Some of my favorite adventures don't need a passport. When my niece wanted a day of hands-on fun, I took her to the Creative Discovery Museum in downtown Chattanooga. She had a blast, and honestly, so did I.

What is the Creative Discovery Museum?

The Creative Discovery Museum is an award-winning children's museum right in the heart of downtown Chattanooga, at 321 Chestnut Street. It's built for kids and families to play and learn together. Instead of looking at things behind glass, you get to touch, build, climb and test almost everything.

Our visit

My niece was about 7 or 8 when I took her, and she loves activities like this.

My favorite part was upstairs on the second floor, where we got to play with fun mechanical things like robots, rockets and ball launchers. I'm not going to pretend I was just supervising. It made me feel like a kid again.

Exhibits worth finding

The museum has more than a dozen areas to explore. Here are a few highlights from its lineup:

  • STEM Zone: make, build and test things, plus robotics and energy exhibits. This is where the tinkering happens.
  • TreeHouse Adventure: a multi-pod treehouse with a view of downtown Chattanooga.
  • Tennessee RiverPlay: pilot a riverboat, climb a crow's nest and sail boats through locks and dams.
  • The Tower: an observation deck with a bird's-eye view of the city.
  • UnEarthed: a natural science exhibit for little investigators.
  • ArtSpace: a theater stage and art studio for the creative kids.
  • Little FarmHouse: a farm-themed play area made for kids 5 and under.
  • Buzz Alley: all about honey bees and how they pollinate.

Tips before you go

  • Book tickets online: the museum recommends it, and it can sell out on weekends and holidays.
  • Give it time: plan on at least two hours. Your ticket is good all day, so you can leave for lunch and come back.
  • Parking: there are several paid lots nearby, including one right behind the museum. Downtown's free electric shuttle also stops about a block away.
  • Food: outside food and drinks stay in the lobby or on the plaza (bottled water is OK). There's a café inside if you get hungry.
  • Kids need a grown-up: children under 13 have to be with an adult.
  • Dress to play: comfortable clothes are a must. Trust me, you'll want to join in.
  • Check the hours: they change through the year, so look at the museum's website before you go.

Is it worth it?

If you have kids, nieces, nephews or grandkids in the elementary school range, absolutely. It's hands-on, it's right downtown, and it's an easy way to fill a fun afternoon in Chattanooga. And if you're the grown-up, don't be surprised if you end up having just as much fun as they do.

Watch the video above to see our visit, and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more adventures from Chattanooga and around the world.

Making a weekend of it? Head up Lookout Mountain for Ruby Falls and the view from Sunset Rock.