Hello...We are planning a trip with my two young boys (5 & 8) early this summer and staying at the Holiday Inn Choo-Choo. I am aware of the IMAX, Aquarium, Discovery Museum...looking for any other fun places to take them or good restaurants in the general area that we are staying in would be very much appreciated. Thanks for the help!

Your boys would probably enjoy Rock City, Lookout Mountain and Ruby Falls.

There are also a couple of small museums you might enjoy: one is the Internation Towing and Recovery Musuem (ie: the tow truck museum) and the other is the railroad musuem (www.tvrail.com) which has an excursion train pulled by a steam engine.

Also, don't forget the Incline railway that runs up the side of Lookout Mt. From the top station, you're about a block away from Point Park (which has wonderful views of the city).

Definitely go to Rock City! We went there several years ago and my children (then 5 and 7) loved it! Also Ruby Falls was good.

I second the Aquarium, IMAX, and Ruby Falls.

I believe the area around the aquarium was one collection points for the Trail of Tears. I think there is a plaque. Your sons are kind of young, but it might be a chance for a brief history lesson.

Mike Honeycutt

Try the Chickamauga Battlefield south of Chattanooga. Lots of monuments and plaques, and because it is pretty spread out it could be good for using up some of that youthful energy. Porker's BBQ is just up the street from the Choo Choo. Nothing fancy but good BBQ, and very reasonable prices. Big Rivers Grill and Sticky Fingers near the Aquarium are pretty good.

Also, go to Coolidge Park just across the river. Walk across Walnut St. Bridge(open only to pedestrians) for a good view of the river, and the park is a good place for the boys to play. Several restaurants and some funky shops on the north side of the river, too.