This really was the highlight of my trip to Chattanooga! I did not get my ticket in advance, but it is easy to purchase tickets at the two kiosks available. The attendants at the check-in are so helpful. I booked the next available appointment, which was about an hour or so away, but that left me plenty of time to take in views from the observation decks. There is also a restaurant in the castle as well as zip lining, if you want additional things to do while you wait for your guided tour to begin. (I recommend getting your tickets online if you come in a group, especially during the summer months and on weekends.) Parking is free and there are numerous places to park. The experience is really eye-opening and the video at the beginning tells the story of the cave formation and why it was named Ruby Falls. Very interesting! The walk takes about 60-70 minutes back and forth. You will see amazing stalagmites and stalactites along the way. Distinct lighting is added to the cave to enhance your experience. Our guide was very knowledgeable and explained everything in detail. It does get cool down in the caves (around 60 degrees) and I was glad I took a light jacket once I got about halfway through the process. The waterfall and the lighting at the end were something to see! Minor issues-they packed about 40-50 people in our tour group. A group leaves every 10 minutes or so. As such, you have to hug up against a wall NUMEROUS times as previous groups are coming back from the waterfall experience. You have to make room to let them pass. The wait for the elevator to take you back up to the top is also a tedious wait. This could be due to the summer crowds, so plan accordingly. If you are claustrophobic, this may not be the experience for you. read more

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Went to Chattanooga with my husband and decided to book the cave tour for something to do during the day while it was hot out. We've done various cave type tours around the US on our travels and this would not be one I would return to. It's such a cool waterfall and cave but completely ruined by management trying to cram as many people in as possible to make more money. We had about 40-50 people in our group and the entire time you are expected to stop and go to one side to let other groups of 40-50 people go by. With this many people in the narrow walkway, you can expect it to smell like sweat and any other odors of people near/passing by you. They also kick you out of the waterfall area within a few minutes because you are then holding up other tours. The staff and tour guides throughout our experience were really pleasant and the waterfall was beautiful. We were just shocked that they allow group sizes that big and in 10 minute intervals each. It truly ruined the experience for us and management should be ashamed as there are hundreds of similar reviews stating the same concerns. read more

Great cave tour and beautiful falls. The passing other tour groups and waiting wasn't the best, but didn't take super long. Glad I made the trip to visit read more

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My mom and I have wanted to try Ruby Falls ever since she moved to the area. It was a beautiful waterfall. I would definitely recommend going first thing in the morning if you can. It seemed like most of the trip in the cave to the waterfall was spent waiting on groups to pass. It would be nice if they spread apart tours more so that it is more enjoyable walking through. I would only go back if I was the very first group of the day. This is a great rainy day activity since you're inside the whole time. The more it rains, the bigger the waterfall! read more

Ruby Falls - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Ruby Falls is always a great time! It was very nostalgic for my husband and I because we met in Chattanooga. Fortunately, we were able to come on a rainy day so the fall was very full. We finally reached it! However, I do think they overcrowded the cave, which can take away from the experience. The day that we went, there was a field trip there so that could've been the main reason. The staff were really polite about explaining the crowd. And I overall enjoyed myself for sure! I just wish they would not crowd the caves as much as they do. read more

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Another classic Chattanooga attraction that if you're here, you must do! 140 foot falls are not a common occurrence, and you can tell they have been in this business awhile. The tours are spaced perfectly so that when inbound tour meets an outbound tour, the inbound yields, outbound passes by, and the trail continues. Time at the falls is on a literal timer, and the build up with the lighting is a cool show with colors and style. You get enough time to take plenty of selfies, get a good look around, and then hike back, which takes a lot less time. Total walk : 4/5 of a mile. Elevator distance : 260 feet, and quickly, but about 1,200 feet underground from top of the mountain. Purchase your tour in advance or you may be out of luck, and don't forget to take a peek off the top of the Tower, included with the ticket. And thanks to Emma, who was an awesome guide with great comedic timing and a super positive personality! read more

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If there's such a thing as a hidden world beneath the earth, Ruby Falls is it. From the moment you descend into the cave, it feels like stepping into a fantasy realm -- cool air, echoing drips of water, and rock formations that look sculpted by time itself. The journey through the caverns is mesmerizing, with formations that have names as charming as their shapes -- "Cactus & Candle" and the famous "Bacon" that looks exactly like sizzling strips of the real thing! Each turn reveals something new and surreal, beautifully lit with glowing hues of purple, blue, and green that make the rocks come alive. Our tour guide, Beau, was an absolute hoot! He kept everyone laughing while still sharing tons of fascinating facts about the cave's history and geology. His humor made the underground adventure even more unforgettable -- it felt like exploring with a stand-up comedian who also happened to be a rock expert! And then... the grand finale -- the waterfall itself. It's like Mother Nature turned on her spotlight! Watching the illuminated water cascade from deep within the mountain left me absolutely speechless. The photos don't even come close to capturing how magical it feels standing there. After emerging from the cave, I stepped outside just in time for sunset and a glowing view of Chattanooga. The castle-like entrance lit up at night made it feel like I had just left a fairytale. Whether you're a nature lover, an adventurer, or someone who just loves discovering hidden gems, Ruby Falls is a must-see. It's not just a waterfall -- it's an experience that makes you feel small in the best possible way. read more

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Such a cool cave ! What an energetic place to explore! The history behind this place amazing ! I respect lambert ! read more

Ruby Falls - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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There are very few things that can take one's breath away, well try our country's largest public accessible underground waterfall!! When I think cave of wonders this definitely fits the billet!! For reasonable price you reserve a time to take the tour. At your allotted time you board an elevator and proceed 262 feet down into the cavern and commence a short hike to the falls. No worries though, think you will be disconnected from the world?! Heck no wifi in the cavern to get those photos and updates out! As your guide explains many of the awesome details or you watch the informative video of its discovery this experience is worth the price in my opinion. Good combo of humor, history and geology all combined into one. Of note definitely do not sample the water or you may have an unpleasant experience as the guides like to point out when starting the journey. There are no restrooms in the cavern! There is ample room at the waterfall to cycle through and take pictures as the water is illuminated by various colors of light during your stay. Get them quickly though as it is timed and you will have to exit in timely fashion. We had small group so had plenty of time to enjoy the selfie. There are also photo options at the cavern start that are made available to purchase at journeys end for nominal fee to remember the experience as well. Get your spelunking in as this one is worth it! read more

Ruby Falls - Ruby Falls entry - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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This was a such a nice stop on our way to Florida from WI. Beautiful and relaxing! My teenage (almost adult kids) really enjoyed it as well. Pictures don't do it justice. read more

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I have never been to Ruby Falls and my wife went as a10 yr old many years ago. Purchasing tickets online was very easy, parking was great, check in easy, no wait if you are on time and not a long wait to descend into the cave. Our tour guide was awesome. Great humor, lots of interesting information and he definitely enjoyed what he did!! The cave had several interesting formations and the passages were somewhat tight and somewhat short in a few locations. The actual falls were awesome and plenty of time was given to take pictures!! We enjoyed our visit and went to the outer observation desk and looked out over Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge. read more

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Incredible tour guide. Great system For managing space and time. Inspiring place. But really wow. The guides are just so excellent. They keep you safe and entertained. Do not where too much clothing. It says 60, but i can feel warmer when in tight corridors with other people. If you are tall, make sure your back is good. Ceilings are 5'7" most of the time. read more

Ruby Falls - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

The tour was guided and redundant in my opinion. The it was estimated to be 2 hours for $40/person and we were back in the gift shop in 90 minutes. The amount of time that was spent in front of the waterfall is very short. The coffee is just ok in the cafe. Overall, I think it's a skip and wouldn't recommend. read more

Ruby Falls - Inside Ruby Falls - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Ruby Falls was BEAUTIFUL!!! With that being said and having experienced the journey to get to the falls, I probably wouldn't do it again. We boarded an elevator that took us 260 feet underground to explore the cavern on a paved trail. It was kind of dark and there was a lot of foot traffic with very narrowed trails. We had to stop and get against the walls, several times to allow other touring groups to get by on their way back from the falls. Our tour guide did a wonderful job providing information about the cave's history and formations. Once we arrived at the falls, it truly was beautiful but I personally didn't feel like it was worth the price nor walk. read more

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I had friends in town for MLK weekend and they wanted to do Ruby Falls. I told them to bring extra clothing cause it's a cave but once they were down, they learned that the temperature stays the same year round and we're nice and comfy. I didn't actually go down because my one friend wasn't able to walk the distance. So we sat around the fire and enjoyed a good chat. The friends that went down really enjoyed themselves and took some very nice pictures. I hope to go one day, but my experience just sitting there was so enjoyable and one of the workers even came and started the fire so we could be cozy. We took some time in the gift shop and enjoyed looking around and my friend even bought an rock apple for her daughter. I'm spacing on the stone. It's made out of but her daughter loved it since she's a teacher. I definitely wanna come back when I have an opportunity to go down into the fall because it looks like it's a lot of fun! read more

Great tour through the cave to the falls. The tour guide was funny. I loved all the formations. They had signs telling you what it was supposed to look like. read more

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Fun tour while in the area. It can be crowded in the caves, so if your claustrophobic be warned. Fun history of how the cave was discovered and interesting seeing all the natural wonders so deep underground. read more

Ruby Falls - Photo of the falls - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

The cave itself was cool. However they pack you in like sardines and our group was so large that it took a very long time to get through the area. At times we had to lean up against the cave so another group could get by. If you are in the least bit claustrophobic do not go! Our tour guide was not informative and barely spoke. When he spoke the only time he used his microphone was to make sure the person in the back caboose was coming in range; those in the middle and probably the back could not hear anything if he spoke any other times. The cafe was reasonably priced. The food was ok. The bathrooms were clean. read more

Ruby Falls - Inside of the cave. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

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This place is pretty cool. Based on the other reviews, I wasn't sure we would go but glad we did. Everyone working there was friendly. Our tour guide, Addie, was fun and constantly cracking corny jokes but in a way that made the experience more interesting. The stalagmites and stalactites were super cool! It's hard to explain how amazing the cave looks in person. It's humbling and awe inspiring. The waterfall beautiful. Four stars because I felt like it was a little overpriced at $29.99. I would say $20 would be a perfect price point. Also while the guided tour was informative, it would be nice to be able to explore at our own pace. We had a small group of only 9 and were done from start to finish in 70 minutes. Overall, I would recommend and think it was worth visiting mostly because it was a rainy January day so the crowds were super low and the cave was enchanting with raindrops falling throughout the cave. I'm not sure I would have gone during the busy season. I think some of the magic would have been lost read more

Ruby Falls - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Our family enjoyed out trip to Ruby Falls last week while on a road trip through Tennessee. This is probably the nicest / most commercialized cave I have ever been too (in a good way). The cave is accessed through a elevator shaft from the main building which has a cafe and gift shop. Once you get down there you take a short tour until you get to the waterfall. Its probably less than a mile round trip and my mom who is mid 70's had no issue doing. The story of its discovery was interesting as were various formations along the way. Each group gets an allotted time where it starts dark then lights dramatically come on as well as music to light up the falls. All the walls were smooth and almost no loose dirt anywhere. Almost like lining up for a ride at Disneyland. You need to buy tickets ahead of time and arrive during you time slot. Recommended! read more

This placed was rockin'! Lol It was a fun trip Down an elevator for a 90 Minute waking tour of a cave system under the surface of the earth! The story of its discovery is replay neat and the establishment has done a great job of making history, science and geology relevant, The place is well laid out and commits me plus frisky staff. I would say that there is one way in and one way out - so expect traffic Jams with people in the cave. Purchase ahead in busy season as the tickets sell out and push arrivals way late in the day or to the next day. read more

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I ubered to Ruby Falls so I don't know how the parking situation is. I only have 3 stars personally because I thought it was pretty pricey. $33 after tax for the tour. Selected a time, went down and enjoyed about a 45 minute tour. Seen some real cool formation of rocks. Of course the start of the show was the waterfall! It was cold down there so I suggest a jacket. When the tour was over, we tipped our tour guide. As we went back up you were greeted by the people who took your picture, selling it for $35. There's also a small restaurant if you're hungry! read more

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Cool place for a tour, walking in and out the same way. The colorful lights adds a nice touch to the rock formation. The waterfall at the end is pretty cool too. Lots of groups coming in and out so you'll be asked to wait when people are passing by. The elevator will take you down like 26 floors deep down. Some of the audio is pre recorded when you walk past different sections. If you have a large group call ahead for group rates and you might get some discounts. They don't do that in person. For the cafe, pepperoni pizza (flatbread) was good, lemonade is too sweet and skippable. Beer on tap was interesting and you pour it yourself. read more

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The cave/tunnel and Falls were beautifuĺ!! However the tour guide not so great. Trinity walked fast ahead of group of about 20, and didn't wait for group to catch up before talking about each section. .. and spoke so fast was hard to understand. Sorry Trinity...but slow down a bit. This speed could easily cause a safety issue for the slower people in the back. But to honest we also got the distinct feeling the business end of this tour was likey forcing this speed. Give people a chance to take a couple photos along the way. read more

Interesting one and done activity for us. Very cool views... each tour seems packed full which is not ideal for listening to the tour guide and having to squeeze for the other tour groups to fit on the narrow path when passing by the single walkway.. one single elevator for all tours (entry and exit)... a few children were overtly scared in various groups we met. I would not do this with young children or elderly family members as there are a few fall hazards and places to knock your head or slip. We enjoyed it overall! read more

A nice little date night or tourist stop. The guided tour takes you through the cave with brief stops along the way. It would be nice to have a little more time along the route to take in all of the views, but also understand they need to get groups in and out along the path. The waterfall is beautiful too. read more

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We didn't make any reservations but since it was earlier in the day, we were able to get on a tour shortly after we arrived (we probably waited about 15 minutes). There weren't too many people in our group which was nice because it gave us more time to take pictures and watch the falls once we got there. Last time we came (about 5 years ago), it was later in the afternoon and there were so many people on the tour with us the lights went out before we were able to get a family photo in front of the falls. The flash was better for the professional picture last time than this time but we were able to get our own picture at least. The tour guides have the same corny jokes but it's fun. I love looking at the formations and seeing our kids enjoy themselves as well. They liked running up to the top of the lookout tower as well. read more

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Lots of fun! ~2 hour outing with knowledgeable guide and helpful staff. It's a quick elevator ride down and then a short walk with some stopping points to the falls. read more

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I thought the tour guide was excellent but the way they jammed people into the tour was ridiculous. The cave itself was beautiful and the waterfall amazing. We probably had 40 People on our tour. It was way too many for one group. We spent very little at the waterfall. Also, the intro video was boring and cheesy. It would have been better just to have the history from the guide. The audio cues were hard to hear over our obnoxiously loud group mates, who also lagged too far behind and kept the rest of us waiting. The groups should be limited to one elevator full, not three. This was way too commercial compared to what I experienced in the 1990s. We spent more time waiting to get in and out and for our group than the actual tour. For $30, it wasn't worth it. read more

One of my fave caves to visit! All the staff is really nice and super knowledgeable about the history of the cave and the surrounding area as well for great food recommendations and all. Named after the cave discoverer's wife, Ruby, this cave was merely a crawl space when first found and today we are lucky to be able to stand upright in most areas of the cave due to the amazing digging and excavating that was done decades and decades and decades ago! Great time for all ages and when you finally get to the giant underground waterfall it's truly a magnificent sight to see! read more

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What a fun two hours spent at Ruby Falls!! We had already purchased our tickets online about 2 weeks before. Wanted to make sure that they did not sell out before we got there. The tickets were good for a certain time, and we arrived about 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the tour. I don't know if they are flexible on the time if we are late or early. The only way to see the Ruby Falls waterfall is to take this guided tour. Ruby Falls is inside Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This waterfall is the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the U.S.A. It is about 145 feet long, and to access it you have to go down about 260 feet in an elevator. If you are claustrophobic, then you may want to take a pass on Ruby Falls. Although the trail to get to the waterfall is a bit lighted, it is still quite narrow in areas. It can get crowded too with all the groups of people. Every time you meet a group on the trail, then one group has to stop & press against the cave walls so the other group can walk by. Each group had about 40 people. Despite the crowd, the tour was still fun and educational. Enjoyed learning about the history of Ruby Falls and how it was discovered. Of course, the highlight of the tour was seeing Ruby Falls in person. When we finally got to the cavern, it was completely dark. You could hear the waterfall, but you could not see it. Then the lights came on, and you could see the beautiful Ruby Falls. The lights changed colors every 10 seconds or so it seemed. Make sure to take those selfies and other photos before the light show ends. I think we were there for about 15 minutes before the light show ended, and we were told to exit the cavern. Felt bad for some folks who did not get to take their family photo in front of Ruby Falls. Oh well, you snooze, you lose. My wife and I truly enjoyed our time at Ruby Falls. Bought our souvenir magnet at their gift shop. Also checked out the castle at Ruby Falls while we were here. Get great views of the Chattanooga valley from up there. It was a hazy day, but still cool. Worth the time and money to see Ruby Falls! Enjoy!! read more

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Ruby Falls was gorgeous. No doubt about it. However, the way these tours are ran they give you very little time to actually view the falls and take photos. In our case, there were people hogging the falls view, which made it hard for everyone to get a chance to see them. I think they need an employee there to help facilitate the area better. Also, there are large tour groups starting every 10 minutes, which forces you to squeeze through / stop and let other groups pass frequently. I wouldn't mind usually, but we passed like 5 groups in an hour, which kinda takes you out of the historic experience. Unfortunately, the owners are prioritizing money over everything. overall, it was a cool thing to do, but I wouldn't go back. read more

Came back here after a few years, this time with my parents, and it was such a fun visit! Glad we booked tickets ahead of time because they only let in a set number of people. We showed up early, so we had time to wander around the gift shop and grab some pizza at the little restaurant next door. Before heading down, they show you a short film about how the cave was discovered--it feels almost like a mini movie--and you get a group photo too. The cave itself isn't super long since it's one main path, so there's a bit of waiting while groups come back, but the waterfall at the end is gorgeous and totally worth it. I thought it would be freezing, but it wasn't too bad--just bring an extra layer if you're going on a chilly day. Definitely recommend if you're in the area, it's a unique and beautiful stop! read more

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Absolutely LOVED our visit to Ruby Falls! Came here for my birthday and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Our tour guide, Scott (or goes by the nickname Scooter) was awesome! He had a great sense of humor and added a lot of funny jokes into his speeches about the caves and how it was discovered. The walk through the caves wasn't bad at all. They say that it takes around 90 minutes for the tour but that time went by very fast. Once we got to the waterfall I'd say we had about 10 minutes to take pictures and enjoy the beauty of it before we had to leave for other tours to come in. They do take group pictures before entering the caves which are available for $35 once the tour concludes and you enter the big gift shop. It's a nice little souvenir to keep for the memories but you're also able to take pictures with your phone throughout the tour. I'd highly recommend the tour at Ruby Falls! It was a fun experience for my family and I. They also have other tour options like lantern tours or haunted tours. Might come back in the future for those! read more

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We stopped in during a girls weekend in Chattanooga. Part of the group did the zip lining. The staff there were very friendly and helpful. The zip lining was brief as there are only two runs. They extend the time to make it "worth it" by including a climbing wall. I'm honestly not sure that added a lot. We then did the cave tour, which felt really expensive for what it is.. Again, this feels really overrated to me. The cave has an absolutely horrible smell...it's like must or dust or something. By the end, I was completely stopped up. My biggest complaint overall is that the groups are way too big and the tour guides can't monitor the groups. People were touching things they are not supposed to, kids are running every which way, people are talking because they can't hear the tour guide, etc. And, the tour guide that we had kinda seemed to be making up facts as we went along. I think he was trying to make the story interesting/funny but it was neither. I can check this off the bucket list and feel good about never coming back. Honestly, watch some videos online and save the $$! This one is not worth it! read more

Exploring the cave system that leads to Ruby Falls is definitely a fun adventure, but some things could be better. Upon arrival, you are greeted with the tower, the gift shop and a little cafe to grab a bite while you wait for your turn to dive deep into the system below. All of this is great, including the view from the tower above. Once you are in the cave below, you have a group that you become part of that is lead through the system by a guide working for Ruby Falls. This is where things get iffy for me. We expected the opportunity to explore, take our time and make our way to the falls. I'm not sure if we missed that this was a guided tour when signing up. After accepting our fate of being in a group our expectations changed as we now hoped we would at least learn some history of this site and how it became the system it is today. Unfortunately, we were not so lucky in getting the chance to experience this. A downside to being part of this group was also the limited time to actually experience the waterfall itself. The cave is dark and when you enter you are told about the time limit. A light show starts and this is your only (short) opportunity to view the falls and their glory. Everyone in the group scrambles to get to the edge to take their pictures and it limits the chance of getting a good photo and the opportunity to take in just how beautiful Ruby Falls truly are. Overall, this was an experience that I was happy to go through, but we will most likely not return in the future. read more

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I've been to way better caverns than this . Never have I had to take a packed elevator with a miserable attendant. Once you get down you stand and wait. Most of those experience is standing and waiting for the groups that were ahead of you to make their way out. As you make your way through the caverns, more standing and waiting await as more groups pass you on their way out. Once you finally reach the falls you got about 5 minutes before you turn around and walk pass the same crap you just walked through only to wait on the only elevator you came down on. Terrible read more

Wow what amazing cave . We have done a lot of these tours around the country but I think it would be hard to beat ruby falls . The place is keep up vey clean in the gift shop and restaurant out side looks well land scape . Parking is free and easy to get in and out of . The tour in the cave was top notch and our guide Abram was great we had a small group just 10 in group , unlike other groups that had 30 . Abram was very knowledgeable and he tells jokes . Tour date was March 24 at 11:20 am good luck Abram in flying school read more

This is a must do if in the area. We did the standard hour long tour. I recommend buying your ticket online ahead of time as each tour is a timed entry. Because we didn't do this, we had a hour long wait. There is a decent size gift shop and a café where you can spend that time shopping or eating. The café has a decent sized menu of entrées or snacks and kiosks where you can order and then pick up your food at the counter when your name comes up on the screen showing your food's ready. There is a huge display showing the group that is departing and you can see it from the gift shop and café side. Each tour group consists of about 30 people. You take an elevator down to the cave, which is underneath the mountain. From there you walk sort of quickly through the paths and caverns to get to Ruby Falls. The group does not stop to take pictures along the way however, there are times where you can stop and take pictures, especially if you're not right at the front of the group. There are also times when you have to move to the right to allow other groups to pass you. There are tons of cool, stalactites and swag mites. Once you get deeper into the cave and there are cool rock structures and little pools of water along the way the falls are amazing. They're really high and there are lights that change color. They also offer other tours ones where you can spend more time taking pictures along the way and others where you can do in the dark that sound like fun. read more

I enjoyed visiting Ruby Falls. I recommend bringing a sweater since is 60 degrees all year round inside the cave. The time you spend at the fall is not a lot, but enough to take some beautiful pictures. I would've liked to be able to stay a little bit longer, but that's not possible since the visit is guided. PS: Bring some cash to tip the guide. I didn't bring any cash and felt bad for not living a tip. read more

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