Chattanooga Ideas
 

My mother, grown siblings, and our families are planning a family reunion next year and have decided to meet in Chattanooga. We are looking at hotels/inns/whatever with kitchenette areas and a pool. One sibling prefers "roughing it" a little more than the rest of us. Does anyone have any suggestions of where to stay? Also, any suggestions on what we should/could do? Thanks!

I've never been, but more than one person I know raves about the Aquarium and says it is far superior to the new one in Atlanta.

Might want to take side trip to Lynchburg, TN and have lunch at Mary Bobo's Boarding House. Will need reservations a number of months in advance.
You are hour and half from US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL or about 40 mins from Ocoee Gorge (whitewater rafting) or 1.5 hrs to Nantahala Gorge rafting or train ride. (crash scene from Fugitive filmed here)

I know it may sound cheesy, but you've got to see Rock City & Ruby Falls - the kids (and adults too) will love it. You may also want to try the Maze of Maize. We ran out of time & didn't get to see it but we heard good things about it. They have a website but I don't know the address offhand.

We also didn't get to the aquarium so I can't report on it, but we made it to the Imax to see a 3-D movie - pretty cool.

Lisa

There is a very nice Residence Inn that is not far from the Aquarium.
Has a very nice pool area and kitchenette.(not sure about oven, but does have burners, full sized fridge, microwave and a complimentary full breakfast in the morning. All units have the kitchenette, but you can choose from a studio suite, a one bedroom with a queen bed in a seperate room, and a sofa sleeper in the livingroom, or a two bedroom with a sofa sleeper in the living room.

The aquarium is a must see.

I recommend Ruby Falls as well, though I thought the trip to the falls was more fun that the falls themselves.

You might date yourself, but you might stay at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Holiday Inn (is it still there?). Nice train theme to the hotel.

It doesn't seem to be well known, but Chattanooga was on the Trail of Tears - always time for a history lesson I say.

Mike Honeycutt

There is a nice Hilton Garden Inn that we liked (no kitchenette). Go to the aquarium, ruby falls and rock city.
There is also a baseball park behind the Hilton. We walked up and watched a game. I think it is AAA.
The Holiday Inn looks very dated. We did their dinner/show. The food was okay. The hotel itself is a train theme like Mike said. I think the hotel is very old. (maybe they have renovated. We were there a couple of years ago).

I was just in Chattanooga last week and only saw the aquarium. Well worth it. One of the best. The area looks beautiful. I met a couple yesterday where I live in Florida visiting from Chattanooga and they say the best hotel is the Chattanoogan. Look it up on Yahoo. It is almost like a resort. The said the Chattanooga choo choo,which is a hotel also is cheesy and run down a little.

For something to do, Coolidge Park is lovely.
It is right across the river, not far from the Aquarium, off of Frazier Ave.
I think there is a foot/walking only bridge close to the Aquarium.
There is a restored carousel that they run regularly.
Kids can run amok in the park, and there are some neat shops, even ice cream, up on Frazier Ave.
Chattanooga is a cool city, lots to see and do, but it has a small town feel to it.
The Imax is next to the Aquarium. The Hunter Museum of Art is nice, and close by.
Hope you have fun.