Spring Has Sprung at Rock City with New Attractions, Fresh Flavors, and Blooming Trails

If you’ve been itching to swap winter coats for sunshine and daffodils, Rock City is calling your name. The iconic mountaintop garden is kicking off spring with a colorful mix of blooming flowers, fresh attractions, and plenty of ways to spend a day outdoors—just 15 minutes from downtown Chattanooga.

Now 93 years old and still full of surprises, Rock City is bursting with early spring color—think golden daffodils, purple crocuses, and redbud trees just starting to pop. But the flowers are only part of the fun.

This season, Rock City is rolling out guided walking tours that take guests behind the scenes of its storybook setting. The 90-minute tours dive into the place’s quirky history, like how co-founder Garnet Carter basically invented miniature golf right here before franchising it nationwide under the name Tom Thumb Golf. That same playful spirit lives on in one of the newest attractions—Tom Thumb Timber Roll, a gravity-powered game set across the gardens. It’s part obstacle course, part puzzle, and totally family-friendly.

“We’re blending tradition with something new,” said Rock City President and CEO Doug Chapin. “The gardens are showing off right now, and we’re excited to give guests fresh ways to experience them.”

Also new this spring: Mossbeard. He’s a tree-like character you might miss if you blink—but he’s very much alive, played by beloved local performer Jerry-the-Mime. You’ll find him (if you’re lucky) along Legacy Lane, the accessible path leading to the big views at Lover’s Leap.

There’s also live music in the mix. Old-time fiddler Matt Downer and other local string musicians will be performing throughout the season. You can even get your caricature drawn for free while you snack on seasonal bites like chicken satay, a house-made dip trio, or the extra-decadent bacon cheeseburger burrito. For drinks? Spiked Topo Chicos and fruit-infused lemonade are on the menu.

And for the flower fans, Bloom Watch is officially on. Early blooms are already putting on a show, but azaleas, mountain laurel, and cherry trees are right around the corner. By late spring, the whole garden will be glowing with wildflowers, rhododendrons, and goldenrod.

Spring programming runs through May 11, and Rock City is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Some of the extra experiences do cost a bit more, but the views alone are worth the trip.