As a kid we stopped at Ruby Falls after visiting my brother Mark in Atlanta. I believe that I was 12 years old at the time. Put it this way, that was many moons ago. I have wanted to go back to the falls but I just never have.
When my daughter, Cassidy and I, decided to go to Nashville for a few days. I asked her if she would be interested in going to the falls and she said she was up for it. So, on our last day, we drove 2 hours from Nashville to Chattanooga to see Ruby Falls.
In this post, I want to give you some details about the falls, what to expect on the tour and what else you can do there.
Location and History of the Falls
Ruby Falls can be found along the Tennessee River Gorge south of downtown Chattanooga. The falls are located under Lookout Mountain.
Ruby Falls is 144 feet high and 1,120 feet below the surface of Lookout Mountain. Ruby Falls is the tallest waterfall underground in the U.S.
The falls were discovered completely by accident. In 1905, railway expansion forced the closure of Lookout Mountain Cave. The cave was used during the Civil War and was mined for saltpeter for gunpowder.
More than 20 years later, Leo Lambert bought the property. He got investors together to drill a shaft down to the cave to reopen it to the public. One day, they drilled into an 18 inch opening before they got to the cave.
Leo and some other team members crawled into the opening. They crawled on their bellies for hours before being able to stand. They eventually found the falls on their journey.
Leo thought that the falls were so beautiful that he named them after his wife, Ruby. How sweet is that?
What You will Experience on the Tour
To get to the falls, you will travel on a glass front elevator 260 feet below the surface. It is kind of cool to see the wall of the mountain as you are traveling down.
Depending on the size of your group, you may have to wait a bit for the elevator to bring everyone down before you continue.
You will then get your picture taken with whoever you are with. You can purchase the picture that day or later online.
The trip to see Ruby Falls is ⅖ of a mile long one way. As you travel, the guide will give you facts about the cave. For example, when Leo Lambert and others first went into the 18 inch opening. It took them over 6 hours before they were able to stand up in the cave.
You will also see some pretty cool formations as you travel through the cave. There are stalagmites, stalactites, and pools of water as well as other formations that are lit up. For example, you can see a fish and a potato chip amongst other things as you go.
If you are tall like I am there will be places that you will have to keep your head down. Otherwise, there may be some formations growing out of your head.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the path to the falls is not big enough for strollers or wheelchairs. So, when planning you will want to keep that in mind.
Once you get into the area where the falls is located it will be dark. There is music playing and then the lights come on. The lights change color as the music plays. You have about 5 or so minutes to enjoy the falls and get pictures.
As soon as the lights came on, it took me back 45 years. I can barely type that last sentence. 45 years ago, man I am getting old. It was just as I remembered the falls. It was more than worth the 2 hour drive to see them.
As soon as the lights go off, the guide gets everyone together to head back to the elevator.
Tickets and Tours
You must buy tickets online to take one of the tours. All the prices mentioned are for the 2023 season.
There are 3 different tours to choose from.
- Cave Walk to Ruby Falls– This was the tour that we were on. When you purchase tickets, you will also need to choose a time that you want to take the tour.
All prices don’t include tax.
Prices: Adults $25.95 – Children (Ages 3-12) $15.95 – Age 2 and Under Free
- Lantern Tours– Lantern Tours are speciality tours that take place between March-December. They also take place after regular tour hours. The only lighting in the cave for these tours are lanterns that people carry along the way to the falls.
The pace is slower than a normal tour. You will also learn more in depth facts about the cave. These tours are for people 5 years and older.
Price: $39.95 plus tax
- Gentle Walking Tour– This is a slower paced tour that takes place before the regular tours begin. You will have an expert guide that gives more in depth detail about the cave. You also get extended time at the falls.
This tour runs from March-December and is for ages 12 and up.
Price: $39.95 plus tax
Length of the tour
It took about an hour and fifteen minutes for the whole tour.
Other Things to Do at Ruby Falls
Lookout Mountain Tower– You can climb to the top of this tower to take in scenic views of the Cumberland Valley and Tennessee River.
High Point ZIP Adventure– The zipline is nestled in the treetops on Lookout Mountain. You will climb a 40 foot climbing wall to get to the zipline. You will want to visit their webpage to check the schedule.
Cost- $21.95 plus tax
Places to Eat at Ruby Falls
Castle Cafe– You will find the Castle Cafe in what else a castle that was built in 1928. The cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can also get a craft beer or seltzer from local breweries.
Village Gift Shop– You can get grab and go types of items to eat and drink in the gift shop.
Other Helpful Information
Parking is free.
The temperature in the cave is 60 degrees all year round. You will want to make sure that you dress accordingly.
Places to Stay
These hotels are all located 15 minutes or less from Ruby Falls.
Other Activities to do on Lookout Mountain
Rock City Gardens– Rock City Gardens are located on top of Lookout Mountain. You can walk through the gardens and see rock formations and over 400 different varieties of native plants. Don’t forget about the spectacular view that you will experience while there.
Cost– Adults $26.95 plus tax – Ages 3-12 $16.95 plus tax
Friday-Sunday prices are $3 more for adults and kids.
Incline Railway– One way to get to the top of Lookout Mountain is by taking the Incline Railway. It is one of the steepest railways in the world. At the top of the mountain, you will be able to see into 7 different states on clear days.
At the bottom of the mountain in St. Elmo, you can shop, get something to eat, get something to drink and even climb an indoor climbing wall.
Cost– Adults $15 – Ages 3-12 $7
Nashville is only 2 hours away from Ruby Falls. You can read my post titled “3 Day Itinerary for Nashville, Tennessee” by clicking the link.
