Creative Discovery Museum

Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga is one of the stronger children's museums in the Southeast and earns its place as a Chattanooga family anchor alongside the Tennessee Aquarium two blocks away. Four floors of exhibits each take a different discipline: science, art, music, and outdoor exploration, with enough depth in each to keep a curious child genuinely engaged rather than bouncing between shallow activities.

The rooftop is the standout. A rooftop-level outdoor dig site gives kids working space to excavate sand, operate actual mechanical pulleys, and move materials around in a way that scratches the same itch as Dig'n Zone but in a more contained, museum-curated format. The rooftop also has views of the Tennessee River and the surrounding hills that make it worth spending time in regardless of the dig site.

On a clear morning, it's one of the more beautiful settings for a children's museum exhibit in the country.

The musician's studio is the unexpected highlight for parents. Kids can pick up real instruments — drums, keyboard, guitar, and others — in a properly soundproofed space where they can make actual noise without destroying the experience for everyone else. Hearing your 3-year-old attempt rhythm on a real drum kit, amplified and enthusiastic, is a specific kind of parenting joy.

The science lab runs scheduled demonstrations and lets kids participate in experiments appropriate to their age. The art studio provides materials for structured creative projects.

For a Chattanooga visit, pairing this museum with the Tennessee Aquarium is the standard family day — both are in the same walkable waterfront district. Two venues, full day, high satisfaction across age groups.