Love is in the air in the Great Smoky Mountains. Breathtaking vistas, sprawling valleys, cascading waterfalls, colorful foliage, and awe-inspiring sunsets create a spectacular backdrop for you to connect with each other and with nature. Steal a kiss and exchange adoring glances surrounded by exquisite natural beauty as you explore one of the most scenic areas of the country. Whether your relationship is brand new or you’re celebrating decades together, an intimate escape to the Smoky Mountains is the perfect way to spend a fall weekend. Try these 9 romantic adventures for an unforgettable retreat!
Wine and ‘Shine
Raise a glass to love! Celebrate your romantic fall getaway in the Smoky Mountains with a silky red or an intoxicating white wine at a charming mountain winery. Open 365 days a year, the Biltmore Winery, located on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, is the most visited winery in the country. Or the Gatlinburg Wine Cellar holds free tastings of delicious local wines every day on the Tennessee side of the Smokies. If you’re looking for something a little stronger, you can sip on Tennessee’s legendary spirits at the Ole Smoky Moonshine, the birthplace of legalized moonshine.
Romantic Fall Hikes
A hike through the mountains surrounded by vibrant fall colors is filled with fortuitous moments that you’d never be able to plan. An elk grazing in the distance, a multi-hued sunset viewed from a rock ledge, reaching the peak of a mountain on a cloudless day, it’s easy to find romance on the trail. And with more than 850 miles of hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains, romantic getaway fantasies do come true.
Ziplining Through the Treetops
If you’re looking for a thrill (and a great way to immerse yourself in the colorful fall foliage) try a ziplining adventure across the forest canopy. Perfect for adrenaline junkies and nature lovers alike, hook into a harness and traipse through the treetops like Tarzan and Jane. Swing from limb to limb, taking in breathtaking views with the wind in your face and the world at your feet. On the Tennessee side, Smoky Mountain Ziplines has the longest continually operated canopy in Pigeon Forge. And over in Bryson City, North Carolina, you’ll find a 500-acre adventure campus at the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
Scenic Smoky Mountain Drives
Slip into your car, roll the windows down, and feel the wind in your hair as you leisurely cruise the winding mountain roads, discovering stunning vistas around every bend. Get glimpses of mountains, forests, and valleys. With no particular place to be, you can take your time and savor the views, stopping to snap photos, have a picnic, or go on a short hike. For motorcyclists, the world-famous Tail of the Dragon is a must-drive. Bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and Cherokee National Forest, its 11 miles are filled with 318 curves and tight turns with no intersecting roads or highways to slow you down.
Handmade Crafts Made with Love
The Smokies are filled with talented artisans and makers who create unique and beautiful handcrafted pieces. Stroll through shopping hot spots like the Great Smoky Mountain Arts and Crafts Community or follow the Blue Ridge Craft Trails to find one-of-a-kind treasures in one of the Smokies’ many locally owned shops and galleries. Rare finds like jewelry, handcrafted pottery, home accessories, and stunning woodwork can be the perfect mementos to commemorate your romantic getaway.
Take an Art Class
Get inspired by all those handmade crafts and create something of your own to memorialize your love. A lot of those artisans and makers who sell their wares in galleries and craft shows actually open up their studios to the public. Some of them even offer classes. Etch your names in wood, paint a one-of-a-kind piece to hang in your home, or recreate that iconic scene from Ghost and take a pottery class!
Dining with a View
Gaze into each other’s eyes over a candlelit dinner at a restaurant with gorgeous Smoky Mountain views. The Peddler Steakhouse is a classic Gatlinburg hot spot and serves delicious high-quality food. Its intimate and cozy atmosphere fits perfectly into the beautiful mountain surroundings, and if you get the right table, you’ll have a view of the Little Pigeon River while you dine. On the other side of the park, stop by The Chef’s Table, a hidden gem in the charming mountain town of Waynesville, NC with locally sourced dishes and delectable wine pairings. Just be sure to make a reservation – this romantic restaurant only seats 42!
Dancing the Night Away
After dinner, it’s time for a little dancing. Tap your toes and take a romantic spin around the dance floor with some incredible bluegrass music. From mountain music festivals to performers busking on the streets to live music inside distilleries, there is music in the air all throughout the Smoky Mountains.
Cozy Up in a Smoky Mountain Cabin
However you spend the days of your romantic fall Smoky Mountain getaway, you’ll eventually want to end up in the comfort of a cozy cabin. Enjoy a hidden sanctuary, where you can listen to the birds, breathe in fresh mountain air, and watch a sunset in the evening. Then marvel at the mystical fog that the area is named after as it rolls softly over the peaks while you sip your morning coffee. Whether you’re escaping to the woods and completely unplugging, or you want to be close to the outdoors and local attractions, there are plenty of Smoky Mountain cabin rentals to choose from.
