Although not likely to be your final vacation destination, if you ever find yourself spending time in or passing through Chattanooga, Tenn., we'd highly recommend taking some extra time to stop by a one-of-a-kind museum called the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum.
Not far from the relatively famous Ruby Falls underground tunnels (and we mean more than 1,100 feet below the surface underground), the AAA-sponsored museum is located in a nondescript building with an impressive and solemn memorial to those towing professionals who have lost their lives while trying to save others. Inside, there's plenty of history to read about and life-sized pickup trucks to examine.
Did you know the first tow truck was built in Chattanooga in 1916? Did you know the fastest tow truck ran a timed lap of Talladega Superspeedway at 109 mph? And did you know there are more than 200 recovery names in the Hall of Fame? (Don't be surprised if you don't recognize any of them.)
Be prepared to hang around the museum much longer than you thought, admiring the rigs and impressive collection of tow truck toys, as well. Admission is $10 for adults (discounts available for AAA members), but be prepared to spend some time in the truck-themed gift shop at the end of the self-guided tour.
For more information, click here.
Cars.com photos by Mark Williams
