Whimsical Bed and Breakfast on Lookout Mountain

While there are several breathtaking scenes in the Appalachians, it’s only at Lookout Mountain, on the border between Georgia and Tennessee, that its scenic beauty becomes intertwined with a touch of fantasy. At the mountain’s Rock City Gardens, guests walk down the "enchanted trail” past 100-foot waterfalls, and an ivy-covered castle marks the entrance to Ruby Falls Cave. The Garden Walk Bed and Breakfast Inn fits right in to the area—its website touts itself as “truly the best escape since Alice went down the rabbit hole.” Here, century-old pine trees surround a whimsical property where picket fences have been transformed into rustic headboards, bicycles have been planted in flowerbeds, and several guest rooms tell a story.

Each room in the jewel-toned cottages has been uniquely decorated with items ranging from bronze busts of Beethoven to colorful lawn jockeys. With an acoustic guitar and an old typewriter, the Sunshine room tells the story of a down-on-his-luck country singer who suddenly found inspiration to write a hit song. Inside the Blossom room, you’ll find sewing-machine supplies among a charming green-and-white color template. Outside, guests can take a dip in the pool, explore the property’s flower-lined footpaths, and sit in the gazebo’s shade before enjoying eggs, bacon, and pastries for breakfast in the sunlit dining room.

Lookout Mountain, Georgia: Scenic Panoramas and Beautiful Waterfalls in the Appalachians

Those traveling toward Lookout Mountain on the Tennessee-Georgia border may drive by one of more than 900 barn roofs across the country that have “See Rock City” painted on them. A roadside tour de force for generations and the birthplace of miniature golf, Rock City Gardens atop Lookout Mountain includes massive ancient sandstone formations, charming gardens, and postcard-worthy panoramic views of seven states. In fact, magnificent views are everywhere on Lookout Mountain, whether you’re hang-gliding above it or peering at the Smokies from an Incline Railway car, which rides on the world’s steepest passenger tracks.

But the natural marvels aren’t limited to mountains: more than 1,100 feet beneath the surface of Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls Cave enthralls visitors with its 145-foot waterfall and array of stalactites, stalagmites, and helictites illuminated with eco-friendly solar panels and LED lighting. Back above ground, the Battles for Chattanooga Museum is a must-visit for Civil War buffs for its 3-D battle map. For more attractions, head just 7 miles north to the city of Chattanooga, where you’ll find the world-class Tennessee Aquarium, art districts, and more.

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