There is nowhere quite like our home state, as many Volunteer State residents can confirm. We’ve got stunning natural beauty and plenty of charming places that look like we’ve stepped through a portal into a world apart from ours, where everything just seems a little more magical. One of the most incredibly fairy-tale-like spots here in Tennessee is Ruby Falls. There truly isn’t anywhere in the world just like it. Let’s take a look at this jaw-dropping attraction, shall we?
You’ll find Ruby Falls on Lookout Mountain near Chattanooga, though as you approach you’ll see signs in many directions on your way to this attraction. It really is a place cool enough to paint a barn about.
Flickr/Brent Moore
What’s so special about Ruby Falls? Well, it’s the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States.
Flickr/Charity Davenport
Ruby Falls is also a natural wonder you can explore in the dead of winter without thinking about how much nicer it might be in spring, which makes it extra special. After all, the weather is always the same underground.
Flickr/ Brent Moore
The attraction was named for the wife of Leo Lambert, the man who found Ruby Falls when he was actually looking for a way to lower visitors via elevator into Lookout Mountain caverns.
Facebook/Ruby Falls While you’re there, you may want to check out the Lookout Mountain portion of the attraction, too.
The falls opened to the public in 1930. Originally, the attraction featured Ruby Falls and the deeper Lookout Mountain caverns, but in 1935, the lower caverns were blocked off due to the overwhelming preference visitors showed for Ruby Falls.
Facebook/Ruby Falls
The cave has an amazing history, persisting in the face of some very dark times in Tennessee and the U.S., but we’d be remiss if we didn’t also pause a moment to take in the sheer wonder of a place like this:
Facebook/Ruby Falls
The cavern that holds the falls is its very own kind of spectacular. The fairy tale quality is everywhere you look in Ruby Falls Cave.
Flickr/Frank Kehren
In short, Ruby Falls is the perfect place to go in the Volunteer State to be fascinated as you stand in awe. Even the visitor center has its own unique charm.
Facebook/Ruby Falls
And those falls? It’s amazing to think how long the earth’s forces worked on this living geological work of art set in the mountain.
Facebook/Ruby Falls
You can plan your visit to Ruby Falls by visiting their website or following along on Facebook.
Flickr/Brent Moore
Flickr/Charity Davenport
Flickr/ Brent Moore
Facebook/Ruby Falls
While you’re there, you may want to check out the Lookout Mountain portion of the attraction, too.
Facebook/Ruby Falls
Flickr/Frank Kehren
Have you been to this stunning natural wonder? We’d love to hear all about your experiences in the comments! While you’re thinking about wonders, if you’ve got one you’d like to see us cover, please let us know on our nomination page.
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Address: 1720 Scenic Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37409, USA
