LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. – “See Rock City
This famous slogan was painted everywhere, from billboards to the roofs of barns, making it one of the more wildly-successful advertising campaigns in history, helping to draw droves of tourists to this unique outdoor attraction.
Garnet Carter and his wife, Frieda, worked on a housing development overlooking what is today Rock City. The attraction started when Frieda Carter built a walkway and rock garden for the people living in the development.
To promote the new attraction, Carter hired Clark Byers to paint farmers’ barns for free if they would let him paint “See Rock City” on the roof. The campaign worked; the slogan not only helped to draw guests to Rock City, it also became one of the most recognized advertising taglines of all time.
The highlight of Rock City is Lover’s Leap, a natural overlook where travelers can see seven states from one spot. The path leading to and from Lover’s Leap offers an adventure in and of itself, as travelers must traverse winding walkways with stairs and bridges and a number of tight rock formations – one aptly named Fat Man’s Squeeze – just to make it to the top and back to the bottom.
IF YOU GO: From Atlanta, take Interstate 75 north to Interstate 24 west. Take Exit 178 (Lookout Mountain/Market Street) and continue straight. Turn left on Broad Street and then left onto Tennessee Avenue. Then, follow the signs.