Treetop Hideaways

Escape Your Concrete Jungle for a Secluded Getaway in the Trees

Be sure to check out my Itinerary for a Romantic Weekend Getaway in Chattanooga

When I was a kid, I used to love going over to my cousin’s house to play. We would pack up our sack lunches and supplies in backpacks, head to the back yard and jump in the inflatable raft floating at the edge of the pool waiting for our arrival.

We would each grab an oar and head across the waters – a whole ten feet to the other side of the yard.

The adventure would continue across land, a walk down a windy path and a short stretch of freshly mowed grass. In our minds, we were crossing oceans, trekking across the plains of an open prairie, fighting our way through a jungle, and summiting tall peaks.

Off in the distance, at the far edge of the yard, it began to come into sight – the giant wooden house perched high above in the trees, the only way up, a rope ladder. From inside, we had an endless view and unique perspective of the entire neighborhood. Our secret hideout - The TREEHOUSE!

On long summer nights, we would sleep up there under a canopy of stars snuggled up in sleeping bags. We would stay up late telling ghost stories while shining the flashlight creepily up at our faces disguising our voices in deep ghoulish tones, giggling with delight for hours.

We felt as if we were alone in the world looking out, high in the sky, a bird’s eye view of the world.

Fast forward many years. I find myself living a life full of meetings, deadlines, obligations and responsibilities. Reminiscing of those days of old with a sparkle of nostalgia in my eye… longing for simpler times like those playful weekends in that treehouse.

It was on a day like that several months ago when I was overwhelmed by work that I started playing around on the internet. I decided to do some research on fun things to do nearby. Looking for a place to escape. I needed some adventure. I needed a break.

That’s when I found it. **Treetop Hideaways in Chattanooga**.

The inner child in me giggled at the whimsical idea of sleeping high above the ground, perched in the trees like I did so many nights as a child. I scanned the website for details and booked my stay.

**TREETOP HIDEAWAYS**

There’s a reason Chattanooga is the only city to be named by Outdoor Magazine as the Best Town Ever not once, but twice. Nestled in a rolling valley surrounded by the mountains of the Cumberland Plateau and the winding Tennessee River, Chattanooga is a picturesque quaint mountain town full of Southern charm and adventure.

Treetop Hideaways has built five treehouses in the mountains of Chattanooga just miles from the downtown area yet far enough away to be completely private and secluded.

When you pull off the main road, there is a steep hill to a private parking lot where Radio Flyer wagons await so you can cart your luggage to your home away from home.

Even though you are close to town, you feel a million miles away as if stepping back in time into a private, secluded forest.

Each treehouse is built with rustic farmhouse charm using a variety of reclaimed and recycled materials including 1860’s barn wood, old warehouse windows, rough sawn barnwood oak, and old tin ceilings – most of which have a story to tell. All of which give it a warm, whimsical charm full of beautiful imperfections.

The interiors are filled with interesting quirks and oddities that add to the cozy, comfortable vibe including petrified wood sinks, record players with old vintage albums, a 1900s phonograph record player and exposed copper piping.

You can even find a moss-covered birdbath sink, a vintage theater stage spotlight mounted on an antique iron railing and a barn door closet disguised as a bookshelf.

Everywhere you look, there is something interesting to take in.

**GETTING THERE**

Treetop Hideaways is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, a city located to the southeast of Nashville along the Tennessee River, that borders Georgia to the south.

Closest Airports

Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) – This is the closest airport to Chattanooga, approximately 6 miles away.

Nashville International Airport (BNA) – The Nashville Airport is about 135 miles away, or a 2 to 2-1/2-hour drive.

Driving Directions

Once you have booked your stay, Treetop Hideaways will email you detailed driving and parking directions for its treehouses along with a code for keyless entry.

**KNOW BEFORE YOU GO / TIPS**

Here are some tips and things to know when planning your stay at Treetop Hideaways.

The best time to visit is in spring and fall, before and after the peak summer season when temperatures are moderate.

Visit between September and November to see the stunning fall foliage as the leaves change color. There is also a multi-week outdoor adventure festival every October called River Rocks.

Although winter brings colder temperatures and rain, there are a plethora of annual holiday events including the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's North Pole Limited and holiday decor at Rock City making the holidays a fun time to visit.

Treetop Hideaways is great for kids so bring the whole family along.

There are ADA compliant, wheelchair accessible treehouses available.

Chattanooga is on Eastern Standard Time

Parking is located about 300 yards from the treehouses, but do not worry about carrying heavy luggage. Radio flyer wagons are provided to easily transport your belongings.

Mornings are often misty and foggy. Be sure to pack a lightweight rain jacket.

The treehouses are located on the side of Outlook Mountain and right above Ruby Caves making it easy to visit Ruby Falls, Rock City and Outlook Mountain during your stay.
Chattanooga hosts numerous festivals throughout the year that you can plan a trip around including the Riverbend Music Festival, Nightfall Friday-night music series, Riverfront Nights, Three Sisters Bluegrass Festival, Moon River Music Festival, the Chattanooga Market Apple Festival, Bigfoot Fall Festival, Chattanooga Oktober Fest, and the Pumpkin Palooza.

**ACCOMODATION CHOICES**

Treetop Hideaways has two main locations with a total of five treehouses.

ORIGINAL LOCATION

The first two treehouses are located on the side of Lookout Mountain near Rock City, just minutes away from downtown Chattanooga.

**Elements Treehouse** – The most luxurious of the 5 treehouses. Sleeps 4 (queen bed, two twin beds in loft). Built working with Pete Nelson of Nelson Treehouse and host of Treehouse Masters TV Show to showcase and launch his new product line.

**The Luna Loft Treehouse** – Built from reclaimed barn wood where every part tells a story. Sleeps 3-4 (queen bed and fold down couch).

RUBY FALLS LOCATION

There are three treehouses located right above Ruby Falls.

**Dogwood Treehouse** - Floor to ceiling windows along the far wall provide expansive views of a wide bend in the Tennessee River and city below. Sleeps 5 (queen bed on main floor, queen foldout couch in loft and twin bed). Wheelchair accessible

**Wood Lily Treehouse** – Built high in the trees with ample space and charm. Sleeps 4 (queen bed in loft, queen foldout couch).

Redbud Treehouse – Inspiring space with the iconic Ruby Falls barn painting mural painted on the side. Sleeps 4 (queen bed in loft and queen foldout couch). Indoor shower and outdoor soaking tub.

**AMENTITIES**

Every tree house includes all of the necessities of home including the following:

**Kitchenette**

Mini fridge

Bar sink

Plates, bowls, cups and utensils

Complimentary coffee, tea and sparkling water

Complimentary granola bars

Complimentary bottle of wine

Complimentary s’mores kit

**Bathrooms**

Anti-fog vanity mirrors

Bathroom heater (heated floors in some)

High quality, locally sourced artisanal toiletries

Outdoor and/or indoor rain head showers, some with trees growing through them depending on location

A soaking tub hidden in a nook of the wrap around deck - Redbud Treehouse only

**Bedroom Areas**

Queen size beds

Lofts with either queen beds, twin beds and/or queen sofa pull-out beds

Memory foam mattresses on foldout couches

Tuft & Needle mattresses in The Elements and The Luna Loft

All linens provided

**Exterior**

Outdoor fire pit

Seasoned wood and kindling

Outdoor charcoal grill

Charcoal and grilling utensils

Outdoor hammock

Patio area with table and chairs

**Other**

Full climate control

High speed internet

Iron

Record player with vintage records

Board Games/Cards/Books

Picnic Basket

Umbrella

THINGS TO DO NEARBY

Chattanooga is an incredible town with a never-ending list of things to explore. Below are just a few of the best things to do near Treetop Hideaways.

**Hiking**

Chattanooga is home to over 50 trailheads and 150-miles of pristine mountain trails just minutes from downtown. The hiking here is full of natural diversity with many trails leading to incredible waterfalls. Your options are among the best in the country. Chattanooga is also extremely close to Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia which has great hiking.

**Ruby Falls**

Take a journey 260 feet down into the depths of Lookout Mountain into the unworldly intricate maze of caves below where you will find an astonishing 145-foot-tall waterfall, the tallest and deepest underground waterfall in the United States open to the public. For over 95 years, people have been exploring this geological wonder and there are several ways to experience the thundering falls.

There are self-guided walking tours with recorded audio, and more in-depth tours with guides that teach you its storied history. During these tours, the caves and waterfall are light up in colorful lighting with music.

However, my favorite way to experience the cave is on the after-hours Lantern Tour where you can experience the magic in a more natural lighting as the only illumination is from hand-held lanterns provided to guests on the tour. Reservations are required.

The historic Ruby Falls Castle was built in 1929 and the grounds are fun to walk around on. There is a gift shop and Castle Cafe inside. Castle Cafe has great coffee as well as local craft beers on 87 self-pour taps.

Ruby Falls is also home to High Point ZIP Adventure with multiple routes that take you soaring through the treetops..

**Rock City and Lookout Mountain**

Over 90 years ago, in 1932, Rock City owners Garnet and Freida Carter decided to share their incredible “backyard” with the public. The grounds consist of over 4,100 feet of trails that wind their way through the enchanting Rock City Gardens past giant rock formations, a wooden swinging bridge spanning 180 feet suspended in air, the Fairyland Caverns, the Mother Goose Village, magical caves and breathtaking views.

As you wander the grounds, you will undoubtedly make your way up to the spectacular Lookout Mountain viewpoint.

From here you will have an incredible expansive view of the surrounding landscape and actually see seven different states at once - Alabama, Georgia, Kentucy, North Carolina, South Caroliina, Tennessee and Virginia!

There are outdoor table and chairs as well as several oversize Adirondack chairs for you to sit and enjoy the view. There is a restaurant at the viewpoint that serves food, beer and wine.

As you leave the Lookout Mountain viewpoint, be sure not to miss the legendary Lover’s Leap viewpoint that sits above a 90-foot waterfall. Cherokee legend has it that two young lovers Nacoochee and Sautee from two feuding tribes met their fate here when the young brave was captured and thrown from the top, and Sautee leaped to her own death after him.

As you get ready to leave, you will pass the Tom Thumb Golf, a mini golf course that may seem out of place. However, it has an interesting history. In 1924, Rock City Founder Garnet Carter was in the process of developing a residential community on a golf course. When construction slowed, he decided to create a miniature golf course - Tom Thumb Golf, the world’s first minigolf. Thus, the “sport” was invented right there on Lookout Mountain.

At the end of your stay, make sure to make time for the gift shop and Rock City’s Fudge Kitchen.