Tennessee is a true colorful wonderland when it comes to the autumn season. Although the entire state explodes with orange, red and yellow, it's the eastside that really knows how to show out. If you haven't been to the Great Smoky Mountains during the months of October and November, then your fall season is about to get an infusion of beauty...with a solid amount of creepiness, too. Elkmont is an abandoned logging town tucked away in the mountains that's only accessible by way of a hike. Venture out into the crisp air of autumn for a hike unlike any other in the state. You're bound to have a story or two by the end of it!
The Great Smoky Mountains sure know how to show off when it comes to the autumn season. Bolstered by beautiful colors, it's truly a sight to see. From the craggy mountaintops to where they soften into rolling hills and streams, there's a view no matter where you turn.
Even amidst such beauty there is great mystery. Whispers of old ghosts and their long forgotten stories filter through the trees, solidifying into one grand legend: the Elkmont Ghost Town.
Now known as the Elkmont Historic District, this old logging town has gone through quite a reinvention in recent years. The long-abandoned town was once used as a logging town and resort village, but was abandoned along with the area long ago. It's sat completely empty since the early 1990s.
Hikers used to be able to make their way to an entire abandoned town and wander the old spaces and places that had been left to the plod of time. The area was first settled in the 1840s, and was eventually utilized by the Little River Lumber Company.
It was only later that Elkmont became an exclusive vacation community. It was known as the "Appalachian Club" and boasted the well-known Wonderland Hotel. It was only after the establishment of the highly popular Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the early 1930s that a problem was presented: folks had to relocate.
By 1992, there were 70 buildings abandoned in the mountains. The Elkmont ghost town became a popular spot for hikers to visit, but it was also dangerous for folks to wander the decrepit homes. The National Park Service decided to preserve a total of 19 buildings and demolish others, so the town may look different the next time you visit.
Forgotten places make for eerie spaces, don't they? Although Elkmont looks quite a bit different nowadways, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park Service is working to maintain the historic area for generations to come. You can visit the Elkmont historic district by way of Elkmont Road, accessible by way of the Sugarlands Visitor Center.
It's a pretty incredible experience, to find yourself walking with ghosts in the Great Smoky Mountains. You can find more information about Elkmont and its future right here.
Nestled near the vibrant city of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lookout Mountain is famous as the site of the "Battle Above the Clouds" during the American Civil War in 1863. Today, the mountain is home to a charming little community and three incredible attractions that make for a one-of-a-kind day trip the entire family will enjoy.
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Though I grew up in the relatively flat state of Minnesota, I spent several years of my adult life living in Hawaii and learned that there is little better than being in the mountains (of course, I also discovered a love for the ocean, but that isn’t relevant here). So, when my husband and I were looking into visiting family in northern Alabama for the holidays, we jumped at the opportunity to explore the Smoky Mountains. While we loved gallivanting around Knoxville, Gatlinburg, and even Asheville during our trip, Lookout Mountain in Tennessee and Georgia truly took us by surprise.
Visitors to Tennessee's Lookout Mountain likely have three things on their bucket list, as we did: Rock City, Ruby Falls, and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway.
On the chilly December day we visited, we visited all three destinations, and can’t wait to tell you about our experience. We went in a different order than I suggest below, but I have used our experience to optimize your trip as much as possible.
An ideal day trip begins with a trip up the mountain on the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway. Billed as "America’s Most Amazing Mile," the Incline Railway has been open since 1895 and is the world’s steepest passenger railway. The Incline is a National Historic Site and a Mechanical Engineering Landmark – guests can even visit the machine room where the giant gears are put into motion.
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The process is simple: purchase Incline Railway Lookout Mountain Tennessee tickets in advance, head to the ticket window to exchange your online tickets for a boarding pass, and get in line.
The ride lasts approximately ten minutes, and at the top, you can browse the gift shop, grab a snack, and bask in the panoramic views of the Chattanooga Valley from the observation deck.
Guests can walk to Point Park from here if they’d like, but we simply chose to grab some fudge, snap several photographs, ride back down the mountain, and head to our next destination.
While this Lookout Mountain attraction was of less appeal to my husband and me, our toddler is obsessed with trains, so we had to do it for her. Watching the world through your child’s eyes truly makes everything more magical, and this was a fun excursion with unbeatable views. We stopped at The Tap House and Empyreal Brewing Company for a late lunch before driving up Lookout Mountain to Rock City.
When we visited, the 100-foot waterfall that cascades down the mountain was frozen, and the famous Swing-A-Long Bridge, which spans nearly 200 feet, was closed due to ice, but the lights strung through the trees and around the rocks for Christmas, as well as the unique vignettes found within Fairyland Caverns made the chilly weather absolutely worth it.
The most famous view at Rock City is Lover’s Leap.
Here, you will find a marker claiming that you can see seven U.S. states from this one spot: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. I can’t verify the truth of this statement, but the view is quite remarkable either way. We spent approximately two hours meandering through Rock City, though we would have absolutely spent more time simply taking it all in if it had been warmer during our visit (it was about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, for reference).
We were able to warm up in our car and at Ruby Falls, where the temperature inside the mountain remains 60 degrees year-round. Ruby Falls has been on my bucket list since I learned of its existence, and this 80-minute tour did not disappoint. As the tallest and deepest underground cave waterfall open to the public in the United States, Ruby Falls could easily be considered one of America’s greatest natural wonders.
Our tour started by descending 260 feet into the mountain below, where we enjoyed a leisurely stroll through ancient cave formations.
Though the cavern was quite busy and the trail was often narrow, the unique formations seen along the way were awe-inspiring. Our toddler was strapped to my husband in her carrier for this excursion, and it was absolutely the right move – she’s a runner, and containing her allowed us to marvel at the wonder in front of us.
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Before too long, we could hear the thundering cascade ahead of us, and when it revealed itself to us, we were immediately stopped in our tracks.
I’ve seen countless waterfalls before (I lived in Hawaii, remember?), but there is something simply breathtaking about a waterfall that flows entirely underground. Accidentally discovered by Leo Lambert in 1928 and named after his wife, Ruby, this iconic Chattanooga attraction was opened to the public in 1929 and is truly one of the most spectacular wonders I’ve seen in my lifetime.
By toddler standards, it was fairly late by the time we finished our tour of Ruby Falls, so we promptly checked into The Read House Hotel in downtown Chattanooga and walked to Community Pie for a quick bite to eat. If you're searching for Lookout Mountain Tennessee hotels, this is a fantastic pick.
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Hotels near Lookout Mountain in Tennessee are plentiful, but I cannot recommend The Read House enough.
The service was friendly, the lobby was stunning, and our room was clean and welcoming.
We wished we could have stayed more than one night, but alas, when we woke up, we took a short walk around the city, grabbed some coffee, and drove to Coolidge Park to explore the Riverwalk and grab lunch before leaving town.
Basecamp Bar and Restaurant’s southern comfort food hit the spot, and we truly can’t wait until our travels take us back to Chattanooga.
This day trip to Chattanooga’s Lookout Mountain truly had it all: incredible views, dazzling lights, a train ride, an underground world, and not one but two waterfalls. Have you ever been to Chattanooga? Did you experience Lookout Mountain during your travels? Tell us about your experience in the comments.
There is a place where a sense of wonder and nature meet to create a magical outdoor experience. Allow me to introduce you to Audubon Acres, this nature sanctuary in Chattanooga draws you in with its beauty and invokes your imagination to the ever-changing experiences found within our wilderness. So get ready to embark on a journey through a preserved and gorgeous area away from the busy city to reconnect with nature.
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Located in a convenient spot close to all there is to see and do in Chattanooga but far enough away that you can escape the busy city life, this sanctuary is the perfect place to get outside. There are five miles of trails to take advantage of with plenty to see along the way from historical interests to the living breathing forest all around.
Start your journey by taking a trip over the swinging bridge over the South Chickamauga Creek. We have found many of these types of bridges throughout the state from the Gatlinburg Skybridge to the the suspension bridge that passes over Cane Creek Cascades. These are fun for the whole family and allow a little sense of adventure to your hike.
The spring is awash with an array of colors from wildflowers. Around every corner is a splash of new growth and life to marvel at. That is always one thing that gets me excited about getting outdoors, the world around us is always changing. If you slow down and pay attention then you will find new birds migrating, insects busy at work, and hidden mushrooms waiting to be found. Places like this can spark your imagination and realize what an enchanting world we live in.
In the summer the water is an inviting place to play and relax. Take a dip in the slow-moving stream to cool off on a warm day or paddle down the river. Allow yourself to drift with the cadence of the creek leaving all your worries behind and embracing the slow changes found in nature.
In the fall the forest explodes like fireworks with brilliant hues of red, orange, and yellow. Each crunchy step brings you further away from the pressures of life and further into the wilderness where you can breathe the fresh air once again.
The area is also rich in history from native Americans to early settlers. The Spring Frog Cabin for instance was most likely built by the Cherokee people in the mid-1700s. Many years later a man named Robert Sparks Walker dedicated his life to research and nature as he wrote short stories, poems, and papers about his findings. Mr. Walker was also responsible for making Audubon Acres what it is today and in his dedication to his passions started the work to restore this lovely cabin in 1948 which can be enjoyed to this day.
A land that is ever-changing only to those who slow down to pay attention brings magic and sparks the imagination. Audubon Acres is rich with history, natural beauty, and adventure just waiting for those to accept the invitation. To learn more about the programs and events that take place in the sanctuary please visit the Audubon Acres website.
A helpful tool I use while exploring a new area is the AllTralis app it is helpful to have the map of the area in hand so you can be sure that you won't miss anything.
There are lots of other great adventures awaiting those in the Chattanooga area. Take a trip to the best attractions on Lookout Mountian for a great weekend getaway.
