Ruby Falls: Chattanooga TN Breathtaking Natural Wonder [movie]

Last Updated: 06/16/2017

There are more caves in Tennessee than anywhere in the United States. Most are located on private property. Ruby Falls Tennessee however is open to the public and a flawless introduction to the underground past time of spelunking or caving. Plus, the falls at the end of the walk is breathtaking. Don’t miss it next time you’re in Chattanooga.

Ruby Falls: Chattanooga TN Natural Wonder

Ruby Falls is located in the Lookout Mountain, TN area in the northwest corner of the state, just across the Georgia line. It’s part of group of Chattanoooga attractions that are often grouped together and include Ruby Falls, the Incline Railway and Rock City TN.

It’s proximity to Atlanta is one of the best things about Lookout Mountain. Chattanooga TN attractions are very close too. It’s effortless to visit Ruby Falls/Chattanooga attractions for the day, or spend the night so you have more time.

Ruby Falls Hours and Tickets

Ruby Falls hours are daily from eight am – eight pm (EST) except for Christmas Day when they are closed. Seasonally you can love the Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern or the Ruby Falls zip line.

Ruby Falls tickets can be purchased online or in-person. The best deal is to combine Ruby Falls with Rock City tickets or the triple play, which also includes the Incline Railway. I have not experienced the Ruby Falls zip line, but it sounds pretty cool. If you do that, it’s a steal to just add on a Ruby Falls tour.

If you plan to practice more than one of these attractions in a day, be sure to check the Incline and Rock City hours of operation. Three attractions is a lot, especially with youthfull kids, and you may want to extend your Lookout Mountain vacation to a duo of days to get it all in

If you are traveling by GPS, Ruby Falls address is one thousand seven hundred twenty South Scenic Hwy., Chattanooga, TN. The Ruby Falls phone number is 423.821.2544.

What to Expect at the Ruby Falls, Chattanooga TN Cave Tour

To come in the cave with the Ruby Falls waterfall, take an elevator two hundred sixty feet down into the earth. See the solid rock wall slip away through the glass doors on the elevator as it takes you underground. The Ruby Falls walking tour is an effortless stroll; nothing like the tour Leo Lambert, the person who founded Ruby Falls took when he very first explored the cave. Lambert’s very first exploration included crawling through lil’ crevices for seventeen hours. You’ll see the same unusual rock formations Mr. Lambert spotted but it will take only 1.25 hours and you can stand the entire time.

History of Ruby Falls and Lookout Mountain Cave

Ruby Falls history began with the original Lookout Mountain Cave, a natural wonder along the Tennessee Sea. In 1905, the cave entrance was sealed off due to the construction of a railroad tunnel. Come in Mr. Lambert. He had explored the cave before it was sealed, and dreamed to open it back up to the public by drilling an elevator shaft through the mountain. While exploring, they found the amazing waterfall, which he named for his wifey Ruby.

A Little Ruby Falls Cave Humor

All tours of Ruby Fall are guided. Due to the narrow cave passages, it is not stroller or wheelchair accessible. You can put petite children in a carrier, but be careful if they sit above your head, there are some low ceilings in the cave. The tour itself uses Disney Jungle Cruise comedy to showcase the natural wonders of this Tennessee cave. In fact, our guide, Susan, works nights as a comedian at a local club. I love puns, so here’s a little cave humor…

• Only Narrow minded people can get through here.

• See Myrtle the turtle. She’s fairly panicked down here, in fact, she’s petrified.

The Ruby Falls Waterfall

The tour takes you to the Ruby Falls waterfall and back. When you reach the falls, the lights are dark and it’s unlikely to see anything. If anyone in your group is afraid of the dark, this could crank them out a bit, but it’s only momentary, so attempt to power through it.

The dark is worth it. The moment of illumination is dramatic and spectacular. Guests are permitted behind the falls once it is lit. Be sure to look up, it looks like an avalanche of crystals falling from the ceiling. The come back excursion is swifter. Guides point out fresh rock formations, but it’s also a 2nd chance to see the ones you may have missed on the way in, as there is only one path.

Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern

The Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern is a seasonal attraction that was named one of the Top ten haunted houses by Rand McNally. It’s only available in October. Visit the website for possible discounts on haunted cavern tickets.

Ruby Falls Zipline: ZIPstream Aerial Escapade

We did not practice the zip line on our Ruby Falls venture, however, here are a few things you might want to know if you are planning to zip.

The Ruby zip is a semi-guided practice where you have two hours from the time of arrival to explore the course options you’ve purchased.

There is a standard course where participants must be at least sixty lbs. and able to reach a height of 70”.

There is also a kids ticket for junior adventurers. As I mentioned before, if you do this, plan to purchase the Ruby Falls Cavern Tour as an add-on for maximum savings.

Tips for a Fine Ruby Falls TN Practice

At least attempt. Make sure everyone in your group goes to the bathroom before you inject the elevator. There are no bathrooms underground.

Bring a sweater. Caves keep a constant temperature, no matter what it’s like outside. The temperature in the Ruby Falls cave is around sixty degrees year round.

Rhythm yourself. There are packages to See Rock City, Ruby Falls and the Incline Railway all in one day. All excellent attractions, but this is a lot for kids (and adults) to do in one day.

Take Your Time. I suggest splitting your visit to the Chattanooga it into two. If you must do it all in one, plan a lighter schedule the next day.

Don’t Bring a Stroller. The pathways in the cave are taut and there is only one way in and one way out, which means groups have to step aside to let the next group through. There is no room on this tour for a stroller.

Pack the Youthfull Ones in Front. If you are wearing a puny child, wear them in the front. There are some low ceilings via the tour. You don’t want to duck your head, just to hit the baby square on the noggin.

Spend the night. Not in the cave, but in Chattanooga. A excellent place to stay nearby Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga is the Chattanoogan Hotel. If you have youthfull children, they may love the Chattanooga Choo-Choo.

Where to Eat Near Ruby Falls

For food, we went into Chattanooga, TN, which is a brief 10-minute drive. There are so many good restaurants in Chattanooga that it would be unlikely to list them all. If you have a beloved, let me know. Here area few of our finds.

Terminus Brewhouse: My beloved place was Terminus Brewhouse, a brewpub on the edge of town located in an old building. The rooftop seating has a superb view of the city.

Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken: Another place the three hundred sixty five Atlanta Family has loved is Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken for an inexpensive family-friendly meal.

Lupi’s Pizza: One of our writers recommends Lupi’s. We also found fine reviews for Mr. T’s Pizza which is less than a mile from Ruby Falls.

Cupcake Kitchen: If you aren’t interested in a meal, maybe attempt Cupcake Kitchen. It’s located on Broad Street in Chattanooga, about three miles from Ruby Falls.

The Hot Chocolatier: Who doesn’t like chocolate? Well if you don’t, then maybe you want to check out their candy assortment.

The Chattanoogan: My boys are still talking about the good breakfast buffet at the Chattanoogan. Lots of multiplicity and a excellent way to fuel up for a day of Chattanooga attractions

Want More of the Chattanooga Caves

If you loved Ruby Falls and would like to do some cave exploration more like Mr. Lambert, take a wild cave tour of nearby Sitton’s Cave in Cloudland Canyon – which is actually in Georgia, not Chattanooga, TN. The Georgia Female Guides suggest fantastic and affordable tours. In fact, the Georgia Damsel Guides tours are one of my beloved field trips ever.

More Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga Attractions

For more information on the Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga attractions, Rock City Tennessee and more, take a look at our other posts –

Sue Rodman is a mother of three boys, a PR professional, writer, and ice juices paramour. For eight years, Sue published an award winning family travel blog called Field Trips with Sue, and produced a TV segment with the same name on CBS Better Mornings Atlanta. In Sept. Two thousand sixteen Field Trips with Sue merged with three hundred sixty five Atlanta Family. In addition to writing blog posts and managing the advertising and public relations for three hundred sixty five Atlanta Family, Sue does freelance public relations and her writing has appeared online at TravelingMom, Trekaroo, Minitime Family and other family travel sites. She has contributed to print publications such as Family Joy, Simply Buckhead, BuckHaven and Publix Magazine. In addition, Sue has appeared on local and national news talking about family travel. Sue believes anytime is a good time for dessert and there are no bad field trips, just better stories.

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