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Tennessee

The Best of Chattanooga: Trains, Waterfalls and Battlefields

Program No. 19022RJ

Discover the Southern gem of Chattanooga as you learn about rock formations, waterfalls, Civil War battlefields and historic trains, Appalachian music and more!

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Program

At a Glance

Duration

6 days

Program Begins

Chattanooga, TN

Program Concludes

Chattanooga, TN

Meals

12 ( 5B, 3L, 4D )

Activity Level

Chattanooga is a Tennessee gem — where Southern charm and grand Victorian mansions meet a thoroughly modern metropolis. Embark on unique field trips to places like a wood carving school, a river aquarium and an antique carousel. Discover Cherokee and Civil War battlefields and walk across the world’s longest pedestrian bridge. Stand in the shade of the sandstone boulders of Rock City as you learn about their geological history. Feel the cool spray of America’s deepest waterfall. And soak in the sounds of Appalachian music and the charming chug of a historic Chattanooga choo choo. From high up on Lookout Mountain to the underground Ruby Falls cascade, explore Chattanooga from top to bottom.

Best of all, you'll...

Ride one of the city’s original rail lines through rolling vistas and the Missionary Ridge horseshoe tunnel, and learn about train engineering at the repair shop.
Explore Lookout Mountain and Ruby Falls, the nation's largest and deepest underground waterfall.
Journey to Chickamauga Battlefield to learn what happened there in 1863 and how it impacted the Civil War.

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General Notes

Select dates are designated for small groups and are limited to 24 participants or less.

Jonathan Mies

Dr. Jonathan Mies routinely teachs courses in physical geology, structural geology, tectonics, hydrology, X-ray diffraction, field methods, and geology field experience (Basin and Range, Colorado Plateau, and Central America). During the summer, he also teaches at the University of Missouri's Geology Field Camp (Branson Field Laboratory) and in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. His current research interests are focused on the origin of joints in folded sedimentary rocks of foreland fold and thrust belts.

Please Note:

This expert may not be available for every date of the program

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Justin Strickland

Justin Strickland has been fascinated by trains his entire life. His first "railroad" job was with the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway at the age of 15, where he eventually became a conductor. Justin has also worked with the Southeastern Railway Museum, Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. He authored the only book dedicated to the Terminal Station in Chattanooga and has been interviewed for the railroad documentary "Tracing the Tracks."

Maury Nicely

Maury Nicely is a lawyer and historian in Chattanooga, Tenn., and author of the “Chattanooga Walking Tour & Historic Guide” and the “East Tennessee Walking Tour & Historic Guide.” Maury has served on the boards of Chattanooga History Center and Cornerstones, Inc., Chattanooga's historic preservation organization.

Carol Burton

Carol Burton attended Dalton State College, where she began her 16 years as a Road Scholar coordinator with its Center for Educational Adventure. Married to her childhood sweetheart, she grew up in Hampton, Va., and moved to Georgia in 1970. Carol said she was born with a love for animals and volunteers with her local humane society.

Tom Morley

Tom Morley’s musical career spans thirty years and a host of genres. He's played Celtic, bluegrass, classical, swing, Americana and country honky tonk, earning a gold album for his work with “new traditionalist” country artist John Anderson. Classically trained with a degree in music education, Tom's followed his passion for Irish traditional music for the past two decades. Tom teaches privately and at fiddle workshops and string camps around the U.S., including Boston's Fiddle Hell Gathering and the John C. Campbell Folk School.

Activity Level

On Your Feet

Walking up to one mile. Some stairs. Standing in museums for docent talk.

Suggested Reading List

View Full List (5 Books)

You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?

We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!

Call 800-454-5768

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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.
Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.