Ruby Falls

Ah, Ruby Falls!

PICNIC? yes 

SWIMSUIT? no

COST? 

Just Ruby Falls : $18.95 for adult; $10.95 for child

 Just ZIPstream Green and Blue Ropes Courses :  $34.95 adult; (Only Orange Course) $19.95 child

Ruby Falls + ZIPstream Blue/Green Ropes Courses : $48.90 adult; (RF + Orange Course) $26.90

AUTHOR'S RATING? four out of five stars

(but I haven't done the zipline yet)

HOURS? 8am-8pm Every day except Christmas

There are two ways to get up and down Lookout Mountain on the TN side: We affectionately call them the "Ruby Falls way" and the "Rock City way." Whenever you are coming up the Ruby Falls way, you'll see their friendly greeter/parking organizer waving in the cars to the Ruby Falls parking lot. Rain, shine, snow, hot, cold, whatever, an employee is there to greet you. And if you're not pulling in to the attraction, you'll get a friendly wave anyway.

I admit that we see a lot more of the friendly wave than we do the actual inside of the caverns, but we have been a few times, and I can share with you what I know from those experiences.

When you buy a ticket for Ruby Falls, you are also getting the privilege to climb their tower and play on a cute little play ground. Please be advised that the ZIPstream course is a separate cost (though you can buy the ropes course and Ruby Falls as indicated above.) Also know that the zip line ride and the ropes course are different. The price listed above does not include the zip line ride.

It's all a bit confusing, and I'm sure I'll have a whole ZIPstream post to explain it!

But on to the main attraction. The falls are actually located 1120 feet underground and to get there, you will ride an elevator straight down a man made shaft to the original cave. Once down in the cool cave, you can blessedly feel the air that naturally courses through from the falls to a cave opening on the side of Lookout Mountain. After a meandering walk through narrow passages, past cave formations of drapery, flowstone and stalagmites as well as under many stalactites. Your guide will fill you in on many of the interesting facts about the cave and its history as you walk.

When you get to the falls itself, different colored lights will give you pretty views of the impressive underground falls.

After you travel back up the elevator (and reach the fresh air again), you can climb the tower for amazing views of Chattanooga and the Tennessee River, play on the play ground, buy snacks at the snack bar or shop in the gift shop.

This is where you could pull out snacks if you've brought them for the kids, but I do think that a picnic basket would be unwieldy in the caves and frowned upon in the small play area. You could certainly picnic before you enter the caverns, though!

In my opinion, Ruby Falls is another of those, special visit kind of places. It would be a great addition to a geology unit or a fun part of a Lookout Mountain stay-cation!

{MAP FOR RUBY FALLS}