Deliciousness: Visiting Bush's Baked Beans

It's no secret that we enjoy visiting places that are a bit unusual, places that connect us to different components of our lives and the special things that are right before us. To that end, I (K) had always wanted to visit the Bush's Baked Beans Visitor Center in Chestnut Hill, Tennessee.  Yes, I enjoy the beans; more importantly, we enjoy the fun of learning about items made in our region.  We like to celebrate with those who celebrate -- even if it is baked beans we are celebrating.  Why not?

Your visit begins with an informative movie, and then, you move on to exhibits.  The first space is about how beans become Bush's Baked Beans.  Pictured above: J walking through a giant bean can; pictured below: E finding his weight in beans. 

Then, there's an expansive history of the company -- a great way to consider not only the history of their work but also the history of America. 

The staff here was so very friendly -- and they have a free photo op as you leave the exhibit area.  All of this not to mention the awesome places to pose outside.

Things to Know

• Entrance is free!  There is ample parking and a restaurant.
• The gift shop sells T-shirts, other souvenirs, and some harder-to-find Bush's products.  We left with delicious bean dips.
• You are across the street from the actual factory when visiting -- this is not a factory tour (even though I tagged it that way) but more of a factory experience like you would find at, say, Hershey's Chocolate World.  
• This destination is 14 miles from Sevierville, Tennessee, and 25 miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee -- easy to find on the way to or from this section of the Smoky Mountains.

For Further Exploration

• Very interested in factory tours and company visitor centers?  You can find a nice starter list here with still more listed here.  They are lists compiled for kids, but they look fun for everyone.
• We've learned it pays to seek out regional businesses, flagship company stores, and similar when travelling.  Ask around at most destinations, and you'll find something regionally specific and wonderful.

The "West" in the Civil War: Chattanooga and Chickamauga

On our second family trip to Chattanooga, we reserved the equivalent of a day to explore the civil war battlefields and memorial monuments at Chattanooga and Chickamauga.  Both are characterized as far "western" battlefields for the time, and Justin, our Mr. History, recommends visiting both to help understand the course of the war.  Both sites help us understand what happened in our past--and the ways in which we have reflected on these events over the years.

On Lookout Mountain, Point Park, a commemoration of Chattanooga's "Battle Above the Clouds," is one of the first National Park Service sites.  It includes gorgeous views, including some even a casual student of history will recognize in civil war photographs.  Ochs Memorial Observatory includes a small gallery-style museum of civil war photography.  It's not part of the National Park Service, but the Battles for Chattanooga dioramas nearby add interesting information--and provide a way for you to support independent history attractions in addition to the National Park Service.  In fact, some of the best parking for this area is right behind their building.

Justin describes Chickamauga as a very well-preserved battlefield that can occupy several hours of driving/walking/hiking.  Like Gettysburg, there are many, many monuments and markers.  With a sense of adventure in mind, you can climb Wilder's Brigade Tower, an 85-foot stone monument with an interesting story itself.  There's a spiral staircase inside and outstanding views at the top.  Hang on to little ones, as the windows are open air--G tried to make an escape out of a high window, and she could have if we hadn't been paying attention.

If you go, Chattanooga's Point Park can easily be enjoyed as part of a trip to Lookout Mountain--and especially to the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway.  If you are feeling thrifty, Point Park can serve as a lower-priced and kitsch-free alternative to Rock City--although we'd still suggest visiting both. Chickamauga is easy to reach on a travel day--we stopped as we drove back "up" to Roanoke--and is, again, a spacious place.  Both are best enjoyed on pleasant-weather days when you feel comfortable outside.

See Rock City: You Really Should

One of the Southern Highlands Attractions, Rock City is just plain can't miss.  Part nature walk and part adventure in American tourism, Rock City is an outside adventure that will bring you more thrills than most gentle hikes as you amble along a well-constructed path between large boulders and up rock staircases.  Rock City treats you to nature, including breathtaking views from Lookout Mountain, and to little roadside attraction surprises, like cute gnomes in the fields.  Yes, it's a garden--but it is qualitatively different from most botanical gardens.

Along the walk, you'll see the iconic "See Seven States" lookout, view a beautiful (if human-made) waterfall at Lover's Leap, and cross two very narrow passages between large boulders--an experience hard to come by outside of a non-commercialized cave. Your walk will lead to Fairyland Caverns, a constructed cave full of sculpted, black lit scenes from childhood tales--unique and very cool.  Don't expect to navigate the park easily with a stroller, but there is an ADA-compliant pathway option.  Keep an eye on the kids--and a close hand on your most adventurous small ones--but we've found that this is a great place to let young ones, curious about the walkways themselves, enjoy a well-supervised adventure.

If you go, dress for the weather (including a few degrees more cool because of the mountain breeze) and check the special events schedule, which now includes springtime Fairytale Nights, the Christmas Enchanted Garden of Lights,and more.  Allow enough time to enjoy your surroundings,walking slowly, sitting and taking in views, stopping to take pictures.  This isn't designed to be a rushed experience--although we saw plenty of people just tearing through. There's no reason not to bring along a picnic in a backpack, too, and slow down even more. Gift shops sell great See Rock City souvenirs--and we recommend you check out their own history book See Rock City: The History of Rock City Gardens by Tim Hollis, one of our favorite authors. It's easy to combine your Rock City adventure with other Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga attractions--look for discount combo tickets as you plan.

Chattanooga with the Family: Tennessee Aquarium and Area

About 10 years ago, Kim made a trip to Chattanooga, TN, for a professional conference.  She immediately recognized the city as particularly family trip friendly destination, and we resolved to bring the then-hypothetical children back, probably at about age 2-3, to begin enjoying it--see the story of our first trip with E here and here (Lookout Mountain).  Now, we’ve made our second family trip to Chattanooga with both E and G, and we have been delighted each time.

The Tennessee Aquarium is a must-see for visitors of any age and just about any interest.  Divided into two buildings, one focused on saltwater and one focused on freshwater, the aquarium is thoughtfully designed and includes clearly more than “just fish.”  A butterfly garden is among the treats, as are several touch tanks and a spectacular gallery of jellyfish, colorfully illuminated, alongside aquatic-inspired art.  Several areas showcase full habitats you can experience, including a bayou with alligators.  And did we tell you there are penguins?!?!

In terms of tourist comforts, the aquarium is beautifully clean, and there are two well-stocked, reasonably-priced gift shops.  In seasonable weather, there are areas for shallow water play in simulated rivers outside the aquarium complex—dress the kiddos appropriately.  There is a nearby IMAX theater, and you can purchase combination aquarium visit, IMAX film tickets.  Check online for relevant gift shop coupons, but discount admissions are hard to find.  We recommend investing and making a day of it.  If you are staying downtown, you can certainly walk in decent weather—or you can take the electric shuttle.  We’ve now had two solid stays at the Read House Hotel, and its prices are often lower than closer hotels for just a bit more walking. There are several nearby family-friendly “fun vacation” restaurants (Mellow Mushroom and Sticky Fingers, for example) and ice cream places, and there’s a nearby Coolidge Park across the Walnut Street Bridge.  The park has a seasonal “splash pad” and lovingly-restored carousel (ride for a nominal $1 cost).

Speaking of that park and bridge, the Walnut Street Bridge, one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the United States, crosses the Tennessee River and makes for a delightful walk or bike ride.  If you are fascinated by the river, you can explore it aboard Chattanooga Ducks and aboard the aquarium’s own boat rides.  Even if you are just out for a walk, crossing the bridge is a delightful way to see the city…and on the other side of the river at what is known as the North Shore, you’ll find a few intriguing shops in easy walking distance.  Near the river itself, there are walking paths, and we’d recommend you check out the outdoor sculptures at the Hunter Museum of American Art also nearby—just cross the glass (yes, glass) bridge to the site.  Roanokers, you’ll recognize the architecture—it was designed by the same architecture firm as the Taubman.

Other attractions in this area include the children's museum called the Creative Discovery Museum, and we Haltermans wouldn't leave without visiting two interesting bookstores, AllBooks and Winder Binder Gallery and Bookstore, and grabbing a snack at the area's Moonpie General Store.

King of the Wild Frontier: Crockett Tavern Museum

We'd driven by the sign off I-81 several times, but this summer, we decided to take the small sidetrip to Morristown, Tennessee, while driving home from the Smokies.  Here, we'd find the Crockett Tavern Museum, a site honoring the boyhood home of Davy Crockett.  Justin dreamed Crockett history in big terms growing up, and since we visited the Alamo, we've both been enraptued by Davy's story.  In about an hour, we accomplished a short side trip. 

Crockett Tavern Museum is a small cabin-style house museum for exploring with capacity of living history demonstrations on site.  Talking with the executive director was just a treat--it was clear she was there to personalize and enliven any visit, helping the individual connect to the Crockett story and imagine the Tennessee wilderness.  Plus, she genuinely held passion for her job--a great thing to see in tourism!  We perused the history of the site itself, learned about Davy Crockett in popular culture, and had our picture taken with gear in the museum.  Of course, we talked about the real Crockett family--not just Davy--as well.  There's a gift shop, too.

The site is open for an extended season late spring through mid-fall and is not challenging to find from I-81 thanks to GPS and some signage.  It looks like they have a wonderful way of honoring Davy's birthday if you happen to be in the region in mid-August--next year will be the 227th!

And This is Mountain Kitsch: Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride, Hillbilly Golf

If you ever doubted that we like all kinds of touristy fun, here's proof!  We finally visted the Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride in Pigeon Forge, and while we recommend it for Americana diehards like us, we don't think everyone would enjoy it.  It's pricey for what you get, but the boat ride through anamatronic dinosaurs is pleasant.  The property was actually more "high tech" than we expected, and I can imagine a willing five or six year old having a magical time here.  This attraction is of the variety you don't see too much outside of "big theme parks."  If you've read Tim Hollis's Dixie Before Disney, you can imagine Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride being memorialized in a similar work in a decade or so.  We both have fond memories of large animated dinosaurs that would come to the local science museum, and this ride is a less-educational throwback to that part of childhood. 

Now for a tourist spot we believe will endure:  Hillbilly Golf of Gatlinburg.    This legendary spot is still locally owned and features a well-known incline train ride up a mountainside.  When you disembark, you play one of two simple putt-putt courses in the shade.  It's a classic, easy course decorated by farm implements and fake outhouses--pure, low-maintenance fun so simple it doesn't even have an official website.  Kim had great memories of playing as a kid with her mom and dad, and Justin has decided he enjoys inclines and was looking forward to the experience, too. 

If you go, we'd specifically recommend Gatlinburg's Brookside Resort for your lodging.  The "resort" is a classic, locally-owned hotel complex--very retro.  Nice walkable-yet-off-the-beaten-path location--"city close, country quiet" is their motto.  Expect good value with the stream out back; don't expect extremely modern decor.  The vintage look is part of the charm; Justin stayed here growing up, and we'll continue the tradition.  We already have our next trip planned:  Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre, Hauntings Ghost Show, and Clingmans Dome. 

Can't Keep a Wax Museum Down: Hollywood Wax Museum, Christ in the Smokies

Wax museums: great places, but becoming few and far between.  So, with the opportunity to take in two that have made a comeback in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, we were excited.

First, the Hollywood Wax Museum.  After a year or so absence from the scene, it's moved recently from Gatlinburg and has a Vegas-esque new facade near the Titanic in Pigeon Forge.  The exterior is quite impressive with a "Mt. Rushmore" of Hollywood legends.  While Tussauds it is not, we still had fun touring inside, taking advantage of many, many photo ops.  Expect some attention to classic shows like I Love Lucy but less attention to 90s phenomena (ex. Austin Powers) than the previous site offered. Before you go, read about the rates for various nearby attractions in "combination tickets," and know that it costs a pretty penny to climb to the viewing deck at the top of the facility (we skipped it). 

For a calmer tour, try Christ in the Smokies, the religious wax museum on the site of the former Christus Gardens.  When Christus Gardens closed in 2008 to make way for proposed condos, we worried--but the economy flatlined and a wax site is back.  The revised museum focuses on the Gospel accounts of Jesus; there's more information about the connections between the Old and New Testaments than on the previous Christus Gardens tour.  Expect a paced tour through dioramas beginning with the Nativity and ending with the Ascention.  If you take time to learn about the attraction, you can take advantage of opportunities to talk about it first hand with owner/artistic director, frequently working on site.  We believe the Jesus-in-film exhibit at the end of the museum is not to be missed.  Protestants and Catholics would probably be equally comfortable with the tour.  This site does not allow photographs of the main wax museum scenes, but you can take pictures in the garden and in the Tabernacle exhibit near the entry. 

If you are like us and you can't get enough of this stuff, two more notes:  Those interested on more about wax museums in general will be interested in Houses of Wax, and we believe you can still see the Christus Gardens figures at Florida's Holy Land Experience. 

A Titanic Adventure! : Titanic Museum Pigeon Forge

Justin and Kim slipped away for a quick trip to Gatlinburg, TN, in August 2012, choosing the location primarily to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sailing with a trip to the Titanic Museum.  If you've driven in Pigeon Forge in the past few years, you know the building: the one that is a giant ship, of course.  It's quite the impressive display.  Our vote is that it is well worth your time:  two big thumbs up.

The experience is immersive, the atmosphere grand.  The exhibits capture the Titanic from its beginnings in drafting rooms to its contemporary rediscovery under water, contextualizing it nicely.  If you're paying attention, you'll garner a lot of information from rare artifacts on display, including menu cards and trip planning brochures for various "classes" of passengers.  Several artifacts are one-of-a-kind items that humanize the idea of the Titanic.  The overall experience is touching without being melodramatic; your understanding of life through the eyes of the great ship grows through truly understanding the cultural role of the voyage. 

You'll find a better selection of related academic books at amazon.com, but there was great selection of Christmas ornaments in the gift shop for Kim.   The Titanic Museum's an obvious stop for those who enjoy seeing history interpreted for a broad audience, and the contemporary museum design is interesting from a museum studies perspective.  Kim's been reading about the concept of memorialization in America, and if you read in related sociology/cultural studies, you should definitely go as well. 

We recommend you eat at nearby Partridge and Pear--The Christmas Place's own restaurant.  It's close to fun holiday shopping, of course, but it also represents an excellent lunch value:  yummy, homestyle food with a creative twist at a very fair price.  We were stuffed, but we hear great things about dessert. 

Green Beauty From Old Industry

We knew Chattanooga, TN, had a messy-looking past.  At one time, the city was decaying.  It's had quite a new south renaissance, and it's so hard to envision the past within today's visionary city planning.  There are free electric-powered buses running downtown, reclaimed rail bridges turned pretty pedestrian overpasses, and even decorative manhole covers.  The overall feel is of a welcoming city that's moving forward. 

Arguably, the centerpiece of the "visitor" area of downtown is the Tennessee Aquarium.  The complex is large and attractive, complete with a butterfly garden and a welcoming entry area that includes water features in which children can play.  The jellyfish, penguins, and river otters are "can't miss."  Definitely allow 2-4 hours for a visit. 

Spend time walking the bridges (we recommend the pedestrian bridge) and taking in views of the park and river.  From the bridges, you are close to other attractions like the Hunter Museum of American Art and some shopping and dining on the North Shore.  Coolidge Park is worth a second look; its carousel is a story in itself. 

If you go, take note that you are within walking distance of several yummy restaurants, including Mellow Mushroom, and Chattanooga's signature MoonPie General Store.  While you can pay extra for a hotel extremely close to the aquarium, hotels such as the Sheraton Read House may be less expensive while still quite "walkable" to the riverfront. 

Related Websites:
Tennessee Aquarium

Lookout Mountain!

Our most gorgeous trip of late?  Lookout Mountain, TN/GA, a short drive "up" from Chattanooga.  We spent a stunning spring day atop the mountain, seeing Rock City, riding the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, and walking Point Park. 

Without a doubt, everyone should see Rock City just like the old red barns said.  You should also read Tim Hollis's book on the attraction, as an understanding of its history makes the trip powerful Americana.  Rock City itself is a combination of gardens, kitsch sculpture, and roadside tourist stop.  Justin's favorite part is Fairyland Caverns, a blacklit display of vintage storybook sculptures in a rock-themed environment.  It's a pretty incredible example of US mid-century tourism, fantastic for nostalgia as well as for small children today.  Today, it hosts special events with unique themes, including days with local artists and holiday events. 

The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is a pretty pleasure ride and a soft thrill.  Surprisingly, it is actually part of the local public transportation system.  From the incline, you can see a cozy shop called Mountain Memories that is worth your time later for souvenirs, chats with friendly shop staff, and a dash of Ruby Falls history.  We rode the incline from the top down and then back up, our recommendation for anyone afraid of heights.  We also discovered that you can park for free at the nearby National Park Service site (3 blocks away) and walk, avoiding metered parking. 

While you're enjoying yourself, it's interesting to note that the mountain was home to an important late battle of the US Civil War.  Impressively, the battle included a Union charge up the steep side of the mountain.  The "battle above the clouds" is showcased with a pay-per-view diorama and a small National Parks Service exhibit.  Point Park itself affords excellent views of Chattanooga and the Tennessee River, and it was the first NPS site for US Civil War history. 

If you go, take a well-prepared camera, as there are stunning views everywhere.  We skipped lunch and returned to Chattanooga for an early dinner, but the mountain is a great place for a picnic.  Our experience was that St Elmo, the town to which the Incline "arrives," was less full of shops and restaurants than we hoped.  Drive carefully on the mountain; it's a residential area with twisty roads, steep grades, and frequent stop signs.  Also on the mountain?  Ruby Falls.  Look for attraction combo tickets if you are visiting more than one place. 

Relevant Websites:
Rock City
Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
Point Park

The Lost Sea

On our drive back from Chattanooga, TN, we visited one of the Southern Highlands Attractions I'd always wanted to see:  The Lost Sea Adventure.  You know:  the caves with the boats!  Growing up, I dreamed of visiting these and would always pick up brochures from travel centers, wondering what it would be like to ride boats on the underground lake in the caves.  It was high time to find out.

Lost Sea Adventure welcomes you with a bright tunnel into the Earth, Elijah's favorite part of the trip.  Then, there's caverns--very open caverns with high ceilings and beautiful lighting.  We learned that the caves were one of the first electrified attractions in the region, and folks once came just to see the lights.  No wonder, as the lighting is some of the most beautiful we've seen in a commercialized cave.  On the tour, you descend slowly towards the famous multi-acre lake, hearing stories along the way (like how civil war soldiers left graffiti on the walls) and taking in various formations (like cave flowers). 

The lake itself is a little treasure, America's largest-known underground lake.  As Justin puts it, it doesn't look exactly like it does on the brochures.  The lighting is more mysterious, and the "glass bottom" boats are boats with strips of glass in the center.  However, you do see trout while riding aboard, and the sensation of looking down 30-50 feet to see the beauty of some lit cavern features is something else.

To fellow roadside attractions fans and families with children, we recommend stopping off in Sweetwater, TN, if you are in the area for the experience; the drive from Chattanooga to Sweetwater is an easy one.  The caverns are humid, limiting the need to "bundle up."  Be prepared for a few heights, and know many pathways are packed clay when picking your shoes.  There is a "village" of other attractions on site, but these were less impressive to us.  We did score vintage souvenirs in one of the gift shops, including old logo tac pins and postcards.  A loss?  No souvenir Christmas ornament. 

Relevant Websites:
The Lost Sea Adventure

Christmas in August!

Up for Christmas anytime of the year? We're just back from Santa's Land, a "fun park" theme park in Cherokee, NC. It has a 40+-year history and is a wonderful, welcoming place to spend a few hours with young children. The park features lots of "photo spots," a small zoo with touch-able animals, a few refurbished department store displays, simple rides, and a friendly Santa. The famous Rudicoaster is a quick ride for most any age--a small roller coaster with the kind of jerks that make you smile and slide, not the kind that result in a headache. Elijah was able to ride (and enjoy!) a helicopter and car ride, as well as the family train,and Kim was very happy to hit a sale of older Santa's Land souvenirs. If you go, bear in mind that there is no park reentry privilege and that credit cards are not accepted beyond the main gate. Kids 1-8 would probably have the most fun here, and plan in accordance with the operating hours (closing at 6 most open days; seasonal operation April-fall).

If you are doing Christmas in this region, also go to the Incredible Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, TN. The ornament selection is broad and features quality items and major brands like Radko and Dept. 56. The villages available are well-displayed, and there is a robust selection of Fontanini including an institutional set valued at $25K (go home with the postcard of this one). The Christmas Place enterprise has expanded to a nearby hotel and a restaurant, but the restaurant is open only for dinner at present. We ate at the Mellow Mushroom across the street instead and enjoyed a wholesome, fresh pizza in a "hippie" atmosphere.

Just like there's always room for one more ornament on the tree, it's always a good time for Christmas!

Related Links:
Santa's Land, Cherokee, NC
The Christmas Place
Mellow Mushroom Pigeon Forge

Kitsch City, USA

Where can you go to experience such fun as riding down a hill in a big plastic ball? Gatlinburg (and the surrounding area), of course! We retooled our spring break after Justin was scheduled to work two days of it, heading to Tennessee instead of Charleston, SC. We had fun keeping roadside America alive. The mountains were pretty, too, but we think one comes here for the tourist trappiness.

Kim went Zorbing! There are just two places in the world to go right now--Rotura and the Smokies. It makes one feel pretty loopy but is a terrific experience, complete with a friendly staff and AAA discounts. Justin and Elijah hung out on the ground.

In other thrills, Kim rode the Gatlinburg Sky Lift. This ride scared her more than Zorbing but provided detailed views of the town and excellent conditions for people watching. Riding at dusk showed tourist civilization in its best light. Justin and Elijah again hung out on the ground.

Then, there were also tourist attractions that did not require release of liability forms or a willingness to catch a moving chair. We took in Christ in the Smokies, the "new" Christus Gardens. We're very glad the museum has reopened, enjoying the finely-lit nativity scene and the informal exhibit of Jesus movie memorabilia the most. The gift shop is still sparse, but the museum is worthy of your support. Justin can tell you all about its history--we've ebayed for old pamplets and guidebooks from it, and he can explain the symbolism in the scenes and can even point out the "recycled" wax figures now included.

We also visited World of Illusions museum which Kim had last visited at the age of 10 with her dad. It looked old then--and still does today--but is pretty fascinating despite its simplicity and its pre-CGI inception. If you are willing to read the descriptions on the walls, you can learn a bit of magic whiling away 30 minutes. We worry that boardwalk museums--especially those that aren't part of a chain--will become a thing of the past and support them every chance we get. World of Illusions was open "until 10 or 11 [PM] or so" according to the ticket agent when we were there. Sounds like it's going strong.

For a truly trippy putt putt experience, we did Circus Blacklight Mini Golf. It's pretty spectacular low budget fun. We didn't pay extra for the 3-D glasses: it's a good thing--there were many abandoned pairs throughout the course. With glasses, this place would be downright disorienting, but without them, it was an unusual break from the heat of the day. Justin and Kim had one hole-in-one each.

On the Gatlinburg Craft Loop, we saw many non-crafts (manufactured items) but also picked up some great woodworking, particularly at Tim Weberding Woodworking. Justin is very impressed by the shaped candles at Village Candles, and we all enjoyed the welcoming attitude of Alewine Pottery.

If you go, we recommend Alamo steakhouse (particularly the Gatlinburg location) for yummy steaks and the Donut Friar in Gatlinburg's Village for delicious breakfast. The Brookside is a reasonable, family-oriented place to stay. We also get a kick out of the Hollywood Wax Museum--not Madame Tussaud's, but fun and interactive nonetheless. The best place to buy local books seems to be the National Park bookstores. For shopping, there is cheap, interesting jewelry at Earthbound and unique perfume in Scents of Gatlinburg's Southern Rain. Pigeon Forge's Christmas Place is worth a stop, too--but is better stocked summer and fall than spring. If coming from the north, it's an easy visit on the way in, as is Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World--a great place for taxidermy and many flavors of moonpies.

There's plenty of odd things to do here, making it an interesting mecca for us. The Titanic museum, a new construction with a lifesize grand staircase, opened the day we returned home, so we must go back. Someday, we'll go on the Jurassic Boat Ride, too, and I'll take Justin on that spectacular American "nature" trek that is Clingman's Dome...