The Grown-Up Guide to Rediscovering Wonder in Nature

Think back to when the world felt magical, and days were full of endless possibilities. Remember when childhood wonder turned a walk through the woods into an epic adventure? Fast forward and adulthood has a way of dimming that sense of wonder. Maybe it’s time to step outside and let nature spark it back to life!

The benefits of spending time in nature are immediate. Put your adult complications on the shelf for a few hours. Let nature reawaken wonder – it is still within you!  Autumn in Chattanooga brings crisp mornings, gorgeous fall foliage, and unmatched outdoor activities. It’s hard to imagine a better time to successfully hit your reset button in the Scenic City.

Get Immersed in Nature. Literally!

Go inside Lookout Mountain and see Ruby Falls, the tallest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States.

Ruby Falls visitors descend 260 feet by glass-front elevator into the cave hidden inside the mountain and take a guided walk along a paved cavern trail. You’ll walk passed remarkable ancient geological formations on the way to the thundering waterfall. The one-mile round trip walk in the 30-million-year-old cave is incredibly scenic.

The rare opportunity to be surrounded by millions of years of nature, created one drop of water at a time, changes your perspective. Stand near the towering waterfall, surrounded by massive, cathedral-like stone walls. You can’t help feeling a renewed sense of wonder and possibilities.

Choose Your Adventure

Six types of cave adventures round out the park schedule; pick one that matches your schedule, interests, and personality. Options include the express Cave Walk to the Waterfall and Adults-Exclusive Cave Walk, after-hours Lantern Tour, and early-access Gentle Walking Tour, History Tour and the newly launched Geology Tour. Plus, autumn brings seasonal Ghost Walk Lantern Tours on select nights if you want to add some ghost stories into the mix!

See Forever from Scenic Overlooks and Get Charmed by a Historical Castle

Discover the park’s scenic overlooks with unmatched views of the Cumberland Plateau and Tennessee River. When was the last time you stopped to watch a hawk soar through the sky, noticed cloud shadows move gently across a river, and counted the rolling hills until they disappeared from view? Relax in the historic castle’s café with a local craft beer and a fall treat from the seasonal menu, glide across woodland ziplines, and you can even stay in the night in a luxury treehouse.

Be Inspired by History

Through November 6, explore a special exhibit. Building the Big Nine: A Legacy of Black Excellence spotlights the vibrant historic Black business district thriving in Chattanooga during the late 1800s through the mid-20th century. This free exhibit looks at the powerful resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial achievements that shaped the city as Black men and women navigated the deep complexities of racial discrimination.

Easy to Reach and Impossible to Forget

The park feels like it’s a world apart, but Ruby Falls is actually only 4-miles from downtown Chattanooga. Whether you’re chasing fall colors, seeking inspiration, or simply craving a break, Ruby Falls is where nature, adventure, and history come together; sparking wonder, joy and curiosity. You just might leave the park with a new perspective that helps make adult complications a bit less daunting.

See you soon!

Artwork at top of page: Balloon Artist by Florence Bradshaw Brown, WPA Federal Art Project (1935-1943). Courtesy of Boston Public Library