A bittersweet road trip: The Trail of Tears to Lovers Leap

Right in between downtown Chattanooga and the Tennessee River is a unique memorial that's quite touching. It's called The Passage, and it features a huge waterfall stairway. While it's a fun and interactive feature (and a nice way to cool off on a warm day) the story behind it is heartbreaking. It marks the beginning of the Trail of Tears, the forced removal and relocation of the Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations from the Southeast to lands further west. Thousands of Native Americans died during the brutal marches west. In addition to the waterfall staircase, The Passage also features a weeping wall, round ceramic murals on either side of the staircase that tell the history of the Cherokee people, and several statues of stickball players. Stickball was a game that was very important to the Cherokee, and held a special place in their culture. Interpretive plaques and signs add extra information and context to the memorial.

During the Civil War, Chattanooga was known as the "Gateway to the Deep South,” It was a key city during the war and several battles took place here. These sites have been preserved as the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, America's first and largest military park. The two battles were turning points during the Civil War; despite a Confederate win at Chickamauga in September of 1863, a month later, a Union victory during the Battle of Chattanooga was considered the "death-knell" for the Confederacy. The park boasts 50 miles of hiking trails and two creeks for paddling, making it easy to explore the history here. Additionally, Lookout Mountain Battlefield and Chickamauga Battlefield each have a visitor center with displays and exhibits on the engagements that occurred at each site. Both battlefields have ranger-guided tours and living history events that you can take advantage of as well.

A special way to explore Chattanooga's past is on the water. Southern Belle Riverboat Cruises offers a few tours that let you board an old-school riverboat and get a new view of the city. Their daily sightseeing tour takes you from downtown to the foot of Lookout Mountain, around Moccasin Bend, and then back to Chattanooga, offering commentary on the sights and excellent views along the way. They also feature sunset tours, dinner cruises, and special events for various holidays.