The Ultimate Romantic Getaway in Gatlinburg
Between long hours at work, daily chores and time-consuming side-hustles, life gets busy. Too much mundanity for too long can create an obstacle in your relationship. It’s imperative for you and your significant other to make time for one another so that you never lose that spark of attraction and love. Sometimes all you need is to get away from ordinary life for a while and focus on spending meaningful time together.
With frothing fog rolling over emerald forests and radiant sunsets silhouetting gentle peaks, the Great Smoky Mountains are an unequivocal destination for romance. The nearby town of Gatlinburg boasts a variety of romantic things to do to help set the mood. Next time you and your partner dream of escaping to somewhere fresh and beautiful together, start here with this list of Gatlinburg entertainment.
Places to Stay
Bearskin Lodge
Located just minutes from downtown Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bearskin Lodge rests on the Little Pigeon River for a scenic place of rest. With a genuine bear skin hanging at the entrance, fire pits and gas fireplaces, this lodge’s warm ambiance will bring comfort and tranquility to you and your lover after a long day of activity. Bearskin Lodge offers one- and two-bed suites with private balconies overlooking the river. After a restful sleep, come downstairs for complimentary breakfast and then enjoy the outdoor pool and lazy river.
A Variety of Drinks From Around the World That You Must Taste When Traveling
Nature-loving couples will adore Bearskin Lodge for the hiking trail and the fishing hole nearby. Watch the colorful autumn leaves or blossoming spring flowers and feel time slow down with your loved one. More metropolitan-oriented couples will love being able to walk to the Ober Gatlinburg Tram to catch a ride into downtown with breathtaking views.
Diamond Mountain Rentals
Diamond Mountain Rentals provides a range of cozy, romantic cabins and condos tucked away in the woods. Stay at one of their waterfront cabins located on the river — nothing spells romance better than a view over the water! Their amenities include pool tables, complimentary WiFi, a swimming pool and hot tubs, and fireplaces. The most notable aspect of their luxurious, multi-bedroom cabins is their pet-friendly option. There’s no need to find a pet-sitter when your furry friend makes the perfect third wheel on your romantic getaway!
Wine & Dine
Rocky Top Wine Trail
It wouldn’t be a complete article about romantic things to do without some mention of wine! Rocky Top Wine Trail is a free, self-guided tour of the finest wineries in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Start at any winery, grab a passport and earn a stamp at each of the five stops: Hillside Winery, Apple Barn Winery, Sugarland Cellars, Mill Bridge Winery, and Mountain Valley Vineyards.
This adventure is not for the faint of heart, nor for the “light” of “weights”! There are 75 wines to taste in total, making it either an all-day affair with your honey or an elegant excursion to be continued over multiple days. Like we say in the motherland of wine and love, “La vie est trop courte pour boire du mauvais vin!” (Life is too short to drink bad wine!)
Alamo Steakhouse
A romantic dinner date should always involve steak. Alamo Steakhouse has got you covered! Their hand-cut, aged steaks are grilled using an oak fire to retain the maximum amount of savory juices. Their burgers are ground in-house and cooked precisely to order, while their soups and sauces are 100% homemade from original recipes. Pair your mouth-watering steak or ambrosial seafood with a refreshing beer, local wine or Tennessee moonshine. Alamo Steakhouse is perfect for foodie couples looking for a classy date night out combined with a Texan flavor palette.
Mad Dog’s Creamery
You’ll know your person is a keeper if they treat you to ice cream after dinner! A sweet stop by Mad Dog’s Creamery is a must when in Gatlinburg. Not only do they carry 24 tempting flavors of ice cream, but their handmade milkshakes, espresso drinks, floats and affogatos are delightful to slurp as you meander through downtown. Alternatively, grab a table and bring two spoons to share a decadent banana split with your lover. Don’t forget to purchase a couple of donuts to go for later — their variety of donut types and flavors is just too good to pass up!
Romantic Quality Time
Smoky Mountain Riding Stables
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park contains a vast network of trails exploring every corner of the forest. Hiking a few favorite trails is always a great option — but did you know you could get the same immersion in nature and beautiful scenery on horseback? The Smoky Mountain Riding Stables creates a one-of-a-kind experience to share with a significant other. Their expert guides will make even a beginner feel comfortable on horseback. Keep an eye out for turkeys, black bears and deer while taking in the woodland views and fresh air.
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
The most romantic way to conclude any kind of date is to find a pretty place to watch the sun set. Skylift Park embodies this romantic gesture with a chair lift that elevates as high as the mountain peaks. The newer SkyBridge, the longest suspension bridge in all of North America, offers exalting views of the Great Smokies. You and your sweetie can walk out to the middle of the bridge for an adorable selfie haloed in golden sunlight, grand mountains dominating the background. Or, keep the phones stashed away to feel more present together in a stunning mountain fantasy.
The next time you want to treat your partner — be it for an anniversary, a honeymoon, or just ’cause — Gatlinburg should be your top destination choice. Whether you stay in an intimate cabin, share a ravishing meal and rich dessert, or spend quality time in an enchanting environment, the most critical takeaway is having rekindled the fireworks that brought you together in the first place. The ultimate romantic getaway is waiting for you in the Great Smoky Mountains of Gatlinburg.
