These Epic New Tree Houses in Tennessee Are on a Mountain Above the Tallest Underground Waterfall within the U.S.

On a latest winter day, I made the drive from my dwelling in Atlanta to Chattanooga, Tennessee, a simple two-hour journey north, for a pre-holiday escape. I’d been to Ruby Falls, an underground 145-foot waterfall, earlier than on many childhood subject journeys. But the attraction on Lookout Mountain not too long ago added three custom-made tree homes that overlook the cave entrance and metropolis under. 

They had been made by the staff at Treetop Hideaways, who’ve one other tree home resort close by and have been featured on the present Treehouse Masters for his or her luxurious tree homes that put childhood creations to disgrace.

The morning of my arrival, I bought an electronic mail with all the related particulars I’d want for my keep, together with parking data and the entry code for the cabin. It additionally had instructions on the place precisely to go once I arrived, for the reason that tree homes are set on a service highway simply above the primary entrance to Ruby Falls with an easy-to-miss signal. I additionally bought a textual content from the concierge service asking if I wanted something. 

The three cabins can accommodate as much as 5 friends every and are named for various kinds of crops discovered within the area: Redbud, Wood Lily, and Dogwood. I used to be assigned to Redbud and located my solution to the cabin through gravel path. The tree home had a mural that claims “See Ruby Falls,” a nod to the commercial barns as soon as discovered everywhere in the Southeast and is constituted of salvaged supplies, together with barnwood. 

I didn’t need assistance with my luggage since I packed gentle, however the parking zone space has firewood and retro Radio Flyer wagons that can assist you deliver your baggage to your cabin. Before reaching the cabin, I noticed the outside entertaining house every cabin has, together with a grill station, hearth pit, and hammock. It was a bit chilly for me, however I may see myself spending hours there throughout hotter months. Climbing the steps, I discovered the wraparound porch, the right spot to soak up the sundown. 

I ventured into city for dinner, however in any other case used my keep to cozy up contained in the cabin, studying a e book from the bath and having fun with the peace and quiet. 

Here’s my evaluation of the Treetop Hideaways at Ruby Falls. 

The Rooms

The room layouts range primarily based on the tree home, however mine had a lofted space with a full-size mattress, an vintage file participant, and facet tables constructed into the wall. The skylights and home windows help you stargaze from mattress, however when you don’t get up with the solar, I’d deliver a watch masks. Down the ladder is the residing space, which has a leather-based sofa that converts right into a mattress. 

There’s a small desk when you really feel like penning the Great American Novel and a kitchenette stocked with a mini fridge and microwave, plus a coffee-making station. The kitchen sink is a transformed washtub, and the cabin has crops scattered all through. A closet has bathrobes and umbrellas for visitor use. 

The lavatory is hidden behind a sliding salvaged door, with a bathe and egg-shaped rest room. The sink is constituted of a transformed statue and the basin can also be constituted of reclaimed supplies. Outside is the soaking tub, with curtains for privateness. 

Food and Drink

The tree homes have the necessities, like espresso makers, and are available stocked with granola bars, s’mores fixings, water, and a bottle of wine. Ruby Falls has a small cafe, however for something extra substantial, you’ll need to enterprise out. Thankfully, the historic St. Elmo neighborhood on the foot of the mountain has loads of choices.

Purple Daisy Picnic Cafe is a longtime favourite, a comfortable bric-a-brac crammed house serving Southern-style barbecue and sides like Brunswick stew and banana pudding. Locals love the housemade pasta at Boccaccia Restaurant. Little Coyote is the most recent from chef Eric Niel, who runs one of the best eating places on the town. The menu is a fusion of barbecue and Tex-Mex, so order a number of dishes to share just like the queso and shrimp al ajillo, plus mezcal and tequila cocktails. 

Activities and Experiences

The tree homes have every little thing you want for a number of nights, together with regionally made toiletries from Good Fortune and low from Goodman Coffee. The microwave and mini fridge are excellent for any snacks you might have considered trying, however don’t count on to cook dinner a full meal throughout your keep. There’s additionally a picnic set if you wish to take it with you mountaineering. 

Use your keep as an opportunity to disconnect, since there’s no tv, although there may be Wi-Fi when you want it. The home has card video games and a file participant. Treetop Hideaways additionally has non-obligatory add-ons like massages, laundry providers, and alcohol supply from a neighborhood store. 

If you’re not claustrophobic, you undoubtedly ought to make a journey underground to see Ruby Falls because you’re staying as shut as you may get. The underground waterfall was found accidentally by Leo Lambert in 1928, who named his discover in honor of his spouse, Ruby. The attraction additionally has a zipper line course. 

Above floor, Rock City is one other longtime attraction on Lookout Mountain, open since 1932. It began as a personal backyard that took on a German fairytale theme. Today, it nonetheless has a nostalgic attraction, with rock formations and handmade dioramas of Mother Goose’s Village.  

The Incline Railway is one other can’t-miss close by attraction, a funicular that travels at a steep incline up the mountain. The automotive has loads of home windows for taking within the view as you experience. You can take the railway one-way and hike again down, or take a round-trip journey.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Dogwood is the ADA-accessible cabin, the closest to the parking zone, with paved entry and a ramp that results in the entrance door. The primary mattress is on the first degree, however there’s a (not accessible) lofted house with one other twin-size mattress, queen-size sofa mattress, and writing desk. The lavatory is accessible, however there are not any seize bars so a shower and bathe chair could also be wanted. There’s additionally a handicap parking spot within the lot.

The cabins come stocked with refillable toiletries as a substitute of single-use merchandise, plus reusable cups and a Brita pitcher you’ll be able to refill. The repurposing of things, like quilts for curtains and outdated barn doorways, is one other sustainability effort. 

Location

Treetop Hideaways at Ruby Falls are situated on Lookout Mountain, providing views of the Tennessee River and the Cumberland Plateau. It straddles the Tennessee and Georgia state strains. While Ruby Falls is a brief drive from downtown Chattanooga, it’s possible you’ll discover it useful to have a automotive, even when you arrive by airplane. Rideshare providers like Uber can be found, however you would possibly must stroll right down to the primary entrance to choose one up.