Ruby Falls: the waterfall under the mountain
There’s a 145-foot waterfall hiding 1,120 feet underneath Lookout Mountain, and you can walk to it. Ruby Falls is the single most “only in Chattanooga” thing on this list.
The tour
You ride a glass-front elevator 260 feet down, then follow a guide along about a half-mile of cavern trail past stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone to the falls themselves. The whole thing takes around 90 minutes. The cave sits at 60 degrees year-round, which makes it the best bad-weather plan in town — it’s literally always the same temperature down there.
What it costs and how to do it right
Tickets are timed entry and you must book online ahead at rubyfalls.com — they sell out, especially weekends. Expect around $30 for adults, less for kids. When you get to the falls you get about ten minutes before the lights go out, so have your camera ready and take your pictures first, soak it in second.
Local tips
- It’s all walking and standing for 90 minutes — small kids will get tired. Bring a carrier, not a stroller (the cave isn’t stroller accessible).
- After the tour, walk up to the Lookout Mountain Tower for the valley view. It’s included and most people skip it.
- They do lantern tours and a zipline (ZIPstream) seasonally if you want the upgraded version.
- Pair it with Rock City — they’re practically neighbors on the mountain.
1720 S. Scenic Highway, about ten minutes from downtown. Open daily, 8am–8pm.