Belles & Rails: Chattanooga, TN

Sun, Apr 6, 2025

6:30 AM Depart Harrisburg
7:00 AM    Depart Camp Hill

Today we’ll stop in Charlottesville aand enjoy lunch at Michie Tavern and explore Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.

Overnight in Wytheville, VA

Mon, Apr 7, 2025

Enjoy Breakfast at your hotel before checking out and departing for Chattanooga! We'll start with a tour at the Rock City Gardens. A true marvel of nature, featuring massive rock formations, gardens with over 400 native plant species and a breathtaking "See 7 states" panoramic view. Enjoy lunch on your own at Rock City Gardens. Next you’ll visit The International Towing Truck & Covern Hall of Fame and Museum. In 1916 a Chattanooga native by the name of Ernest Holmes came up with an idea to use a truck to help tow other vehicles. Until that point, there was nothing available to help stranded vehicles other than raw horse power, so Holmes put his idea on the four wheels of his 1913 Cadillac. The rest as they say is history. Check into the Holiday Inn & Suites Downtown Chattanooga! A unique, stunning and modern hotel located in the heart of Downtown Chattanooga. Steps away from the Tennessee Aquarium. The hotel’s prime location and new high-end guest rooms make Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites one of Chattanooga’s premier hotels. Tonight you will enjoy the Southern Bell Dinner Cruise. Since 1985 the Southern Belle Riverboat has had a simple mission; to provide a unique and spectacular experience of the beautiful city of Chattanooga. Southern Belle cruises show off the beauty of both the Tennessee River and the city, giving you gorgeous views of Chattanooga that you can only experience from the Southern Belle.

Tue, Apr 8, 2025

Enjoy Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will ride the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway - known as "America's Most Amazing Mile". The Incline's trolley-style cars climb through the natural beauty surrounding historic Lookout Mountain at a breathtaking 72.7% grade-straight up! Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenic views of the mountains and valleys from the observation windows on the train as well as the panoramic views from the observation tower at The Incline's top station. Located on Look Out Mountain at the entrance to historic Point Park, The Battles for Chattanooga is the perfect starting point for your tour of the area's Civil War battle sites. Next you will explore the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel This historic hotel at Terminal Station was made famous by the Glenn Miller hit of the same name. You will have time for lunch on your own today at several great restaurants in the area next to the Choo Choo. A Visit to Chattanooga would not be complete without seeing the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. The Center is dedicated to connecting people with the history. Featuring life-sized exhibits that tell the real-life stories of these ordinary people who demonstrated extraordinary heroics under the most difficult circumstances. Each of the immersive exhibits will use innovative technologies to combine the sights and sounds of the Medal of Honor narratives with a vibrancy and immediacy of what happed on that day. Wrap up your touring today with a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium - Come see for yourself why visitors like you rate the Tennessee Aquarium the best aquarium in America for overall guest satisfaction. Tonight enjoy friends new and old with great food and Southern hospitality. Puckett's has built a name on hosting live, local music and serving Southern staples.

Wed, Apr 9, 2025

Start your morning off right with breakfast at the hotel before taking a ride on the Missionary Ridge Local Train. Travel along one of the original railroad lines in Chattanooga, crossing four bridges and passing through pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel, which was completed in 1858. The train stops at East Chattanooga, allowing riders to see the locomotive rotating on a turntable and participate in a tour into the railroad restoration shop before re-boarding for the return trip. Enjoy Lunch at the Local Goat before departing for Wytheville where you’ll enjoy a dinner show at the Birthplace of Country Music. Check in to the hotel for your overnight stay.

Thu, Apr 10, 2025

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for Richmond, VA where you will have a guided trolley tour and a visit to the Hollywood Cemetery. The Cemetery is known as a Garden, designed by noted architect John Notman in 1847, it is located on the banks of the James River and spans 135 acres. 2 Presidents are buried here, James Monroe (5th) and John Tyler (10th). Local dinner included tonight and overnight lodging in Richmond.

Fri, Apr 11, 2025

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing for home. We’ll stop at Luray Caverns to stretch our legs and visit the Caverns, Village and Museum on site.

4:00 PM Approximate return to Camp Hill
4:30 PM Approximate return to Harrisburg

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner