Rock City Gardens is located atop Lookout Mountain, six miles from downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee, Rock City is a true marvel of nature, featuring massive ancient rock formations, gardens with more than 400 native plant species and breathtaking See 7 States panoramic views. Since its beginnings, Rock City Gardens has continued to attract an increasing number of tourists from all over the world. Each year, more than a half million people visit the attraction. Rock City officially opened as a public attraction in 1932. Throughout the years, several features have been added to the original attraction, including the popular Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village, the Cornerstone Station, as well as a myriad of shops and restaurants.
Parking and public transportation at Rock City
On-site parking is free at Rock City.
Best and worst time to go to Rock City
Visit Rock City in the spring to take part in Fairytale Nights. Kids can help Little Red Riding Hood avoid the Big Bad Wolf, follow Jack as he ventures off the beanstalk into the giant's lair, enjoy the gardens with Cinderella, or learn to sword fight with a knight. For an additional cost, you can participate in the Enchanted Tea Time with Alice.
Visit in March for special St. Patrick's events, including viewing Rock City's High Falls flowing green.
From late November through early January, Rock City offers night-time visitors the Enchanted Garden of Lights, featuring more than 30 holiday scenes that transform the gardens into a winter wonderland. Children can meet characters along the trail and enjoy gingerbread cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus. For an additional cost, visitors can have dinner with Santa.
Admission to Rock City
Children under three are admitted for free. Admission for children 3-12 is approximately $12 and admission for visitors 13 and older is approximately $20. Annual passes are available and provide discounts on food, retail purchases, and special events. Rock City is located in the Eastern Time zone.
Must see and must do at Rock City
No trip to Rock City Gardens is complete without crossing the 180-foot long Swing-A-Long Bridge for a stunning view of the Tennessee River Valley. At the top of Lover's Leap, stop at the See Seven States marker for a view of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Don't miss the enchanting Fairyland Caverns, as appealing for adults as it is for young visitors.
Other places to visit near Rock City
Approximately four miles from Rock City is Ruby Falls, named one of the Ten Most Incredible Cave Waterfalls on Earth and featuring a 145-foot underground waterfall.
The Incline Railway takes visitors up historic Lookout Mountain and is the world's steepest passenger railway. In operation since 1895, the Incline is a National Historic site and Mechanical Engineering Landmark.
Located in downtown Chattanooga, the Tennessee Aquarium is less than 10 miles from Rock City.
Hotels near Rock City
The family-owned Chanticleer Inn Bed and Breakfast is located steps away from the Rock City Gardens. Additional hotels are located at the base of Lookout Mountain and in downtown Chattanooga.
Insider Tip for visitors to Rock City
Because of the terrain, including narrow passages and steep stairs, strollers are not allowed along the trail. Portions of the gardens are handicap accessible, including the lookout at Lover's Leap. Dogs on leashes are permitted on the trail.
Author's bio: Heather Hurley is a publishing professional and freelance writer living in Carmel, Indiana. She and her family enjoy everything about the Rock City Gardens.
Zoo Atlanta claims the title of Atlanta's oldest attraction. The zoo began in 1889 by chance when a traveling circus abandoned several cages of animals near downtown Atlanta. One hundred years later, it became recognized as a world-class operation with the new Ford African Rain Forest exhibit, and then with the Giant Panda exhibit in the late 1990s.
How to get to Zoo Atlanta
From Interstate 20, access exit 59A (Boulevard) and travel south approximately 0.5 miles. From Interstate 75/85,access exit 246 (Fulton Street) and go east. Make a right turn onto Capitol Avenue and then make a left onto Georgia Avenue. Travel along Georgia Avenue until it changes to Cherokee Avenue.
Best and worst time to go to Zoo Atlanta
Any sunny day is a good day at the zoo, but avoid mid-day times because many of the animals will be sleeping, and thus, hidden from sight.
Admission to Zoo Atlanta
Adult tickets are $22.99 and tickets for children ages 3-11 are $17.99. Children ages 2 and under are free and parking is free. Military, senior, and college students can get discounted tickets for $18.99.
Must see/do at Zoo Atlanta
Be sure to check the schedule for Giraffe feedings. Currently, the zoo does these feedings from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., and then again from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the animals up close.
Other places to visit near Zoo Atlanta
Animal lovers are sure to enjoy a visit to the nearby Georgia Aquarium.
Insider tip for visitors to Zoo Atlanta
Did you know you can spend the night at the zoo? Family packages begin at just $65.00 per person. You will have special access (beginning at 6:00 p.m. through 10:30 a.m. the following morning) after the park normally closes. Keeper for a Day is another special program that allows guests to shadow a zookeeper for a day. Prices start at $265.00 per person.
Author's bio: Jamie Davis is a freelance writer and top-selling author with Llewellyn Worldwide. She lives on Wilmington Island, an area of Savannah, Georgia. She loves all things coastal Georgia and if pressed to describe herself in one word, she would choose "traveler." She can be found at http://jamiedaviswrites.com.
Aqua Sports Adventures offers boat rentals at Holiday Marina on Lake Lanier. An array of boats are available to meet customers boating needs including cruising, tubing, skiing, wave running, fishing and more.
Amos Giles Rhodes, founder of Rhodes Furniture Company, had Rhodes Hall constructed on 114 acres between 1902 and 1904. The 9,000-square-foot house was built in the Romanesque Revival style and cost $50,000 to build at the time. Until 1928, the Rhodes family lived in the elegant residence, which features inlaid parquet flooring, silk walls and granite from Stone Mountain. In 1929, the home was donated to the state of Georgia for historical purposes. Rhodes Hall was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. In 1983, it became the headquarters of The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. Today, the home sits on one acre and is used for weddings, receptions and other private events. Rhodes Hall is open to the public for tours Tuesday and Saturday.
