Belles & Rails of Chattanooga

Bristol, VA - Chattanooga ~ Hear the Whistle Blowin'

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Belles and Rails: Chattanooga Experience

The Belles and Rails journey is a curated exploration of Chattanooga and its surrounding gems, designed for travelers who crave a blend of nostalgia, natural beauty, and Southern hospitality. Over six days and five nights, guests are treated to a first-class experience that celebrates Tennessee’s rail history, river culture, musical legacy, and culinary soul.

Accommodations & Hospitality

Five nights first-class hotels provide comfort and elegance, with centrally located properties offering easy access to Chattanooga's top attractions.
Each morning begins with a hotel breakfast, setting the tone for a day of exploration.
The trip includes four dinners and one lunch, thoughtfully selected to showcase regional flavors and unique venues—from riverboats to music museums.

Railways & Riverboats

Rail and river are the twin threads that weave through this journey:

Incline Railway to Lookout Mountain: One of the steepest passenger railways in the world, this iconic ride offers panoramic views and a thrilling ascent to the summit of Chattanooga’s most famous peak.
Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride: Operated by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, this historic route immerses guests in Civil War-era rail travel, complete with vintage locomotives and narrated history.
Star of Knoxville Riverboat Lunch Cruise: A leisurely paddlewheel cruise along the Tennessee River, combining scenic beauty with Southern cuisine and old-fashioned charm.

Natural & Cultural Attractions

The trip is rich with immersive experiences that showcase the region’s natural wonders and cultural heritage:

Rock City Gardens: A whimsical mountaintop attraction featuring ancient rock formations, botanical gardens, and the legendary “See Seven States” overlook.
Tennessee Aquarium: One of the nation’s premier aquariums, tracing the journey of water from Appalachian streams to the ocean, with stunning exhibits of river otters, penguins, and jellyfish.
Medal of Honor Heritage Museum: A moving tribute to American valor, featuring stories of bravery and sacrifice from Medal of Honor recipients.
Birthplace of Country Music Museum: Located in Bristol, TN, this Smithsonian-affiliated museum celebrates the roots of country music with interactive exhibits, archival recordings, and a special dinner event that blends music and memory.

Culinary Highlights

Southern cuisine is a central part of the experience, with meals that reflect the region’s warmth and flavor:

Billy’s Restaurant: A cozy, locally loved spot known for its comfort food and welcoming atmosphere.
Puckett’s: A Tennessee staple offering live music, Southern classics, and a down-home vibe.
Nic & Norman’s: A stylish eatery co-owned by Hollywood creatives, serving elevated comfort food in a lively setting.
Riverboat Lunch Cruise: A unique dining experience aboard the Star of Knoxville, combining river views with traditional Southern fare.

Day 1

Arrive in time for an included Dinner at the award-winning Birthplace of Country Music Museum in historic downtown Bristol, VA. The museum tells the story of the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions-the event in history scholars refer to as the "big bang" of country music-and their lasting impact on the music of today.

Delta Hotels Bristol is a full-service, modern hotel just off I-81 in Bristol, VA.

Day 2

Start your morning off right with a delicious breakfast at the hotel

The Star of Knoxville Lunch Cruise offers a scenic and relaxing experience aboard an authentic paddlewheel riverboart on the Tennessee River. This two-hour cruise features a delicious Southern-style lunch while enjoying beautiful views of Knoxville's skyline and the surrounding natural landscape. Indoor and outdoor seating allows for a comfortable expeience while learning about the history and culture of the area through onboard commentary.

Check-in to Drury Plaza Hotel Chattanooga Hamilton Place. Enjoy free amenities, including hot breakfast, dinnertime snacks and beverages at Kickback, and Wi-Fi. On-site dining at The Kitchen & Bar, open late every night in the lobby. Convenient to downtown attractions.

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Day 3

It's worth waking up for Drury Hotel's fresh, free hot breakfast! Start every day with scrambled eggs, sausage, fresh fruit, oatmeal, biscuits and gravy, KELSO+BROS coffee and more - there's something for everyone.

Take a ride on the Missionary Ridge Local. Travel along one of the original railroad lines in Chattanooga, crossing four bridges and passing through pre-Civil War Missionary Ridge Tunnel, completed in 1858. The train stops at East Chattanooga, allowing riders to see the locomotive rotating on a turntable and participate in a tour into the railroad restoration shop before reboarding for the return trip.
It all started more than 37 years ago when a group of dedicated towing professionals, the Friends of Towing, decided to recognize outstanding individuals in the towing and recovery industry worldwide, record the industry's history, collect and display artifacts and memorabilia in a museum setting, and provide information about the industry to the public. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the birthplace of the US towing industry, the International Towing Museum displays equipment that has kept the U.S. Roadways clear and operating since 1916.

Included dinner at Nic & Norman's in Chattanooga, TN, a popular restaurant known for its relaxed vibe, creative menu, and strong ties to the entertainment industry. Co-owned by Greg Nicotero and Norman Reedus, stars of the hit TV Show The Walking Dead, the restaurant offers a blend of Southern comfort food and modern American cuisine. The menu features a variety of gourmet burgers, sandwiches, salads, and hearty entrees, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

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Day 4

Enjoy another amazing breakfast at the hotel.

Known as "America's Most Amazing Mile" The incline's trolley-style cars climb through the natural beauty surrounding historic Lookout Mountain at a breathtaking 72.7% grade-straight up! Sit back, rela and enjoy the scenic views of the mountains and valleys from the observation windows on the train as well as th panoramic views from the observation tower at The Incline's top station.

Rock City Gardens in Chattanooga, TN, is a breathtaking natural attraction perched atop Lookout Mountain. Known for its iconic "See Rock City" signs, this enchanting destination features stunning rock formations, lush gardens, and panoramic views spanning seven states. Guests can stroll along winding paths like the famouns Enchanged Trail, which takes you trhough unique features such as Needle's Eye, Lover's Leap, and Fairyland Caverns. Enjoy lunch on your own at Rock City.

The National Medal of Honor Heritage Center is dedicated to educating guests about the heroic deeds and noble character of those who have received our nation's hightest military award for valor - the Medal of Honor. Featuring life-sized exhibits that tell the real-life stories of these ordinary people who demonstrated extraordinary heroics under the most difficult circumstances. Each of the immersive exhibits will use innovative technologies to combine the sights and sounds of the Medal of Honor narratives with a vibrancy and immediacy of what happened on that day.

See for yourself why visitors rate the Tennessee Aquarium the best aquarium in America for overall guest satisfaction. Enjoy a remarkable journey for the montains to the sea as your explore above and below the surface in the Aquarium's two buildings.

Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant roots stretch way back to the 50's and a little grocery store in the village of Leiper's Fork, TN. Ever since then, they've been focused on providing friends new and old with great food and southern hospitality. Puckett's has built a name on hosting live, local music and serving Southern staples. Group menu to include; Cherry Smoked Pulled Pork, Smoked Pulled BBQ Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Southern Green Beans, Tea, Lemonade (menu subject to change)

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Day 5

Enjoy a final fabulous breakfast at the Drury Hotel.

Spend your day enjoying a guided tour of Knoxville, TN seeing the famous Gay Street historical landmarks of the Tennessee Theatre, the Bijou Theatre along the Tennessee River and much more!

Included dinner tonight at Billy's in the heart of downtown Roanoke, VA. Housed in a historic building dating back to 1912, originally part of The Ritz Hotel, Billy's has become a cherished venue that blends Roanoke's rich history with contemporary culinary excellence.

Check-in at Home 2 Suites By Hilton Roanoke, VA. A modern, all-suite extended-stay hotel. Guests enjoy complimentary hot breakfast, free WIFI, an indoor saline pool, a fitness center with laundry combination, and an outdoor patio with grills.

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Day 6

Enjoy a delicious included hot buffet breakfast at the hotel before checking out and departing for home.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Belles & Rails of Chattanooga Includes

Deluxe Motorcoach Transportation

5 Nights First Class Accommodations

5 Hotel Breakfasts

1 Lunch Cruise

4 Dinners

Attractions:

Lookout Mountain's Incline Railway

Tennessee Valley River Museum's Missionary Ridge Local Train Ride

Birthplace of Country Music Museum & Dinner

Star of Knoxville Riverboat Lunch Cruise

Rock City Gardens

Medal of Honor Heritage Museum

Tennessee Aquarium

Guided City Tour of Knoxville

Billy's Restaurant

Puckett's

Nic N' Norman's

This isn’t just a trip—it’s a celebration of Tennessee’s spirit, told through its rails, rivers, and rhythms. Whether you're a history buff, nature lover, music enthusiast, or foodie, Belles and Rails delivers a soulful, scenic, and satisfying escape.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.