Lookout Mountain Incline Railway

This was an unexpected enjoyment! The train ride does not take as long as you would think! There are 2 cars that work dependant upon each other. At the halfway point, you pass the other car very closely. The view is spectacular and there is a neat gift shop at the top as well as the bottom.

The view with Incline experience is definitely worth the money spent! It’s about $22 per adult for a round trip. Once at the top, you feel like it’s how looking down from heaven feels like. The views are AMAZING! Plus the rich history. Only a couple of things - bathrooms are kind of awkward & you might have to wait at least an hour to get INTO line. It was kind of confusing. We bought tickets then had to wait over an hour to get into line (ticket at 3:15), but that isn’t when you actually board. We boarded around 3:30 to 3:45. So prepare to wait but the crew and gift shop attendants are so helpful and sweet! SHOUT OUT to the top of the hill engineer driver! He deserves a raise! :)

Had so much fun going up to Lookout Mountain. We decided to take the incline railway and the views were remarkable. This train is handicap, friendly and kid friendly so don’t be afraid to put the stroller on the train. The ride up was about five minutes. We went closer toward the end of the day so we didn’t get to spend much time up in the observation area. So make sure if you’re wanting to spend more time up in the observation area to go earlier in the day, the last train goes down at 5:30pm

Loved the ride on the incline railway! Great trip up and back. View from observation deck was amazing! Spent 2 hours riding and walking around. Great little gift shop and place to grab something quick to eat at top.

We had a great time checking out the Lookout Mountain incline railway. The views are great and there is so much history to take in. The exhibit showing how the railway was built and it's progression really is impressive. Will definitely go back with the kids on our next trip!

An impromptu trip to Chatanooga with very little time and we chose the Incline Railway. Recently renovated and reopened its a very nice area. At the bottom, 2 gift shops and nice clean facilities. The staff was super nice and helpful. It was a bit difficult to understand the narration on the ride up, a bit of a bummer....a nice smooth ride to the top and the run every 30 minutes. Once at the top there is a dual level observation deck, a nice large gift shop and a café and fudge store. You can enter at the top or at the bottom. There is a historic state park at the top within walking distance.....you get plenty of time to spend either. Plenty of eateries again within walking distance at the bottom with a very reasonable large paid parking area.

The Incline Railway is an experience you have to try at least once. The ride itself is smooth, unique, and a little thrilling as you climb up such a steep track. The views along the way are incredible, and once you get to the top, the scenery is breathtaking. It really gives you a whole new perspective of Lookout Mountain and the surrounding area. The staff is friendly and helpful, making sure everything runs safely and on time. The ride is not too long, but it is definitely memorable. The station areas are clean and easy to navigate, and there are plenty of opportunities for photos at the top. If you are visiting Chattanooga or Lookout Mountain, the Incline Railway is a must-do attraction. It combines history, adventure, and amazing views all in one.

Thinking of taking a ride on the incline car? Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your visit: Save on Tickets: Definitely purchase your tickets online beforehand – it's a great way to save a little cash! Parking Perks: Parking is pretty straightforward: it's $3.00 for up to 3 hours or $5.00 for 5+ hours. Time Your Visit: Honestly, you really only need about 3 hours to go up, enjoy the view, and come back down. There isn't a whole lot to do at the very top, so a quick trip is usually sufficient. Restroom Rundown: Just a heads-up, the restrooms at the bottom were unfortunately locked during our visit, so plan accordingly before you head up! Be Prepared for a Wait: While we were told the next car was in 10 minutes, there was a bit of disorganization, and we ended up waiting around 50 minutes in total. The car left without loading passengers, and we were told it would be back in 30 minutes. It felt a bit like a new attraction opening, rather than one that's been around for years, so patience is key! The Ride Itself: Once all the waiting was done, we truly did enjoy the ride up – it's quite a unique experience! While the ride itself is unique, we felt that $44.00 for two people was a bit steep considering the overall experience and the waiting time. Unique? Absolutely! Worth the price? In our opinion, not quite.

I recently had the delight of experiencing the Incline Railway, and it was truly remarkable! The panoramic views from the train were stunning, offering a distinct perspective of the gorgeous landscapes. The staff were welcoming and attentive. The entire journey was seamless and comfortable, and it's evident that much care and attention are devoted to maintaining the railway to ensure an exceptional experience for passengers. At the summit, there's a delightful gift shop with unique souvenirs. The views from the top are awe-inspiring, offering a fantastic panoramic look at the entire city. Nearby, you can find spots to enjoy pizza and pastries, making it an ideal place to unwind and soak in the scenery. This ride is fantastic for children, providing both entertainment and educational value. I highly suggest booking your tickets online. Just be aware that there's a parking fee of $3 for one hour.

First time here with our family of four. It was an interesting time spent here as we bought round trip tickets to go up the incline . Parking was $3.00 for three hours which was reasonable! At the top took some pictures and views were great ! They have a gift shop and the lady making fudge even thought she was busy making fudge was very pleasant to talk to . This is a one and done experience though so although we had fun we have no reason to do it again !

This was a fun experience, but more of a "one and done" for me. The views were fun once we arrived at the top of the observation deck but it was pretty crowded so we waited between railway cars for the crowd to clear up and soak in the view. Unfortunately many guests leave trash all over the place. Buy tickets in advance! No air conditioning in the rail car. Its a nice, slow ride to the top and back down, and you can ride back down (if you purchase a round trip ticket) whenever you're ready. Gift shop is pretty cool, clean, and they have different goodies and food to purchase. The ride itself had some cool views but many of the trees kind of blocked the view. We did see some deer in the woods! Pretty cool. It's a fun experience to try out with the family one time.

It's overpriced for what it is. It is a nice easy trip to do but you world be more amazed at Lookout mountain. The viewers at the top don't work but they will take your money.

I mean... I think it's a cool experience, but is it worth it at the top? Probably not. Good for a few photos, but otherwise than that it's meh. Your ticket on the incline Railway is basically the rail ride itself. When you get to the top, they advertise that they have food, but that food is literally hot dogs and pizzas that looked like it came out of a frozen box/gas station. You know, the pan pizzas/hot dogs that you is usually available there. There's a gift shop at the top but other than that, nothing really memorable or mentionable. Where you go up there for is for the view. There's a very nice view overlooking all of Chattanooga which I have to say is where the incline Railway makes their money. If you're interested in views and a unique experience, I think you could like coming here. If you walk 3 blocks, you can also get some civil war history experience as well. I didn't do that, but that is an option for those who come here. The railway runs every 10 minutes, up and down until 8:40PM I believe. Parking costs $2.40 (.40 for processing) but there's plenty of it. If you have park mobile, I would suggest to just pay through the app and skip standing in line to pay for your parking spot. Overall, it's okay. I think the attraction is here for those trying to find things to do or for those who like views and a little bit of history.

I was highly disappointed. With all the raving reviews I thought there was a lot to experience here but there wasn't. A $20 ticket to ride a trolley up a long, steep hill. That's the bottom line for this place. Plus, if you park in the lot you have to pay there too. $3 for 3 hours. I was so excited to go thinking other things was included in the price. Arrived and parked. They have portable bathrooms in the lot. Don't use them because right around the corner are bathrooms. Purchased my ticket - there's a one way fee or 2 way fee. 2 way fee $20. The train runs like every 10 to 15 mins. Be careful boarding the train because the steps are sloped. And the slow trek uphilll begins. It's a nice ride because of how steep it is. Views are limited because of thr trees and stuff. The train is hot. You'd think they'd make it have air conditioning- it definitely needs it. The ride doesn't take long. At the top there's a gift shop that sells fudge, quick bite to eat, and souvenirs. There's some observation decks and they have coin operated binoculars. The view was nice. Other than that there's nothing else to do. A few blocks down in Pointe park and a confederate museum but there's nothing else to do. Overall, I wouldn't recommend. And it's definitely over priced. Should be about $5. There's a mural that shows the history and evolution of the railway. That was interesting.

This is a very enjoyable ride however it would be greatly improved if the engineer would talk about the area as you go up and down. Just sitting there is ok but a little lack luster

Views at the top are a bit disappointing. For us, this ride was only worth it if you're also planning a visit to Point Park which is just a 5-10 minute walk from the upper station. As for the incline ride, the railcars seem a lot nicer than Pittsburgh's Duquesne Incline (if you've ever been). Note: there's no AC if you're visiting during the warmer summer months but if you're visiting in the colder months, the railcars are heated. We visited in December and it was a comfy ride. As of 12/30/21, passenger masks are required and there's plexiglass shield dividers as you're waiting to board. TIPS: - Make sure you keep your ticket because it's required for the ride up AND down. There's also coupons on the back of your ticket (i.e. free popcorn or discounts at the Rock City Starbucks) - For parking, skip the line at the lower level kiosk by downloading the Park Mobile app. You'll just need to scan the QR code for the lot location. For either option (app or kiosk), you'll need your license plate number so snap a quick picture if you don't know it by heart. - The entry for Point Park is $10 per adult (16 & up). Kids free. Admission is good for a 7-day period (keep your ticket). The views from Point Park are worth the quick walk from the Incline upper station. Otherwise, the incline ride alone may leave you feeling a bit disappointed. - If you need a quick snack, Clumpies Ice Cream is literally a few steps away as you exit the lower station railcars.

First time doing this attraction. It has been on my must do list for a long time. Decided to take a weekend trip up to Chattanooga today. I love coming here! The weather was perfect! Nice, bright, and sunny. My husband and I were in line a few minutes before it opened up for the day. $15 per adult. Not too bad. Train was on time going up and down the incline. So many Instagram worthy photos to take at the top. Gift shops on both ends too. Great to do for dates or family time.

Fun thing to do with family or as a date. The wait wasn't too long. There's a gift shop up top and great views. When we went back down we got some ice cream that right next to the train and went to eat lunch at 1885 grill.

It was a unique experience - glad we did it, but do your research before you go, so you know what you want/plan to do once you get to the top. You can go to a Civil War Museum and there is a national park that you can pay to get into and walk around/take pictures. Other than that, nothing to see or do.

This was such a nice ride up the mountain. I felt very safe too. There's no AC so be prepared for that. The views are amazing and there's a nice gift shop/cafe at the top. Definitely a great start to your trip in Chattanooga.

Pretty cool place to go and checkout the scenery!! We always enjoy going there when in the area!!

After looking up sights to see in Chattanooga the Incline Railway kept appearing as one of the most see attractions. I decided to purchase tickets and take my family. On the website, they have the number of available tickets for each day and time slot and explain that the tickets are valid for a specific date and time. When we purchase are tickets there were only 10 tickets left and we purchase five of them. We arrived 15 minutes early like the website suggested to make our time of 1430. Once there we notice people buying tickets at the ticket booth and immediately getting in line. The days and times are irrelevant because you can just show up and get in line. We waited 45 minutes past the scheduled time before boarding the train. Which interfered with the rest of our day's plans. This frustrated us as well as other families we talked to inline. The train ride was interesting but if you just want to see the observation deck then save yourself some money and drive to the gift shop address provided below. 827 E Brow Rd, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350

10 minute backward incline ride up the mountain and 10 minutes back when you're ready. If you're going in the summer, be sure to go early in the morning because there's no air conditioning in that car. You're at the mercy of a breeze through the open windows. There's a nice gift shop at the top and snack bar as well. The views are great, but as one poster said, "they're much better at Rock City."

Today is a scorcher, but the ride was still nice and worth the trip up to overlook the city. The gift shop and snack was busy as expected as people are getting out more. The rail cars are fairly new. They were installed May 2020. Some people wore masks, but many did not. No one took issue with either. If you just want to take the city view, this is a good way to do it. I recommend buying tickets in advance for desired times. Many people had to wait for later times due to sold out time slots. Happy travels and take a ride up Lookout Mountain from the TN or GA side.

This place has two addresses listed on Yelp so here's review 2: Basically if you have any mobility issue, skip this place. Lots of stairs and the staff is not accommodating. The car operator we had was not personable. They don't offer any audio guide on the way up or down. Their historical information is a few photos in the restroom hallway. Pretty disappointing. If you go for the views, remember all seats are backward facing on the way up. Be the first in line for the down trip to get a front row view.

This Incline rail was a fitting way to start our day in Chattanooga. This is appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. The lookout deck at the top presented a panoramic view of the area. Worth the cost and wait.

Was very underwhelmed by the Incline Railway. It is suuuuper steep at the top, which is quite astounding for a slow rail train but overall thought it was a waste of $$$ if you can simply drive up to lookout mountain and appreciate the view for free (this train was about $15 a person). Was happy that mask wearing was enforced inside the tight train car!

This train ride really blew my mind. It is soooooo steep! The view from the observation decks are awesome. We had a pretty clear day, so we could see for miles. I avoided the gift shop but that area was really busy. I had set the bar really low because I had heard it was a tourist attraction and not much else. I was glad that I enjoyed it way more that I initially thought I would. I loved everything but the cost. We saved some money purchasing the train and look out mountain tickets together. You should do this at least once.

I read some of the reviews and I am so glad my husband and I didn't have a bad experience. The staff wasn't unfriendly however they wasn't really knowledgeable about things. The view was beautiful. We both Enjoyed it!

Cool piece of history and gorgeous view of Chattanooga. The rail cars are custom built at a 22° angle and a glass roof, which seems puzzling until you're halfway up the mountain. Would have been nice to have some AC or a fan on board! Trains run every 30 minutes. 1 way trip is $11 for adults 2 way trip is $16 for adults A bit pricy in my opinion! Easily 5 stars if it was either more comfortable or less expensive.

This was a fun ride down & back up the side of Lookout Mountain, and I'm glad I could experience it again with my mom! I say "again" because Mom told me that she & my dad took me & my younger sister on the incline a hundred years ago. OK, she probably said "about 40 years ago", but I don't really remember the experience so its more history than a personal memory. Evidently I chose the wrong address on Google Maps so we ended up at the Upper Station, which wasn't terrible because the scenery on the drive was amazing & I found the residences along the route up the mountain completely fascinating. The cost for the incline was reasonable, about $15, plus tax, and the line to ride was very short. However, the gift shop was unbearably crowded, as it spilled into the walkway. The bathrooms were older & barely semi-clean, but the hallway leading to them was lined with historic photos of both the incline & long-gone hotels on Lookout Mountain. The Upper Station also featured two additional levels of viewing, of which the top level is noted to be the highest elevation public observation area on Lookout Mountain. And, WOW, the views were incredible! The Lower Station was more spread out, but the line to board the incline was excruciatingly long. Also, the queue pointedly passes through a photographic green screen and riders are instructed to pose for a photo with an option to purchase later. Mom was having none of that upsell tactic and kept walking, so I followed of course. We had bought ice cream at Clumpie's (at the lower station) so we enjoyed finishing our snacks as we waited in line. This was a really fun experience, and I'd ride again if future traveling companions were interested. The steep incline was exciting and the views were awesome. I enjoyed the history also. We went on a cool day so the lack of A/C (or heat?) wasn't a big issue but it still felt a bit stuffy so I understand how that could be a huge negative on a hot (or cold) day.

I give it five stars solely on the ride back down. I had a very nice conversation with Mike the driver. He was the highlight of the experience.

Let me start of by saying I'm afraid of heights... With that being said this is more of a recap of a traumatic story with a happy ending. I can say that even with my fear I can still give an unbiased review.... *breathes deeply* Signs for parking are not clear but you have to drive past it and it's a huge lot to your right. It's only $2 for the entire day. The tickets can be bought online or at the ticket booth. Lots to do and eat around the train both at the top and bottom and you can also purchase other attractions as well. The Train I started at the bottom and went to the top. So the seats are standard and the train is clean. People are allowed to carry their Dogs (small dogs), just in case you are allergic. It's about a 20 min ride up with a computerized guide giving you history, development and running. The first 14 gave me so much courage. Minute 15 my body felt the 72 degree incline before I did. The next mins everyone is bracing themselves bc you feel like you are slowly sliding into the person in front of you. We've reached the top hooray but we are still at this steep incline. It doesn't level off and you literally are clawing your way out of the train. I was calling Jesus name with every step. Oh be prepared to wait inline it too 40 mins in line to go up and an hour to get back. Everyone has to exit the train upon arrival and join the long line. The views were breath taking in the observatory up stairs. Don't worry there's an elevator if you are traumatized. The return computerized dialogue appealed to any history buff out there especially me . Suggestions avoid high peak tourist times, and be prepared to wait.

I was Extremely disappointed with the customer service. we bought our tickets online and left rock city and were an hour early for our scheduled time. Two tired kids in the car, I walked to the ticket booth to see if we could get on earlier than our 3pm appointment. The lady at the desk was extremely unfriendly and said there was low capacity for the train leaving in thirty minutes and that I could try, but it probably wouldn't happen. so I went back and waited in the car until our scheduled appointment. The line looked way longer than the trains capacity and I asked another employee about the line and he said, that we could not get one this train at 3 but maybe next one. So, we ended up waiting for 1.5 hours to ride the train when the lady at the ticket booth could have told me that the appointment time didn't matter, just jump in line a wait for the next available train. *** just note that you ticket time does not matter and that there is not social distancing. *****

Very disappointed. Grumpy staff, dirty bathrooms, everything needed cleaning and painting except for the new trains. I would drive to the top for free next time.

We purchased our tickets for a 230 train online. It states, print tickets out for faster service- which we did . After waiting in line to board for over 50 minutes the "conductor" Chris told us that he couldn't scan our tickets. We asked him what to do and he said we had to go back and wait in an even longer line to exchange the tickets for something he can scan. Everything was fine until he copped an attitude and told us we could just leave that he didn't care. Extremely unprofessional and rude. Chris definitely needs to be retrained in customer service or put into a position where he doesn't deal with customers.

This is fine, but not worth coming out of your way for. I paid for a $32 ticket that included this and Ruby Falls, but apparently you can get MUCH cheaper tickets by just showing up. I think Ruby Falls is even less exciting than this, so I am feeling a bit ripped off. Skip both, do Rock City. Rock City has better views, with gorgeous whimsical gardens. I came at off peak times so there was no wait- thank god! I can't imagine waiting for this. The incline is steep - we had some people who are afraid of heights and the extreme forward tilt as you near the top had them stressed. I sat right up front by the giant open windows and loved it, but I was holding on to the bars in front of me (as was everyone). This doesn't level out once you've reached the top, and you basically climb your way out of the car. On the way up and down, there are two recordings telling of the history of Chattanooga and that was interesting. The views from the top are fine, but like I said, there are better ones to be had. They have those lookout binoculars, no one had quarters, and if I paid for the ticket make the damn things free if the view is the whole reason we're there.

Bought tickets online. Waited in line for an hour and then was told "you have to go to the ticket booth to get your tickets ." Even though the email clearly stated they could scan them at the gate. The other attractions on the same website all scanned at the gate. The white boy working the gate was very rude about the fact. The girl at the ticket booth was kind enough to give us the number for the office. Yet I have called twice and left two messages and have received zero calls back. Line was just as long as when we joined it. So we skipped out on waiting in line for another hour and just drove to the top...... also they sale tickets for certain times, and a limited number of tickets. Apparently it doesn't matter what time you show up though.

We love this attraction, so unique and views were amazing. The inclination of the railcar was awesome although some people were very uncomfortable with the ride once it started going up about half way of the journey. The inclination of the car is of an angle about 72. Price found it reasonable and thanks to other fellow yelpers, buying the tickets separate is the way to go. Wait lines can get really long. We were lucky that at the time of our arrival the wait was about 20 mins or less. By the time we got back down, the wait was 2 hrs.

I'm in this hotbox of a rail car right now, and if we were animals, firefighters would be rescuing us right now. The rail car isn't air conditioned, the windows don't open, and the car is all glass above the seats. It is unreasonably hot and I like heat! The smells from the other passengers as they bake is overwhelming and not at all delightful. I wish I had never heard of this oven simulation device.

Fun experience, even if it is a bit touristy. Enjoyed the history. Much steeper than I expected.

Fun. There is an option to leave the railway at the top to take pics and buy souvenirs. I

Didn't even get to ride the train the guy told us to buy a mask at the gift shop so we went and did that came back and as soon as we got back he left us lmao our friend saved us two seats there were 5 empty and still left. Also the manager said he would be fired and as soon as we got to our car the sent him back to work. Drove 3 hours for this, don't waste your time or money.

Short trip, but there are few things like this ride left. At the top you can disembark and go to some sites off the tower. We went on a foggy day and couldn't see much. The effect however of traveling through a cloud was awesome though, especially when you hear the story of the Civil War battle fought here.

Visited yesterday. I dont even like being on a ferris wheel but this was good. A bit scary for me at the steepest points but I think this is a must (plus Ruby Falls) if you travel to Chattanooga, especially for your first time. What I didnt like about the Incline Railway: the womens restrooms were hideous in terms of smell. The small size was okay. But the smell was awful.

Awesome experience!! Just breathtaking Doesn't look like much but believe me it's an unforgettable experience.

We had tickets for 4:30. No one checked the time on any tickets and we waited in a hot crowded line for 45 min and then the railway car was extremely hot. No breeze or air movement at all. beautiful view from the top, just drive yourself

I have a weird thing for cable cars and the like. During my planning for a trip to Rock City I saw there was an Incline Railway so I added it to my list. We stopped there first and discovered a few things that I didn't realize during my planning. The railway doesn't actually take you to Rock City, it just takes you up and down the mountain. Make sure that you know how long you want to be there because you have to pay the parking meter based on how long you want to be there. The ride was pretty neat, and the rail "car" itself was fun. They have audio playing during the ride explaining about the railway and the area. The view from the top is nice.There are stores both at the top and the bottom.

Incline Railway up to Lookout Mountain is a great time! It's the first thing me and my father did when we arrived in Chattanooga, Tennessee. There weren't any lines, we bought tickets and hopped on the first railway car up to the top. I must say the incline/decline is pretty steep and it's remarkable how you traverse the railway. The ride up to Lookout Mountain is about 15-20 minutes and the operator speaks to you and explains all about the incline railway. Once you arrive at the top, the views of the state of Tennessee are nice. I believe you could see farther into other states...which you do when you visit Rock City Gardens...which I found the views to be much grander. We did have a relatively clear day. We spent about a half hour at the top of Lookout Mountain, got some souvenirs and went back down on the railway. Lookout Mountain Incline Railway is definitely a unique and worthwhile experience. I enjoyed my time taking the railway up and down Lookout Mountain and the views up top were refreshing! Definitely do this when you're in Chattanooga!

Bought tickets for 12:30PM. Train didn't get here till 12:37PM. Couldn't get on that train because they booked too many people and had to wait for next train which did not arrive until 1PM. 30 bucks and $2 dollar parking for a terrible experience. These guys can go screw themselves. If I buy tickets for 12:30, I should be able to get on with 12:30 give or take 5 minutes. Your failure to plan your capacity should not screw the rest of my day over because I had other events planned. Horrible.

Masks required. They weren't able to accommodate a refund when tickets were bought online.

I had the greatest time riding the Lookout Mountain Incline. It is the world's steepest passenger railway station and has been in operation since 1895. The ride takes about 15 minutes with spectacular views. There is on-site parking for a daily rate. The ticket is $15 for adults and $7 for children. As you are going up you can look out the windowed roof at the horizon or the side windows at local houses as they go by. Once at the top there are scenic overlooks at the station along with food and a gift shop. I highly suggest you take the short walk to the historic Point Park ($5 donation) which is the location of some major battles of the civil war. Along the way, you will see the amazing houses lining the mountain. Plus, you can grab some Clumpy's ice cream! At the bottom of the mountain there is a small town with places to eat and drink!

Amazing! I've been there a few times when I was little and always love coming back! Great views as well!

I personally was a little underwhelmed with the train ride itself, it's still fascinating that it can go up such a steep incline so smoothly. I think if I would've been able to snag one of the front seats, it would've been a little neater as I would've been able to see a little more. The view at the top is beautiful and I would definitely do this again, now knowing what to expect.

This is one of those experiences that is once in a lifetime, so go for it! I am afraid of heights, but felt secure in this incline rail car which appeared to be NEW! Of course, it's not the car, but the braking system underneath it that makes it safe and secure. The climb get steep towards the top and you feel like you are stepping out of an elevator when you get to the top level. There is only one way to get on the railway, and that is at the bottom. While you are riding up, the return car is going back down. There is a gift shop at the top where you can buy soft drinks, hot dogs, popcorn, and pizza. We decided to eat up there and it wasn't bad. There are viewing platforms where you can see the whole city. If you want to see some magnificent views from the top of the mountain you can walk up the street to Point Park (National Park Service) or you can drive up there as they have free parking behind the park office.

This funicular is funky old (since 1895... stellar engineering, I'd say) and very steep... especially after it hits Scenic. 1400 something odd feet ascension and 1 mile in length.... completely memorable ride to get atop Lookout Mountain.. just minutes away from city center. Loved it.... the wait getting down the mountain can be quite long, and it can also get rather windy and chilly up there, waiting. Allow you to sit on the steps, if one doesn't want to wait for next car, and doesn't mind braving shoe dirt on bum. Amazing views... pretty at Point Park... there are 2 stops. we took the one at the base, in historic St Elmo town.... after eating, we literally went INTO the mountain to Ruby Falls, and marveled agog at some more spectacular sights... this time a waterfall emanating from within the mountain, its source. to this day, unknown. amazing stuff. Chattanooga is such a beautiful, chill city... 4th largest in state of TN. Such a very popular place for families to bring young kids...even toddlers.. everything goes slowly on this rail. There is popcorn, fudge, candy, chocolate for sale at the depot up top. $5 all day parking at St Elmo Station down below. 1:40 easy, easy drive from ATL.

Cool tourist spot! We went on a Saturday morning and had little to no wait -- rides launch every 20 minutes. Decent view, neat gift shops, has a penny machine. Everyone was polite and informative! Took our four year old and he had a great time.