Ruby Falls, Chattanooga (must see)

Ruby Falls is one of Chattanooga’s most breathtaking natural wonders, offering a unique underground adventure deep inside Lookout Mountain. It is the tallest and deepest underground waterfall in the United States that is open to the public. Visitors descend 260 feet via a glass-front elevator into a labyrinth of ancient limestone caves, walking along a stunning trail filled with geological formations before reaching the thundering cascade of Ruby Falls.

The Cave Walk tour takes approximately one hour to an hour and twenty minutes, providing an immersive experience into the underground world. Discovered entirely by accident in 1928, Ruby Falls has since become one of Tennessee’s most famous attractions, drawing visitors from across the country to witness its illuminated rock formations and waterfall spectacle.

The Ruby Falls entrance at Lookout Mountain also offers stunning panoramic views of Chattanooga, the Tennessee River, and the Appalachian foothills. The Lookout Mountain Tower, accessible by an additional elevator, provides a 360-degree vantage point for spectacular sightseeing. For those seeking adventure, Ruby Falls features a zipline course and a 40-foot climbing wall, offering an exhilarating way to experience the mountain’s natural beauty. Due to its popularity, advance reservations are required for the cave tour, while tickets for the zipline adventure can be purchased at the front desk.

Since public tours began in 1930, Ruby Falls has remained one of Chattanooga’s most iconic tourist attractions. It was one of the first commercial caves to be equipped with electric lighting, creating a mesmerizing kaleidoscope effect on the formations and waterfall. In the 1970s and 1980s, billboards reading “SEE RUBY FALLS” lined highways for hundreds of miles, helping solidify its status as a regional landmark. Today, Ruby Falls and Lookout Mountain Caverns are designated National Historic Landmarks and continue to captivate visitors with their natural beauty and adventurous spirit.