Floating Hotel with 1920s Elegance and Views of Riverfront

When it was built at the height of the Roaring Twenties, the Delta Queen looked like it was designed to carry royal passengers; inside, there's a grand staircase lined with mahogany and brass. Soon, though, the ship was forced into a more rugged lifestyle. It served as a floating barracks during World War II and traveled more than 5,000 miles to reach New Orleans via the Panama Canal. Though it's now retired from active duty, the boat has been designated a National Historic Landmark. It also serves as a floating hotel, docked up beside Coolidge Park on the Tennessee River with panoramic views of the water.

Paddlewheel Restaurant has some of the nicest views of the river. The interior itself isn't too shabby to look at, either. It's furnished with some Tiffany glass pieces and sits near the grand staircase, which is crowned by a chandelier. Here, chefs serve southern-inspired fare such as shrimp and grits ($18.95) or fried catfish with hush puppies ($18.95). The dining room often hosts live performers; right now, for example, there's a banjo player that strums on Fridays and Saturdays. And during summer months, staff members step on deck to play the calliope, an organ powered by the ship's original steam engine.

In your guest cabin, you'll find a bottle of wine and a pair of stemless souvenir glasses imprinted with the ship's golden seal. President Jimmy Carter famously stayed in one of the cabins near the ship's sun deck, and all the ship's cabins have an elegant feel; paneled walls and carved furnishings make up the décor of the standard accommodations, and deluxe and master cabins add wall-to-wall windows trimmed with lace. In the morning, there's a breakfast buffet of pastries, french toast, and hickory-smoked bacon, and each picnic lunch is packed with two deli sandwiches, two bags of chips, a dessert, and two drinks so you can enjoy a quick bite while walking around downtown.

Chattanooga, Tennessee: Museums and Parks Along the Riverfront

Chattanooga was once a railroad hub, inspiring the song "Chattanooga Choo Choo." Today, the city has scrubbed its industrial-era grime and looks like a greener city; there's an electric-powered tram through the city, pedestrian bridges, and tree-lined avenues.

The Delta Queen floats along the North Shore, an up-and-coming neighborhood with independent boutiques and restaurants. In this area is Coolidge Park, where kids can hop on a century-old carousel and hydrate houseplants at a water park.

The Walnut Street Bridge features wrought-iron trusses stretched out over the Chattanooga River. It's one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world. From here, you can take a scenic stroll toward downtown attractions, such as the Tennessee Aquarium and the Hunter Museum of American Art.

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