Things to Do in Middle Valley

The retreating sun paints the waters of the Tennessee River with golden streaks of light, beckoning the _Southern Belle_’s passengers onto her breezy decks to take in the resplendent evening. Making daily jaunts along the Tennessee Valley, the three-story riverboat evokes the majesty of days gone by with her snowy white exterior and elegantly appointed interior that includes a dining room, dance floor, and a crew of old-timey ghost captains. Staffed by friendly crew members, the boat regularly pushes off from Pier 2 for a daily lineup of lunch, dinner, and sightseeing cruises. Along with everyday tours, the majestic vessel also plays host to a variety of special events, from festive Thanksgiving cruises to elegant weddings and exciting school trips. Back on the dock, Pier 2, a stationary boat that functions as the _Southern Belle_’s docking facility, bustles with events ranging from teas to high-school reunions, while chefs in the 3rd Deck Burger Bar grill up succulent patties for hungry visitors.

While plump hens scratch the dirt for morning worms on Hidden Hills Farm & Saddle Club's 500 acres of woodlands and dewy pastures, a team of experienced trainers saddles up and prepares for trail rides and horseback lessons. Guided rides include evening saunters through the woods, and lessons teach beginners the basics of both English and Western riding styles, focusing on leadership-based interaction and addressing oft-overlooked skills such as polite horse handling and how to neigh in seven languages. Nestled in the shadows of Grindstone Mountain, the facility does its best to blend in with the natural wilderness that surrounds it; when it isn't hosting daily visitors, the staff tends to its land with sensible, sustainable farming techniques.

In 1960, Vin Silvia put his faith in a parachute as he dove from an aircraft for his first freefall. The rush of adrenaline continued beyond the dropzone, inspiring the creation of Chattanooga Skydiving Company. Now in its third generation of family ownership, the company mints new divers on a regular basis. As long as the skies are clear and the clouds slake their appetites on birds rather than planes, instructors give lessons or pair up with novices for tandem jumps. Chattanooga Skydiving Company abides by safety methods approved by the United States Parachute Association so that any client can experience the thrill of great heights without previous experience or access to the shoulders of an obliging tall man. A digital video recording allows customers to upload, email, and share video evidence of their celestial endeavors.

At Benton Sporting Clays, marksmen take aim at airborne clay pigeons from 14 fully automated shooting stations and a tournament-grade clays tower. A fully covered five-stand shooting station protects shooters from wind, rain, and real pigeons avenging their clay cousins. Between sessions, shooters traverse the expansive grounds to try different stations in one of the facility's comfortable carts. Members enjoy benefits such as year-round shooting, waived cart-rental fees, and discounted clay pigeons at the range’s fully stocked pro shop.

Ocoee Zipz lifts its riders off the ground and transports them to new lands along seven lines named after beloved Wizard of Oz characters and featuring varying grades, distances, and terrain. Staff members, aptly nicknamed The Flying Monkeys of Oz, help adventure seekers soar above Ocoee's 40 acres of rustic scenery during two-hour zipline tours. Tours begin at the 30-foot-high Cowardly Lion launch tower, where fraidy cats find the courage they need to skim the tops of trees. The Dorothy line zooms along the Ocoee River to meet up with the Toto tower across a swinging bridge, where cushy crash pads wait with loving arms to catch especially enthusiastic zippers. Guests may try an upside-down dive off the Scarecrow tower, then test their speed on the Wicked Witch of the West line, which features a steep enough grade to get patrons up to 45 mph. Like Shakespearian arguments or family reunions, Ocoee Zipz's tours end with a duel on The Wizard's parallel lines, as participants race their way to the finish.