended!