Fun Things to do on a Gatlinburg Couples Getaway
Are you planning a couples getaway to take a break from all of the adult responsibilities for a moment? Let me suggest Gatlinburg, Tennessee. In addition to the picturesque scenery which makes a perfect backdrop for a weekend of relaxation, there are several other things to do on a Gatlinburg couples getaway.
We decided to venture to the Great Smoky Mountains for a couples getaway, and it was so relaxing and so fun. If you’re planning a couples trip to Gatlinburg, you’re in the right place. I’m sharing all the things that made my recent trip to Gatlinburg a trip to remember.
This trip was hosted by Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. That means I will receive a small commission for any purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
Where is Gatlinburg, Tennessee?
Nestled in the mountains of East Tennessee, you’ll find a small resort town called Gatlinburg. And in that village, you’ll find the most picturesque surroundings, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Gatlinburg is located in Sevier County, Tennessee just shy of 40 miles from Knoxville.
This beautiful mountain resort city attracts thousands of tourists each year and I think you’ll quickly see why. It’s one of the best places to visit in the United States if you’re a fan of outdoor adventures. But even if outdoor adventures are not on the top of your to-do list, you can still find fun things to do.
Why should you take couples trips?
Adulting is tough. On top of work responsibilities, there are bills, chores, family, and community demands. The list of responsibilities grows and grows with no end in sight.
And while everyone knows that it’s inevitable that we’ll always have numerous responsibilities, it’s necessary to take a break every once in a while so that we can continue to be at the top of our game.
Taking an occasional couples getaway gives adults the opportunity to rest, relax, and re-energize themselves so that they can power through all of their adult responsibilities when they return.
What can couples do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee?
Gatlinburg, Tennessee is the perfect place for a couples getaway. There are so many things to do (or not do) in the Great Smoky Mountains. Gatlinburg.com lists cozy cabins, shopping, moonshine sampling, and breathtaking views as the top things for adults to do in Gatlinburg.
There are also theme parks, horseback rides, historic buildings, wineries, and snow tubing for you to enjoy while in the area. You’re bound to find something you love in the Gatlinburg area.
Where to stay in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Mountain Laurel Chalets
For my stay in Gatlinburg, we booked through Mountain Laurel Chalets. The lovely Cozy Creek Cottage was our home for 4 days and 3 nights.
Cozy Creek Cottage is the perfect name for this lovely cottage near downtown Gatlinburg!
It’s perfect if you want to be close to town or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance!
Cozy Creek Cottage is a beautifully decorated chalet. It has a spacious living room that is perfect for entertaining any small family gathering. It’s also perfect for a fun couples trip.
The creekside deck is the perfect place to relax and listen to the sounds of Holly Branch Creek babbling past.
When you stay at Cozy Creek Cottage during the summer months, you will receive a pass to enjoy 3 outdoor swimming pools!
Here are more details about Cozy Creek Cottage:
Main Level: 1 King bedroom with private bath with walk-in shower, 1/2 Bathroom, Living room/Kitchen/Dining room, Back porch with hot tub and access to creek
Upper Level: 1 King bedroom with private bath with walk-in shower, sitting area, Game room with pool table
Gatlinburg is known for its numerous cabins and chalets. According to Aunt Bug’s Cabin Rentals, there are over 15,000 cabins throughout Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville. There are also several hotels, lodges, and inns in the area. You’re sure to find the accommodation that best suits your needs whether you’re traveling with 2 people or 20 people.
Fun things for couples to do in Gatlinburg.
Browse a local gift shop
There are several local gift shops in the Gatlinburg area. Local gift shops are a way to purchase something unique and memorable while you’re on vacation. Additionally, you might be able to purchase something that was made by a local. I’m sure they would appreciate your support.
Check out this list of fun places to shop in Gatlinburg.
Visit the Gatlinburg Space Needle
The Gatlinburg Space Needle is the iconic landmark that allows you to take in spectacular views of downtown Gatlinburg. Ride one of the glass elevators to the observation deck to get a panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains.
Enjoy some live music.
Listening to live local music can be fun and relaxing and there are several places in Gatlinburg where you can catch some great live music. Visit Gatlinburg.com to get a list of live music events. Several restaurants and bars in the area also host live music events.
Check out the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community
If you’re into arts and crafts, be sure to check out the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community in Gatlinburg. The Arts & Crafts Community is an 8-mile loop where you’ll find artists and craftsmen with unique items. You’ll also find eateries, bed & breakfasts, and other fun things along the loop.
Ride a mountain coaster
You won’t have to look far to find a mountain coaster when you’re in the Great Smoky Mountains. If you and your partner enjoy thrill rides, you’ll enjoy the Alpine mountain coasters in Gatlinburg. You can get an adrenaline rush on these gravity-powered coasters that offer you a fun ride with a view!
My fave: Rail Runner at Anakeesta Park
Visit an amusement park.
Gatlinburg is just minutes away from Dollywood, one of Tennessee’s most popular theme parks. There’s also Anakeesta, a large family-friendly adventure park. For a fun evening adventure, visit Anakeeta at night!
And I can’t forget to mention Ober Gatlinburg–Gatlinburg’s original mountain top amusement park.
We also visited Dollywood while we were in the area. Check out this post to read more about our time at Dollywood.
Enjoy some moonshine tastings.
If moonshine is your thing, Gatlinburg’s got you covered. There are several places to taste moonshine in the Gatlinburg area. Some places even offer VIP tours where you can learn how moonshine is made.
My recommendation: We love Sugarlands Distilling Company. The VIP Tour was so much fun. We were greeted by the manager, Kevin, who was very friendly. He gave us an overview of the distillery and explained what was all included in our VIP experience.
We did our tasting with expert TasteMaker Thomas and he was awesome! He gave us details of every single moonshine that we tasted, and his descriptions were spot on. He also told us exactly how to taste (if you know, you know) so that we could enjoy the flavors to the fullest.
Our group laughed the entire time. I’m not sure if Thomas was just that funny or if the moonshine was just that good! Either way, we enjoyed our time at Sugarlands!
After our tasting (we sampled several different varieties of moonshine), we went on a private 30-minute tour of the still house. It was pretty cool learning exactly how moonshine is made from start to finish.
We saw everything from where they grind the corn, to where they proof the distillate and fill the jars. It was such a fun experience.
When we finished, we were escorted to the cocktail room and were treated to a hand-crafted cocktail. I had the peach margarita and it was so good!
After our cocktails, we checked out the shop where could browse all the flavors of moonshine and some Sugarlands merchandise. Of course, we didn’t leave empty-handed.
We all grabbed our favorite flavor of moonshine, some t-shirts, candles, and other souvenirs. Oh, and as a VIP, you get a very generous discount on anything you purchase from the Sugarlands shop!
If you’re visiting Gatlinburg, make sure to add Sugarlands to your itinerary.
Schedule a wine tasting
If wine is more your speed, Gatlinburg is home to several wineries. You can schedule a winery tour and tasting for you and your partner.
Plan a couples picnic
Does a romantic picnic in the park sound like something that you and your partner would enjoy? If so, grab some sandwiches and snacks, a blanket, and your sweetheart, head to one of Gatlinburg’s beautiful parks, and have a fun lunch together. There are several sweet picnic spots available in Gatlinburg. Smokymountains.com lists several choices for a great afternoon picnic.
Hop aboard the aerial tramway
The Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway is a 2.1-mile scenic ride to Ober Gatlinburg. Travel 1800 feet above sea level to the top of Crockett Mountain, where you can get one of the best views in the house of Gatlinburg.
Enjoy Ober Gatlinburg ski area.
Once you arrive to Ober Gatlinburg by way of the aerial tramway (you can also drive up the mountain), enjoy this fun mountain top amusement park that boasts being the Smoky Mountains’ top attraction. There are so many activities for couples to do at Ober Gatlinburg. From ice skating, bumper cars, and Alpine slides to a rock climbing wall, chair swings, and tubing, there’s sure to be something to entertain you and your mate for hours.
Tour Ripley’s Aquarium
If you’re looking for a low-paced, yet fun activity, visit Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. There, you’ll get to see over 10,000 exotic sea creatures! You won’t want to miss this fun attraction while visiting Gatlinburg.
Take a scenic drive
Time alone in the car with your significant other is a great way to enjoy scenery and enjoy each other’s company. You’ll find lots of scenic drives in the Gatlinburg area that’ll allow you to take in some gorgeous scenery. You might even find some spots to pull over and snap some pictures of some of the amazing things you might encounter along the way.
Some popular scenic drives are Cades Cove Loop Road, Newfound Gap Round and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.
Zipline your way through the Smokies
If you’re more adventurous, you might enjoy zip-lining your way through the Great Smoky Mountains. You’ll definitely have great views of the Smokies. Couples can zipline together at Anakeesta Mountaintop Park, home of the Anakeesta Dueling Zipline Adventure!
Play some arcade games
Your Gatlinburg couples getaway isn’t complete without challenging your mate to some arcade games. There are so many cool places to find some games that the two of you will enjoy. Arcade games are a great addition to date night and a fun addition to your couples trip to Gatlinburg.
Explore the heart of downtown Gatlinburg
Downtown Gatlinburg is located right at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance. It’s a quaint tourist town packed with delicious restaurants, local shops, hotels, museums, and other fun attractions. The downtown area is very walkable and makes for a wonderful way for couples to enjoy some time together.
Take a guided tour of the city.
If you want to make sure you don’t miss anything while you’re visiting Gatlinburg, you may want to schedule a guided tour. A guided tour provides you with a fully narrated experience that is ideal for first-time visitors.
What to eat while you’re in Gatlinburg.
The Greenbrier
If you happen to be celebrating a special occasion while you’re in Gatlinburg, make sure to make reservations at The Greenbrier.
The Greenbrier describes itself as an upscale steakhouse that balances modern dining and Appalachian tradition. I simply call it delicious! We enjoyed our meal so much and are already planning to visit again.
Flapjacks Pancake Cabin
If pancakes are your thing, consider Flapjacks Pancake Cabin. There are several locations throughout Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville. You’re bound to be close to a Flapjack’s no matter where you are staying in the Smoky Mountains.
Bennett’s Pit Barbecue
Bennet’s Pit Barbecue is a great place for lunch or dinner. Their specialty is barbecue, but there’s also chicken, catfish, and burgers on the menu.
Chesapeake’s
If you’re a seafood lover, add Chesapeake’s Seafood and Raw Bar to your list. Chesapeake’s has seafood flown in daily, so your meal selection will be fresh and delicious! I had the cod and shrimp and my husband had the filet and shrimp. Both of us loved our meals!
We also loved the view of the creek while we dined on the enclosed patio. It was a lovely experience.
Luigi’s Pizza
Luigi’s Pizza is a great choice if pizza is your thing. We ordered stromboli, wings, a calzone and salads to take back to our chalet for dinner. Everything was amazing! It was fresh and tasted so good.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a wonderful choice for a couples getaway. There are so many things to do, so many great places to stay, and several delicious restaurants to choose from. No matter if you prefer outdoor adventures or if you’d rather have a lowkey, cozier experience, you can have it in Gatlinburg.
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