Talking free summer fun with the AJC's Atlanta Bargain Hunter Lauren Davidson for an online chat.

School is finished next Tuesday for us. The Countdown to Summer is in single digits. Are you ready?

Summer fun has been the topic of conversation on the Field Trips with Sue CBS Better Mornings Atlanta segment and a special online chat I did yesterday with the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Atlanta Bargain Hunter, Lauren Davidson.

If you missed the Field Trips with Sue chat with the AJC Bargain Hunter, you can view it online. We talked about summer reading programs, free and cheap movies and ways to get kids outside and active. All topics mentioned in my book 100+ Free Things to do in Atlanta (announcer voice: don’t wait, order Today!)

Watch Field Trips w/Sue on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta

On this mornings Field Trips with Sue segment on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta we talked about one tank trips from Atlanta to Chattanooga including:

• A stay at the Chattanoogan
• Rock City
• Tennessee Aquarium

We also discussed Summer Fun in Atlanta including:

• The new edition launch of the Field Trips with Sue book 100+ Free Things to do in Atlanta
• World of Coca-Cola’s Vault of the Secret Formula
• Stone Mountain’s Family Value Pass including the new Geyser Tower

Great ready for summer. Order your copy Today!

We have giveaways for all of these attractions and more this week and next on Field Trips with Sue, so subscribe to Field Trips with Sue (and answer the verification email you’ll receive after registering) so you don’t miss anything.

Loved the fire pit at the Chattanoogan

Where: Base out of the Chattanoogan Hotel
When: Anytime
Cost: Rates start at $129 a night
Win an stay at the Chattanoogan. Find out how at the end of this post.
Photos: To see additional photos of Chattanooga, visit Field Trips with Sue on Facebook

On a recent family vacation to Chattanooga Tennessee, two things struck me about the city, it’s a great walking town and there is so much to do for every age and interest.  During our visit, we parked the car on arrival at The Chattanoogan and didn’t get back in until we left the city two days later. When we did get tired, the kids and I just hopped one of the free electric shuttles that run every five minutes.  In addition to being eco-friendly, several buses are wrapped, creating mobile works of art by local designers.

The Chattanoogan has an indoor pool and spa.

Where to stay in Chattanooga with kids
We stayed at the AAA four diamond Chattanoogan Hotel during our trip. All Downtown activities are within walking distance of the Chattanoogan, but leave some time in your vacation to enjoy the hotel’s amenities that include an indoor pool and spa. The Foundry is the lobby Bar and Grille with a pool table and shuffleboard. The games are located in a separate room so your kids aren’t really hanging out in the actual bar area. Outside is a gas fire pit, perfect for a relaxing evening. Parents can enjoy a drink while the kids enjoy the fire.

What to do in Chattanooga with Kids
There is so much to do in the Chattanooga area that you really have to make some tough choices, and then probably come back for a return visit. I’d break down our visit into three different types of tours – adventure, downtown and attractions.

I love this sculpture

Once you master gliding, launch off here.

Chattanooga Adventure Vacation
If Chattanooga adventure is what you seek, you’re in for some big thrills.

• Hang Gliding – We went hang gliding through Great American Days at Lookout Mountain Hang Gliding just outside of town. Beginners start on the ground and are pulled into the air by plane.
• Wild Cave Tour - If flying isn’t your thing, head underground for a Wild Cave Tour of Sitton’s Cave at Cloudland Canyon through the Georgia Girl Guides. You’ll get quite muddy, but it is a true adventure.
• Outdoor Adventure Rafting – My boys were disappointed that we couldn’t go rafting with Outdoor Adventure Rafting, but you have to be at least 12 years-old and my youngest doesn’t make the cut – yet.
• Rock Climbing – Rock climbing is also popular. Chattanooga boasts some of the best climbing in the region. Tennessee Boulder Authority teaches kids how to boulder, which is climbing without ropes. Urban Rocks is the place to go if you want to belay.

Walk Across the Walnut Street Bridge

Chattanooga Downtown Vacation
From our home base at the Chattanoogan, we were able to walk to a host of great attractions in Downtown Chattanooga. We visited all of the ones below and didn’t even scratch the surface. Ones on my list for next time are the Creative Discovery Museum, a Chattanooga Lookouts baseball game, the Chattanooga Zoo and all the historical battlefields.

• Tennessee Aquarium and IMAX Theatre – This is a must do for any Chattanooga visit. The website says this is a two hour experience, but we ended up spending most of the day
• Walnut Street Bridge – Take a walk across the half-mile pedestrian only bridge. It’s one of the longest in the world.
• Coolidge Park  – A walk across Walnut Street Bridge from Downtown Chattanooga to the North Shore brings you to Coolidge Park. Bring a few dollars for the old fashioned carousel, which originally resided in Atlanta’s Grant Park. Pack a bathing suit and towel during warm weather to splash in the fountains outside or a Frisbee for the wide lawn.
• Stop at the Ice Cream Show –  On the way home, stop at the locally owned Ice Cream Show on the Downtown side of Walnut Street Bridge for a tasty ice cream with mixed in treats.
• Chattanooga Ducks – This is a tour of Chattanooga in an authentic 1940’s land/sea DUCK.  The vehicle has an interesting history, which is one of the reasons I chose this tour. It was built in a GMC plant by Rosie the Riviter during WWII, while the men were off fighting. There were 20,000 built, but only about 250 left today. The tour is informative, but a little slow for younger children. They did let the kids drive, which was fun and it was fun to see a piece of history first hand, but if you have limited time or younger kids, maybe choose the Children’s Discovery Museum instead.

Enjoy a carousel ride at Coolidge Park.

Chattanooga Natural Wonders Vacation
People have been vacationing in Chattanooga for decades. Here are some vintage attractions that have stood the test of time and still entertaining visitors.

See Seven State at Rock City.

• See Rock City – See Rock City has graced the roofs of barns since the 30’s drawing people to this natural wonder. The amazing rock formations are still a highlight even after 80 years.
• Ruby Falls – Ruby Falls is the perfect introduction to caving. It’s a guided tour that is fun for all ages and the Falls is truly spectacular.
• Georgia Incline Railway – We didn’t have time for this attraction, but it’s often sold as a package with Ruby Falls and Rock City. I wouldn’t recommend doing all three in one day.  All great attractions, but this is a lot for kids (and adults) to do in one day. I suggest splitting it into two. If you must do it all in one, plan a lighter schedule the next day.

Breakfast at the Broad Street Grille had something for everyone and it's only $5 added to your room rate. Ask for Bed & Breakfast when booking. It's the best deal in town.

Where to eat in Chattanooga with Kids
It was easy to find great local establishments at mealtimes, which was one of the things I really liked about Chattanooga. Many local restaurants are using locally grown food, another plus.

• Broad Street Grille – During our stay we enjoyed the breakfast buffet at the Chattanoogan’s Broad Street Grille each morning. There is a nice variety of items from eggs and bacon to breakfast breads and fruit. It was the fuel we needed to tackle a day walking and exploring Chattanooga. The restaurant was putting the finishing touches on a new presentation kitchen where each night the chef presents a different menu based on what they find at the local farmers market. All over Chattanooga is a push for fresh, locally sourced food.
• Lupis Pizza – Whenever we visit a new city, I like to find local establishments instead of the same chains. In Chattanooga there are lots of options. For pizza, Lupi’s is the local favorite, close to Downtown attractions.
• The Terminal Brewhouse - This brewhouse is located in a funky triangle shaped historic building and has a rooftop patio offering a great view of the iconic Chattanooga Choo Choo sign. The menu has a lot of variety from pizza to burgers, and their home brew is quite tasty.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chattanooga

Although we were provided a complimentary room and attraction tickets for the purpose of reviewing it (as is common in the travel industry), we only recommend places we would stay and products we would use.

What: Tennessee Aquarium
Where: One Broad St., Chattanooga, TN 800-262-0695
When: 10 am – 6 pm except Thanksgiving and Christmas
Cost: $24.95 adults, $14.95 children (3-12)

• Add the IMAX to your aquarium visit for $6 per person
• Add Creative Discovery Museum for Kids for $10 per person
• An annual family pass is only $115. Depending on how many kids you have, this could pay for itself in one visit.
• See the bottom of this post on how to win tickets to the Tennessee Aquarium.

Photos: For additional photos of the Tennessee Aquarium, visit Field Trips with Sue on Facebook

The Tennessee Aquarium is located in downtown Chattanooga along the waterfront. It’s a beautiful location, and although the recommended time for visiting on the website is two hours, you could easily stay most of the day – in fact, we did.

Visit the butterfly garden in the Ocean Journey Building

The Tennessee Aquarium is housed in five different buildings, so it’s more of a campus than a single destination. Purchase tickets at the ticket center building, then choose between River or Ocean Journey – each are located in different buildings next to each other. Your ticket allows entry to both buildings and you can come and go as you please, so when the kids get hungry, just take a break and head down the street to Lupi’s Pizza and come back after lunch, just remember your ticket. Saturdays are the busiest day at the Aquarium and mornings are more hectic on any day. Come after 4 pm if you want to avoid crowds. We went during spring break and although there were a lot of people, everyone was spread out and there were lots of special programs to keep things moving.

River Journey
The building you choose to visit first depends on what you want to see. River Journey is focused on habitats along the world’s rivers. It features the newest exhibit put together in conjunction with National Geographic called River Giants. There is also an impressive diversity of turtles – who knew the world had so many different kinds of turtles! This building also houses Ranger Rick’s Backyard Safari, a bright gallery set up for up close and personal animal interactions. Check the schedule for show times so you don’t miss this opportunity. We saw a bird show; volunteer your dollar and you’ll get it back with a fun Aquarium sticker.

See the Bird show in Ranger Rick's Backyard Safari in the River Journey building.

I love finding art in unexpected places. These glass jellies were inspired by the real thing floating nearby.

Ocean Journey
Ocean Journey you’ve probably guessed focuses on ocean habitats. They have a wonderful penguin display that includes a chilly example of the water they swim in. It was hard to get my son away from watching the penguins, so he was a natural during our backstage tour of the penguin habitat where we helped observe the Macaroni and Gentoo penguins for research. The Aquarium has several different backstage tours. If you’d rather go it on your own, there is a cell phone tour of select galleries available as well.

I always love finding art displayed in places I don’t expect. Ocean Journey has a gorgeous display of glass inspired by the sea. It was easy to see the inspiration for the art with the ocean creatures swimming next to the artwork.

The penguins were a favorite for our family.

On the walk to the IMAX movie theatre, take a short detour and get yourself a moon pie.

IMAX Movies
A short walk from the Journey buildings is an IMAX theatre. This is a separate ticket and can be purchased at a discount with your aquarium tickets or individually. When purchased with the aquarium it’s a flexible ticket, meaning you can go to any showing you’d like, instead of being confined to a specific time, which makes for a more leisurely afternoon in the aquarium galleries. All my boys loved the IMAX movie, which was something I’m usually tempted to skip. I’m glad we didn’t. I can highly recommend Into the Wild. To the Artic is good too, but Into the Wild left me more hopeful, less sad.

River Gorge Explorer
Also included in the campus is the River Gorge Explorer, a two-hour cruise down the Chattanooga riverfront into the scenic Tennessee River Gorge aboard a high-tech boat. We didn’t have time to experience this boat ride, which is an additional fee, but it looks interesting and probably a good overview of the Chattanooga Riverfront in addition to offering a unique view of the Tennessee River Gorge.

The Aquarium is a campus of several buildings with a beautiful courtyard.

I can see why the Tennessee Aquarium is one of the most popular attractions in Chattanooga. They offer an amazing value for the ticket price and I love the flexibility within their ticket system. I feel like we only scratched the surface – guess we’ll need a return trip soon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Chattanooga

Although we were provided a complimentary attraction tickets for the purpose of reviewing it (as is common in the travel industry), we only recommend places we would visit.

What: Canton Festival of the Arts
Where:Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North St., Canton, Georgia 770-704-6244
When: May 19 & 20, 2012
Cost: Free, small fee for kid’s activities
Find the Canton Festival of the Arts on Facebook 

A guest post by Jennifer Dunn
Every May the Canton Festival of the Arts returns to bring culture and excitement to the Georgia foothills, and 2012 aims to be bigger and better than ever! Less than an hour from downtown Atlanta, Canton is a wonderful blend of scenery and refinement, and the festival – with juried art exhibits and a hands-on children’s art experience – reflects this delicate mixture.

The festival features an eclectic mixture of artist exhibitors, literary panels, and fun activities for kids of all ages. Even better, it’s free to enter, and the free parking is located conveniently nearby! Here’s a taste of what’s planned for the festival

Canton Festival of the Arts For Kids
The highlight of the Canton Festival of the Arts is always the interactive children’s experience. This year will once again feature a live mural, where children have the opportunity to paint their ideas and dreams while uncovering their creative skills with the guidance of local artists.

Other activities include a “Believe in Yourself” improve technique class and DIY classes for aspiring handymen and women ages 5-12 guided by craftspeople from Canton’s Home Depot. The children will complete simple projects while learning tool safety.

Renee’s Wacky Hair ensures Festival guests appear just as entertaining as the attractions (don’t worry, mom and dad, it’s temporary and easy to remove!). Plus, a sketch artist offers up sketch portraits right before your eyes.

Canton Festival of the Arts For the Parents
More than 60 fine arts exhibitors, from painters to potters to sculptors will be on hand showing off their beautiful creations. There’s also the Serenity Garden, where you can learn tips on gardening, canning, and living a totally green lifestyle.

One of the highlights of the festival is the literary celebration. We’ve invited some big names to this year’s festival, including Braxton Cosby, nephew of Bill Cosby and creator of “sci-fance,” his unique blending of science fiction and romance.

Also on hand are several noted Southern cookbook authors, including Smoke House author Joe Dabney and Sweet Auburn Desserts author Sonya Jones. Renowned Georgia author Terry Kay (To Dance with the White Dog) will provide a workshop for writers and aspiring writers.

Speaking of food, there is a plethora of delicious foods to choose from. Oh, and did we mention the wine and beer garden? Stop by for food and drinks and enjoy them while listening to local country, folks, and bluegrass bands from around the region!

Parking for Canton Festival of the Arts
Parking is free and, due to the location of the festival, all over town! Street parking abounds, but there’s a public parking lot on the corner of Archer & W. Marietta Streets and a large public parking deck and lot by the Cherokee County Justice Center on North St. adjacent to Canton’s town square. Signs and friendly festival volunteers will wave you to the festival!

What: Scholastic Book Warehouse Sale
When: Several times a year including May 3 – 23, 2012
Where: Kennesaw, Covington, Duluth, Cumming, Peachtree City
Cost: Free admission, cheap books

It’s time for the Scholatic Warehouse book sale. It’s a great way to get summer reading and birthday presents for up to 80 percent off retail. The big Scholastic Warehouse sale is in December. I’ve been to this sale in the past and got some fabulous deals. I’ve also been when the deals weren’t as good, but the selection was better. Each sale boasts up to 80 percent off. At an August sale I was able to fill a bag for $5, which was an incredible deal. Some of the titles were slightly misprinted, either a cover too big or some pages cut funny, but all were readable books. There were also some novelty items that were in fine shape, but the packaging was opened or damaged.

If you go, download a coupon from the Scholastic website and you’ll get $10 off a $50 purchase or $25 off a $100 purchase. To get your coupon, register to attend the book fair of your choice and print your fast cart pass. If you’ve ever worked at your child’s book fair, register as a volunteer.

Here are some of our favorite book series from Scholastic:

For younger children:

• David Shannon’s Pirate Series
• The Duck Books (Duck on a Bike, Duck for President)
• Magic Tree House

For older childen and tweens:

• Hunger Games
• 39 Clues
• Ranger’s Apprentice
• Harry Potter
• Percy Jackson and the Olympians
• Alex Rider
• The Hardy Boys

Vault of the Secret Formula is a new attraction at the World of Coca-Cola

What: World of Coke Vault of the Secret Formula
Where: World of Coca-Cola, Pemberton Place, 121 Baker St. NW, Atlanta (404) 676-5151
When: hours vary, see website for Hours of Operation
Cost: Adults (13-64) $16, Seniors (65+) $14, Children (3-12) $12
Special Ticket Offers: Active Duty, Reserves and Retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces admitted Free
Use Coke Rewards Points for Tickets
Photos: For Additional Photos of the World of Coca-Cola visit Field Trips with Sue on Facebook

It’s a Countdown to Summer Vacation at our house. I’m starting to feel the May Mom Olympics crunch. After that it’s cruise director time, Moms need to keep the kids busy over the summer. Here at Field Trips with Sue, we’re going to help you do that. For the next two weeks, we’re doing a Countdown to Summer. Yesterday we did a giveaway to See Rock City, today we’re offering readers a chance to see the Vault of the Secret Formula at The World of Coca-Cola.

Enter the exhibit through the Vault Door

The formula for Coca-Cola has been a closely guarded secret for 125 years. It once sat in a locked drawer in a non-public safe at SunTrust bank. Now the Secret Formula has found a new (and lets face it much better) home at Atlanta’s World of Coca-Cola. Guests can get within feet of the famous formula that eventually led to my addiction to Diet Coke.

Coke has created an entire interactive exhibit around the Vault. Match the perfectly balanced taste of Coca-Cola with a virtual Taste Maker or experience a fun zone of myths and legends. Have a hand in protecting the secret in a full-body interactive game that takes you to many of the locations where the secret formula has been kept. (that would be a fun Atlanta scavenger hunt.)

Coke has even incorporated smartphones into the mix. For those who can’t get enough of the exhibit, use your smartphone to scan QR codes for new content within the experience and multimedia features.This is a far cry from the World of Coca-Cola where I worked back in the early 90′s. Then it was more a standard museum with objects behind glass. They did have the jumping water in the soda fountain though.

In the Triangle Room, visitors take a glimpse into secret Coca-Cola history through a series of portals reminiscent of early-film era nickelodeons.

The Coca-Cola formula is a closely guarded secret. Keep an eye out for hackers.

To make your visit extra special, make a staycation out if it and stay Downtown. We did this last fall and stayed at the Omni CNN Hotel. It’s conveniently located on the park and an easy walk to the World of Coke.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The World of Coca-Cola provided tickets for this giveaway and those I will use to visit the attraction. As always, the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own. 
 

80 years and still going strong!

What: See Rock City 
Where: 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mtn., GA 706-820-2531
When: Hours vary by season, so check the website
Cost: $18.95 adults, $10.95 children (3 – 12) Free Parking
Photos: For more photos of Rock City visit Field Trips with Sue on Facebook
Win  a family Pass to Rock City. See the end of this post to enter.

What drew me initially to See Rock City, was the famous ad campaign on rural barns and the See Rock City bird houses. I once bid at a silent auction, unsuccessfully, for a coffee table book of the famous barns and a birdhouse. I don’t remember what it went for, but there was fierce bidding. You gotta love an ad campaign that started in 1936 and is still working more than 70 years later!

See Seven States!

Rock City Gardens has a 1950 ‘eque feel, which is what I like about it. Sure, they’ve added gem panning and rock climbing for the kids, but the rest of it is a walk through time that brings you back to a simpler day when families drove to their destinations playing car bingo and kids fought for real estate in the back seat. Like the ad campaign, kids are still clamor 80 years later to get a good look atop the mountain and “See 7 States”. Of course now they’ve added binoculars for a closer view. If you have small children, look for the short look-out stands that are just the right height for kids. The views and photo opportunities are truly spectacular.

The self-guided walking tour along The Enchanted Trail takes you through huge rock formations, some estimated to be 200 million years old. They have great names like “Needle’s Eye” and “Fat Man’s Squeeze.” My kids loved the 180-foot long Swing-a-long bridge, but if that’s not for you don’t worry, you can go around. For those with smaller children, note that strollers won’t be able to get around the entire path, so plan to carry your little ones or pack them in a carrier of some kind.  Of course, even then you may have to make some adjustments. We had my youngest in a backpack years ago and had to get him out to fit through Fat Man’s Squeeze.

Threading the Needle's Eye

Enter Fairyland Caverns and test your knowledge of Mother Goose Rhymes

Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village add some whimsical to your visit. I was actually surprised that my boys didn’t know more of the Mother Goose rhymes. They can dazzle you with knowledge of intergalactic planets and beings, but were a bit stumped on why Jack and Jill went up the hill. Both of these attractions are underground and lit by black light. If your child is afraid of the dark, distract them by focusing attention on their white shoelaces or glowing t-shirts until they adjust and they’ll be more likely to enjoy the exhibits.

When I think of Rock City, I think of the rock formations. The formations and natural pathways were the inspiration for a 14-acre garden with more than 400 different species of native wildflowers, plants, shrubs and trees.  Visitors can use their cell phone to hear a guided tour of the Gardens. We visited in the spring when everything was beginning to bloom and it was beautiful.

Garden gnomes are everywhere.

Stop and smell the beautiful flowers along the path.

Rock City is a destination for anytime of year. Perhaps time your visit for the many events and festivals hosted by the Gardens. Rock City is located in Georgia, but only six miles from Chattanooga, TN. We stopped at Rock City on our way to a vacation in Chattanooga. There are packages to See Rock City, Ruby Falls and the Incline Railway all in one day. All great attractions, but this is a lot for kids (and adults) to do in one day. I would suggest splitting it into two. If you must do it all in one, plan a lighter schedule the next day.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Although we were provided complimentary attraction tickets for the purpose of reviewing it (as is common in the travel industry), we only recommend places we would stay and products we would use.

The Art of Disney Animation is the newest on-property value resort

Last weekend I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Conference at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. It was a long weekend of amazing sessions lead by social media gurus like Peter Shankman of The HARO Report, Amy Jo Martin with Digital Royalty, Lisa Druxman founder of Stroller Strides, Ramon DeLeon who can single-handedly make you crave Domino’s Pizza and Chris Brogan. The comedian Maryellen Hooper emceed the event. Least I fool you into thinking it was all work, we also heard from members of the Disney team about exciting new programs and were then cut loose to explore on our own.

We couldn’t visit so close to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure without making a stop for my youngest who is a HUGE fan (any ideas for my Harry Potter birthday party next week are greatly appreciated).

Stay on property at Universal for early admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

With so much material on one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world, this week’s Field Trips with Sue segment on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta focused on Orlando. Look for photos of our trip on Field Trips with Sue on Facebook and posts with more information and tips.

In the first hour, I talked about the exciting new programs at Walt Disney World including:

• Expansion of Fantasyland
• Sorcerer of the Magic Kingdom
• The Art of Disney Animation Hotel Opening

In the second hour, I focused on Orlando Vacations that involve favorite characters from movies and films including:

• Disney Star Wars Weekends
• Wizarding World of Harry Potter  at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure

Hemlock Falls is a picturesque spot for a family portrait

What: Cloudland Canyon State Park
Where: Rising Fawn, Ga.
When: Something new throughout the year
Cost: $5 parking fee

Cloudland Canyon State Park, once known as Sittons Gulch, is one of the prettiest of Georgia’s state parks. It’s located in Georgia’s Northwest corner about half an hour from Chattanooga, TN.

This rock outcrop at Cloudland Canyon looks like a big nose to me.

Hiking at Cloudland Canyon
Hiking the rim of the canyon and exploring the rock outcrops was a fun family activity for my crew. The two waterfalls, Hemlock and Cherokee are located down in the canyon. If you only have time for one, I thought Hemlock was the more scenic, although both are beautiful. There are 600 steps down to the falls, which isn’t too bad, but remember, that means there are 600 steps back UP to the top, so pace yourself and little ones.

Camping at Cloudland Canyon
My boys loved camping in the walk-in camping area. Although you have to carry gear to the campsite, it wasn’t far from the parking lot and once set up, we liked the woods completely around us rather than sleeping close to the car. We camped on site 12 but site 16 overlooks a creek and looked like an even better choice. Site selection for the walk-in camping is first-come, first-serve, so get there early to secure a specific location.  Cottages are also available on-site.

There are 600 stairs down to the waterfalls. Hard part is there are 600 more to get back up!

Walk-in campsites at Cloudland Canyon create a nice atmosphere in the woods

There is a trail from the walk-in sites to the West Rim hiking. It’s a pretty walk. At one point we crossed Daniel Creek and my youngest suggested this was a perfect place to play some Pooh Sticks. If you are unfamiliar with the Winnie-the-Pooh story, Pooh and his friends drop sticks on one side of the bridge and then race to the other to see which one comes out first. We’ve had many a fun game of Pooh Sticks on various bridges.

Things to do at Cloudland Canyon
There is a playground, disc golf and even tennis courts available at Cloudland Canyon – although the tennis courts weren’t in great shape during our visit.  If you’re looking for more adventure, the Georgia Girl Guides offer wild caving tours of Sittons Cave. Tours book fast, so make a reservation before you go to make sure there is space available. Maps to Sittons Cave are available at the Ranger’s office if you want to go on your own, but I wouldn’t recommend going too far without a guide, it’s very easy to get turned around in a dark winding cave.

Wild Cave Tours are muddy, but lots of fun

If you’d rather take to the sky instead of crawling underground, try hang gliding. Lookout Mountain hang gliding, located a few minutes outside the Cloudland Canyon gate is the only hang gliding outfit between Florida and North Carolina. Reservations are required for this adventure and can be purchased through Great American Days.

Suited up for hang gliding. Tandem flights leave from the ground.

Famous Rock City is close to Cloudland Canyon

Cloudland Canyon is a short half hour drive to downtown Chattanooga, TN and a great base for a Chattanooga vacation. On the way to Chattanooga, stop at the famous Rock City Gardens which is about half way between Cloudland Canyon and Chattanooga.

If you like hiking and camping, take a look at the Hiking Diva blog for other fun places, some off the beaten path. Get to know her with this great interview from the Pocket Ranger. I love the idea of picking up a rock from each trail you hike for a rock garden.

Also visit A Little Campy for a Mom’s Guide to Camping on a Budget.

Chattanooga

What: Atlanta Track Club All-Comers Track and Field Meets
When: May 8 – June 19, 2012. Gates open at 5:00 and events start at 5:30 pm
Where: Emory University’s Woodruff Physical Education Center
Cost: $1 for Youth/Student Athletes, $2 for Adult Athletes, Spectators are free