Top 10 Picks For Couples for a Romantic Smoky Mountain Escape

Imagine dark, starry skies above the mountain tree lines and the sounds of cicadas chirping in the forests. You are holding your favorite person’s hand and have a glass of wine in the other after an adventurous day of kayaking, hiking, shopping, and eating in downtown Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. No thoughts of stress to interrupt these romantic moments with your special someone in your mountain cabin. This summer, escape to the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains to reconnect, unwind, and reignite the passion with the person who means the most. While there are no limits to the adventures and memory-making moments in the Smokies, these are our top 10 picks for a couple’s romantic summer getaway:

  1. Romantic Dinner at The Peddler Steakhouse
    Built in the same structure as the original Ogle cabin, one of the first families to permanently settle in the Smoky Mountains, this rustic cabin restaurant lends an intimate atmosphere. Here they serve up savory, fresh-cut steaks grilled over hickory charcoal, along with flavorful seafood and chicken dishes. Request riverside dining to gaze across picturesque views of the babbling waters in the golden light of summertime dusk.
  2. Fun Afternoon Kayaking the Pigeon River
    Exploring is better together! Whether you are getting into this water sport for the first time or you’re a seasoned paddler, kayaking in the Smokies is especially fun because of the gorgeous scenery and the variety of rapids along the Pigeon River. Rent an inflatable kayak and put off into the Lower Pigeon River with Smoky Mountain Rafting. Inflatable kayaks tend to be much more comfortable than the hard plastic kind and easier to navigate, promising you and your partner a fun-filled day on the river!
  3. Breathtaking Views From the Gatlinburg Sky Lift
    Sit back and relax while you hold hands during a peaceful ride on the Gatlinburg Sky Lift to the summit of Crockett Mountain. Along your ride, snap pictures of heartwarming views of the city of Gatlinburg nestled among towering, rolling mountains and lush green forestry. Miles upon miles of skyline along the majestic mountain peaks keep you in awe of the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains.
  4. Cuddly Movie Nights in the Cabin
    Many of our cabins boast home theaters and large flatscreen TVs, perfect for an intimate movie night with no uncomfortable arm rests or sky-high prices! Rent a movie on RedBox or check ahead of time to see if your cabin offers HBO, Netflix, or other movie providers. Grab your bag of popcorn from the microwave, start a dreamy fire, and snuggle up on sofa for a cheap, romantic date night in the cabin!
  5. Lovely Summer Nights In Downtown Gatlinburg
    From June 22 to August 11, venture into downtown Gatlinburg any night after 6 p.m. for a truly magical treat! Tunes and Tales introduces guests to authentic Smoky Mountain heritage through street performers telling stories, singing songs, playing instruments, and portraying life in the Smokies during the 1800s! After perusing the unique shops and stopping for ice cream, hold hands while strolling through this free event in downtown as the sun slowly drops over the mountains for a dreamy, entertaining evening.
  6. Rocky Top Picnic Wine Trail
    While the Rocky Top Wine Trail is open year-round to tour, the Picnic Wine Trail is a special event only happening in the summer! On Saturday June 2, 2018, visit Mountain Valley Winery, Hillside Winery, and Sugarland Cellars and be treated to a glass of wine perfectly paired with delicious picnic-style fare. Tickets are $25 before April 30 and $30 after; the ticket includes your 3 glasses of wine and food-pairing, along with souvenir stemware to take home! Picnic on the Rocky Top Wine Trail for a unique afternoon date before relaxing in the cabin!
  7. Craft Beer at the Smoky Mountain Brewery
    Do you and your beau share craft beer love over wine? Head to Smoky Mountain Brewery for a date night with delicious brews and saucy wings! In business for over 20 years, the experienced brewers at Smoky Mountain Brewery have hung their hats on 6 staple beers and 4 seasonal brews. Savor the robust tastes of the Tuckaleechee Porter or the smooth hops of their class India Pale Ale while trying to decide on dinner from their extensive menu!
  8. Breathtaking Helicopter Tour
    With rides starting as low as $29 per passenger, a Scenic Helicopter tour is a breathtaking way to see the Smokies like never before! Snap some incredible pictures of the mountains and untouched natural landscapes before getting a selfie of you and your partner in your helicopter gear! Views like this are something you and your loved one will cherish for a lifetime.
  9. Ride Hand-In-Hand on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel
    Summer evening sights of downtown Pigeon Forge are dominated by the magical lights of the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at The Island as it slowly rotates against the night sky. Revisit your childhood days of going to the local fair with that girl or guy you really liked and take a classic ferris wheel ride! Not to mention, The Island is packed with shopping, sweets, and cool attractions like the hypnotic dancing fountains!
  10. Dreamy Picnic on Scenic Andrews Bald
    Slow life down and enjoy the beauty of nature with a hike to one of the most picturesque spots in the Smokies, Andrews Bald. Pack a picnic lunch and some wine into your backpacks and set out to this peaceful pasture nestled high among the mountains for a romantic picnic surrounded by miles of mountain views. The hike is not too hard, either, thanks to recent reconstructive work on the trail by local charities! Lay out your blanket and take the most peaceful nap ever next your favorite person on the planet.