The Lost Sea

On our drive back from Chattanooga, TN, we visited one of the Southern Highlands Attractions I'd always wanted to see:  The Lost Sea Adventure.  You know:  the caves with the boats!  Growing up, I dreamed of visiting these and would always pick up brochures from travel centers, wondering what it would be like to ride boats on the underground lake in the caves.  It was high time to find out.

Lost Sea Adventure welcomes you with a bright tunnel into the Earth, Elijah's favorite part of the trip.  Then, there's caverns--very open caverns with high ceilings and beautiful lighting.  We learned that the caves were one of the first electrified attractions in the region, and folks once came just to see the lights.  No wonder, as the lighting is some of the most beautiful we've seen in a commercialized cave.  On the tour, you descend slowly towards the famous multi-acre lake, hearing stories along the way (like how civil war soldiers left graffiti on the walls) and taking in various formations (like cave flowers). 

The lake itself is a little treasure, America's largest-known underground lake.  As Justin puts it, it doesn't look exactly like it does on the brochures.  The lighting is more mysterious, and the "glass bottom" boats are boats with strips of glass in the center.  However, you do see trout while riding aboard, and the sensation of looking down 30-50 feet to see the beauty of some lit cavern features is something else.

To fellow roadside attractions fans and families with children, we recommend stopping off in Sweetwater, TN, if you are in the area for the experience; the drive from Chattanooga to Sweetwater is an easy one.  The caverns are humid, limiting the need to "bundle up."  Be prepared for a few heights, and know many pathways are packed clay when picking your shoes.  There is a "village" of other attractions on site, but these were less impressive to us.  We did score vintage souvenirs in one of the gift shops, including old logo tac pins and postcards.  A loss?  No souvenir Christmas ornament. 

Relevant Websites:
The Lost Sea Adventure