As a passionate traveler, my husband and I set out to explore the food, hotel and nightlife in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. While many travel blogs suggest Gatlinburg as a family-friendly destination, my husband and I had a great time here alone. This walkable town completely surprised me, and you’re about to fall in love pretty fast, too!
Highlights
- How to balance romantic dates with outdoor adventure based on my firsthand experience at various activities around Gatlinburg.
- How to navigate the best food and drink spots , including recommendations on where to dine and play for every type of couple.
- Logistical tips to save money and reduce stress , featuring firsthand suggestions on exactly where couples should stay.
Editor’s Note: The writer was partially hosted.
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How to Balance Romantic Dates with Outdoor Adventure
Outdoorsy couples will find plenty of things to do in Gatlinburg. Thanks to its beautiful backdrop in the Smoky Mountains, most couples visiting this great spot spend lots of time outdoors. Whether you’re looking to hike in the Smoky Mountains, sit by the pool, or just want to play a round of mini-golf, everyone can find a way to enjoy time outdoors here.
My Favorite Outdoor Activities
- Anakeesta: Visiting Anakeesta was one of my favorite outdoor activities from my trip. It is an outdoor mountain-themed attraction park with great viewpoints, featuring chairs overlooking the mountain.
- Tree Top Sky Walk: Located at Anakeesta, this was a personal highlight for soaking in the beautiful backdrop of the mountains.
- Gatlinburg SkyPark: Another incredibly popular outdoor choice for couples seeking romantic viewpoints.
- Astra Lumina: Located inside Anakeesta, this nighttime enchanted walk is a unique nighttime experience you shouldn’t miss.
A Romantic Twist on an Indoor Favorite
- Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies: This world-class aquarium resides right in Gatlinburg and was voted one of the best Aquariums in the USA.
- The Highlight: Check out the adorable penguin parade everyday at 1:15 p.m. Since penguins mate for life, I think this should make the list of romantic things to do in Gatlinburg!
How to Navigate the Best Food & Drink Spots
If your idea of romance involves food and beverage, I completely understand you. As a foodie, I loved the large food selection in Gatlinburg. You can walk anywhere you want to dine at, helping to reduce stress and enhance romance.
Where to Dine: Romantic & Relaxed Dinners
- The Peddler Steakhouse : Features a cozy riverside setting that is absolutely ideal for couples.
- The Park Grill : Known for its hearty steak dinners and highly popular salad bar.
- Myron Mixon’s Barbeque Co . : Offers standout BBQ, especially the brisket and pork belly bites.
SheBuysTravel Tip: I recommend making a reservation in advance, especially on weekends, when more visitors descend on this fun destination.
Hard Cider & Wine Tastings
I’m not a big drinker. Before visiting Gatlinburg, I always assumed I wouldn’t like hard cider. If you feel the same, a visit here could change your mind. One of the best things to do in Gatlinburg for couples who enjoy tastings are the various tastings at local hard cider breweries.
- The Tasting Experience: As you roam around, you’ll notice free, $5, or $10 tastings where you can stand at the bar to sip.
- Our Personal Favorite: So many places have fun flavors to try, like a cream wine that tastes like Cotton Candy at Tennessee Homemade Wines. We found ourselves playfully arguing over which flavors taste the best!
- Other Top Tasting Spots: Be sure to check out Smoking Banjo, Old Mountain Wine Company and Sugarlands Distilling Company.
SheBuysTravel Tip : Purchase a Gatlinburg Wine Trail pass for just $10 to get a great deal on hard cider and cream wine tastings at five different locations.
Logistical Tips to Save Money and Reduce Stress
Where you choose to stay in Gatlinburg definitely makes a difference for your trip. These firsthand recommendations will keep your couples’ getaway smooth and completely stress-free.
Where Couples Should Stay
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort: This is a great option for couples, as they offer a nightly evening reception which includes two free beverages and pre-dinner appetizers. I also loved their outdoor common areas with lounge seating.
- Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg : This is another fantastic option for couples who want more of a “tropical” feeling within a mountain town.
SheBuysTravel Tip : Embassy Suites by
My Top Tip to Reduce Travel Stress
Skip renting a car in Gatlinburg if you do not plan on going to the mountains. Many hotels charge a nightly fee to park and you won’t need your car if you only plan to explore Gatlinburg by foot.
FAQs
This is a super common misconception! While many travel blogs suggest Gatlinburg as a family-friendly destination, my husband and I had a great time here alone. You’re actually about to fall in love pretty fast with this town. Between the lively wine and hard cider tastings, top-tier dining and unique nighttime experiences, it makes for an unforgettable couples’ weekend getaway.
My big tip here is to skip renting a car if you do not plan on going deep into the mountains. This walkable town completely surprised me! You can walk anywhere you want to dine or play, which honestly helps to reduce stress and enhance romance. Plus, many hotels charge a nightly fee to park, so you won’t need your car—or that extra expense—if you only plan to explore Gatlinburg by foot.
As a foodie, I absolutely loved the large food selection here. For a romantic or relaxed dinner, I highly recommend The Peddler Steakhouse because its cozy riverside setting is just ideal for couples. If you want a hearty steak dinner and a really popular salad bar, head to The Park Grill . And if you want a standout casual bite, Myron Mixon’s Barbeque Co. has incredible brisket and pork belly bites. Just be sure to make a reservation in advance, especially on weekends!
Outdoorsy couples will find plenty of things to do thanks to the beautiful backdrop of the Smoky Mountains. Visiting Anakeesta was one of my absolute favorite outdoor activities from my trip—it’s a mountain-themed attraction park with great viewpoints where you can sit in chairs overlooking the peaks. You should also check out the Tree Top Sky Walk at Anakeesta, the Gatlinburg SkyPark and the nighttime enchanted walk at Astra Lumina.
I’m actually not a big drinker myself! Before visiting Gatlinburg, I always assumed I wouldn’t like hard cider, but a visit here could completely change your mind. As you roam around, you’ll notice free, $5, or $10 tastings where you can stand at the bar to sip. So many places have fun flavors to try—like a cream wine that tastes like Cotton Candy at Tennessee Homemade Wines . My husband and I found ourselves playfully arguing over which flavors taste the best! Bonus tip: Purchase a Gatlinburg Wine Trail pass for just $10 to get a great deal on tastings at five different locations.
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