Rock City

Warm your heart during Chattanooga’s most enchanted holiday nights celebration. Experience Rock City Gardens as a nighttime winter wonderland. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season amidst the unparalleled natural beauty of this enchanted place. This uniquely festive light experience has become a beloved holiday tradition and is not to be missed during this anniversary event. Journey down the all new Christmas tree walk to visit Santa at Carter Cliffs, the original home of Rock City’s founders, decorate your own GingerGnome cookie, and experience the enchantment of a winter celebration like no other – all after dark. Don’t miss creating holiday memories with your family and friends as we celebrate 30 years of magic, moments and memories during Rock City Gardens Enchanted Garden of Lights!

Rock City opened its doors almost 100 years ago—it began in 1932—and has been attracting visitors of all ages to its ancient geological wonders atop Georgia’s Lookout Mountain located outside Chattanooga, Tennessee. Visitors come from around the world to enjoy its “See Seven States” panoramic views, dramatic waterfall, seasonal events and the charming underground Fairyland Caverns. Now as Rock City approaches a century milestone, visitors who came as children are bringing their kids and grandkids, making it an ideal intergenerational vacation destination. It’s easy to see why Rock City “Creates Memories Worth Repeating.” It’s truly an attraction for everyone.

Rock City is located on Lookout Mountain in Georgia, six miles from downtown Chattanooga, Tenn. For more information on See Rock City, visit www.SeeRockCity.com. Located atop Lookout Mountain in Georgia and six miles from downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee, Rock City offers an extravagant Southern garden carved out of ancient geological wonders with a magical element to delight all ages. And there’s so much more, including original artwork, seasonal events, delicious dining opportunities, a large waterfall that cascades down Lookout Mountain and the breathtaking “See Seven States” panoramic views.

Romantic views

Frieda Carter saw the beauty in the massive rock formations at her Lookout Mountain home and set about creating a 700-acre garden highlighted by whimsical German statues of gnomes and fairytale characters. A stroll through Frieda’s “Enchanted Trail” with its year-round blooms and autumnal foliage makes the perfect romantic backdrop. There’s also the beautiful waterfall that cascades down Lookout Mountain and the breathtaking “See Seven States” panoramic views from Lover’s Leap—just don’t take the name seriously!

A visit to Rock City and Lookout Mountain doesn’t have to end at sunset. Chanticleer Inn Bed & Breakfast (1300 Mockingbird Lane, Lookout Mountain, Georgia, 30750; 318-366-2412) consists of a 1927 home adorned with European-style décor surrounded by cottages, all offering charm and comfort. And it’s right across the parking lot from Rock City! The property also includes wonderful amenities such as breakfast, fire pits, a pool (open seasonally) and gift shop.

Family fun

In addition to the gardens and spectacular views, Rock City delights the young and old with children’s activities, the Swing-A-Long Bridge that spans nearly 200 feet and the underground Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village featuring animated fairytales come to life with innovative black lights.

As part of Rock City’s Mountaintop Summers, special events will be ongoing until Sept. 2. Look for the Rock City Raptors show with close-up views of hawks, bald eagles, owls and other birds in a live program hosted by Wings to Soar, a nonprofit organization that rescues and rehabilitates injured birds of prey. The show happens from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays at the park’s Critter Classroom. The Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center offers an animal educational show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays on Legacy Lane next to Critter Classroom.

Seniors and the handicapped

Rock City has worked hard to become handicapped accessible. The rock formations make it difficult in sections but about a half mile of the Enchanted Trail allows guests in wheelchairs or with limited mobility access to enjoy the overlook at Lover’s Leap and the Seven States Flag Court. Look for the entrance at Gardens Gateway that leads to an ADA ramp that takes guests to Legacy Lane. This ADA trail also gives guests access to the animal shows during Mountaintop Summers.

Pet friendly

When we say Rock City is pet friendly, we really mean it. The attraction has seen its share of pets, and not just the four-legged ones that bark. In the past, a rooster, snake, goat and a small horse have walked the Rock City paths. All we ask is that pets be on a lease.

Coming soon

Rock City celebrates the seasons! Following Mountaintop Summers is the Fall Colors celebration  through Nov. 8, where the attraction will be filled with pumpkins, seasonal decorations, hay bales and the music of banjo musician Matt Downer and other Appalachian old-time and bluegrass. After a brief interlude to install two million lights, the mountain will sparkle with the nightly Enchanted Garden of Lights, which celebrates 30 years in 2024 including a secret new location for Santa that guests will be excited to see. But there’s more! HoliDAYS from Nov. 22 through Jan. 4, 2025, will serve as the daytime complement to the Enchanted Garden of Lights with special foods, shopping and holiday decorations. Both make for perfect backdrops for family photos to enjoy for generations.

Family friendly budget 

Tickets to Rock City are reasonably priced, allowing families to enjoy a day on Lookout Mountain without crushing their wallet. Visitors may save money by purchasing tickets in advance through Rock City’s website. There’s also special member discounts and perks.

See Rock City

It’s no wonder the attraction that’s been a vital part of Lookout Mountain for close to 100 years welcomes more than half a million visitors and leashed creatures—yes, it’s pet friendly!—every year. There’s a reason founder Garnet Carter advertised “See Rock City” on barns across the country. Visitors must see this unique attraction to fully appreciate its value that evokes nostalgia and lends itself to return trips and fond memories. There’s hardly a Southerner who hasn’t spent their childhood among Rock City’s wandering paths and homage to fairytales. And that generational tradition extends to Rock City’s family ownership, now in the fourth generation. Rock City is so entertaining that the Georgia attraction, with close proximity to neighboring states, was the recipient of “Best Tennessee Attraction in 2023.” Wander the 4,100 feet of rock pathways that mark the original garden trails of founder Frieda Carter who with her husband Garnet settled on Lookout Mountain at the turn of the 20th century. Frieda was enchanted with European folklore so visitors will delight in mystical placements of gnomes throughout the 400-species gardens. Each section of Rock City’s gardens is marked by delightful red doors along the path to let visitors imagine they are entering new enchanting worlds. Take a deep breath as you pass through natural wonders like Fat Man’s Squeeze, test your limits with a walk across Swing-A-Long Bridge and soak in panoramic views of seven states, all without leaving Rock City Gardens.

Don’t forget to capture the memory with a selfie at Lover’s Leap, one of the most photographic spots in the South. At the end of the trail lies Mother Goose Village, where fairytales of yesteryear delight all ages. Between enchanted explorations, indulge at the Fudge Kitchen, and satisfy a craving or two at one of the onsite eateries like Big Rock Grill or Café 7 with taste bud-tempting treats. Peruse the gift shops for one-of-a-kind souvenirs like a “See Rock City” birdhouse memorializing the guerrilla marketing campaign on American barns that helped make this unforgettable destination a part of generational memory-making. At the end of the day, stay at the bed and breakfast next door, Chanticleer Inn, where you can retire in style before continuing the adventure. There’s always a reason to visit Rock City but now there’s more with four distinct Rock City “Seasons.” These seasonal activities include Spring Blooms, Mountaintop Summers, Fall Colors and HoliDAYS, each featuring performances, food, photo opportunities and more. To learn more about Rock City Seasons and to check for updates, visit www.SeeRockCity.com/seasonsRock City