Lookout Mountain

High above Chattanooga is Lookout Mountain, where on a clear day, you can see South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. It is here that the Civil War’s “Battle above the Clouds” was fought.

There are several attractions on or near Lookout Mountain. At The Battle for Chattanooga Museum, you will find automated 3-dimensional displays complete with miniature soldiers, flashing lights, smoking cannons and cracking rifles. The Cravens House is the oldest (1866) surviving structure on the mountain and has been restored and furnished with period pieces. You can enjoy hiking trails, a nature center, historic sites and a wetland walkway at the Chattanooga Nature Center at Reflection Ridge or ride the glass roofed trolley-styled cars at the world’s steepest passenger incline at Lookout Mountain Incline Railway.

For more history and a great view of Chattanooga, check out Point Park. Of special interest to children is Ruby Falls -Lookout Mountain Caverns and the Rock City Gardens with its Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village, a swinging bridge, mountain top trails, and vistas along with restaurants and shops. The Ruby Falls-Lookout Mountain Caverns have twin caves, giant stalagmite and stalactites, a 145 foot waterfall and onyx formations.