See the Beauty of Rock City Gardens in Georgia

Next week the family is going on a farm vacation to the rolling hills of Wisconsin. As I’m preparing for the trip, it occurred to me that I never shared our recent visit to Rock City Gardens in Georgia just south of Chattanooga. Have you ever been there? You’ll find manmade elements woven through the natural gardens of this beautiful attraction in the northernmost part of the state.

If you’re wondering what’s up with the birdhouse above that has “See Rock City” on the roof, then you’re probably not familiar with the story behind it (neither was I – so don’t feel bad). Drive through parts of North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and more, and you’re sure to see “See Rock City” painted on barns.

Three years after the garden opened, painter Clark Byers started painting the phrase on barns to attract visitors to the locale. Over a span of approximately 30 years, he painted 900 barns in 19 states! The barn story is really quite interesting. The advertising worked on me and hubby. When we were in Chattanooga there was no way I was going to miss seeing Rock City.

Lucky for us, Rock City was just a couple miles from our Blue Ivy Cottage Airbnb rental just over the border in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In fact, it was so close that I traveled here in the mornings to get my skinny vanilla latte from Starbucks located just across the driveway from the entrance to the garden.

 

Normally I not too much of a fan of manmade tourist attractions, but the blend of nature and hardscapes, along with the views, made the trip very enjoyable. Plus the rhododendrons were in bloom. The garden’s website says it’s “made by God and enhanced by man.” Since it was midweek in April, we didn’t have to fight a crowd while there.

 

There’s hubby ahead of me. I loved all the trees – I’m a bit of a tree nut – I used to climb them all the time as a kid. I often think I missed my calling as an arborist.

 

Two trails led through very narrow openings wedged between massive rocks. One of the paths was called Fat Man’s Squeeze and was narrower than this one.

 

To be honest, manmade structures like this charming little red door made the journey along the paths a little more interesting.

 

 

If you weren’t sure where to head next, signs along the way helped to guide you. The views were amazing.

 

 

My personal favorite pathway was the suspension bridge that swayed while walking across it.

 

But the best attraction by far is the main waterfall in the park. Absolutely gorgeous! You can see this feature while driving down the road so you can enjoy it without having to go to the gardens.

 

It was so nice to see flowers in bloom. Whenever I need a pick-me-up I always head outside to spend time in nature. It never disappoints!

 

If you haven’t visited the garden yet, you can learn more about Rock City located just south of Chattanooga on the Georgia side of Lookout Mountain.

 

See More of the Georgia and Tennessee Area:

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