Our First Family Vacation at Lake Winnie

This has been an amazing summer. I feel like this summer I have learned so much about my girls and got to know them so well. This is my first summer at home as a mom and a blogger. It has been so much fun!!

I contacted Lake Winnie to see if they would be interested in a review. They accepted. That was the foundation of our family vacation. Not just our family vacation but, our first family vacation.

For a few weeks, I was building the girls up for what had to be the best day of our lives. Cassie has never in her life been to a theme park and Abby has only gone with her dad and family. Me and Aron have been together for almost 8 years, our first vacation as a family.


On our way to Lake Winnie

This is the full package. Everything in the park is all family and 100% fun. I had the best day ever at lake Winnie.

I am going to start from the beginning. pulling into the park was easy. There is greeters at the gate to hand out slips for the Car Load Deal. This is an awesome deal. A carload is $100 additional guests are only $20 extra. It's an awesome price. No driving around to find parking. There were 2 guys out there guiding cars into place. First in first parked. I don't know about all of you but that is so awesome. I hate dealing with fighting for spots.

We got to the gate about 30 minutes before the park opened. It was so smooth. The people out there were laughing and talking with us. I had to tell Cassie to calm down at least 20 times, she wanted to cut in line, sneak over the gate, master planned a tunnel under the gate (from our hotel across town), every possible way to get in the park a few minutes before everyone else was all she wanted.
Waiting in line at Lake Winnie

Going into the park was so easy too. The tickets and catered meal tickets were waiting for us. It was like receiving the Golden Ticket. At that moment. It was real. Cassie was from then, until forever, a theme park junkie. Her face, sweet little face, lit up at every movement, every click that the rides made. She looked like a little baby that was hearing for the first time. That was the reaction that I was hoping for.

Abby, a little more mature, a little more cool about her reaction. Shes done it before. She's 14 and way too cool to let her face show just ow excited she really is. Then it happened, the smile, her beautiful face lit up as she saw it all. The cool kid, way too old for a family vacation was in, All In! For this day, OUR Day!!

Our first stop was the Hot Air Balloon Ride. I don't think I will ever forget it. Cassie in the sweetest and sincere voice she has used in years said "Daddy, I'm scared will you ride it with me?" He didn't turn her down. We were all laughing at the sight of it, I hope that I never forget this...


Daddy will you ride with me?

After that, we walked over to the cafe. It was great! I can;t believe how good the food was. We got a family basket of chicken strips and fries. It was $25.00 and more than enough to feed all of us. That was the least expensive meal on our entire vacation, fastest served, and in a beautiful outdoor area. 


Lunch at Lake Winnie

From there to the bumper cars, the girls loved it! Abby and Cassie both demonstrated their beautiful driving skills. If they could even understand how I know for sure my decision of not letting them become licensed drivers until graduation, is the right choice. 


Carousel at Lake Winnie 
Abby on the Carousel 
Painting on the Carousel at Lake Winnie


Over to the carousel.  It is so beautiful and almost 100 year old, hand carved wooden horses and sleighs. It was beautiful. I can't help but to think of how many memories this one machine is in and had made. Over the past 99 years, families have been loving and enjoying this. 
Aron Chilling out enjoying the view
Me & Cassie's reflection in the Carousel



Cassie on the Frog Hopper

Cassie rode the Frog Hopper (Kiddie Free Fall) I was nervous that she would be scared but nope, She did it like a big girl!

These are some more things we enjoyed...


More Rides at Lake Winnie

The games are so much fun!! We all won something. Abby won a huge hammer, a stuffed Sponge Bob, and a necklace. Cassie won a big Minion and a necklace, that Minion has not left her side since she won it :)   


Games at Lake Winnie


Our trip to the park came with catered meals. We ate again at the end of the day. Aron had a cheeseburger, I had a chicken sandwich and the girls both had chicken strips (they agreed they were too good to not have them twice!) That came with drinks and fries. It was so much food!! I can't believe how good the food is here. I never expected it to be so good or such big helpings. They have such a big menu too. hot dogs, corn dogs, onion rings, salad, cotton candy, drinks, you name it, it's there!! 


Another great feature this park has is the resting spots. There are bathrooms, benches, drink machines, smoking area's, picnic area, a cooling station with a water mist and even a kiddie water park to take a break and an awesome HUGE playground. That is perfect for us.  

This park is amazing. We will go again, Soon. We are trying to plan another trip before school starts. The girls had so much fun. We all had so much fun! This park has everything for any family. My goal is to finish the ride roster by the end of the year. We were there and had so much fun and I don't think we even got to half of the rides!

This is more fun than words can ever express. This wasn't just a day out of the house. This was memories. This is what every family needs. I am so happy I was able to do this event. 

A very special Thank You to Lake Winnie and Soakya Water Park and Talley Green, for inviting us to the best day ever!! 

For park info hours, directions, or anything you may need go to www.lakewinnie.com 

Write to: 
Lake Winnie/PO Box 91498 /Chattanooga, TN 37412
Phone: (706)866-5681

If you want to see them on social media:



2015 Lake Winnie Trip
2016 Lake Winnie Trip
2017 Lake Winnie Trip
2018 Lake Winnie Trip

94 comments

  1. Looks like you had a great and fun time. I think there's something special about being around a lake. They really have a lot of nice attractions there. I wish them the best of luck with everything. Congrats on your family vacation!

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  2. I hope your kid's remember this from now on. We took vacations as a family every summer as I was growing up and we saw most of the USA!!!

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  3. What a great place. I must take the grandchildren there soon. We are in SC so it's not to far from us.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  4. It definitely sounds like you and your family had an amazing time! Being located in Florida, I know all to well about the theme parks. I took my children when they were younger, but after reading this, I think we're ready for another trip!

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  5. It definitely sounds like you and your family had an amazing time! Being located in Florida, I know all to well about the theme parks. I took my children when they were younger, but after reading this, I think we're ready for another trip!

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  6. This sounds like an awesome place to visit and have some fun!

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  7. This looks like a really fun place! I would love to visit TN someday since there is a lot to do and I have never been there! Thanks for sharing <3 Christine, The Choosy Mommy, www.choosykids.blogspot.com

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  8. I am glad that you had such a fun time as a family on your vacation! Your pictures are lovely too and it looks like the kind of place I would thoroughly enjoy as well.It is so important to make great memories like this.

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  9. I've never been to Tennessee, but Lake Winnie sounds like its full of family fun. If I'm ever staying in Tennessee, I'd like to visit.

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  10. It looks like you all had fun. A fun place for the whole family to go to.

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  11. So glad you got to enjoy this. Theme park vacations are my favorite and sharing them with my kids are the best!

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  12. This sounds like a great park to visit. I love amusement parks and was able to take my girls to Six flags this summer. We had a lot of fun. It looks like you guys enjoyed yourselves as well.

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  13. Sounds like a nice time. It's great that alot of things were included in the price. I'm sure it's great for kids too :) Thank you for the review.

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  14. This sounds like a great place to visit. We were looking for a fun place to vacation next summer you might of found it for us :) Thank you for the great review.

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  15. I lived in Tennessee for a year and never even knew this place existed! I'm kinda mad at my dad now for never taking me. I love amusement parks!

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  16. Didn't even know about this place. It's been a long time since we've been to TN but would be nice to check it out next time we are there.

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  17. This looks so relaxing yet so exciting! I'm going to have to go there while visiting my cousin so time. This looks like a family outing not to be forgotten. Love the photos Amy!

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  18. Seems like a fun place to go!! Love the Red Coca Cola sign! Looks like a great time with the family and friends, too! Enjoyed looking at the pictures!!

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  19. Looks like ya'll had a great time. Nice to be able to spend some good family time together!

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  20. Making lots of good memories. I loved going to amusement parks when I was growing up.

    slehan at juno dot com

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  21. I wish I could still go on the rollercoasters and other fun rides.

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  22. I am so happy that you all had your first vacation as a family!!

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  23. We have a great century-old carousel here in Denver. Neat to ride.

    slehan at juno dot com

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  24. Oh, Amy, what a wonderful family fun time! From the photos, you can see everyone had fun! Summers are best for hanging with your kids.

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  25. I see that you took a lot of the photos, Amy. Did you go on any rides?!

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  26. Lake Winnie looks like a blast! I love how many activities and rides they have for the whole family! I grew up going to the lake all summer long and there is no better memories than those.

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  27. Looks like a place my grandchildren would love I will tell their parents. Want be this year number 4 due in September

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  28. The Hot Air Balloon Ride must have been something! What a super time and a fun place to visit.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

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  29. First of all, your family has to do more of this - even if it is a few miles away! Just get a hotel room and stay away even for a night. It is events like this that make fun childhood memories. We did this a few times when our kids were young and we called these nights "Jamming in your Jammies!" Your kids made out like bandits - winning ones!!! This place looks & sounds like loads of FUN!! I love TN!! The next time we go, I'll have to check it out.

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  30. Looks like fun. Have not been to an amusement park in a very long time. I wanna go on the roller coaster.

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  31. It's important to have a family vacation to get away from it all and parks are great entertainment. Looks like you all had fun. Thanks for sharing.

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  32. Looks like a wonderful place to visit and have some family fun!! :) I have not been on a ride in years, and who knows maybe I will get there someday

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  33. Wow that is great you got to go on a vacation to do a review :) Can't beat that! I am thrilled your family enjoyed it and it sounds like a wonderful place!

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  34. Looks like a great time for everyone! It looks very fun there and I have never heard of it before, thanks for the review:)

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  35. Looks like a fun place to go to. And looks like everyone is having fun.

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  36. Fun to be a blogger and get things like this.

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  37. I would LOVE to see the almost 100 year old carousel with the hand carved wooden horses and sleighs! I bet it is BEAUTIFUL!!

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  38. This sounds like a real treat for the whole family! My grandson would love the frog hopper!

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  39. I wish I was there having fun with you all :) Looks like a wonderful place to visit, who knows maybe
    someday I will make it up there,,

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  40. I love family friendly vacation spots.. We usually do Disney , but heck 100 for all of you..that's a bargain

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  41. Looks like you all had a blast! I love learning about new places I could take the family that are budget friendly!!!

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  42. I wish I was there having fun with you all :) Looks like a wonderful place to visit, who knows maybe
    someday I will make it up there,, Loving all the rides they have there also :)

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  43. Thanks for the wonderful review on Family Vacation and Lake Winnie! WOW! This park sounds like so much fun! I can tell from your enthusiastic review that you and your family had a wonderfully great time! It looks like a nice place too! It seems to be clean and very beautiful there as well! We haven't been to a park like this in so many years! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful review, all the terrific pictures, and your personal and professional opinions on Family Vacation and Lake Winnie with all of us! I truly do appreciate it! Thanks again! Michele :)

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  44. Sounds like a great place to visit!
    And what a great deal, nice to hear they offer a carload deal, that could save you lots of money!
    thanks!

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  45. I am enjoying your blog. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

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  46. I am enjoying your blog. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

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  47. I have never been there, but it sure looks like fun! Thank you for sharing!

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  48. Sounds like y'all had a great time! How exciting!

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  49. This looks like awesome fun! Maybe we could consider this next summer!

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  50. I wish I would have known about this place when my kids were young. I will tell my kids so they can make a family fun vacation with their families.

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  51. I would love to go on a vacation like this. It looks like so much fun. We never get to go take a vacation but would love too.

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  52. This place looks like a blast. I would love to take my kids here!

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  53. This looks like you had a lot of fun! Thank you for sharing!

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  54. wow i rember when i was kid we used to go to park and that was fun

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  55. Looks like a great time for all!

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  56. Wow, looks like tons of fun! We have takin our kids to Orlando every year for the past 12 years which is alot fun too. But we have all got burned out on FL. Ive been looking for some new places & I think I may have a new vaca spot! ;) thanks soo much!!

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  57. Wow, looks like tons of fun! We have takin our kids to Orlando every year for the past 12 years which is alot fun too. But we have all got burned out on FL. Ive been looking for some new places & I think I may have a new vaca spot! ;) thanks soo much!!

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  58. Wow, looks like tons of fun! We have takin our kids to Orlando every year for the past 12 years which is alot fun too. But we have all got burned out on FL. Ive been looking for some new places & I think I may have a new vaca spot! ;) thanks soo much!!

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  59. Sounds like lots of family fun. Thanks for sharing. Would love to go the sometime.

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  60. Would be a great place for my son and daughter-in-law to take our grandson someday.

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  61. This looks so much! I will have to share this with my family and get their input. Thank you.

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  62. Looks like everyone had so much fun! Ill have to keep this in mind for my next trip!

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  63. KEEP MAKING MEMORIES TAKE PICTURES AND HAVE FUN WITH WHO YOUR WITH WEATHER IT BE FAMILY OR FRIENDS MANY BLESSINGS 💝 💕 🎶

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  64. Your review has made me want to plan this for next summer with my grandkids Rosanne [email protected]

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  65. This would be a great place to go to. Thanks for sharing.

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  66. The Carousel and Bumper Cars sound like a blast!!

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  67. I am so gladvthat you and your family got to take a nice vacation and that Lake Winnie turned out to be so much fun. It was just my son and me when he was growing up and I didn't feel safe going away with just me and a small child. I came from a large family and have great memories of all of our vacations.

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  68. This sound like a great vacation and it looks like you and your family had a lot of fun.

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  69. Looks like you had a wonderful time! The carousel looks beautiful!

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  70. That place sounds awesome!I wish we had something like that in my area,or somewhere close by instead of having to drive far for a place like that .I have family in Tennessee,maybe i can talk them into going there when i come out there to visit.

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  71. The parking situation sounds great! I hear ya about fighting for a parking spot!!

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  72. Looks like an awesome place to vacation!

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  73. The hot air balloon must have been amazing. I have always wanted to do that!!!

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  74. We are working on taking a vacation this next year. We never take one but I decided to do that this time.

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  75. Tennessee is a great place to visit. My wife and I always enjoy the mountains and the people are friendly too. We will have to check out Lake Winnie.

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  76. I can't wait until my kids are old enough to take to an amusement park! It looks like you had a blast!

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  77. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  78. This looks like a great place to take a vacation. Thanks for the great photos.

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  79. Thank you for the photos and the description of the amusement park. The old carousal's craftmenship is so rare to find these days.

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  80. What a fun time! Thanks for sharing!

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  81. Makes me want to take the family but the kids are back in school already

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  82. We are planning our family's outing for Spring break, and this has come up as one of our possibilities. Thank you for bring it to our attention.

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  83. Looks like you guys had a blast. I feel like the summer just flew by!

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  84. The chicken and fries basket sounds great and cheap and the seating looks beautiful!!!

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  85. This looks like a nice cozy place to go on a nice and long vacation. I liked the photos, and they made my day.

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  86. One of the things I miss about growing older is amusement parks. One summer I rode the roller coaster a dozen times in a row to see which seat I liked best (front one was best for me)

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  87. I won't forget the name LAKE WINNIE anytime soon! We usually can't make up our minds anymore about where we want to go on vacation, BUT now we have a new winner - in TN also!! Looks like loads of fun & reasonable. Thanks for the info!!

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  88. Sounds like you had a lot of fun and looks like a lot of fun. We have yet to go on a family vacation because of money but hopefully soon we will be able to .

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  89. This theme park looks very fun. Thanks for sharing!

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  90. This park does sound amazing! I am a big kid at heart. I would love to ride the bumper cars, hot air balloon, Ferris wheels. I also love to play the games. (I like Spongebob). One point that you made I really like is the plenty of rest areas! There are usually never enough toilets for us women & I don't want to waste half the day waiting in line!

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