Visit Rock City Gardens with Dogs: FIDO Friendly location
October 26, 2011 • Travel
FIDO Friendly magazine has found a fun place to visit with Fido and play!
Description: Located atop Lookout Mountain in Georgia just six miles from downtown Chattanooga, Tenn., Rock City Gardens is an enchanted, 4,100-foot walking trail showcasing soaring rock formations, caves and lush woodland gardens. Guests take a 60 to 90-minute, self-guided walking tour along the trail that gently meanders through the 14-acre property.
History: Garnet and Frieda Carter, some of the original settlers of Lookout Mountain, opened their personal estate as a public attraction during the Great Depression on May 21, 1932. Rock City Gardens has remained in the family of Garnet and Frieda Carter, currently under fourth-generation management.
Video: Rock City Video
Natural Features:
- Massive rock formations
- Panoramic views of seven states from 1,700 feet above sea level
- View of Chattanooga Valley and Missionary Ridge-Civil War battlefields
- Points of interest along The Enchanted Trail include:
- 140-foot waterfall
- Needle’s Eye
- 1,000-ton balanced rock
- Swing-A-Long Bridge and Stone Bridge (ideal for pictures)
- Legendary view of seven states from Lover’s Leap
- Carter Cliffs, original homestead of the Rock City Gardens’ founders and private residence of the current owners today
Gardens:
- Features more than 400 different species of wildflowers, plants, shrubs and trees
- The Garden Club of America awarded Frieda Carter the Bronze Medal of Distinction for conservation and horticulture achievement in 1933
Art/Culture: Rock City Gardens partners with local artisans to bring art to the enchanted trail.
- There are five sculptures currently on display:
- Isaac Duncan's Perched Raptor
- Roger Halligan's Iron Age
- John Henry's Prometheus
- John McLeod's Elder Flame
- Michael Brandt’s Invitation
Events: Rock City comes alive with festivals, music and other events throughout the year:
- Shamrock City - Includes live Irish music, Irish Jig lessons, Irish food and beer, and the High Falls flowing green
- EarthDayz – An educational event focused on helping families learn more about reducing, reusing and recycling
- Southern Blooms – A three-day garden event that includes tours, workshops, demonstrations, book signings and music
- Summer Music Weekends - Enjoy old-time toe-tapping music and bar-b-que with the New Binkley Brothers at Lover’s Leap
- Rocktoberfest - Get in touch with Rock City’s German Heritage during this celebration including live German music, Polka lessons, German food and beer
- Enchanted Garden of Lights - A holiday tradition featuring the North Pole Adventure, over 1 million LED lights, animatronic polar bears and Dinner with Santa events
- Fireside Nights - A monthly concert series at the Rock City Starbucks
- Enchanted MAiZE/Blowing Screams Farm – Guests can get lost in a specially designed cornfield maze, check out a haunted house, take a hayride, listen to ghost stories, or participate in face painting in Flintstone, Ga., at the foot of Lookout Mountain.
Especially for Kids:
- Birds of Prey show, presented by S.O.A.R (Save our American Raptors), which features birds flying and walking through the crowd and provides educational information on hawks, owls, bald eagles and vultures.
- 25-foot Climbing Wall, open seasonally from April through October
- Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village, featuring displays of scenes from popular fairytales
- Costumed characters including Rocky, the gnome mascot for Rock City, the frog prince and princess and the three little pigs
- Gemstone panning
- Fairyland Forest Makeovers at Prospector’s Point
- White Fallow Deer Park, a recently renovated habitat to help preserve and protect these rare deer.
Dining/Shopping:
- Guests can dine at Big Rock Grill and Cliff Terrace and Starbucks. Other outside food/drink locations are located along the trail for treats and drinks.
- Rock City Gardens has several gift shops featuring memorabilia and garden items, including the popular Rock City birdhouse. Specialty stores include the Fudge Kitchen – where guests can watch as fresh fudge is prepared – and Prospector's Point where families can purchase Gemstone Panning, Fairyland Makeovers and other unique items for kids.
- Guests can purchase a souvenir photograph of their trip. Kodak will take photographs at the beginning of the trail.
Accolades:
- Attraction of the Year, Southeast Tourism Society, 2010
- No. 1 for Guest Services, Southern Highlands Attractions, 2011
- Reader's Choice Award for "Best Scenic View”, Southern Living
- "America's Top Ten Great Pastimes", USA Today
- "America's Iconic Places", National Geographic
- "Natural Wonders Across America", AOL Travel
- 1,000 Places to See Before You Die
- Editor's Pick for "12 Ultimate Trips for Kids", Southern Living
- Shamrock City, Top 20 Event, Southeast Tourism Society, March 2010 and 2011
Cost:
- Adults - $18.95
- Children (ages 3-12) - $10.95
- Children under 3 are free (along with pets!)
Link: Rock CIty Gardens
