Popular tourist destination just 70 miles away

Don?t eat too much for breakfast if you want to squeeze through Needle?s Eye.

Rock City, located just minutes from downtown Chattanooga, is a low-cost family destination about 70 miles from McMinnville. Adult tickets are $14.95 and kids from 3-12 are $7.95.

One of the many highlights is the towering overlook called Lovers Leap. It?s from this spot visitors are said to be able to see seven states ? Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

According to folklore, the overlook was named for two young Indians who fell deeply in love. However their tribes were engaged in a bitter feud, which prompted the couple to run off together.

When they were captured, the young man was tossed over the edge of Lovers Leap. The distraught young lady was so upset she jumped off the edge and plunged to her death.

Another attraction is the Swing-Along Bridge, which stretches 180 feet. The view is spectacular, although the footing is shaky. Rock City officials offer simple advice to people walking across the swinging bridge who are afraid of heights ? don?t look down.

If you like tight places, Rock City features two. The first is called Needle?s Eye and the second is called Fat Man?s Squeeze. Both are aptly named. With cold, stone walls towering close on either side, visitors wedge their way down two narrow passages with little room to spare.

A drawing point for kids is Fairyland Caverns, which includes scenes from such classic stories as Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, and Cinderella.

The Rock City tour is estimated to take about an hour and a half.