Winin’, Dinin’ and Moonshinin’ in the Romantic Smoky Mountains

winin-dinin-and-moonshinin-pigeon-forge

Sure, the feathery winter clouds crawling over the majestic mountains and lush evergreens you can smell from your Pigeon Forge, Tennessee cabin’s back deck supplies the perfect romantic setting for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or surprise “just because I love you” trips. In between quiet nights by the fire and laid-back mornings in the hot tub, however, there are some fantastic dates to experience with your significant other – if you know where to look among the hundreds of attractions. There are date nights to fit your favorite tastes and your budget so you can supply your romantic Smoky Mountain getaway with new experiences and memories to last a lifetime together. Here are 5 date night (and day) ideas along with Smoky Mountain favorites to plan a dreamy date your partner will fall head over heels for!

  1. Romantic Date Night Over Drinks and Music
    Ole Red Gatlinburg
    Live music 7 days a week, craft cocktails, and a mouthwatering menu with items like the Champagne of Fried Chicken, Ole Red in Gatlinburg is soon to be the premier venue on the Parkway! Set to open in March 2019, it’s the perfect date night locale to share drinks on the outdoor terrace, dance to some of the South’s biggest up-and-comers hand-picked by Blake Shelton’s Nashville talent team, and fall in love like a country song.

    Margaritaville
    It’s a slice of the island in heaven among the majestic Smoky Mountains at Margaritaville in The Island in Pigeon Forge. Toast delicious, fruity rum drinks, and Coronas on the deck overlooking the Pigeon River, dine among the colorful flora and palms of the Caribbean-style dining rooms, and let loose during a live concert on the weekend. The warm fire dancing in the fire pit at the 5 o’clock Somewhere Bar sets the perfect laid-back romantic mood for your date night at The Island.

    Crystelle Creek
    Woo your special someone with an elegant evening under the glittering branches at Crystelle Creek while sipping on glasses of wine and cutting into some of the most succulent steak you can find in the Smokies. From daily creative chef specials to the lovely atmosphere of rustic elegance and gorgeous natural scenery over the babbling creek, you and your loved one are in for an incredibly romantic evening.

  2. A Day Date Touring Wine Country
    The Rocky Top Wine Tour
    Five award-winning wineries rest in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, boasting a wide-array of styles and atmospheres, like Mountain Valley Winery. Take your love for a day of free tastings and tours for a day date that doesn’t have to break the bank!

    Tennessee Whiskey Tour
    Not really into wine? Take your day-date trek along the Tennessee Whiskey Trail! Tennessee is known for the moonshiners of the mountains and flavorful whiskeys with robust, smooth tastes. With reputable distilleries like Ole Smoky Whiskey Distillery and Sugarlands Cellars, your day-date may just waltz into sundown with live music and good times at many of these distilleries.

  3. A Dinner Date and a Show
    Great Smoky Mountain Murder Mystery Show
    Get into some Smoky Mountain mischief and hearty Southern cuisine in one evening of full-fledged tom-foolery! Share laughs over a mouthwatering dinner and work together to solve the mystery for the Super Sleuth award during 1 of 3 different shows to choose from.
  4. A Day Date Touring the Sights
    Cades Cove
    As one of the most beautiful areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, don’t miss an opportunity to share a romantic picnic among the jaw-dropping scenery of Cades Cove. Under the picnic pavilion, toast to getting away together while sharing a homemade lunch with the majestic horse of Cades Cove Riding Stables grazing in the distance. Before sitting down to your lovely picnic, take a tour of the historic structures and rolling valley of Cades Cove where you will enjoy some prime wildlife viewing and majestic mountain scenery from your vehicle. A Cades Cove picnic is an incredibly dreamy date that does not dig deep into your wallet, which are some of the best moments you can share as a couple!
  5. A Date Night of Takeout and Smoky Mountain Whiskey
    Want to make it a more private affair? Pick up your favorite bottle along the Rocky Top Wine Trail or Tennessee Whiskey Trail before ordering takeout from some of the Smokies’ tastiest eateries like Corky’s BBQ or The Alamo Steakhouse and heading back to your cozy Pigeon Forge cabin. Dine in your own romantic cabin atmosphere with a fire dancing in the hearth or turn on your favorite movies to compliment your meal. Best of all, after your meal is over and food is settled, you can mosey right on into your comfy bed or continue with wine in the bubbly hot tub.