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. 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 fairy tales. And that generational tradition extends to Rock City—the attraction remains in family ownership, now 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, satisfy a craving at one of the onsite eateries like Big Rock Grill 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, choose from a nearby inn or bed and breakfast where you can retire in style before continuing the adventure.
There’s always a reason to visit Rock City but now there’s more. In its fourth generation of family ownership, Rock City pays homage to its history with four distinct “Rock City Seasons.” Seasonal events include Spring Blooms, Mountaintop Summers, Fall Colors and HoliDAYS, each featuring performances, activities, photo opportunities and more.
Rock City will also host its augural nighttime soirée, Rock City Nights: Flora Luna. From April 5 to May 12, wine and dine in the gardens at twilight and be one of the first to cross the Swing-A-Long Bridge at night! Tickets are on sale beginning March 1.
To learn more about the Rock City Season and to check for updates, visit www.SeeRockCity.com/seasons.
Fast Facts
- Rock City’s name predates the gardens itself. In 1823, two missionaries scaled Lookout Mountain while ministering to the area’s Indians. A diary entry notes “a citadel of rocks” atop the mountain describing the immense size of the boulders and stating that they were arranged in such a way “as to afford streets and lanes.” By the time of the Civil War, it was already being called “the Rock City.”
- Rock City Gardens opened to the public on May 21, 1932. Founders Garnet and Frieda Carter turned their backyard – an array of otherworldly rock croppings, caverns and mountaintop views – into one of the Chattanooga area’s most popular natural wonders.
- The Enchanted Trail was originally mapped by Frieda, who marked a path with yarn up and over and through massive rock formations all the way to the mountain’s edge.
- Family-owned for over 90 years, Rock City is under fourth-generation ownership.
- Rock City attracts more than half a million people each year.
- Leashed pets are always welcomed at Rock City.
- The Enchanted Trail is over 4,100 feet long.
- Rock City’s Swing-A-Long Bridge is a 180 ft.-long suspension bridge.
- Seven states can be seen from Lover’s Leap: Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky and Alabama.
- Introduced in 1947, Fairyland Caverns inside Rock City made the attraction the first to use blacklight technology outside of scientific research. Mother Goose Village was added in 1964.
- More than 400 different species of plants, trees and shrubs can be found along the path in Rock City Gardens.
- In 1933, the Garden Club of America awarded Frieda Carter the Bronze Medal of Distinction for outstanding accomplishments at Rock City.
- 62 gnomes can currently be found throughout the gardens.
- In the 1930s, Clark Byers began painting advertisements on barns across the Eastern United States. Over 900 barns proudly encouraged motorists to “See Rock City.” However, only a few dozen remain today.
- Inspired by his barn advertisements, Byers constructed a miniature Rock City barn as his mailbox in the 1950s. The U.S. Post Office objected to the design, after which Byers repurposed his creation into a birdhouse, creating a piece of Americana that has become almost as famous as the attraction itself.
- In 1985, the See Rock City birdhouse was included in an exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.
- Rock City’s founder Garnet Carter invented the nation’s first miniature golf course atop Lookout Mountain in the 1920s. Tasked with developing the Fairyland community’s golf course where he faced mounting construction delays, Carter created Tom Thumb Golf to amuse Fairyland’s golf enthusiasts.
- See Rock City Inc. owns Rock City, Clumpies Ice Cream Co., Grandview, Chanticleer Inn, Battles for Chattanooga, GOOD DOG GO! and Starbucks.
- Clumpies Ice Cream celebrates its 25th anniversary year in 2024. The ice cream shop has three locations in Chattanooga.
- During Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights, more than two million Christmas lights are strung throughout the gardens. This increasingly popular event brings almost 100,000 guests annually and celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2024.
Rock City Seasons
Spring Blooms, March 4- May 12
ROCK CITY NIGHTS: FLORA LUNA, APRIL 5 – MAY 12
Mountain Top Summer, May 24-September 2
Fall Colors, September 14 – November 8
HoliDAYS, November 22 – January 4
Enchanted Garden of Lights, November 22 – January 4
Photo Gallery
