Things to Do in Gatlinburg for Couples: 29 Unforgettable Romantic Ideas

Follow along to uncover the 29 most romantic things to do in Gatlinburg TN for couples.

To visit Gatlinburg is any fearless couple’s fantasy, complete with acres of wild mountain terrain, diverse wildlife, and picturesque scenery.

From rip-roaring white water rafting down the Pigeon River to sampling different varieties of moonshine, there’s no shortage of things to do in Gatlinburg TN for couples.

Add to the mix a laid-back southern atmosphere, finger-licking good BBQ, and an enviable entertainment scene. And you’ve got a devilishly delicious mix of things to choose from when it comes to Gatlinburg things to do for couples.

Treat your boo to a bit of ‘Blue Smoke’ adventure and a whole lot of fun, when you explore the best things to do in Gatlinburg for couples!

Romantic Gatlinburg Getaway

Inhale that crisp mountain air and experience the best of romantic Gatlinburg, when you reserve a Smoky Mountain Cabin Rental. Before you dive into your Gatlinburg itinerary for couples, you’ll need to secure your Tennessee lodgings. Book a room at one of our many Smoky Mountain Resorts for full-scale amenities and little licks of luxury.

Get cozy with your better half, as you enjoy the view of the Smokies from your window, or wind down at night with a long soak in one of the resort’s bubbling hot tubs.

Couples seeking to be closer to the entertainment, shopping, and dining of downtown Gatlinburg can find convenience and comfort by booking any of our Gatlinburg Hotels and Lodgings. 

Wherever you decide to relax and recharge, reserve with confidence, knowing you are always guaranteed our lowest rates online. 

Romantic Restaurants in Gatlinburg

Although BBQ might be synonymous with Tennessee, it would be a shame not to spoil your sweetheart with a five-star dining experience while visiting Gatlinburg. Romance in Gatlinburg may come in many forms, but there’s no faster way to your sweetie’s heart than with a mouthwatering meal.

Put on your finest and prepare for an evening of ambiance, low lighting, and delicious eats when you frequent any of our favorite romantic Gatlinburg restaurants:

Chesapeake’s

Wine and dine your beloved in style at this Gatlinburg staple featuring river views, a heated patio, raw bar & grill, and a private wine cellar. Start with some flavorful mushroom-stuffed crab or creamy bisque before ordering a broiled seafood platter or Maine lobster to share. 

Buckhorn Inn

Southern-inspired cuisine served in a classic BnB atmosphere with spellbinding views makes Buckthorn Inn a memorable stop for any supper. Their ever-changing menu features seasonal ingredients and regional highlights such as braised fire-roasted chicken with a tomato, mushroom hunter sauce, cheddar chablis soup, and white chocolate pecan pie.

Crystelle Creek Restaurant

Savor a rustically romantic and rugged mountain atmosphere and sumptuous Italian cuisine when you dine at Crystelle’s. Indulge in some local catfish bites to whet your appetite before moving on to a hearty meatball and mozzarella bake or divine Nashville prime rib. 

Most Instagrammable Spots

With so much romantic activity to enjoy, you’ll want to document every moment of your Gatlinburg getaway. Preserve your amorous memories for years to come, when you whisk your honey away to some of Gatlinburg’s most scenic spots:

• Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook – capture the stunning contrast in elevation between the Gatlinburg skyline and the mountains featured at this scenic overlook.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park – did you even visit this beloved National Park if you forgot to snap a selfie in front of the infamous ‘welcome’ sign?
• Great Smoky Mountain Wheel – equally attractive during the day but simply sensational when lit aglow at night, this enchanting Ferris Wheel makes for a romantic photo op. 

Best Mountain Sunsets

While it may not be a palm tree-studded beach in the tropics, Gatlinburg’s proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains makes for some epic eye-catching sunsets. Pack up a bottle of wine, a warm blanket, and prepare to watch the sky explode in color at any of our top sunset spots: 

• Clingmans Dome
• Cliff Top at Mt LeConte
• Newfound Gap Parking Area
• Gatlinburg Space Needle
• Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
• Ober Gatlinburg

Romantic Things to do Gatlinburg

Sightseeing Tours

Pink Jeep Tours – Smoky Mountains

Jump into a cozy, heated Pink Jeep Wrangler in Pigeon Forge, TN, and get ready for an awesome ride through the Smoky Mountains on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail! This isn’t your average tour – you’re going off the beaten path for a wild 4×4 off-road adventure. Your guide will be sharing cool mountain tales as you weave through Gatlinburg and into the lush heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail? It’s a gorgeous 5.5-mile loop right by a mountain stream, filled with stunning scenes and a real feel of the wilderness.

Think of this trip is like a time machine back to the 1800s. You’ll see old-timey homesteads, log cabins, and grist mills, each with its own story. Check out places like the Noah “Bud” Ogle Place and the Alfred Reagan Place – they’re like stepping into a history book.

And the nature part? Absolutely epic. Picture rushing streams, waterfalls perfect for your Insta, and all the forest vibes. As you loop back to Gatlinburg and hit the off-road trails on private land, get ready for a heart-pumping finish to a day full of Smoky Mountain magic!

Ghost and Haunt Tour of Gatlinburg

Paramours who preach the love of all things paranormal will be in for an evening of haunted happenings when they reserve a Ghost and Haunt Tour of Gatlinburg.

Delve into the mysterious side of Gatlinburg, a side unknown to many. Discover the tales of early settlers, renowned pioneers, loggers, soldiers, and everyday folks who encountered tragedy, sorrow, and sometimes met their untimely end here.

This tour isn’t just a standard history walk or a typical haunted attraction – you won’t find actors in ghost costumes jumping out at you. Instead, it’s a walking exploration of Gatlinburg, blending historical facts, legends, and visits to sites where some of the town’s most intriguing and eerie events unfolded.

Whether you’re a firm believer in the supernatural or a skeptic, these stories and locations, rich with real-life encounters and sightings, are bound to captivate you. Come with an open mind, as it enhances your chances of joining the ranks of those who’ve had their own extraordinary experiences with the paranormal in Gatlinburg.

Museums, Entertainment & Live Shows

Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction

Nobody puts on a show quite like the Queen of Country! Everyone’s beloved lovelorn songstress pulls out all the stops at the Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction.

With an incredible dinner and show combo, your date will be on their feet cheering at the entertainment spectacle of horse riding stunts, electrifying special effects and lights, and country-style live music production.

Toast your sweetie with a refreshing ice-cold Coca-Cola and tuck into a BBQ-themed supper of flaky homemade biscuits, creamy vegetable soup, and Hickory Smoked Barbecued Pork Loin.

Titanic Museum

While we may never settle the debate over whether both Jack and Rose could have fit on the door. We can promise historically fueled fun at the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge.

There are well over 400 authentic artifacts, worth more than a whopping $4.5 million. With 20 different galleries in the museum, it anxiously awaits your visit.

This interactive experience is the ideal place to bring any history-obsessed partner. Try to balance on the sloping decks, imitating the ship’s angle as it sank. Then, peek at the ship’s fully recreated first-class suites and third-class bunks. You will even be able to touch a real iceberg!

Between the artifacts and recreated experiences, you’ll depart the museum with a new understanding of what the passengers and crew members bravely endured.

Pro Tip: During the month of February, lovebirds can flock to the museum to celebrate their love at Sweetheart Month at Titanic through:

• Marriage Proposals
• Vow Renewals
• Weddings
• Engagement Sessions

Country Tonite Show

Calling all country fans! For couples who love nothing more than a little bit of line dancing and a whole lot of banjo, the Country Tonite Show is the homespun date night entertainment of their dreams.

Pull those cowboy boots out of storage and prime yourselves for a night of soulful singing, dynamic dancing, side-splitting comedy, and American patriotism.

A variety show you’ve never seen before, Country Tonite is an imaginative and immersive award-winning experience that can’t be missed.

Delight in the million-dollar theater’s state-of-the-art sound and lighting as you are whisked away to simpler times with the gentle strumming of the fiddle and banjo. 

Wipe your tears away, post the touching Veterans’ tribute, and pick your jaw up off the floor after you witness the bootin’ scootin’ choreography of Tennessee’s best dancers!

Outdoor Activities & Adventure

Five Oaks Riding Stables

Gallop to your heart’s content when you and your sweetie sign up for a romantic day at Five Oaks Riding Stables in Gatlinburg.

Saddle up that steed, and explore the mountain streams, spring-fed lakes, and wildlife of the grand Smoky Mountains with your equestrian-obsessed partner.

Travel the bewitchingly rugged terrain and trails of Mt. Leconte as you embrace over 70 acres of staggering mountain scenery.

Beginner riders are welcome as the Five Oaks horses are calm and easy-going. 

Keep a lookout since this area is teeming with native wildlife, and sightings of deer, wild turkey, and other animals are common. 

Sugarlands Riding Stables

Crystal clear blue skies, lush forests of oak and hickory trees, and serene mountain views. Embrace your inner cowboy (or girl), when you sign up for a trail ride at Sugarlands Riding Stables.

Get comfy on that leather saddle, as you and your loved one make your way through 4 to 8 miles of wooded trails and mountain streams.

Every Sugarland horse serves as the perfect four-legged guide to showcase the majesty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Riders of all levels will feel comfortable and secure, as they walk and trot through the abundant flora and fauna of this National Park.

Listen up as your knowledgeable guide points out flocks of wild turkeys, black bears, deer, and more. With over 20 years of experience, a Sugarland ride is a unique and safe way to relish the wonder of the Smoky Mountains.

Hidden Cascade Hiking Tour in the Great Smoky Mountains from Gatlinburg

Take a walk on the wild side with a Hidden Cascade Hiking Tour in the Great Smoky Mountains from Gatlinburg. Love is in the air (and the mountains) on this 4-hour invigorating trek through the hardwood forests of Appalachia.

Embrace this nature-filled detox as you discover the secrets, natural history, and ecology of this renowned National Park through the teaching of your expert naturalist guide. 

Your small tour group will make its way to the picturesque cascades. Meanwhile, you’ll learn all about a forest’s life cycle and how it regenerates after a fire. 

Every professional naturalist guide is also a Wilderness First Responder. So you and your better half can hike, climb, and explore with the utmost peace of mind.

Be sure to pack a camera! Wildlife abounds in this rich ecosystem. You will likely catch glimpses of deer, bears, amphibians, and more.

Note: Searching for Hidden Cascade Hiking Tour in the Great Smoky Mountains from Gatlinburg? Unfortunately, it’s currently off the grid. But hey, don’t let that stop your adventure! Take cues from some of the amazing adventures we’ve highlighted here. 

Rafting with Smoky Mountain Outdoors

Just around the river bend lies the most romantic Gatlinburg rendezvous yet. Inject some adrenaline into your relationship when you spend the day navigating the rushing rapids of the Pigeon River.

Rafting with Smoky Mountain Outdoors lets you and your fellow water lover choose from two different rafting adventures. 

Depending on your skill level and tenacious spirit, you may pick to raft the Lower Pigeon River (class 1 & 2 rapids) or the Upper Pigeon River (class 3 and 4 rapids). However, both river experiences offer outstanding natural scenery, whitewater thrills, and quality bonding time. 

Splish, splash, and paddle through over 4 miles of rapids under the guidance of your professional river guide. With over 5,000 five-star reviews on Tripadvisor, the award-winning rafting is worth the 45 min drive from Gatlinburg!

After all that fun, feel free to change, shower, and grab a quick snack at the on-site service station and eatery.

Aerial Tours

Scenic Helicopter Tours

Cruise through the heavens above, holding hands with your honey on any number of Scenic Helicopter Tours in the Smokies. 

Unforgettable birds-eye views, searing scenery, and untold photo ops make this aerial affair an outstanding date. 

Select any of their seven romantic tours, ranging from quick 6 minute/12 mile jaunts to more extensive 50-mile journeys. Soar to the deep valleys and high mountains of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, downtown Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge.

Keep that camera locked and loaded, as other notable tour highlights include panoramic vistas of:

• French Broad River
• Douglas Dam Lake
• Bluff Mountain
• Chilhowee Mountain Range
• Historic downtown Sevierville

Forgot to snap that epic photo of you and your sugar in front of the Smokies? No sweat, as souvenir photos are also available for purchase. 

Sevier County Aviation Helicopter Tours

Up, up, and away! Take your love sky high when you reserve an extra special afternoon with Sevier County Aviation Helicopter Tours.

Elevate the amour to 10 on this exceptionally intimate aerial tour. Servier County utilizes premier model choppers that host a maximum of 3 people for flight. Above all, this allows you and your loved one uncompromised views and the pilot’s full attention.

Put on your headset and handpick any of the following dazzling tours featuring mountains, scenic lakes, and more:

• Mountain and City View – revel in this dynamic 4-minute flight that takes you 1,000 feet in the air. Soar far above the Great Smoky Mountains.
• Pigeon Forge – relish 7 minutes of flying time on this tour, showcasing the best panoramas and sights of Pigeon Forge. Sights include a large rock quarry, Parrot Mountain and Dollywood.
• Foothills – fly as high as 3,000 ft on this 12-minute tour that dives in between the foothills of the mountains. It includes scenic sights of Dollywood’s Splash Country, English Mountain, and Douglas Lake.

 Things to Do in Gatlinburg TN for Couples: Unique Experiences

Smoky Mountain Llama Treks

Cuddly, cute, and kooky, you can’t help but smile when you and your lover snuggle up to South America’s coziest export.

Get friendly with the fluffiest, friendliest animals on any number of the Smoky Mountain Llama Treks.

In addition to creating some adorable social media content, your Llama is professionally trained and will carry your gear.

Relax and soak in the scenic Smoky Mountain scenery with abandon. Your llamas will accompany you to picturesque peaks, babbling brooks, wild blackberry patches, and fields of fresh wildflowers.

Are you seeking a strenuous hike or a stroll? Smoky Mountain Llama Treks offers up a variety of hikes. They even offer a non-hiking farm visit.

Top Rated Wine and Shine Walking Tour

Pour one out with your precious and get a real taste of Southern hooch on the Top Rated Wine and Shine Walking Tour. 

Nothing says ‘romantic couples vacation’ like a bit of day drinking. So prepare to get a tad tipsy when you drop in on the best Gatlinburg distilleries on your 3.5-hour moonshine tasting tour. This is a quintessential option on the list of things to do in Gatlinburg TN for couples

Sip plenty of firewater samples and learn the methodical ins and outs of the distillation process as you visit:

• Tennessee Shine Company – taste flavors that will run from 35 proof cream-based to 135 proof.
• Little Bear Winery – luxuriate in a VIP-like experience at this quaint winery and enjoy a variety of vino samples.
• Sugarlands Distilling Company – peek behind the curtain of an authentic working distillery and sample some delectable moonshine cocktails.

Developed a hankering for the harder stuff? Your official ‘Wine and Shine’ tour ticket affords you an exclusive discount on specific moonshine bottles.

Frolicking through a field with a llama companion or soaring thousands of feet in the air on an aerial tour. Romantic activities in Gatlinburg genuinely know no bounds.

This verdantly lush “Gateway to the Smoky Mountains” is a veritable cornucopia of festive fun, scintillating shows, and outdoor escapades. 

Couples Massage Gatlinburg TN

Nothing paves the way to romance faster than a Gatlinburg couples massage. Soothe tired muscles and get even closer to your paramour, when you indulge in a couples spa treatment in Gatlinburg TN. From luscious full-body massages to sea salt exfoliation, time spent pampering your bodies and your minds will never go amiss.

As an added bonus, couple’s massages can be enjoyed year-round and are one of our favorite things to do in Gatlinburg TN in December:

• Fox Place Salon and Spa – keep things classic with a signature couples massage, or relax from head to toe with the ‘Fox Place Experience,’ which includes a massage, hot towels, stones, aromatherapy, and more.
• St. Somewhere Spa – treat your bodies to some heavenly TLC post-Smoky Mountain hike, with a reservation for a Volcano Hot Stone or couples massage. Don’t forget to stop by the License to Chill Bar for a post-treatment cocktail.
• The Spa at Oak Haven Retreat – up the amorous ante when you purchase a luxe package such as the Ultimate Couple’s Retreat or Time for Two. Which includes irresistible treatments such as the Almost Heaven Massage or their Sugar Scrub & Hydrating Mask.

From shacking up in an intimate mountain cabin to tackling the rugged terrain of Mt. Leconte together, there are so many things for couples to do in Gatlinburg.

Conquer winding forest trails astride a noble steed, or get swept away by the glory of an Mt LeConte sunset.

Whether you are craving a night on the town with Dolly or a swoon-worthy spa treatment, there are so many ‘must-do’ activities in Gatlinburg for couples.

Fulfill your every Smoky Mountain fantasy, when you book a romantic getaway in gorgeous Gatlinburg today!

What Gatlinburg TN Romantic Things to Do For Couples Did We Miss?

What things to do as a couple in Gatlinburg TN have you enjoyed with your sweetheart?

Let us know in the comments below!