Lookout Mountain’s major attractions are reopening this week ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, but the tourist sites will have new restrictions to help limit the possible spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Rock City Gardens, which opened to season ticket holders on Monday after a two-month shutdown, will reopen to all guests Thursday with capacity limitations per hour. The reopening comes on the 88th anniversary of the initial opening of Rock City Gardens in Lookout Mountain, Georgia in 1932.
Less than four miles to the south over the state line in Tennessee, Ruby Falls resumed its cave tours on a limited basis on Tuesday. Those going to see the underground waterfall must wear a mask. Tour groups will be limited in size, and social distancing will be practiced wherever possible.
“Ruby Falls guests have been very supportive of the Tennessee Pledge protocols we’ve implemented, and our team has pulled together behind the scenes to make reopening as safe as possible,” Ruby Falls communications manager Lara Caughman said. “It truly is a team effort, at a social distance.”
Hugh Morrow, president of Ruby Falls, said the 91-year-old attraction is running at 10% to 20% of capacity and he said “the process is flowing well” in observing the recommendations of the Tennessee Pledge.