Kennedy: Ten Chattanooga destinations kids can't resist

Chattanooga is an ideal place for a stay-cation.

Over spring break, I took a few days off to spend time with our two sons, ages 14 and 9. Their age spread makes it hard to plan family outings that both will enjoy.

Our older son has reached an age at which staying home is a viable alternative to family stuff. Meanwhile, our younger son is a homebody by nature who would rather build a backyard fort than venture out to try something new.

photo Mark Kennedy

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Still, 14 years of parenting experience have given me some good ideas of what will work and what won't. Here are 10 Chattanooga destinations that my crew enjoyed over spring break, and the reasons why.

* Holiday Bowl: We like the location in Hixson, which combines a video arcade with a bowling center. The boys started attending birthday parties at the Holiday Bowl when they were about 5 years old, so the place seems familiar and comfortable.

* Why it works: Any time you inject competition into an activity, it's easier to get the boys to buy in. And if a child loses at bowling, just shift a few feet to Skee-Ball and win a Ring Pop.

* Ruby Falls: I know, I know. Once your kids have been to Disney World, how do you entertain them with lesser attractions such as the Ruby Falls? Trust me on this one; both my sons loved Ruby Falls as a one-time adventure.

* Why it works: For younger kids - say children 11 and under - Ruby Falls is like "caving lite." Twenty-four hours after our visit, my 9-year-old mused, "Daddy, I still can't believe we were under the ground this time yesterday."

* First Tennessee Pavilion: While not technically an attraction, the First Tennessee Pavilion near Finley Stadium is home to plenty of pop-up events that appeal to children. My wife and I took our 9-year-old to the Riverside Spring Meet, a car show featuring custom compact cars like those featured in the "Fast and Furious" movies.

* Why it works: The Pavilion offers one-off events that are often packed with child-friendly activities.

* Carmike Cinema: As our boys have grown older, a whole-family movie experience has become more difficult. Still, we can usually find a film that works for at least one of the boys. Over spring break, my older son and I shared a movie about international terrorism, and he schooled me on the firearms errors in the movie's props.

* Why it works: Discount popcorn buckets.

* Puckett's Restaurant: If your kids are finicky eaters, you learn to cherish good family restaurants. Two must-haves on our kids' menus are chicken fingers and sweet potato fries. Puckett's, a middle-Tennessee based restaurant chain, recently opened a restaurant near the Tennessee Aquarium and has both.

* Why it works: A menu that appeals to all ages.

* Superfly Extreme Air Sports: When trampoline parks began to open in Chattanooga a few years ago, I was dubious about the trend. Now they have become go-to diversions for both our boys. They like the Superfly complex near Gunbarrel Road because of its dodgeball and obstacle-course areas.

* Why it works: It's the best energy-burning destination in town.

* High Point Climbing and Fitness: This downtown attraction is another surefire cure for cabin fevor. Unlike the trampoline park, the climbing walls at High Point provide both an upper- and lower-body workout.

* Why it works: It's all about the chalk bag.

* Rita's Italian Ice: Near High Point and across the street from the Tennessee Aquarium, Rita's Italian Ice is a favorite "reward zone" for our boys. Any time they feel entitled to a treat - which is most of the time - Rita's is their favorite destination.

* Why it works: Coming downtown for a icy treat feels like an event.

* River Gorge Explorer: The Tennessee Aquarium's hidden gem is the catamaran that can hit speeds of 50 mph while it propels 70 passengers down the gorgeous Tennessee River Gorge.

* Why it works: It will forever change the way you see the Scenic City and provides views and vistas that can only be seen from aboard a boat.

Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.

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