October 25, 2023

ROCK CITY GARDENS

1400 Patten Rd, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750

“Rock City is a tourist attraction on Lookout Mountain in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. Opened in May 1932, the attraction gained prominence after owners Garnet and Frieda Carter hired Clark Byers in 1935 to paint “See Rock City” barn advertisements throughout the Southeast and Midwest United State.  Byers painted over 900 barn roofs and walls, in 19 states, by 1969” - Wikipedia

Wikipedia also says, “Rock City features a long, convoluted rock trail lined with gardens containing hundreds of labelled local trees and plants. The trail also leads through a variety of unique and bizarre rock formations, including the 1,000 short tons (910 t) Balanced Rock and Fat Man's Squeeze. Two other sections, the Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village, are rock caves decorated with blacklight-responsive sculptures.” I couldn’t write a better description, however, I didn’t see the tree labels or the gardens, but then I was there in late October, so the gardens may have been out of season.  Fat Man’s Squeeze and Needles Eye were two very, very narrow passageways where even I had to turn sideways to pass through.  The views from Lovers Leap were epic, even if the claim of being able to see seven states might be overstated.  The figures illuminated with the blacklight were a highlight for me.

I enjoyed my visit to Rock City but would probably only return if it were a different season.