We all know who the best mom in the world is. Our own! When we’re young, they feed and bathe us, change our diapers, and teach us right from wrong. As we grow, they become our Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, doctor, teacher, chauffeur, confidante, and warden (for our charming teenage years). When we become adults, our moms suddenly become even smarter while remaining our go-to for everything we need. Unfortunately, moms don’t always get the appreciation they deserve. Mother’s Day is the perfect time to say “Thank you” for everything.
The Great Smoky Mountains – both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg – has plenty of great options for Mother’s Day gifts, activities, and even getaways! If you’re looking for something unique and special for this Mother’s Day, head to the Smokies! You can get beautiful handmade gifts, book a fantastic cabin to surprise her, book an excursion in the Smokies, or just spend a weekend exploring the area together. Whatever you do, make it something new and unique for your mom!
Enjoy a scenic ride on the Aerial Tramway to Ober Gatlinburg.
One of the best ways to get views of the Smokies is with a ride on the Aerial Tramway, taking you high above the trees and up to the fun of Ober Gatlinburg. When you get to the top, do something unique like ice skating or zipping down on the Alpine Slide.
Tour the Titanic Museum Attraction.
Exploring the Titanic in Pigeon Forge is truly a unique experience. You’ll get the boarding pass of an actual passenger, explore the ship’s rooms, walk the Grand Staircase, touch an iceberg, and have a memorable experience. Bonus points if you buy her a beautiful souvenir from the gift shop!
Spend the afternoon at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
In the heart of downtown Gatlinburg is Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, home to thousands of incredible underwater creatures. Bring mom here to watch penguins play, touch stingrays, walk beneath hammerheads and sea turtles, see dive shows, and more!
Have steaks cut tableside – with a water view – at The Peddler Steakhouse.
Want to really pamper mom with a nice dinner? Take her to The Peddler Steakhouse, where she can have her steak cut by the table, take her pick on the large salad bar, have a glass of wine, and enjoy a water view.
Play for the day at Dollywood.
Even if your mom isn’t much for roller coasters, Dollywood offers so much more. They have live shows – like Country Crossroads, Dreamland Drive-In, and Kingdom Heirs to name a few – that she’ll love, along with lots of shops, restaurants, and games that will make you both feel like kids again!
Have a beautiful meal with the freshest ingredients at The Wild Plum Tea Room.
This Austrian-style tea room, located in the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, The Wild Plum serves up homemade treats for a memorable meal with Mom. Enjoy lobster pie, yellowfin tuna, tomato bisque, freshly made salads, delicious desserts, and much more.
Spend a day at The Island in Pigeon Forge.
With shops, sweet treats, celebrity-owned restaurants, the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, rocking chairs around a show fountain, live music at Ole Smoky Moonshine, the St. Somewhere Spa, the Old Time Photo shop, and more, you can spend the entire day playing, shopping, and pampering your mom!
GREAT GIFTS FOR MOM
From outlet shops and boutique stores to art galleries and pottery places, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have tons of options for your mom’s perfect gift. Need some help deciding what to get her? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Essentials oils and herbs from Blossom (The Island)
- Hand-thrown pottery from The Honey Pot (The Village Shops)
- Hand-bottled, locally made wine from Bootleggers Winery (The Island)
- Get some decadent treats at Harry & David (Tanger Outlets)
- A special and one-of-a-kind piece of art (Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community)
- A special candle from Candle Cottage (The Village Shops)
- Soothing bath goodies from Nourish Natural Bath Products (The Island)
- Beautiful sterling jewelry from The Silver Tree (The Village Shops)
- Some homemade candy from Aunt Mahalia’s or Kilwin’s
- A personalized bag or scarf from Monogram Boutique (The Island)
- A fun Tervis tumbler (The Island)
- A gorgeous piece from Thomas Kinkade at The Village (The Village Shops)
- A new outfit from J. Crew Factory (Tanger Outlets)
- A special piece of jewelry from Zales The Diamond Store (Tanger Outlets)
A WEEKEND GETAWAY FOR MOM
Surprising your mom with a Mother’s Day getaway is the perfect way to really pamper her! We have some beautiful 1-2 bedroom cabins in Pigeon Forge where you can let your mom relax and kick her feet up. You can browse by amenity (get her a hot tub on the deck!) and pick what’s perfect for her. Book a cabin and spend your weekend bringing her sweet tea as she rocks on the deck, playing pool, watching your favorite old movies, or roasting marshmallows over the fire pit!
