The 50 best places to go out in Chattanooga (2025)

This was a very impressive cave system & even more impressive waterfall underground. The light show highlights the water falling down & the surrounding cave. Special formations are marked with signs. The elevator ride down is interesting. The whole process for buying tickets, getting to the tour spot & going through the cave is very efficient & easy. I'd prefer less theatrics from the guide even though he was very friendly, personable, knowledgeable & they give them a script to follow I'm sure. I wish we had more time to stay in one spot & take it all in instead of being led through quickly but I know they have this every 30 minutes coming through so it's not possible. We were lucky to have a small group at our time slot. Bathrooms were clean & there's a gift shop to look around. Parking is convenient & free.

We stopped here on a whim, at 8:20 AM on a Sunday (8/6/23), whilst halfway through our road trip to Florida from Michigan. We walked right in, purchased tickets for the 8:30 AM tour on the kiosk located near the main entrance. Waited all of 2 minutes and headed down the elevator into the cave where 6 other guests joined us. Our tour guide was Carter. He was GREAT! He shared with us great humor and information about the cave/waterfall.The cave and waterfall themselves were amazing! I love all of the different colored lights that really make it unique. It really was an all-around great experience! I have been to Mammoth Cave & Diamond Caverns of KY and Ruby Falls didn’t ‘fall’ short of meeting my expectations.By the time we were leaving around 10:15-10:30 AM, the place was filling up with people. So my advice to anyone reading this, is to GO EARLY. If you would like a smaller group and a more personal/intimate tour, GO EARLY.

Ruby Falls was a beautiful experience. The tour guide was very informative and did a good job guiding us. The views down there were sooo cool to experience. It was a really nice experience. Can be a little claustrophobic in the elevator but not that bad and is only for a few mins.

Ruby Falls is absolutely incredible! The tour we went on was about an hour and 20 minutes. It did not feel that long at all. I tried to post some of the signage that named different stalagmites and stalactites. Be sure to listen to the story of Ruby Falls. There's a picture that's sideways, and it shows the area these men traveled along. It's amazing that they lasted that long to find the gorgeous waterfall at the end. They crawled on their bellies for 17 hours to get there!! Go to the lookout at the end of your tour. It's a climb up a few stairs, but you will enjoy the view up that high. It is absolutely worth your time and money to go visit this beautiful cave!! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Ruby falls was amazing! Definitely purchase your ticket before you go. There are tour times, we went 30 minutes earlier as we wanted to experience the overlook of the Tennessee river. Beautiful view! The tour was amazing and the Waterfalls breath taking. Def recommend people to visit this place. It's def worth the money.

Ruby Falls is a truly amazing place in Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga Tennessee! The waterfall is a majestic 145 feet tall and definitely worth visiting. You descend 260 feet by glass-front elevator to explore the scenic path to the breathtaking waterfall deep within Lookout Mountain led by a Ruby Falls guide in groups of 10 to 15 people. There are many different rock formations in the cave itself. The most unusual ones are highlighted and even have their own names. At the very end of the path a large cave room opens up to reveal the underground waterfall. The falls is highlighted in different colored lights and music. Truly magnificent! The temperature in the cave is constant and quite comfortable for a walk, which isn't hard but it is pretty nonstop. The majority of the path is level however there are a few steps located throughout the tour. There are few places to stop and rest on the guided tour because they have a schedule of getting people in and out and because there is almost no physical place for you to sit. The tour takes about 1 hour - 1 hour 20 minutes. Worth every second!

Ruby falls is an underground cave & waterfall.This place is beautiful!It was a nice one mile guided tour walk (hour & 20 minutes).Our group was small ( around 10 people), but other groups passing by were much more.It was around 60 F down there, so maybe you need a sweater & wear good shoes!Buy tickets in advance, and be there 10-15 minutes before the scheduled time.

The cave was incredible. The waterfall was even better. It was so beautiful especially when they had the lights on. The only downside is they were rushing. Didn't really get the time to grasp the amazement of the cave. Go at night and make sure to go to the top of the tower to see the beautiful view of the city.

Our tour guide Hannah was so sweet! I just thought the theatrics were a bit cheesy. Cave was cool. The waterfall was obviously really really cool!

A marvelous natural wonder at Lookout Mountain, guided tours in Ruby Falls should be on a list of to-do things around Chattanooga. Tickets can be purchased in advance, and this is what I’d recommend doing. Upon reaching Lookout Mountain (of note, the path to get up the mountain takes narrow turns, so don’t go at high speeds), instructions are very clear on where to go. Our tour guide, Zayda, was very knowledgeable and humorous (those were fantastic puns!). All told, the walk to and from the falls (which are around 1,000 feet underground) takes around one hour and covers around one mile. Visitors are permitted to visit Lookout Tower to really see the Chattanooga skyline. Ruby Falls is truly a gem (no pun intended – as one will discover upon seeing where the name comes from) to behold in Tennessee.

Ruby Falls is a must-see wonder! The underground cave tour was fascinating, with incredible rock formations and an interesting history. The highlight, of course, is the stunning 145-foot waterfall inside the cave—absolutely breathtaking! Our guide was knowledgeable and made the experience fun and informative. The lighting around the falls adds a magical touch, making it feel otherworldly. It's a unique adventure that’s perfect for families and anyone who loves exploring nature. Highly recommend visiting if you're in Chattanooga! Also it is chilly in the cave so bring a light sweater if you tend to be cold!

Wasn't expecting the grand finale----and it didn't disappoint. Have your cameras ready when you reach Ruby falls....you're in for a show! From the very beginning you're treated to light enhancements throughout the cave system...everything is clearly marked. The tour guide is funny and very informative. The elevator ride is an added bonus. Have to get your tickets on line but its super easy to do. Highly recommend.

Definitely would recommend going. you learn so much about the history and the experience was amazing!! One side note if you have little kids (and I mean like 6 and under) you have to know that there is around a half a hour walk one way and you can't touch the cave in certain spots.FYI you go in groups of about 15 people. The wait isn't long to get in, if you miss your tour time you can get into the next one.

It was a guided tour so you can’t go at your own pace. You can only stop when the guide stops. We thought it would be best to be at the front to hear the tour guide but we found it best to be at the back so we could look and take pictures. The actual tour is about an hour long. It’s an underground cave so it is chilly, I’d recommend to bring a sweater, and wear good shoes because the ground is dirt and gravel, and can be wet.The waterfall is absolutely beautiful

Ruby Falls was such a fun experience. Buying tickets in advance is recommended, as well as arriving 10-15minutes early.Individual ticket prices (plus tax):Adults $25.95Kids (3-12) $15.95We visited on a Wednesday morning in June at 11am and had a full tour for our time slot. Parking is free but seems to be slightly limited. There were only a handful of spots left by the time we arrived that morning.The elevator takes you down approximately 260 feet (26 stories) below the surface. The path in the cave takes you deeper into Lookout Mountain, the farther you walk. By the time you reach the waterfall, you'll be 1120ft below the mountain's surface. It is also the tallest and deepest underground cave waterfall that's in the US and open to the public. Leo Lambert discovered it in 1928, after crawling for 6 hours/650ft and then walking/climbing an for an additional 11 hours, knowing that there was something hidden away. He then named it after his wife.It was an incredible and fun experience. I'd highly recommend visiting. If I'm recalling correctly, it took somewhere between 60-90 minutes for the whole tour, light show at the waterfall, and elevator rides.

Great tour and the waterfall was amazing. God is such an awesome Creator!!! Definitely worth the spontaneous trip to Ruby Falls today. Making memories is a great joy. We only live once. Might as well enjoy this beautiful creation called EARTH...

What a beautiful tour. The tour guide was wonderful. I think his name was Kayen. We had like 15 people in our group. Only thing is that they try to keep everyone together and it's hard to stop to take pictures. But overall it was great. It was not chilly at all. I would get here an hour early to enjoy a few beers before you go in.

The highlight of the trip was the awe-inspiring sight of a majestic waterfall hidden deep underground. It's not every day that you get to witness such a natural wonder in the heart of a mountain.The journey to Ruby Falls was an adventure in itself, as we ventured through intriguing underground passages. As we got closer to the falls, the anticipation and excitement grew. And when we finally arrived at the waterfall, it was a breathtaking moment. The sheer beauty and power of the underground cascade left us in complete amazement.The guided tour at Ruby Falls was informative and engaging, providing fascinating insights into the geological and historical aspects of this unique attraction. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable, enhancing the overall experience.If you're looking for a cool and unique adventure, Ruby Falls is a must-visit destination. It's not every day that you can say you've seen a waterfall underground, and the memory of this natural wonder will stay with you for a long time. This is a place where nature's magic meets human exploration, making it a truly memorable journey.

Pretty amazing view!Cave and tunnel is well travelled and developed.Accessible to many people. A lot of formations inside. Moderate damage to many areas.But the waterfall view is unique and authentic. Absolutely stunning!A little pricey, but good tourist stop.

I loved this cave tour!! We got there earlier than our tickets so they gladly exchanged it for an earlier time. We only had to wait 10 mins. Taylor was our humorous and very informative Guide. I enjoyed the history and am fascinated with how it was found by Leo Lambert and developed into what it is today. . The labeling of the formations was very nice but the reward for the long walk in was definitely…Ruby Falls. It’s spectacular and beautiful! I didn’t mind the colored lights at all! There are some very low spots, watch your head and some narrow spots. We had some kids Field Trips pass us on the pathway, but for the most part we were the only ones in the cave. We could hear Taylor anytime he talked. I definitely it recommend it! 👍👍👍

It was a good time. Chaperoned my daughter's 5th grade field trip. Quite the wait to go down and up the elevator into the cave. You follow a guide, so it's not an explore on your own thing. Really neat to see all the formations and crevices. Seeing the waterfall felt short, but the lighting was cool. I really wish they had not put so many signs throughout and glowing informational things because it took away from the natural elements. I just want to feel like I'm in a cave exploring, ya know? 😂

I took my older kids and went on a weekend trip to Chattanooga. Visited Ruby Falls & we had a blast! Small guided hike through caverns deep down in the mountain. Many formations of stalactite and stalagmite along the hike to Ruby Falls. Guide provides a lot of information/facts. Cute little gift shop/restaurant/observation tower also here. Walked to the observation tower after the tour. It was night but viewing downtown Chattanooga with all the lights was very nice.

I took my brother who was from out of state to Ruby Falls and we had a great time. Our guide was friendly and informative. I hadn't planned to do all that walking (I'm old) as someone had told me there was a lake and boats but that's a different cave tour near Knoxville. My one criticism might be that for the $25 entrance fee, I felt a little rushed through. I would have liked to meander and peruse the cave at a leisurely pace of my own . Other than that, it was an amazing day and the cavern and the waterfall were spectacular!

Highly recommend if you’re visiting the area. Great for tourist. Affordable pricing and great views for pictures. The tour is a little over an hour long which I thought was great. Our tour guide Felix was awesome. She was friendly, funny, and very entertaining. The do take your picture when you start the tour and the give you the option to purchase them when you leave. They also have a great souvenir shop.

On line tickets must be purchased for entry. This is a very popular tour with approximately 25 people going in each group about 10 minutes apart.Closed toe shoes are recommended. It is approximately 1 mile through the cave. The guides are very knowledgeable and work well together to get the groups passing through the narrow cave walls.The beauty of the falls occurs with the changing light colors. There are many formations to view. The history of the mine is interesting.There is a cafe, gift shop and a short zip line along with a high vantage view of the valley below.

This place is beautiful. This was the 3rd cave I've ever visited, and it didn't disappoint. This cave is perfect for the whole family, though it might be hard with an infant since you'd need to carry them the whole time.The way down is something I've never experienced and was quite the treat. The tour guide was interpersonal, informative, and engaging. The mile walk to the water fall was very easy, and along the way, there were plenty of photo opportunities.Overall, my family really enjoyed the cave and gift shop... my bank account felt it! Lol

We really enjoyed Ruby Falls! We had a lovely guide, Lillian, who was very personable and seemed to love answering the tour group's questions. The "hike" to the falls is pretty easy. The inside of the cave is wet in parts, so can be a little slippery, but at no time did it feel "dangerous." Our group did not have children, but other groups did. Anyway, the cave formations were beautiful and fascinating. The waterfall itself is breathtaking, and each group has 5 minutes to admire it and take pictures before the next group comes through.Other things to know: There is a ticket discount if you purchase online in advance. Bathrooms are available on site in the gift shop. The cave can be a little chilly, so if you get cold easily, perhaps bring a light jacket. Hiking boots are not necessary and this tour can be done in sneakers. Guides are allowed to accept tips, but are not allowed to ask, which is weird, because how else would people know they are allowed to accept tips? Anyway, bring some cash to tip your guide.

The caves and falls deserve 5 stars. They are gorgeous and it was really cool seeing the underground waterfall. The amount of tours that they run simultaneously and the amount of people that they pack into a tour deserves negative stars. Our tour guide was worthless as we were in the back of a line of 30 or more people(or so it seemed). We couldn’t hear anything that she was saying. They start off by making you watch a very cheesy film about the caves, which made the tour guide even more worthless. Every 10-15 minutes you had to meld yourself into a very narrow cave wall and let another huge tour group wriggle past you. Very uncomfortable. I added a few Timelapse videos to illustrate this fact. Once we got to the falls and hung out for a while, we realized that our tour group had left us. We didn’t hear the tour guide announce leaving and didn’t really notice until another group came along. We walked back a little ways with the other group, but now that we realized the complete lack of concern about missing people(because the groups are WAY to big), we decided to take our time and walk back out on our own. I say definitely check it out but hopefully the people running the tour will put the safety of their guests, instead of how many people they can pack in there at once, first.

Ruby Falls, one of the three attractions visited while in the area of southeast Tennessee, Chattanooga, and even Georgia. I had heard good comments from family members so I decided to go as well.The place itself is really neat and very well organized, having a gift shop, a place to eat, and then the shaft for an elevator to go down into the Earth quite a distance, which I forget the real amount.Once you’re down there, everything begins with a nice story of how these falls were found and named.This adventure/Explorer crawled his way until he found this amazing site.In my opinion the journey to the falls are more exciting than the falls itself, yet it is really amazing to see how this was found, and what lies beneath the Earth.Good to take good walking shoes,(saw some ladies with some type of high heels, which was nonsense).It can get slippery and a bit dangerous for some people therefore, railways have been added to hold onto them. A lot of nice interior formations, for those who are earth engineers, geologists or topics alike should really enjoy this.Recommended!

A big200+ feet waterfall inside the caves, an out of the word experience. Enhanced by colourful lighting's.Many, many unique types and shapes of stones marked the way to waterfall inside the cave. Major path is narrow, enough for one person to go through.

This is a cave path to a below ground waterfall. The waterfall is very beautiful and unique. It is well worth the easy 30-minute walk in and 30-minute walk out. The cave is accessed by an elevator, so there is really no climbing required. The normal type of cave formations are marked with signs but little else. The purpose is arriving at the waterfall. We weren't rushed, but there was little communication along the narrow paths.After our cave/falls visit, we had lunch at the Cafe. The food was good. But overpriced, in my opinion.Then we climbed the stairs to the Lookout tower (included in the ticket price). It was a clear day and we could see for miles.Very nice stop. Would definately recommend.

This is a really great place you go down 260 ft in a fast elevator takes about 10-20 second. My tour guide was nice and overall was a really good guide. Took about 20-30 minutes to get to Ruby falls along the was there were some tight places. If you don't like tight spaces don't go here. There were tiny puddles to and from the fall but over all this is a really good place. The gift shop has some interesting stuff in it. The pictures they take cost 30 dollars and they are ok because I went here 1 time I got it good memory.

We really enjoyed this cave. It was a little hike, but wow, the formations along the way were breathtaking. The guides were very knowledgeable. It was interesting to see how it started. That's a lot of work. Nice ticket man who had a brother that lived in Sandy Springs Ga. He couldn't believe I was originally from Atlanta. Good conversation.

This was a spontaneous treat that we squeezed in at the end of a business trip. We went on Friday morning Memorial Day weekend. My 1st surprise was that parking was free. The website said to order tickets online, but you can easily purchase them from their kiosk. We waited about 30 minutes for our tour and the adventure was so amazing. We did not eat at the cafe, but if we needed a snack, we would have. The food seemed edible and priced reasonably. I do recommend going up the Tower, it's free with the purchase of the tour, and the view was simply beautiful.

A must see!! Absolutely stunning and such a wonderful way to admire nature. The cave walk is guided and a group of about 40 people go together at a time throughout the cave. The walk is so captivating as you see many rock formations and learn about the history that made this beautiful cave and waterfall possible. There is also a lovely view from the top of the building overlooking the top of look out mountain! A big shoutout to the Ruby falls staff! I had made a reservation online at 3:20 pm.and due to a lack of time in our schedule throughout chattanooga, my family and I were going to be late. I decided to call and ask if we would be able to join a later time for our cave walk. The staff so kindly said yes and I truly appreciated their understanding and flexibility! Thank you!! This was such an amazing experience. Highly recommend!

I do recommend buying tickets in advance online. It was simple and easy. They do have a very nice cafe and gift shop. The history of the cave and the inspiration of the man who discovered it and how he discovered this beautiful location was very inspirational.

The 3 stars is solely based on the cavern tour. We went on the 8:10pm tour. ALL the tour groups were maxed out. Way too many on each tour. Do not recommend if you want to take pictures and enjoy the walk through. It was rushed and very little info given. The falls were nice (see video). After reading several reviews, you would think they would adjust the amount of people on each tour, but apparently, money is more important than the customers enjoyment. If you can't walk fast and maneuver small areas, don't go. Several times we had to squeeze to one side to let a tour go past us.

I highly recommend coming here. It’s good for kids, adults…everyone! This is a very unique experience that everyone should enjoy.Buying tickets in advance was the most convenient for my family of 4.Staff is VERY kind and helpful. The tour guides were superb!

The experience was nice but it felt like the tour was rush! The whole time we kept walking no time to stop and take pictures. I took this pictures as I was staying behind from the group. But overall it was nice

This place was so beautiful, amazing, and very interesting on how ruby falls became ruby falls. Beautiful view inside the cave was breathtaking. I 1,000% recommend going so you can see just how beautiful it really is. Photos just don’t give it justice on what you actually see.

Great tourist stop. Quality tour. A must when visiting Chattanooga.Savanah was our guide. She was fun and led a tour and included much valuable information.Walking through the cavern was beautiful. It is not too strenuous and is fairly easy. Just watch your head there are low spots. Lots of interesting formations and photographic opportunities.Once at the falls, it is lit up with changing colored lights, quite an interesting site. This is a must do when visiting.Also big shout out to the beautifully cinematic short film that plays before the tour, giving a bit of history on how it was discovered. Very well done.

The falls are a five star experience! The tour is ok. It felt much longer than necessary. We had trouble understanding our tour guide so we missed a bit of the history of the falls. Also, the video at the beginning of the tour felt like a time filler. Also, you will probably spend 10 minutes pressed against the cave walls to allow other tours to pass because of the narrow path. Would recommend even though the tour needs streamlined. It was still a good experience and I’m glad we did it.

Such a good experience. Interesting history with a breathtaking discovery. Kids are allowed, but probably not a kid favorite. My 10 yr old wasn't thrilled about the walk through the cave, but she did love the falls. To preserve the cave, you can't touch anything; it is something to take into consideration with younger kids. Our guide was cool. He kept our attention throughout the tour and was happy to answer any questions. The cave is nice and cool, so it made for a good break on a hot day. I want to say the tour lasted 1.5 to 2 hours, not 100% sure.Hint: When getting into the elevator, enter last.

This was my first time doing anything like this. We didn’t have to wait long to start granted we took the 7 pm slot. The elevator down was cool and when you get into the cave it was really interesting to see in a good way. If you’re even remotely claustrophobic I don’t think this is for you 😅. Learning the history of the cave and the discovery of it and the falls was very interesting and our tour guide made it fun. Down fall was ever couple minutes you are going to have to stop due to the groups coming back from the falls but it’s a fun interaction between the groups all in all I’d do it again but the lantern tour to get that feel

Ruby Falls is amazing & the trip down into it is so fun if you have a cool guide that takes you there. The cave is cool to walk through (you don't have to dress warm, its fairly humid inside the cave). Its about a half mile walk into the cave (one way) to Ruby Falls. Super easy to find & well worth the trip here to see!Theres a gift shop on the grounds, a lookout tower, restrooms & a cafe. The gift shop has a few food items such as jelly beans, chips & a few candy bars & lots of drink options (Coca-Cola, water, iced coffee etc).Ruby Falls is located in the beautiful area of Chattanooga Tennessee & right outside of the Georgia state line. While you're in the area, definitely drive a few miles over to see Rock City as well!!

This is a very cool cave walk to the fall. The guides are super informative and have good humor. It's very organized and runs smoothly. If you show up early, before your scheduled time, they will accommodate you into an earlier group. The only downside, and certainly isn't the fault of the falls, but the traffic getting there was horrible.

Absolutely Amazing went at 8:30 am this morning. We got lucky with a very small group. 3 couples. Did the cave tour and saw the amazing falls! It was flowing like crazy! Skye (if you see this girl I’m sorry if I misspelled your name!) was such a fun and hilarious tour guide!

Our trip to Tennessee has been nothing short of amazing. I planned several activities in Gatlinburg and the surrounding areas. While searching online, I came across the beautiful Ruby Falls cave and waterfall. Despite discovering it was in Chattanooga, nearly 3 hours away from our cabin, the photos convinced me it was worth the trip.We made the journey, and it was absolutely beautiful. Learning about the history of the caverns made the experience even more intriguing. We took an elevator 260 feet down into the cave and followed the most scenic route to the stunning waterfall. The route included stalactites and stalagmites that formed beautiful natural creations. The falls area also included a lookout with a view of the Tennessee River and the city of Chattanooga.Like any other touristy location, there was organized chaos, and the tour felt slightly rushed. However, it was overall worth seeing. Our tour guide, Steve, was informative and fun, enhancing the entire experience. Ruby Falls is a must-see attraction in Chattanooga.

Awesome tour. Our tour guide was Taylor, who did an excellent job, and his humor was very entertaining. We did the cave walk to the falls. Very interesting and beautiful falls. Easy walk about 1 mile round trip. The hike up to the tower afterward was a little more difficult, lots of stairs. Great time, highly recommend.