Source-checked Apr 5, 2026Children's Museums

Creative Discovery Museum

Downtown Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN

Top-tier downtown Chattanooga children’s museum with toddler spaces, climbing, water play, exhibits, memberships, and parties.

Tennessee RiverPlay water-themed exhibit inside Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga.

Photo 1 of 3. Tennessee RiverPlay water-themed exhibit inside Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga.

Editorial notes

What stands out

A top rainy-day and tourist-day choice if your family likes interactive museums and can happily spend a half day or more exploring.

Good fit

  • Mixed-age siblings who need more than a toddler-only play room
  • Families who enjoy hands-on learning alongside physical play
  • Tourists and locals planning a full half-day or all-day outing
  • Frequent visitors who can benefit from membership

Consider another option if

  • Families seeking a cheap, quick burn-off stop
  • Kids who only want free-run climbing or soft play
  • Visitors who prefer very low-stimulation indoor environments

Know Before You Go

Re-entry
Food and reentry
Re-entry
Admission includes all-day play and reentry, which makes lunch or downtown breaks realistic.
Details
Hours
Details
Sunday-Friday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.
Details
Planning tip
Details
This is a downtown museum outing with paid parking nearby, not a quick drop-in play room.

What to Expect

For kids

  • Babies
  • Toddlers
  • Preschoolers
  • Big kids
  • Mixed ages
  • Museum exhibits

For caregivers

  • Family restrooms
  • Caregiver supervised
Visit type
Best as a half day or all day museum outing.
Read more about this location

Creative Discovery Museum is one of Chattanooga's strongest indoor family destinations for families who want much more than a quick playground stop. The museum combines toddler-friendly exhibits, pretend play, climbing, water play, art and STEM spaces, rotating programs, and birthday options into a true half-day or all-day outing. It is especially well suited to mixed-age siblings and visitors who enjoy hands-on learning alongside physical play.

Hours & Admission

Posted hours

Check posted weekly hours

View full weekly hours
Weekly posted opening hours
Monday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Based on posted weekly hours. Holidays, private events, seasonal schedules, and special closures may differ.

Accessibility

Details

The museum is wheelchair accessible except for the second-floor tower, the upper levels of Tennessee RiverPlay, and the upper-level pods in TreeHouse Adventure.

Details

A ramp at the front entrance and an elevator by the cafe provide access to the building and second floor.

Details

All museum restrooms are wheelchair accessible.

Details

The museum also lists a private nursing room, a universal changing table, sensory bags to borrow at Guest Relations, and umbrella strollers available to borrow.

Accessibility and comfort

Wheelchair accessible

Accessibility and comfort

Sensory-friendly

Location

321 Chestnut St

Chattanooga, TN, 37402

Get directions

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Sources & Updates

Source-checked Apr 5, 2026 against 5 public sources

View source and update details
Last check on record
Apr 5, 2026
Sources reviewed
5 public sources

Public sources

What changed

  • April 5, 2026

    Repaired corrupted website, address, image, and social link fields.

  • April 5, 2026

    Updated admission, accessibility, and party details from official museum pages.