LEISURE
CHATTANOOGA GHOST TOURS – 57 E. Fifth St. Walking tours through downtown, ghost hunts through University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Citizens Cemetery. Adults $17.95 plus tax, ages 12 and under $11 plus tax. Tours 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights by appointment. 423-800-5998.
FIRESIDE CHAT STORYTELLING – Founders Hall at The Commons, 4950 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale. Mike Gray and guests Jeffrey and Marcy Paulson lead “Appalachian Winter” exploration with story and song. free. 7-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4. 423-468-1971.
GREEN EXPRESS HORTICULTURE SHORT COURSE – Chattanooga State Community College, 4501 Amnicola Highway. Chattanooga Association of Landscape Professionals and UT Extension Service hosts 16 speakers for landscaping seminars on sustainable gardening, turfgrass weed control, controlling pests and other best management practices on Jan. 3-4. CALP members $45 at door, $25 for one day or two half days; nonmembers $60 at the door; $35 for one day or two half days. 423-855-6113.
HIKES, TENNESSEE – Led by Soddy-Daisy Hiking Club. Bring water and snack. Carpool locations given for those who want to meet group. For more information, 423-842-3619.
» Saturday, Dec. 29: Raccoon Mountain east rim overlook to switchyard and back, easy-to-moderate 4.5 miles. Meet at Food City in Red Bank at 8:30 a.m.
» Saturday, Jan. 5: Booker T. Washington State Park, 5801 Champion Road. Hike the outer loop, easy 3.5 miles. Meet near the swimming pool at the park.
ICE ON THE LANDING – Chattanooga Choo Choo gardens, 1400 Market St. Open-air ice-skating rink; skate rental included in fee of $10 adults, $8 children ages 12 and younger. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-11 pm. Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 6. www.iceonthelanding.com
» Today, Dec. 27: Family Night, every child age 12 and younger admitted free with paying adult.
» Wednesday, Jan. 2: Breast Cancer Support Service Charity Night, 5-9 p.m.
INTRODUCTION TO KAYAKING – Southern Adventist University Hulsey Wellness Center, 4870 University Drive. Collegedale, Tenn. Certified staff from Outdoor Chattanooga provide instruction on whitewater kayaking for ages 8 and up; equipment provided in free first visit. 7 or 8 p.m. classes Tuesday, Jan. 8. Reservations: 423-643-6888.
LEARN TO RIDE A BICYCLE – Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. Learn to ride a bike while learning basic maintenance of bike parts, helmet fit, safety checks, balance, starting and stopping, road and sidewalk rules. Free. 4-5:30 p.m. or 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14. 423-63-6888.
KAREN LAWRENCE RUN – Sports Barn downtown, 301 Market St. Annual New Year’s Eve 4.2-mile and 2-mile runs in memory of Karen Lawrence to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chattanooga; $35. 7-9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31. 423-778-4359.
ROCK CITY ENCHANTED GARDEN OF LIGHTS – Rock City Gardens, 1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain. More than a million LED lights and 30 illuminated holiday scenes in Christmas display. 6-9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 31. 706-820-2531. Tickets $22.95 adults, $12.95 ages 3-12 Friday-Sunday; $19.95 adults, $11.95 ages 3-12 Monday-Thursday.
RUBY FALLS DISCOVERY DAY – Ruby falls, 1720 S. Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain. Celebrate the 90th anniversary of the discovery of Ruby Falls. The first 90 guests to arrive will receive the original $2 admission rate and souvenir postcard. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30. 423-821-2544.
TRAIN RIDES, CHATTANOOGA – Departing from Tennessee Valley Railroad, 4119 Cromwell Road. 423-894-8028. Check website for designated weekend train rides such as Chickamauga Turn, Dinner on the Diner and Hiwassee River Rail Adventure. www.tvrail.com.
» Missionary Ridge Local: Six-mile, 55-minute ride through East Chattanooga to TVRM’s repair shop. $17 adults, $11 ages 2-12. January schedule: Trains depart every Saturday at 10:40 a.m., 12:05, 1:15 and 2:25 p.m. as well as Sunday and Monday of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.
WINTER WORKSHOP – Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. Free Leave No Trace workshop covers seven principles on preparation, planning, skills and techniques to protect the environment. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10. 423-643-6888.
CHILDREN/TEENS
CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC LIBRARY
All locations of the Chattanooga Public Library system have preschool story time. The Downtown, Eastgate and Northgate libraries have Adventure Club for children ages 6 and up. The library’s teen center, Teen Stack, is located in the Downtown Library. For more information about all programming held in the Downtown, Eastgate, Northgate or South Chattanooga libraries, call 423-643-7700 or visit www.chattlibrary.org.
» Saturday, Jan. 12: Make Way for Omelette, 1 p.m. at South Chattanooga branch, 3 p.m. at downtown branch, part of Symphonic Tales.
CHILDREN’S STORY HOUR – Barnes & Noble, 2100 Hamilton Place Blvd., 11 a.m. Saturday, storytime. 423-893-0186.
» Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 5-6: Educator Appreciation Shopping Weekend, Pre-K through 12th-grade teachers receive 25 percent off most books, toys, games, movies, music.
CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM – 321 Chestnut St. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. every day except Wednesday. $14.95 adults and children. 423-756-2738, www.cdmfun.org.
» Current Exhibit: “Hello from Japan”
» Tuesday, Jan. 1: Holiday hours noon-5 p.m.
» Thursday, Jan. 3: Sensory night, 5:30-8 p.m., for children with sensory sensitivity and their families. Reservations required.
ROSSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY – 504 McFarland Ave., Rossville, Ga. Ready to Read story hour, crafts and songs for preschoolers. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. 706-866-1368.
DANCES
BALLROOM – Ballroom Magic Dance Center, 4200 N. Access Road. $10 per person. 8:30-10:30 p.m. Fridays. 423-771-3646.
ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE – Heritage House at Heritage Park, 1428 Jenkins Road. Free introductory class for new dancers that teaches fundamental moves, then several dances from the historical repertoire. Bring soft-sole sneakers or flats for dancing. No experience or partner needed. 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8. 423-855-9474.
SHAG, BOP, SWING, JITTERBUG – Elks Lodge 91, 1067 Graysville Road at East Brainerd Road. $5 members, $7 guests. 7-10 p.m. Thursdays. www.choochooshagclub.com.