By Brianna Williams
If you’re a grandparent wondering what to do with your grandchildren after you’ve already taken them to the Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Zoo, or Creative Discovery Museum, then this guide is for you.
Because — let’s be honest — no matter how much you love ‘em, if you’re cooped up in the house all day, the risk of someone getting cranky (you or them, we aren’t judging) is there.
So, whether you’ve got the grandkids for a few hours or the whole day, this list, which includes editor + reader picks, will give you plenty of ideas for your next outing.
📚 For the bookworms
Editor’s pick: Check out the public library
As kids, NOOGAtoday employees spent hours at our respective hometown public libraries. There’s a certain magic about wandering the aisles as a young person and a sense of empowerment to having your own library card.
The Chattanooga Public Library is always hosting a variety of events from Preschool Storytime to What’s Up Wednesdays, which is for elementary-aged kids. Not seeing an event that piques your interest? Bring them to the library to peruse all the amazing books, then sit down and read together. ProTip: If you’re closer to North Georgia, check out that library system.
Get involved with their school
Since school is back in session after the holidays, finding the time to spend with grandkids who are constantly doing homework or extracurriculars can be difficult. Try having lunch with them at school (and bringing them a treat they aren’t expecting, of course), attending sports games + recitals, or even volunteering at their school. Each school has different volunteer opportunities and procedures about how to participate, so start by asking someone at the school or reaching out to Family and Community Engagement Coordinate Kate Skonberg.
🐱For the animal lovers
Visit the Naughty Cat Café
If you’re tired of running after kids (or running around in general) and need a break, the Naughty Cat Café is a perfect stop. You can re-caffeinate with Mad Priest coffee while the grandkids play with the 30 adoptable rescue cats that the café houses in the cat lounge. (Minimum age for visiting the cat lounge is 11 years old)
👀 For the sightseers
Take a train ride
All aboard! For the train-loving kids and grandparents, try this 55 minute Missionary Ridge train ride. The six-mile trip will include passing through a pre-Civil War tunnel, crossing the Chickamauga Creek bridge + a tour guide who will provide history and facts on railroad operations.
Cruise on the Southern Belle
With the Tennessee River so close, it just makes sense to take a ride on the Southern Belle Riverboat (especially if there are any boat enthusiasts in the family). The riverboat offers various types of cruises to embark on, like their classic Sights Cruise or the beautiful Sunset Cruise. All of the cruises are reasonably priced + lots of fun.🚢
🤪 For the grandkids who won’t sit still
Editor’s pick: Coolidge Park
We love Coolidge because it’s a green space smack dab in the middle of downtown. When all else fails, just head that way and see what you can find.
Take the grandkids for ice cream at Clumpies before letting them exhaust their energy in Coolidge Park. During the summer, make sure you pack towels so they can play in the fountain area + take them for a ride on the park’s antique carousel for some fun during the colder months. Bonus: carousel rides are only $1 per ride.
If you’re tired of Coolidge or are looking for something closer to home, check out this list of unique local parks we curated + get a full list from Hamilton County Parks and Rec.
Jump at DEFY Chattanooga
DEFY Chattanooga is a great place to bring the grandkids who never seem to run out of energy. The trampoline park previously known as Superfly is located on Commons Boulevard and doesn’t have an age limit for jumpers. Just sayin’.
🌳 For outdoor lovers
Reader suggestions from @ahpoole
Have a picnic at the Candlelight Forest
This forest located in Georgia — but only a 20-minute drive from downtown Chattanooga — will do all the work for you. Fill out an order form online and visit their “picknickery” to receive your picnic basket filled with a sandwich, chips, fruit + dessert for $7 a person — all you have to do is enjoy your meal and the beautiful scenery.
Spend the day at Reflection Riding Arboretum + Nature Center
Rent a canoe and paddle away on Lookout Creek, hike or bike through pastures + forests, or discover all of the other fun things that Reflection Riding has to offer (like the native animal exhibit or any of their upcoming events).
🎧 If your grandkids are teenagers
If we remember correctly, the teenage years were a little dicey. NOOGAtoday editors Chloé and Trista didn’t want to come out of their rooms, where they were writing angsty poetry and obsessing about music. Intern Brianna spent a lot of time making what she now admits were dorky music videos.
So, we suggest asking your teenagers about their interests and take cues from that — we got a reader suggestion from Deborah W: Check out the Chattanooga Pinball Museum and Arcade.
We need more suggestions for teens, so join the convo on Facebook here.
🗣️ More reader suggestions
“For small kids, grab coffee/cookies at Niedlov’s so they can watch the fire trucks come and go across the street. Then walk over to the Choo Choo complex and explore all the trains!” – Katie B.
“Go to Aldi- the store is small enough that my 2.5 year old can walk/run through the whole thing and be ready for a nap! It’s especially great on rainy days. Lunch at McAllister’s- great kids activity books and menu. It’s my favorite restaurant for my daughter! Red Bank Bounce House- they have comfortable couches for adults. Thrift store shopping- let them pick out one special thing. Do a small, easy hike like Green Gorge or a Greenway, or go to a playground.” – Monica B.
“When my niece and nephew were younger, I was always looking for inexpensive but fun activities. Some of those include walking around the battlefield looking at all of the monuments, driving up to the visitor center at the Ocoee, grabbing an ice cream at Cold Stone then sitting on the steps by the river (on Lookout’s game nights you even get a free fireworks show!), checking out the outdoor art at the Hunter Museum then walking the Walnut St. Bridge, I could go on and on...most of these, I have found, are also good activities for out of town guests!” – Lora E.
