Chattanoogans know Lookout Mountain is hands down the greatest mountain this planet has ever known. Let us explain…
Reason #1 – It’s Stunningly Beautiful
You’ve seen all the signs and the painted barns, but have you visited Rock City? The view from the Seven States Overlook is worth the trip alone. Hungry? Enjoy the delicious southern-style dishes at Café 7 (open seasonally) – plus you get the incredible view! The enchanted trail surprises with the vast gardens and extraordinary rock features. The star of the show is Lover’s Leap. Jutting out from the mountain, this stronghold of rock boasts an impressive view. Explore Fairyland Caverns to see happy gnomes, fairytale folklore, and ultraviolet lighting. Upon reaching the end of the trail, a small plaza with leather crafting, gift shops, and delicious fudge awaits you.
The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway ascends out of St. Elmo to views that become more and more breathtaking as you climb. There’s something beautiful in slowing down and enjoying the scenery. Near the top, the railway reaches the 72.7% grade and makes stomachs turn a little as you ride the world’s steepest railway. Tip: At the top take short walk over to Battles of Chattanooga and check out the history and stunning beauty of the views from Point Park Battlefield.
Ruby Falls is simply remarkable. It’s easy to see why so many people love it. The elevator is an attraction in itself. Through its glass panels, watch hundreds of feet of rock zip past on your descent 260 feet into the heart of the mountain to view the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States. Discover hidden streams, stalactites and stalagmites in all shapes and sizes, and many other amazing ancient cave formations. The winding path through the cavern leads to the thundering falls, named after the wife of founder Leo Lambert.
Reason # 2 – There’s Mountains of Fun
Get your adrenaline pumping with High Point ZIP Adventure at Ruby Falls. Take in breathtaking views as you soar through the treetops on 700 feet of rushing ziplines and test your skills on the 40-foot climbing tower with multiple routes of varying difficulty. Open Seasonally
Reason #3 – It’s Deeply Historic
This mountain is the source of Chattanooga’s name, because the word Chattanooga derives from the Creek Indian word meaning ‘rock rising to a point’ or some say the Muskogean Indian word ‘chato’ meaning rock. Either way, this mountain gave Chattanooga its really cool and unique name.
The mountain stands tall and proud, high above the Chattanooga skyline. That vantage point made Lookout Mountain an important landmark during the U.S. Civil War. Today you can learn about the history of the area at Battles for Chattanooga. This attraction features a relic and weapon museum, a bookstore, and a digital projection-mapped show which allows guests to visualize the historic battles of the area on a panoramic diorama. This bird’s eye view provides a great orientation to start a Civil War history tour in Chattanooga.
So there you have it. Lookout Mountain is literally the best mountain on earth, it’s deeply historic, stunningly beautiful and mountains of fun. Don’t believe us, just check it out for yourself.