The family is itching to get out of town. Where to go? What to do? Well, here’s an idea! Why not stay local-ish and check out the Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Stone Mountain trio?
They are not only nearby but budget-friendly and entertaining for all ages. Let me help get you there — like my family did this past fall break — with tips, tricks, and budget hacks.
Step one: Get a AAA trip book. Inside, you’ll find attractions with both popular and hidden gems. You’ll find addresses, hours, and an idea of the cost. Next, pick two to three must-do attractions for each day. Then, surf the net for seasonal specifics and current offerings. Find out if you can bundle and save, snag a Groupon, or download an app for that! Finally, investigate transportation and accommodation. Are there buses, trains, or subways? Is Lyft or Uber a better option? Consider the costs of parking your car. Look into a hotel/motel rewards program. Consider spending a little more on a hotel that provides hot breakfast and a pool for after-attraction entertainment. Let’s go!
Step two: Book it! We started with accommodations. Having been Hilton Rewards members in the past, we re-enrolled and booked Hampton Inns for each location. That was important for us for the rewards, the hot breakfast, the pool, the on-site parking, and the known expectation of comfort. Traveling with a 4-year-old and 6-year-old, we did not want any uncertainties there. Transportation booking was a non-issue since we were taking a road trip. So, the only other booking question was buying tickets to the attractions. Here’s where you can save a lot of money!
Did you know that you can download a Coca-Cola app, scan bottle tops, and earn free regular adult admission tickets to the Coca-Cola Museum? That’s $17-a-pop savings! The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta allows tickets to be pre-purchased online at a 10 to 20 percent discount per ticket, including the discount on on-site parking and in-house food. For the older crowd who would like to do those things plus more — such as the CNN Studio Tour, College Football Hall of Fame, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Zoo Atlanta, or Center for Civil and Human Rights — CityPASS Atlanta offers a 40 percent bundle and save option that you cannot beat!
Chattanooga offers great discounts, too, for its main attractions. See Rock City, Lookout Mountain Incline Railroad, and Ruby Falls for $5 less per adult and $3 less per child when you purchase them together online or in person. Or add the Battles for Chattanooga attraction and save an additional $2 per ticket. The Tennessee Aquarium offers a $3 per ticket discount when you bundle aquarium entry with IMAX theater entry. If you’re a zoo member in Memphis, show your membership card at the aquarium or IMAX for possible discounts. Finally, for all other lesser-known attractions, check out Groupon for special savings before you go.
Step three: Go! The itinerary we built for our trip is on page 28. Add and delete to make it your own. You won’t break the bank, and you will spend more time having fun than getting to your destination.
Happy travels, y’all!
Dana McGonagill lives in Germantown, works in Collierville, and is proud to be a Memphis mom.
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Day 1 & 2 – Atlanta
- Botanical Garden + Zoo Atlanta
- Coca-Cola Museum + Georgia Aquarium + Centennial Park + Skyview Atlanta
- Make sure to eat at The Varsity!
Day 3 – Stone Mountain
- Hike it! + Ride it! (Summit Skyride)
- See the rock face + light show (must be on Saturday if off-season for show)
- Stroll through Stone Mountain Village
Day 4 & 5 – Chattanooga
- Creative Discovery Museum + Tennessee Aquarium (both allow for in-and-out access all day on the day of admission purchase)
- Visit + Ride at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
- See Rock City + Lookout Mountain Incline Railway + Ruby Falls
- Eat ice cream at Clumpies or The Ice Cream Show or BOTH on either end of Walnut Street Bridge