Four Chattanooga Attractions Worth Exploring: Underground Waterfalls, Classic Cars, American Art and Things That Go Bump in the Night

Years ago, I won a sweepstakes sponsored by the United States Postal Service. It that offered winners the chance to explore different states. My trip was Tennessee, so we headed to the state and toured the Jack Daniel's Distillery. Shortly thereafter, I came down with a horrible cold and couldn’t do much else.

The timing couldn’t have been worse. I was about to change bosses and would soon find myself working for a diabolical micromanager. This should have been a sign, but that’s a story for another day.

What disappointed me the most about the trip was missing Ruby Falls, so it was first on our list of things to do.

Ruby Falls on Lookout Mountain

Ruby Falls was discovered in 1928 by Leo Lambert, but he wasn’t seeking a waterfall. He and his crew were attempting to reopen Lookout Mountain Cave, which had been sealed off in 1905.

While drilling a shaft 260 feet into the mountain, the crew broke through into an unknown cave. The opening was only about 18 inches high, forcing the men to crawl on their hands and knees through narrow, wet passageways.

After hours of exploring in the darkness, they heard the sound of rushing water and discovered the spectacular 145-foot underground waterfall. The entire expedition lasted 17 hours, and Lambert named the falls after his wife, Ruby.

It was an exhausting adventure that led to one of Chattanooga’s best-known attractions. Word had it that Lambert’s clothes smelled so bad after the expedition that his wife eventually burned them.

Today visitors descend 260-foot down into the earth via an elevator before embarking on a guided walk through the cavern to the waterfall. The underground route extends about half a mile with guides pointing out various formations along the way. 

This formation tickled me. It's called “Steak and Potatoes.”

The cave, which maintains a 60-degree temperature year-round is estimated to be millions of years old. The payoff at the end is the waterfall room which changes color and makes for spectacular photos of the 90-foot portion of the falls.

Photo supplied by Ruby Falls.

The Coker Museum

One attraction that doesn’t get as much play in the guidebooks as Ruby Falls is the Coker Museum, located at 1309 Chestnut Street.

The museum is named for Joseph “Corky” Coker, a Chattanooga businessman and passionate collector of vintage vehicles.  Corky’s father founded the Coker Tire Company in 1958, establishing himself as a major supplier of tires for classic and antique cars.

The museum opened at its current location in 2018, bringing Corky’s collection together with the Honest Charley Speed Shop. Charley Card established the first mail-order business specializing in performance auto parts and visitors will see many references to “Honest Charley” throughout the museum. Card earned the nickname while helming a restaurant and trusting people to tell them what they owed. The business eventually closed in 1990 and Coker acquired the property.

The museum is self-guided, with QR codes providing additional information throughout the shop.

The museum also has an active restoration shop where they work on vintage vehicles like the one below. I’ve been to many automobile museums but have never seen one quite like this 1951 Ford custom show car. It's often referred to as “The Shoebox” due to its boxy design. Another name is “The Golden Dream,” which I prefer.

Below are two different cars from very different eras.

I also enjoyed the variety of Coca-Cola memorabilia scattered throughout the museum.

The Hunter Museum of American Art

For those who like art, The Hunter Museum of American Art is a must-visit.

The museum opened in 1952 as Chattanooga’s first permanent art museum, occupying the former Faxon-Hunter mansion overlooking the Tennessee River. The mansion was built for Ross Faxon, an insurance broker, and designed by Abram Garfield, the son of President James Garfield.

In 1920, Anne Taylor Thomas, the widow of a Coca-Cola bottling pioneer, purchased the home. Her nephew, George Thomas Hunter, eventually led the operation, later establishing the Benwood Foundation, a charitable trust. After his death, the Chattanooga Art Association approached the foundation about donating the mansion for an art museum. The rest, as they say, is history.

Today, visitors will see three distinct architectural eras: the 1904 Garfield mansion, the 1975 Brutalist-style wing, and the Stout expansion, completed in 2005.

It sits on an 80-foot bluff overlooking the Tennessee River and houses approximately 3,000 works of American art. The combination of historic architecture, modern design and its impressive art collection makes it well worth a visit.

The museum had a few pieces painted by Grandma Moses, like this one.

An art vending machine was located in the gift shop. Visitors could purchase art from the machine on their way out.

The Murder and Mayhem Tour

The spooky fun starts in the shop as guests wait.

Any city worth its salt has good ghost tours from which to choose. I always enjoy walking with a group at night to see various areas we perhaps didn't see during the day. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, you'll at least get the lay of the land better and learn a few historical tidbits along the way.

Our guide was an excellent storyteller.

The tour is operated by Chattanooga Ghost Tours and begins at 57 E. Fifth Street downtown. A helpful tip: Visitors must go to the back of the building and into the shop to check in.

Owner Amy Petulla hits upon a few highlights: "If you join the tour, you'll not only hear about the famous ghost of the Read House, but also the story of the spirits haunting underground Chattanooga, the ghosts who occasionally appear for photos at the old sanitarium, and maybe even the story of Chattanooga's own Bible-thumping version of Medea!'

Below are a few photos of the those who visited the Read House. Some still return.

Good Eats

During our first night we ended up at Aleia’s, a beautifully decorated restaurant that seemed promising.

Aleia's was beautiful though.

I wish I could recommend it, but my dish was so salty that I wouldn’t return, despite the positive reviews on Yelp. Perhaps it was just an off night.

A more modest place made up for it the following day. Puckett's restaurant was founded in the 1960s, so it has served many people throughout the years. The chicken salad was delicious--they sure know how to make a good chicken salad in the south. And the red beans and rice was the best I’d ever had.

Puckett's makes an outstanding chicken salad and red beans and rice.

I can also recommend Wooden City, where everything from the lemon drop martini to the steak frites and the stuffed Hungarian peppers were all excellent. The meal was a hit from start to finish.

As it stood, we left with a few good meals, plenty of photographs and quite a bit of history without an overly packed itinerary. If we decide to ever return, we’ll add Rock City and the well-regarded aquarium to our list.

Beyond the Snow: How the Poconos Keep Winter Getaways on Track

 From skiing and snow tubing to off-road adventures, Pocono businesses are finding creative ways to keep visitors coming back—even when winter weather is unpredictable.

A winter getaway in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains has long been associated with snow-covered slopes, ski runs and snowmobiling adventures. But what happens when temperatures rise and the snow doesn’t cooperate?

For the region’s tourism businesses, the answer is to offer visitors more reasons to come, regardless of the forecast.

From ski resorts expanding their activities, to outdoor outfitters adapting their adventures to changing conditions, businesses across the Poconos are demonstrating that a successful winter vacation doesn’t have to depend entirely on snowfall.

Ski Resorts Offer More Than Skiing

Camelback offers night-time skiing too. (photo supplied)

Skiing remains a major draw in the Poconos, but resorts have increasingly recognized that visitors are looking for more ways to spend their time—and that not every winter day delivers ideal conditions on the slopes.

Blue Mountain Resort and Camelback Resort are among the destinations working to give guests more reasons to visit. By offering activities beyond traditional skiing and snowboarding, resorts can appeal to a wider range of travelers, including families and visitors who may not spend an entire day on the mountain.

For vacationers, that flexibility can make planning a winter trip less stressful. Guests have more opportunities to enjoy their stay, even when weather conditions change.

The strategy also reflects a broader shift in winter tourism: resorts are no longer relying solely on snowfall to define the visitor experience.

Camelback: A Four-Season Destination

Camelback Mountain Resort is a familiar name for travelers seeking a winter escape in the Poconos. But the destination’s appeal extends beyond its ski slopes.

By offering activities in addition to skiing and snowboarding, Camelback can attract visitors with different interests and give families more options for filling a vacation itinerary.

That variety is particularly valuable during unpredictable winters, when temperatures and precipitation can affect outdoor conditions. A destination with multiple activities gives travelers greater flexibility and helps make a getaway worthwhile even when the weather doesn’t match expectations.

For visitors planning a trip, the takeaway is simple: look beyond the ski report when choosing a resort. Additional attractions can help turn a winter weekend into a more complete vacation.

Blue Mountain: Expanding the Winter Experience

Blue Mountain Resort Skiing Area. (photo supplied)

Blue Mountain Resort also illustrates how ski destinations can broaden their appeal beyond traditional downhill skiing.

For travelers, the availability of different activities creates opportunities to tailor a visit to individual interests and abilities. Not everyone in a family or travel group wants to ski, and having other options can make a destination more appealing to the entire group.

Diversification is also important from a business perspective. When weather limits skiing opportunities, other attractions can help keep visitors engaged and provide additional reasons to book a trip.

The result is a winter tourism model that places greater emphasis on the overall experience rather than any single activity.

When Snowmobiles Aren’t an Option, Adapt

UTV tours run year-round at Pocono Outdoor Adventure Tours (photo supplied)

Large resorts aren't the only businesses that must adjust to changing winter conditions. Smaller outdoor operators face similar challenges, often with fewer resources and a business model tied closely to the weather.

Pocono Outdoor Adventure Tours, which offers outdoor excursions, is one example of an operator navigating the realities of unpredictable winters.

When conditions don't support snowmobiling, businesses must consider alternatives that allow them to continue serving customers. One option is adapting outdoor adventures to vehicles that don't depend on snow.

Utility terrain vehicles, commonly known as UTVs, offer a different way to explore outdoor terrain. These side-by-side vehicles provide seating for a driver and passengers and are designed for off-road use.

For travelers, that can mean an outdoor adventure doesn't necessarily have to be canceled simply because the landscape isn't blanketed in snow. 

For outfitters, flexibility can help protect a seasonal business from the uncertainty that comes with relying on a single weather-dependent activity.

Planning a More Flexible Pocono Getaway

Unpredictable winter weather doesn't have to derail a trip to the Poconos. It does, however, make flexibility an important part of vacation planning.

Before leaving home, check current resort conditions and confirm which activities are operating. If skiing or snowmobiling is the main reason for your visit, ask about cancellation policies and possible alternatives.

It's also worth building a few backup plans into your itinerary. A resort with multiple attractions or an outdoor operator offering different types of excursions may give you more options if conditions change.

Most importantly, remember that a winter trip is about more than the weather. The Poconos offer a variety of outdoor experiences, and choosing a destination with several activities can help make the most of your time away.

A New Approach to Winter Tourism

For businesses such as Camelback, Blue Mountain and Pocono Outdoor Adventure Tours, adapting to unpredictable winters is about more than getting through a mild season. It is about finding ways to deliver experiences visitors want, even when nature doesn't cooperate.

For travelers, those adaptations can translate into more choices and greater flexibility when planning a getaway.

Snow may still be the star attraction of a Pocono winter, but it doesn’t need to always be the only reason to visit.

Harrah's Cherokee and Biltmore: A Southern Getaway

Since moving South a little over a year ago, as I’ve mentioned before, I’ve decided to explore more Southern destinations.

The latest trip involved meeting up with a pair of dear friends from Pennsylvania to explore the Cherokee Indian Reservation, NC and The Biltmore in Ashville, NC which is about a two-hour drive from the Greenville, South Carolina area.

The beautiful Biltmore

We decided to stay at the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and we very much liked our spacious rooms. However, when we arrived at 2:30 p.m., we were asked to pay an extra $20 for early check in. I can’t say that’s a great way to start a relationship, but it is what it is I suppose.

Facts about Harrah’s

The casino floor

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) owns Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort as a tribal enterprise. Caesars' own current materials explicitly describe Harrah's Cherokee Casinos as “An Enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.” It was North Carolina’s first casino, opening in 1997.

Gaming revenue supports the tribe, with money going towards healthcare, housing and other tribal programs.

The property, which sits at the entrance to Great Smokey Mountains National Park, contains 222,600 square feet of casino space, 3,270 slot machines, 160 table games, and about 1,830 hotel rooms.

With a place that large, it was easy to get lost--and we did, several times. It certainly deepened my appreciation for cell phone communication.

I discovered later there was also an UltraStar Multi-tainment Center with 24 bowling lanes, an arcade and three bars onsite.

The standout among the restaurants for me was Amici Italia, which I wholeheartedly recommend. The chicken marsala was delicious, along with the risotto and sumptuous green beans--a vegetable that is not usually my first choice.

Delicious dinner at Amici Italia.

Build Time in for the Biltmore Visit

Biltmore requires a timed entry reservation every day and tickets start at a pricey $90 per adult.

If you stay at Harrah’s and account for traffic, I recommend hitting the road 90 minutes before your reservation. Once you arrive at the property, you’ll have to park and take a shuttle to the house.

 A Unique Property

Guests who enter the Biltmore are given a device to hold against their ears to learn about each room as they make their way through the house.

One of the first rooms visitors encounter.

You'll learn that the Biltmore was built by George Washington Vanderbilt, a grandson of railroad and shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, one of the wealthiest Americans of the Gilded Age.

Captivated by the Blue Ridge Mountains, George wanted a private country retreat for himself, his family and friends. He hired RichardMorris Hunt, who designed the house in the French Renaissance Revival style.

He also employed Frederick Law Olmstead, the landscape architect behind New York’s Central Park, to design the garden and grounds.

But George Vanderbilt envisioned something far more ambitious than an elaborate mountain retreat. Biltmore was designed as a self-sufficient estate combining an enormous family home with gardens, agriculture, forestry and scientific land management.

He also incorporated electricity, indoor plumbing, elevators, a telephone system and a fire-alarm system in the house when it was built.

The Collections

George deliberately collected European antiques, American pieces, art, tapestries, books and decorative objects and had the house designed around some of them.

His love of reading is evident in his library which now contains more than 10,000 books.

A painting titled “The Chariot of Aurora,” by Italian artist Giovanni Pellegrini, consists of 13 canvases and measures about 64 by 32 feet. Vanderbilt bought it for the Library, and Richard Morris Hunt actually designed the room to accommodate it.

The longest room in the Biltmore house is the tapestry gallery. The 90-foot-long room showcases Renaissance era tapestries.

Tapestry Room

One room I found particularly interesting was the Oak Sitting Room due to the unique furniture I encountered for the very first time. 

English Knole-style furniture.

The English Knole-style sofa and chairs are equipped with adjustable arms that could be raised to accommodate bulky period clothing, convert the seat into a day bed, or control drafty air. I've since seen similar ones on Etsy for close to $3,000 and on Charish for more than $7,000.

When we saw the bedrooms, we were all surprised at how small the beds appeared, so when I returned home, I looked it up and apparently it's an optical illusion due to the scale of the rooms.

You learn something new everyday.

On the lower floor of the Biltmore were the swimming pool, gym and bowling alley, all created for recreation when little else was available.

A Pioneer in Land Conservation

George Vanderbilt was also known to be a pioneer in land conservation and hired Pennsylvania native Gifford Pinchot to create the first large-scale forestry management plan in the United States.

He supported the establishment of America's first forestry school on his property to train professionals in sustainable land management.

After his death, his wife, Edith Vanderbilt, carried out his wishes by selling a large portion of the forest land to the federal government, which subsequently became part of the Pisgah National Forest.

Good Eats

Upon completion of the tour, we headed to The Stable Cafe and enjoyed a very good lunch in which was once the stables of the house. Pictured here is the chicken salad croissant. One thing is for certain, the Southern people really know how to make a good chicken salad.

Chicken salad croissant at The Stable Cafe.

Located in the same building is the gift shop and various other shops selling everything from souveniers, to gourmet food, wine and apparel.

We finished our trip with a free wine tasting on another part of the property and ended up with two dry reds which will go great with pasta and steak.

The gentleman who conducted the wine tasting was very informative.

All in all, the combination of Harrah's Cherokee and Biltmore made for an interesting getaway from the Greenville area. There was plenty to see, eat, and, in my case, more than enough square footage to get lost in.