Quick -- what's the first thing that comes to mind when I say Chattanooga? Choo-choo? Rock City? Ruby Falls? While those iconic attractions are what put Chattanooga on the tourism map, and most are worth a visit for some old-fashioned fun, the city's riverfront location, and a revitalized downtown give travelers new reasons to visit. Here are ten must-visits for this vibrant city, just a two-hour drive from Atlanta.

Up Next: Rock City Gardens

"See Rock City!" It used to be that you couldn't travel through the Southeast without seeing those words painted on the side of a rural barn as an advertisement for Rock City Gardens. Rock City is a delightfully vintage tourist experience, filled with garden gnomes and fairies peeking out from behind rocks and plants along meandering rock paths, many of which are completely natural formations.

Up Next: Ruby Falls

Ruby Falls is a natural wonder that was discovered by mistake, when a visionary local was drilling into Lookout Mountain to reopen the first known cave, which had been sealed off for a train tunnel. The waterfall is more than 160 feel below ground, and accessible via elevator and a long walk through the cave; a decorative castle gives entrance to the falls.

Up Next: The Incline Railway

The Incline Railway is a mile-long train ride up the side of Lookout and is the steepest passenger train in the world; the first trip to the top was in 1895. The grade is an astonishing 72 percent, which can make you feel as if you're coming out of your seat during the ride up the mountain. A stop to at the snack shop on the top of the mountain may or may not be a good idea, depending on your stomach's reaction to the steep ride.

Up Next: The Chattanooga Choo Choo

The Chattanooga Choo Choo and Track 29 were made famous through song by the Glenn Miller Orchestra. The train itself is long gone, but a similar engine is housed at the old train station, now a hotel. Sleeping in the restored train cars is an option as well, although the accommodations both in the cars and the hotel are somewhat worn and the train display and adjacent model railroad museum are probably best left to serious railroad buffs.

Up Next: Tennessee Aquarium

Along the Tennessee River, downtown Chattanooga offers up countless attractions, all spaced within a few city blocks. The watery wonders of the Tennessee Aquarium are housed in two riverfront buildings, one dedicated to river ecosystems, the other to ocean ecosystems. Both are intriguing, multi-level experiences and include exhibits of the land animals which are part of each environment.

Up Next: Hunter Museum of American Art

From the aquarium, the Bluff View Art District is a short stroll up a pretty glass and steel pedestrian bridge. The Hunter Museum of American Art, houses an excellent collection of Hudson River School and genre paintings, as well as works from America's modern masters including Pollack ad de Kooning, and contemporary glass and sculpture pieces.

Up Next: The Art District

Near the Hunter, the Art District offers a variety of galleries and shops on the bluffs over the river, and watch chocolate makers and bakers craft their delectable goodies. After taking in the arts, the kids will probably beg you to take them to something more for them -- so head over to The Creative Discovery Museum where they can blow bubbles over the city from the rooftop play area, create music, dig for dinosaur bones or fashion their own work of art.

Up Next: Coolidge Park

Spend a little time on the other side of the river in Coolidge Park, accessible via the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge. A restored carousel and a huge play fountain will entertain the kiddos; the antique stores and boutiques along Frazier Avenue are the reward for a walk across the river.

Up Next: Chattanooga Market

Chattanooga's south side, home to the infamous choo choo, is where many of the old hotels and baggage and passenger depots have been converted into boutiques, art galleries and shops. A great place to start a weekend of shopping is at the open air Chattanooga Market, a former warehouse converted into an almost year-round farmer's market and exhibition space, with regular vendors selling everything from handcrafted pottery and jewelry to soaps and sculptures.

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Stands For: Lobster

Details: It's fresh, it's plentiful, it's delicious. Have it as much as possible while you're there. If you're a serious lobster fan, visit Belize Jun. 14-21 for their annual lobster-fest. During this week-long celebration of the beginning of lobster season, watch local fishermen compete to see who brings in the most catch! The best part? Local restaurants cook up lobster feasts more ways than you could possibly imagine! Yum.

Up Next: Letter M Stands For...

Stands For: Matachica

Details: Few hotels can match the magic of the Matachica Resort. Located on Ambergris Caye, Matachica features bungalows, villas and mansions for those looking for the ultimate escape. A beachfront bungalow starts at $395 per night during the high season, while the 3,000 square foot beach mansion will put a $1,045 a night dent in your wallet. But when you relax in their harem-like commons area and dine at their fantastically fresh restaurant, you'll agree it's money well spent.

Up Next: Letter N Stands For...

Stands For: Nature

Details: Belize gives you the best of so many worlds -- jungle and beach, sea creatures and birds, waterfalls and cliff sides... how will you decide? You don't have to -- it's easy to see and do it all.

Up Next: Letter O Stands For...

Stands For: Off

Details: Rest assured: there will be bugs. Your best defense? Deep Woods Off seems to do the trick, but if you wind up bitten, ask Stephanie at Hamanasi to make you her special ginger-and-alcohol potion to help take the itch away. (And no, you don't drink it -- it's topical only! Although a drinkable version might be a good antidote, too...)

Up Next: Letter P Stands For...

Stands For: Portofino

Details: While Portofino is a full-service resort with treetop suites and beachfront cabanas, their restaurant is worth the price of admission alone. Feast on a combination of lobster, fish fillet, shrimp and scallops delicately saut�ed with garlic butter sauce. You almost don't need the sides, especially when there's a dessert like Completely Cacao -- a chocolate fudge cake on a bed of chocolate glace laced with cr�me de cacao.

Up Next: Letter Q Stands For...

Stands For: Quiet

Details: There's lots of it. And peace, too. Enjoy quiet beaches and the relaxed, slow pace of island living. And if you're looking for a place to really get away from it all, visit the sleepy Caye Caulker. This spot is known for it's friendly locals and rich Mestizo and Creole culture.

Up Next: Letter R Stands For...

Stands For: Radisson

Details: Whether you start or end your trip in Belize City, the Radisson is the place to stay. Their helpful and friendly staff are a pleasure to work with, whether they are booking a local tour or freshening up your umbrella drink. Ask for a room in the tower if you want the best unobstructed view of the water, and make sure to have dinner at the Stone Grill, where you can cook your own supper right at your table.

Up Next: Letter S Stands For...

Stands For: Shark Ray Alley

Details: Sign up for a snorkeling tour from Grand Colony and you're in for a treat. After doing a warm-up around a local reef, your guide will take you to Shark Ray Alley, where all the nurse sharks and rays hang out looking for food. But don't worry -- you won't get eaten. In fact, the rays are so tame that the guide wore one as a hat! Now that's a memory to last a lifetime.

Up Next: Letter T Stands For...

Stands For: TropicAir

Details: When doing inter-island travel, Tropic Air is the easiest way to go. Sure, you could drive for hours from Dangriga to Belize City, which is great if you're into road trip sight seeing. But if you want to get there fast and maximize your time, an inexpensive 15 minute flight will do you wonders.

Up Next: Letter U

Stands For: Unique

Details: Belize is filled with incredible jewelry, arts and crafts for you to take home as a reminder of the time you spent there. Gorgeous sarongs and intricate necklace designs are skillfully created with a passion that shines through the finished product. Make sure you bring an extra bag to load up.

Up Next: Letter V Stands For...

Stands For: Vibrant

Details: From the color of the water to the color of the sky, vibrant is the best way to describe what you?ll see... and what you'll feel after a week in Belize.

Up Next: Letter W Stands For...

Stands For: Wine

Details: Sure, you could go with the usual and order up some shiraz or chardonnay, but why not take a walk on the wild side and try some native Belizean cashew, pineapple or blackberry wine? And take some home so you can relive your island adventure at home!

Up Next: Letter X Stands For...

Stands For: Xunantunich

Details: The Mayan civilization reached its peak in 800 AD, and while there's still many unanswered questions about what happened to the Mayan people, their majestic sculptures and buildings remain. One such site is Xunantunich, which is believed to have been a regional center of the Mayans. Visiting the site is awe-inspiring, but scaling its largest structure will leave you breathless... and not just because of how many stairs you'll climb! The view at the top is simply amazing.

Up Next: Letter Y Stands For...

Stands For: Yute Expeditions

Details: Visiting Belize on your own is great, but hiring a touring company like Yute to take you around just enriches the experience. For a truly memorable visit to Xunantunich, ask for Eduardo to be your guide. He's incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the site -- not just because he grew up near it, but also because he worked on the excavation team that uncovered it! Eduardo and Yute know their way around the jungles like no other.

Up Next: Letter Z Stands For...

Stands For: ZZZZzzz...

Details: Imagine laying in a hammock on the beach, enjoying the ocean breeze after a full day of exploring all Belize has to offer...nap time? I'd say so! No matter what your activity or luxury, you'll sleep like a baby in Belize -- guaranteed.

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