Field Trips, Far CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM 321 Chestnut St. Chattanooga, TN 37402 cdmfun.org 423-756-2738 Two-hour drive
This nationally ranked children’s museum is in the heart of downtown Chattanooga, so you can make a weekend of this field trip, visiting the Tennessee Aquarium, too. Current exhibits are “Winter Wonders,” where children can build a “snow” fort and more. Permanent exhibits include “Barsamian Sculpture,” where science and art collide; “Corner Clinic,” where kids can learn and play in a medical lab.
Experience and much more. Not to mention Space Camp — week-long overnight sessions that are currently waitlisted until the week of Aug. 22, 2021. Other camps include Aviation, Robotics and Cyber Camp. Note: The Space and Rocket Center is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is filled with fun exploration for all ages. Just two hours away.
DISCOVERY PARK OF AMERICA 830 Everett Blvd. Union City, TN 38261 discoveryparkofamerica.com 731-885-5455 Two-hour and 45 minute drive
A unique center on a 50-acre site with a 100,000 square-foot building showcasing 10 exhibit galleries. Hands-on learning for all ages is found in nine permanent indoor galleries including Energy; Enlightenment; Military; Native American; Natural History; Regional History; Space, Science & Technology; Children’s Exploration; and Transportation. Outdoor exhibits include 19th century cabins; the Mill Ridge one-room schoolhouse; an Agricultural Center; STEM Landing; and more.
SHILOH NATIONAL MILITARY PARK 1055 Pittsburg Landing Road Shiloh, TN 38376 731-689-5696 Two-hour and 30 minute drive
If you want to explore more about the Civil War, visit some of the sites where legendary battles took place. Shiloh National Park has three battlefields, a national cemetary with 4,000 soldiers and 800-year-old Indian Mounds in the area. A visit begins at the Visitor’s Center after which you can do a self-driving 12.7 mile audio tour through the battlefield and more. TUCKALEECHEE CAVERNS 825 Cavern Road Townsend, TN 37882 865-448-2274 tuckaleecheecaverns.com Two-hour drive
OPENS MARCH 1. Estimated to be the earth’s oldest mountain chain, Tuckaleechee Caverns provides great
science exploration in geology, mineralogy, tectonic plates and underground water formations. Other excellent caverns to visit with kids include Racoon Mountain Caverns (racoonmountain.com); Forbidden Caverns (forbiddencavern.com); Bristol Caverns (bristolcavern.com) and Mammoth Cave (nps.gov/maca/ index). U.S. SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER One Tranquility Base Huntsville, AL 35805 rocketcenter.com 256-837-3400 Two-hour drive
See the 363-foot-tall Saturn V moon rocket on your way in, and that’s just the start. This museum, has numerous exhibits that will appeal to all ages, including “Apollo: When We Went to the Moon,” chronicling the space race and an impressive collection of museum experiences such as the Discovery Shuttle Experience; Enterprise Shuttle
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TENNESSEE AQUARIUM 1 Broad Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 800-262-0695
tnaqua.org Two-hour drive
One of the world’s largest freshwater aquariums, this destination will delight all ages. Ride the escalator to the top and wind your way down in the dim, soothing light. Along your journey, visit the “River Journey” to learn about the ecosystems and animals and then the “Ocean Journey,” for penguins, jellies, sharks and reef fish. Plan on spending a full day at the aquarium since kids will want to stop and watch in the fun floor-to-ceiling space. In addition, the aquarium partners with an IMAX theater where “Turtle Odyssey 3D” is currently running in rotation with “Great Barrier Reef 3d.”
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