Labor Day staycations: 10 ideas for family fun over the long holiday weekend

The Tennessee Aquarium's exhibit, "Jellies: Living Art" concludes Sunday, Sept. 16. (Tennessee Aquarium photo)
The Tennessee Aquarium's exhibit, "Jellies: Living Art" concludes Sunday, Sept. 16. (Tennessee Aquarium photo)

What are you doing over Labor Day weekend? The long holiday weekend beckons, but where will you spend it?

Monday's holiday doesn't allow enough time for a road trip of any length. So you could stay home and grill or check off some items on the "honey-do list" - or you could bid summer adios with some fun at a local attraction.

Here are 10 ideas for a Labor Day staycation:

1. Last chance to catch a Nightfall concert.

If you haven't been to a Nightfall concert this summer, you've got one chance left to catch the downtown party. And it promises to be a great one - Andy Frasco and the U.N. is playing. It's not uncommon during one of the band's shows for members to hop off stage into the audience as they show off their musicianship. The party band wraps up the free concert series on Friday, Aug. 31, at 8 p.m. in Miller Plaza.

2. See the jellyfish before they float away.

After nine years at the Tennessee Aquarium, the Jellies: Living Art gallery will soon drift out of sight. This exhibit opened May 2009 in partnership with Hunter Museum of American Art. Over the years, several species of jellyfish have been exhibited alongside glass artwork inspired by nature.

Aquarium visitors have until Sunday, Sept. 16, to gaze at the jellies' pulsing bells and tentacles. After that, fans will be able to enjoy these free-form sea creatures in the Aquarium's Boneless Beauties gallery.

Aquarium admission is $29.95 adults, $18.95 ages 3-12, with discounts available to active military and veterans. The Aquarium, 1 Broad St., is open 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. daily.

3. Visit Daniel Tiger's neighborhood.

Take your preschooler to the Creative Discovery Museum, 321 Chestnut St., to sing, role play and explore favorite places from Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.

On Sunday, Sept. 9, Daniel Tiger will catch the red trolley out of town back to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe when "Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit" closes.

The museum will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Labor Day Monday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. other days with the exception of Wednesday. Admission is $14.95.

4. Last chance to take a dip at SoakYa.

With temperatures still in the 90s, some fun at the waterpark would make a big splash with the kids.

SoakYa will be open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Labor Day. Combo tickets to Lake Winnie and SoakYa are $34.95 plus tax for ages 3 and older, $24.95 plus tax for children ages 1 or 2. You can save a few bucks with coupons at area McDonald's restaurants that give $5 off one $27 unlimited ride pass on Sunday, Sept. 2.

5. See a balloon glow set to music.

If you've never witnessed a balloon glow, it's a beautiful scene at dusk of colorful hot-air balloons, lit from within, as they bob and sway in the evening breeze. Grab a camera, or keep your cellphone handy, and head to the Monroe Life Balloon Fiesta at The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, 576 Highway 360 in Vonore, Tennessee, to capture shots of this memorable sight.

Festival hours are 2-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 1-2. During the day, there will be food and crafts vendors, a kids area, clowns, tethered balloon rides and music as guests wait for the big finale at dusk.

Admission is $10 ages 5 and up. All proceeds benefit the Court Appointed Special Advocates for children in Monroe County.

6. Cruise down to Walker County.

A throwback weekend of poodle skirts, leather jackets, slicked-back hair and '57 Chevy Bel Airs are on tap when the Al Millard Memorial Stocking Full of Love car show and sock hop are held Sunday and Monday, Sept. 2-3.

The fun starts Sunday at 7 p.m. with the sock hop in the Walker County Civic Center, 10051 Highway 27 in Rock Spring, Georgia. Paul Smith & the Sky High Band will play. There will be a '50s dance contest, hula hoop contest and Best '50s Dress contest.

Labor Day kicks off with registration for the car show from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Vehicle registration is $15 prior to Friday, Aug. 31; $20 after that.

"Best Of" awards will be given in 10 categories. Top 10 street rods and street machines will be recognized along with Top 5 vehicles from each decade 1950s-90s. Even the Rattiest Rod will go home a prize-winner.

All proceeds will help provide Christmas for children in Walker County.

7. See seven states, hear four bands at Rock City.

Labor Day not only signals the end of summer, but also the conclusion of Summer Music Weekends at Rock City.

Enjoy old-time bluegrass, modern country and folk music at the Cafe 7 or the WSRC Radio Show stages between 9 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. Saturday through Labor Day. Popular local musicians Matt Downer, Highbeams, Amber Carrington and Tarryn Aimee Smith will be playing.

Rock City is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $22.95 adults, $12.95 children ages 3-12.

8. Get down and dirty.

Belly crawl through mud then try to keep from slipping while climbing a tire wall during the Scenic City Mud Run on Saturday, Sept. 1. Those are two of 20 challenges facing runners on this 5K muddy obstacle course at Greenway Farms, 5051 Gann Store Road in Hixson.

It's a challenge for a good cause, though. This year's race benefits Southeast Tennessee Veterans Coalition, which serves veterans and their families by creating partnerships between VA providers and local agencies.

Entry fee is $40 for individuals, and you may choose between the competitive or noncompetitive races. To register: https://sceniccitymudrun.itsyourrace.com/register/

9. Laugh yourself silly.

You'll LOL at any of three comedy shows happening around town this weekend. You can even participate in one if you've got the nerve.

The Chattery presents "Open Mic Storytelling Night: Firsts" tonight, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m. in the Tomorrow Building, 818 Georgia Ave.

You and your friends will laugh over stories of "firsts" - first kiss, first car, first dates, first love - as they are shared from the floor. There's only three rules: the story must be true, from the heart and five minutes or less. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Anthony Griffith will amuse his audience with stories of his eccentric family members on Saturday, Sept. 1, at Southern Adventist University. His free show starts at 9 p.m. in Iles P.E. Center on the Collegedale campus.

And 2012 World Series of Comedy champ Landry will be onstage at the Comedy Catch tonight through Sunday with his stand-up routine. Tickets are $10 for shows tonight or Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $16 for 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. shows either Friday or Saturday.

photo Sample some new beers and support the creative community when the first Chattanooga Brew Guide is held Friday, Aug. 31. (Facebook.com photo)

10. Check out the new Chattanooga Brew Guide.

Sample some new beers and support the creative community when the first Chattanooga Brew Guide is held Friday, Aug. 31, at Barley Chattanooga, 235 E. M.L. King Blvd.

The Chattanooga Brew Guide was created by Super Chief, an award-winning branding and production company in Chattanooga. Formerly TapTour Brew Guide, it is a self-guided ale trail to breweries and tap houses found in town, with exclusive preview kegs from not-yet-open breweries.

All proceeds will support the establishment of the Counsel for Creatives Fund. The new fund will connect community members with local mental health professionals and prevent cost from being a barrier to access to life-changing services.

Brew Guide's launch party will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. with live music and food (including vegetarian options) available from Go Gyro Go.

Brew guide passbooks can be picked up at any participating location or the Chattanooga Visitor's Bureau for free. Once your guidebook is in hand, it's as simple as buying beers and collecting stamps, then exchanging those for swag at Barley, which serves as sponsor and home base for the guide.

Collect window decals, branded glassware and more, all while exploring the best our city has to offer. For more information: www.brewguidecha.com.

- Compiled by staff writers Barry Courter and Susan Pierce

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