Typically when I travel, I try to stay away from the super touristy attractions. I’m not a huge fan of crowds (looking at you Disney World). BUT while visiting Chattanooga, we knew we had to visit Rock City Gardens due to the sole fact that it’s completely dog-friendly! And, I am so glad we did.
Rock City Gardens is a magical stop while surprises at every turn. It’s a must when visiting North Georgia or Chattanooga. So, without further ado, here is the ultimate guide to visiting Rock City Gardens in Chattanooga, TN.
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Table of Contents
What is Rock City Garden?
Rock City is a magical 4,100 ft trail that weaves in and out of natural rock. It is an extremely popular tourist location that receives almost 600,000 visitors each year.
There have been diary entries dated as early as 1823 describing the boulders (now known as Rock City) on top of a mountain and evidence that shows Native American inhabitants.
Throughout the years, the area was popular with hikers and geologists and eventually, there was a residential development built on top of the mountain.
In 1932, the same couple that created the development opened the doors to Rock City Gardens. Now tourists can wander through this magical city trail built upon (and through) the rocks.
Where is Rock City?
Rock City Garden is the closest to Chattanooga (but technically located in Lookout Mountain, Georgia), but it would also make for a fun weekend trip from Nashville or Atlanta! + There are so many other things to do in the area that it will surely have an amazing Southeast Road Trip from any of the following major cities.
- Distance from Chattanooga: 6.2 miles
- Distance from Nashville: 134 miles
- Distance from Atlanta: 122 miles
Do you need a reservation?
You can easily make a timed reservation through the Rock City Gardens website. They have timed-entry slots every 15 minutes. If your plans change, you can easily change your ticket time (for free) through their website.
Insider tip: We reserved our tickets for the last time slot (5:45). We did show up a bit late (thanks traffic), but they still let us in and we were met with very small crowds.
How much does it cost?
- Adult Daytime Admission: 21.95 dollars (varies based on day and season)
- Child Daytime Admission: 12.95 dollars (varies based on day and season)
- Annual Pass: 53/adult 33/child
- Dogs: FREE
- Parking: FREE
Things to do at Rock City Gardens
While you walk the 4,100 ft trail you will come across so many unique gems! There are rocks to squeeze through, viewing points to see 7 states, fairyland caverns (with the CUTEST fairytale setups), caves, and a BEAUTIFUL waterfall.
It is an easy trail that is accessible to all fitness levels. And once again, no need to leave your furry best friend at home. The entire trail is dog-friendly! Woo Woo!
There are also three restaurants, a Starbucks, and a fudge shop. Your pup can even join you at Cafe 7!
Before you leave, be sure to stop in the gift shop to check out all the charming gnomes!
When is the best time to visit Rock City?
I may be biased, but Fall is an excellent time to visit Rock City Gardens due to the vibrant and colorful leaves around you (Peak Fall colors typically fall between October 15th- November 15th). But, there’s truly not a bad time to visit.
Rock City hosts different events throughout the year. Below you’ll find some of the most popular! Be sure to check the website for yearly updates!
Fall Events:
- Rocktober– (Weekends in October) Experience live German music, polka dancing lessons, and delicious German food.
- Harvest Festival– (October 18th-19th) 3-course farm-to-table meal with a view
- October Days: (October and November) Festive Fall displays set up for photo ops throughout the trail
Winter Events:
- Enchanted Garden of Lights: (November 20, 2020 – January 2, 2021) The trail is decorated with over 1 million magical Christmas Lights
- MLK Weekend: (January 18 – 20, 2020) Featuring an interactive art installation
- Valentine’s Day: (February 13 – 17, 2020) Tickets include admission, wine, photo, and dessert.
Spring Events:
- Shamrock City (select weekends in March) Festive Irish music, dances, and costumed characters!
- Easter Bunny Visits: (Select weekends in March and April) Take your picture with the Easter Bunny on top of Rock City!
- Earth Dayz: (Select Weekends in April) Partake in special earth day activities throughout the trail.
Summer Events:
- Summer Music: (Weekends from Memorial Day- Labor Day) Live Music with a view!
Things to do near Rock City
- Ruby Falls– The tallest underground waterfall in the US.
- Incline Railway– Ride to the top of Lookout Mountain in style!
- Go Chasing Waterfalls– You will NOT be disappointed! Tennessee is jam-packed with so SO many amazing waterfalls!
Check out this post for MORE DOG-FRIENDLY things to do in Chattanooga!
Is Rock City Gardens Worth Visiting?
Usually, I am a bit hesitant to pay a lot of money for the “touristy stuff” as it is usually overrated and leaves me regretting the money spent (I’m a bit cheap… frugal). But, Rock City was worth the money spent. It was such a fun, unique dog-friendly attraction to experience during one weekend in Chattanooga!
We had such a fun time strolling around and experiencing the quirks at every twist and turn.
Pet-friendly Stays near Rock City Gardens
Now that you are excited to experience the magic of Rock City, you will most likely need somewhere to stay (with your dog, of course). Here are some of the best dog-friendly hotels close to Rock City!
- La Quinta: Just 7 miles from Rock City Gardens, La Quinta’s are always a great pet & budget-friendly option!
- Moxy Chattanooga Downtown: 5.7 miles from Rock City Gardens, 50 pound limit, $50 per stay, 2 pet limit
- Hotel Indigo: 6.4 miles from Rock City Gardens, $50 Pet Fee, 2 Pets per room
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