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Day Trips


DISCOVERY CENTER AT MURFREE SPING (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)

For information about the DISCOVERY CENTER AT MURFREE SPRING, phone 615-890-2300 or go to their website www.doscoverycenteronline.org The Discovery Center is at 502 Southeast Broad Street (intersection of NW Broad Street and Maney Avenue).

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This is one of those treasures for all ages right here in the Heart of Tennessee. Around 100,000 patrons of all ages explore this modern and beautiful hands-on adventure. 

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(above photo L-R: get into a real International Harvester truck, see how a crane works, and learn how the assembly line works in a special display from Nissan)

Inside you will visit other cultures, learn how rivers flow, and have a hands-on of antique fire engines, classic International Harvester truck, a unique model railroad exhibit of early Murfreesboro and much more.

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(above photo L-R: kids can put on a mechanic’s smock and see how a car works in the Nissan exhibit, or ride an old fashion bike, and the huge water ways project enables you to see how rivers flow)

Outside you will stroll the state’s longest boardwalk system through a natural wetland. Watch nature up close and personal. See the famous Murfree Spring where the saga of Chief Blackfox was born. Learn about Murfreesboro and Rutherford County with a history wall that begins when Indians looked at this area as prime hunting ground, to the days the cedar forests birthed an industry, and when this was the state capitol, to the first radio station (WGNS). In fact, the station’s 328-foot tower is in the center of the boardwalk system.

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(above photo L-R: visit the railroad room and watch the trains move around old Murfreesboro, and the grocery store with a food check-out conveyor belt is a very popular attraction)

For information about the DISCOVERY CENTER AT MURFREE SPRING, phone 615-890-2300 or go to their website www.doscoverycenteronline.org   So why do we keep seeing the word MURFREE in some many sites in the area. Before the community had its present name, it was called Cannonsburgh. However, Colonel William Lytle owned a considerable amount of acreage in the area of our present town square. He was willing to donate the land for the establishment of a city, if they changed the name to honor one of his friends. In 1811, the Tennessee State Legislature established a county seat for Rutherford County. The town was first named “Cannonsburgh” in honor of Tennessee politician Newton Cannon. It was soon renamed “Murfreesboro” for Revolutionary War hero Colonel Hardy Murfree, later the great-grandfather of author Mary Noailles Murfree. Murfreesboro is now one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, and is ranked by Money magazine as the 84th best place to live in the United State out of 745 cities with a population over 50,000 persons. By the way, Murfreesboro’s population is now over 100,000 and Rutherford County has passed the quarter of a million mark.

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TENNESSEE AQUARIUM (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
imageAquarium…I-Max Theatre…River Gorge Hydrofoil
Phone: 1-800-262-0695 or visit www.TNaqua.org

Did you realize that Chattanooga is only 83-miles from Murfreesboro?  That’s less than 2-hours away.  The beautiful campus for the Tennessee Aquarium is along the Tennessee River.  The aquarium has two modern buildings.  One takes you through the waters of the Volunteer State.  A tour of the glass top structure places you face-to-face with ocean creatures, penguins, alligators, a butterfly garden and more.  The complex includes another building that houses an I-Max 3-D theatre.  And now, the venue includes a riverboat ride to the Tennessee River Gorge.  See wildlife from a comfortable and unique hyrofoil boat.  In this photo, the brick building on the left is for the local river journey.  The glass covered pyramid to the right is where you’ll discover salt water fish, penguins, butterfly gardens and other fascinating attractions.

image Everybody’s talking about the penguins.  When you walk into their area, you feel as if they are performing for you.  The birds walk around in a stately manner.  Then some jump into the water and dart at break-neck speeds, almost appearing as if they are checking to see if you’re watching. 

Try to give yourself a day to take-in both aquariums, watch a nature themed 3-D I-Max movie and enjoy a boat adventure into the Tennessee River Gorge.  That is an experience you’ll never forget!  And be aware that there are restaurants and food vendors around the area that offer something that would please the most diverse taste buds.

 

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(L-R) The old song “I’m In Love With A Big Blue Frog” takes on new meaning at the Tennessee Aquarium.  Plus, you’ll be face to face with a shark or walk through beautiful butterfly gardens.  All of the pictures shown here are simply ones that Bart took while visiting the Tennessee Aquarium.  Your photo memories will probably be even better!

image The natural settings are all inside the Tennessee Aquarium.  In one area you’ll feel as if you’re walking through a real rain forest.  Another places you alongside a mountain stream (left photo) where beavers entertain you and birds fly chirping above your head.  The wildlife is real, but the setting is actually inside the building where the climate never changes from season to season.  Have you ever touched a fish (right photo)?  Using a “two finger touch” the fish are accustomed to having visitors stroke their backs. 

image A ride on the 70-passenger hydrofoil, high-speed, catamaran is an experience you’ll always remember.  A naturalist from the Tennessee Aquarium guides your boat tour through the Tennessee River Gorge.  You’ll have an opportunity to see deer, eagles, and the beautiful landscape that makes the Volunteer State special.  When up to speed (usually around 50 miles per hour), the hydrofoil is only about 3-inches into the water.  However, it “stops on a dime” as you near other vessels.  It would surprise other boaters to round the bend in the river and see a huge vessel skimming across the water with practically no wake at high speeds.  The captain says, “We want to be good neighbors on the river.”

 

image As your river cruise nears an end, most visitors head to the top deck where the captain hangs a small remote control around his neck.  The small box you see in his hands (left photo) has a lever on each side.  That controls the direction of the engines.  The degree to which you push the lever forward or backward determines the speed.  There is a circular control on the top.  He visually docks the craft at the peer alongside the aquarium.  Prior to doing that, Captain Mike Hosemann displays the maneuverability of this unique craft.  How about multiple 360-degree turns.  I don’t mean wide circles; these are complete 360-degree turns at a pretty good clip.  He looked up, smiled, and said, “You’re wondering why I’m doing this,  it’s to let you know the hyrdofoil can!”  Then instead of approaching the boat dock, going back-and-forth from forward to reverse to slide into docking position–he simply approaches the land sideways and parallel to the dock.  Inside the spacious catamaran, there are restrooms, food and drinks, plus comfortable seats surrounded by video screens that display the history of the area and show native wildlife.

Again, since Chattanooga is only about 83-miles from Murfreesboro, the Tennessee Aquarium is an easy day trip!  For more information, call their toll-free phone number:   1-800-262-0695 or check their website  www.TNaqua.org