Rock City, Ruby Falls or the Incline: Which Lookout Mountain Attraction First?
Three Lookout Mountain classics sit within a few miles of each other: Rock City, Ruby Falls and the Incline Railway. Each one takes a couple of hours, and doing all three in a day is a lot (and a lot of money). So which one should you do first? Here’s a straight comparison to help you pick.
Side by side
| Rock City | Ruby Falls | Incline Railway | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Gardens, rock formations and the Lover’s Leap overlook | Guided cave walk to a 145-foot underground waterfall | A steep mile-long railway up the mountain |
| Time | 1.5-2 hours | 60-90 minutes for the standard tour | About an hour, round trip with a look around |
| Price (2026) | Window $43-$45 adult, $33-$35 child; online is cheaper | $29.95 adult, $19.95 ages 4-12 | $24.99 adult, $12.99 ages 3-12 round trip |
| Best for | Views, kids who like to explore | Rainy days, a one-of-a-kind sight | Train fans, Point Park pairing |
| Official page | seerockcity.com | rubyfalls.com | ridetheincline.com |
Rock City: pick it for the views
Rock City is a self-guided walk through giant rock formations, narrow passages, a swinging bridge and gardens, ending at Lover’s Leap, where the famous claim is that you can see seven states on a clear day. Kids love squeezing through Fat Man’s Squeeze and finding the gnomes in Fairyland Caverns. Tickets vary by date and entry time, and Rock City says advance online tickets are always cheaper than the window price.
Heads up: From Nov. 13 through Dec. 31, Rock City closes at 4 p.m. for daytime visits and reopens in the evening for the Enchanted Garden of Lights, which needs its own timed ticket.
Ruby Falls: pick it for the wow factor
At Ruby Falls, an elevator takes you deep inside Lookout Mountain, and a guide leads you along a cave passage to a 145-foot waterfall lit up in color. The standard Cave Walk is just under a mile round trip with about 50 steps and takes 60-90 minutes. It’s the same temperature year-round, so it works on rainy, hot or cold days. Tickets are timed entry and sold online, so book ahead.
The Incline Railway: pick it for the ride
The Incline climbs Lookout Mountain from St. Elmo, and near the top the grade is among the steepest of any passenger railway in the world. The ride itself is the attraction, with big views of the city as you climb. At the top, it’s a short walk to Point Park ($10 per person 16+, card only) for the overlook and Civil War history. Round-trip tickets are $24.99 for adults and $12.99 for kids 3-12, and kids 2 and under ride free. Hours change by season, so check the schedule.
So which one first?
- First-time visitors with kids: Rock City. It’s the most varied, and the view is the one people remember.
- Rainy or very hot day: Ruby Falls.
- Train lovers or history buffs: the Incline plus Point Park.
- Want two in one day? Ruby Falls and Rock City are a few minutes apart by car, and both sell combo tickets on their sites. Check current bundles before you buy.
Money-saving tips
- Buy online, in advance. All three push online tickets, and Rock City’s are cheaper than the window.
- Look at annual passes if you live nearby. Rock City’s pass includes the Enchanted Garden of Lights for some pass levels.
- Mix in free views. Sunset Rock and Signal Point are free overlooks with views that rival the paid ones.
Getting there
All three are on or at the foot of Lookout Mountain, within a few miles of each other:
- Rock City is on top of the mountain in Lookout Mountain, Georgia.
- Ruby Falls is partway up on Scenic Highway on the Tennessee side.
- The Incline has two stations: the lower one in the St. Elmo neighborhood and the upper one near Point Park.
Plan on 10-15 minutes of winding mountain road between Rock City and Ruby Falls. If you ride the Incline, park at the bottom station in St. Elmo, ride up, and walk to Point Park.
How much time to budget
- Just one attraction: half a day, with time for lunch.
- Two attractions: a full day. Ruby Falls in the morning (timed tickets) and Rock City in the afternoon works well, since Rock City is self-paced.
- All three: possible but rushed. Consider spreading them over two days, or pick two and add a free overlook instead.
Accessibility notes
- Rock City has many stairs, narrow passages and uneven paths. Some areas are accessible, but not all.
- Ruby Falls includes an elevator down into the cave and a walk of just under a mile with about 50 steps on the standard tour.
- The Incline is a seated ride, which makes it the easiest of the three for limited mobility. Check each attraction’s accessibility page for details.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rock City or Ruby Falls better? It depends on what you like. Rock City is outdoor gardens and views; Ruby Falls is a guided cave and an underground waterfall. On a rainy day, Ruby Falls wins.
How long is the Ruby Falls tour? The standard Cave Walk to the Waterfall takes about 60-90 minutes.
How much is the Incline Railway? Round-trip tickets are $24.99 for adults and $12.99 for ages 3-12. Kids 2 and under ride free with a paying adult.
Can you see seven states from Rock City? That’s Rock City’s famous claim for Lover’s Leap on a very clear day. Haze often limits the view, so go on a crisp, clear morning for the best shot.
Prices were checked on each attraction’s official site in late October 2026 and can change.
Photo credits: Snickersnack30 (CC BY-SA 3.0); MrPicasso007 (CC BY 4.0); Dclemens1971 (CC BY 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
