Fairyland Caverns : Things to do at Lookout Mountain

On our way north for our Fall Foliage road trip we visited Lookout Mountain on the Georgia / Tennessee border. Our plan was to see the Fairyland caverns, Rock City Gardens, Ruby Falls, the famous Seven States sign, and the Incline Railway; however the weather conspired against us. The Fairyland Caverns on Lookout Mountain are a great wet-weather activity thankfully. We were able to swing back to this area on our return journey to finish our sightseeing, so that we could put together this guide on things to do at Lookout Mountain for you and your family!

Disclaimer: We received complimentary entry into See Rock City, however as always, all opinions are our own. All other activities were paid for by ourselves.

The Fairyland Caverns

1400 Patten Rd, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750, United States

Open from 8:30AM daily, as part of the See Rock City complex

Rock City on Lookout Mountain has some incredible attractions (which I will cover more below), but first the Fairyland Caverns! A great family attraction, especially for the little ones. These caves have been transformed into blacklight displays of all your favourite fairytales.

We didn’t know what to expect at the Fairyland Caverns, as it just looked like we were walking into a cave. The interior of the cave was filled with black lights and the most amazing scenes from all of the fairytales – it was magical. It was so unexpected, I found myself enjoying it as much as Payton!

Reminisce at Fairyland Caverns

Remember all the stories you were read as a child? These are brought to life at the Fairyland Caverns. From Rip Van Winkle, the man who fell asleep for 20 years; to Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack & The Beanstalk. I could not stop taking pictures. Every time you turned around, there was another scene that made you reminisce about your childhood. There was even an entire room filled with all of the Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes!

If, as happened to us, you arrive at Lookout Mountain and the weather is inclement and foggy; visiting the Fairytale Caverns, and Ruby Falls (more below) is a great option. While visiting caves can be a little scary for the little ones, the Fairytale Caverns make it fun and exciting, and just a little bit magical too.

See Rock City

While you’re at Rock City for the Fairytale Caverns, be sure to see the rest of what the complex has to offer.

Lover’s Leap

The view up to Lover’s Leap viewing platform, and to The High Falls is spectacular. This waterfall is actually man-made, and it empties into a basin set to look like a deep pool. It is so pretty I took hundreds of photos here! The terrace at Lover’s Leap has an amazing view down over the Chattanooga Valley. There is also a cafe here, which would be wonderful on a sunny day.

See Seven States

The iconic photo that everyone must take. On a clear day you can apparently see seven states from this viewing point. Tennessee (right next door), Mount Pinnacle on the Kentucky / Virginia border, the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Sand Mountain in Alabama. Even though we could not see all 7 states in this weather, it was awesome to stand in this place, and get this classic shot!

Swing-A-Long bridge 

The famous 200ft swing bridge at Rock City is an attraction in itself. In case you were wondering, it does swing, sway, and bounce – especially when filled with jumping young children. In case you don’t wish to cross it, there is a stone bridge that runs parallel to it that does not move.

Rock City Gardens

These amazing gardens were designed and made by the founding owners of the park, Garnet and Frieda Carter. Using the natural land formations to dictate the winding paths, they are a joy to wander around. There is just so much to see here and the fall foliage on display during our visit made it that much more spectacular.

Other things to do at Lookout Mountain

Ruby Falls

Ruby Falls is on the Tennessee side of Lookout Mountain, and is another great activity for when the weather isn’t on your side. These mysterious caves and impressive underground falls are visited by half a million people a year!

Ruby Falls is the nation’s tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public. Discovered in 1928, Leo Lambert aaccidentally found a breathtaking waterfall deep within Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Lambert named the falls after his wife, Ruby, and opened the Chattanooga attraction to the public in 1929.

~ Ruby Falls Website

Anyone that has been following our adventures for long knows that I am claustrophobic (read about my panic at Mammoth Caves). And I have to admit that I was a little nervous about exploring the underground caves at Ruby Falls. Luckily for me, it was not as bad as I imagined. There were a few tight spots, but none that made me too uncomfortable.

It was all worth it when we arrived at the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public. When you reach this point, the lights are off and you can only hear the rushing water. Once everyone in the group has arrived, the lights come on, the music begins, and you are standing in front of this incredible sight. Absolutely breathtaking and magical – it was worth the little bit of claustrophobia I felt!

Battles for Chattanooga Museum

After making our way out of the caves at Ruby Falls, we still had time to kill, so headed to the Battles for Chattanooga Museum. As a homeschool family we are always looking to incorporate history whenever we can. Inside we found hot and fresh popcorn, a gift shop, and a history film of the area and how it played a part in the Civil War.

You can visit the battlefields and learn more about the historic significance of the area. The Battles for Chattanooga changed the outcome of the Civil War, so it is a really interesting stop while you are in the area.

Lookout Mountain Incline Railway

You can’t visit Lookout Mountain without a ride on the Incline Railway. Be aware though that it is a 3 mile walk from the top of the Incline Railway to Rock City. I would suggest combining Ruby Falls, the Battles for Chattanooga Museum, and the Incline Railway into one outing and then visit Rock City separately by car. There is also a zip line that Payton would have loved a go on, but the weather stopped us!

Check out our other adventures from this Fall Foliage trip, discovering Mark Twain in Hannibal Missouri, and visiting the quaint town of Grafton, Illinois!

Where to eat on Lookout Mountain

Look no further than Cafe on the Corner (826 Scenic Hwy, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350). The menu here has some very unique items to choose from so the decision of what to eat becomes a difficult one.  There are also daily specials.  But, whatever you decide, you must try the house chips – they are amazing. With lovely outdoor seating and a fire pit, this is a very relaxing spot for lunch.

A souvenir with a difference

We always allow Payton to pick out a souvenir from each of our travels. I always choose a shot glass for myself (I’ve been collecting them for years). They can usually be found everywhere and John has even built multiple display cases for me to cherish them. Payton on the other hand, can choose some of the most unusual gifts. Such as this lollipop with a cricket inside! I could not believe that she was actually licking it when we made it back to our car. Luckily she decided that she had enjoyed enough of it when the leg of the cricket touched her tongue.

What is the most unusual souvenir you have ever picked up? I would love to hear about it.

Fairyland Caverns & other things to do at Lookout Mountain

I thought that I had visited this area before as a child, but obviously I had not, as there were so many surprises. I was blown away with the beauty of Lookout Mountain, and the magic at the Fairytale Caverns. Lookout Mountain is a great area to explore for all the family – for kids, and kids alike. With educational attractions, and incredible views, there is something for everyone!

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