Great Smoky Mountains

Gatlinburg

Destination Overview

Honeymooners love the fresh, airy romance of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Nestled among the Smoky Mountains, it’s a secluded outdoor escape by day and a trendy, citified destination by night. Anything that you do will be cloaked in breathtaking, beautiful natural scenery. The funky downtown center bustles with activity. It’s easy to see why this town is such an enchanting destination for newlyweds.

Active, nature-loving couples find honeymoon magic just minutes away from downtown in world-famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can indulge yourselves in an adventurous day in the wilderness. Hike along the Appalachian Trail, ski at Ober Gatlinburg, fish and raft in the Little Pigeon River. This is an outdoor wonderland all year round! Afterward, enjoy some romantic private time with your loved one at one of the many world-class hotels.

Newlyweds who like the experience of a vibrant cultural hub will delight in the downtown area. This is not a typical sleepy mountain village! It is full of zany attractions, museums, and amusement rides that provide a welcome diversion for fun-loving couples and their wedding guests.

Scope out the Guinness World Records Museum, taste some Tennessee wine at the Smoky Mountain Winery or marvel at the stunning view from the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle.

You’ll also discover that this is an ideal place for destination weddings, as Gatlinburg offers endless entertainment and lodgings for your guests all year round. Accommodations range from luxurious resorts to quaint cozy cabins in the woods. Children are also welcome here with plenty of kid-friendly activities including an indoor water park.

Reconnect with nature as you begin your new life together. Your honeymoon photos will be backed by exquisite scenery and the endless array of memory-making things to see and do will keep you as busy as you want to be.

About Gatlinburg

At a Glance

Gatlinburg is the gateway to the Smoky Mountains, located at the northern edge of the Smoky Mountains National Park. The location makes it the ideal base from which to explore the mountains and enjoy the fun of the city.
It’s a four-season destination, and romance, fun and excitement are in the air year-round. The mountains are beautiful at any time of the year, with budding trees and fields of wildflowers in the spring, forest trails, streams and waterfalls to explore in the summer, spectacular fall foliage, and stunning views of the snow covered hills in winter.
The city has a vibrant culture geared to visitors and honeymooners, and you’ll find theme parks, thrilling rides, museums, and car shows and more.
Ober Gatlinburg Amusement Park and Ski Area has the only ski trails in Tennessee. There’s also a wildlife encounter area where you can see local fauna like bears, otters, owls and other birds of prey, and bobcats up close. Scenic chairlift rides, ice skating and water rides make this a thrilling visit at any time of the year.
The Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts community connects past and present. Crafters and artisans like carvers, weavers, painters, soap makers, potters, silversmiths and others keep alive traditions going back to the pioneer days. This is a good place to pick up unique gifts and mementos of your trip.
There are few things more romantic than winter lights. Gatlinburg’s Winterfest Celebration lights up the town from from November through February. One of the best ways to enjoy the sights is to take a Trolley Ride of Lights.

Honeymoon Hints

Gatlinburg is an easy day’s drive from most locations in the US east of the Mississippi. The nearest commercial airport is McGhee-Tyson Airport (TYS) in Knoxville, Tennessee. Private charter planes can land at the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (KGKT).
You’ll need a car to get around the area and to visit the Smoky Mountains and local attractions. Gatlinburg Mass Transit runs a trolley service, making it easy to get around in the city.
Make a trip to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle to get a 360 degree view of the city and the mountains. There’s a restaurant at the top where you can have a romantic dinner while watching the city lights far below.
The Hollywood Star Cars Museum houses some favorite movie cars including Herbie the Love Bug, the Beverly Hillbillies jalopy, the squad car from Mayberry, DRAG-U-LA from The Munsters, Batmobiles and even the Camaro seen in Charlie’s Angels.
Stop off at a local winery or distillery like the Smoky Mountain Winery for a taste of Tennessee wines and spirits, including the moonshine made according to traditional family recipes.
Indulge your sense of the quirky, improbable and impossible at Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum and the Guinness World Records Museum.
For those who can never get enough Ripley, there’s also the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, with exhibits on the Titanic and pirates.
An encounter with Spooky Gatlinburg is a good excuse, not that you need one, to hold each other close. Even if it isn’t Halloween, make time for a visit to the Mysterious Mansion and a walk through a Haunted House.
Scenic drives are a good way to get your fill of the Smoky Mountains scenery, and also to take some spectacular pictures of your honeymoon trip.
When heading for the mountains, brush up on basic wilderness safety tips. Don’t go off the trail, and if you see a black bear, don’t run or turn your back on the bear. Back away slowly, talking loudly to make sure the bear knows you’re there. Don’t feed the bears and don’t leave food in your car.