It’s February and love is in the air! If you’re getting married or looking to get married or ready for your honeymoon, the Great Smoky Mountain’s is an incredible place for either or both.
Whether you are having a Valentine’s month celebration, a summer wedding or you want to renew your vows, we have ideas for celebrating in The Smokies.
Enjoy the beautiful and romantic lights of WinterFest!
The lights of Winterfest are around until Feb. 18. This true winter wonderland continues in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Sevierville for your wintery honeymoon. You’ll know you’ve made it when millions of small, twinkling lights come together on streets throughout the mountain towns to form elaborate displays that will leave you in awe.
Downtown Gatlinburg at night.
Head to Gatlinburg to see intricate displays of animals that are native to the Smoky Mountains. Pigeon Forge Winterfest takes the bite out of the winter cold and makes for smiles all around as you hold each other tight in a metropolis of winter fun.
Anakeesta at night is a romantic venue.
Be sure to check out everything a honeymoon at Anakeesta has to offer after dark including enchanted nightwalk, Astra Lumina; Treetop Skywalk which guides you on an illuminated stroll through the treetops; and of course the gorgeous views of downtown Gatlinburg.
The stars are descending from the night sky at Anakeesta through its Astra Lumina adventure!
“Set off across mysterious observatory grounds to discover a celestial pathway of lustrious light, cosmic visions, and astral song.
Immerse yourself in illuminating encounters of lighting, projection and sound, and connect with the stars before they return to the sky above.
Astra Lumina at Anakeesta is the 15th experience in the Lumina Enchanted Night Walk series, and the very first in the United States.”
Get Married On the Titanic
The Titanic Museum has been honoring couples every year for more than a decade with its February “Sweetheart Month” celebrations and special events including its one-of-a-kind Valentine vow renewals. It can also serve as a fun stop on your Smoky Mountain honeymoon.
The Titanic, a White Star Liner ship, set sail from Southampton, England and was headed to New York City when it hit an iceberg about 370 miles southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. There were 24 honeymooners on the ship. If you want to know more about them, the Titanic, and the Titanic Museum, then check out our blog post.
Wedding packages
Titanic offers packages that cover all arrangements, from a magnificent ship’s tour to a Titanic fountain wedding packages, to a special Grand Staircase presentation.
Find the museum at at 2134 Parkway in Pigeon Forge – you can’t miss it! The ship-shaped building was designed half-scale to the original luxury cruise liner, which was 882 feet in length, and at the time, the largest man-made moving object on Earth. The museum ship seems to be in motion cutting through the sidewalks and onto the streets of Pigeon Forge – towering above and beckoning visitors.
Reservations. Call 800-381-7670
Romance at Gatlinburg SkyBridge
All of February, the Gatlinburg SkyBridge will be adorned with red and white twinkling lights along with floral garland wrapped around the “Tunnel of Love” making a perfect spot to enjoy the incredible views with your honey. Whether you are looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day photo opportunity, looking to pop the question, plan your honeymoon, or simply wanting to spend quality time with your favorite person, the Tunnel of Love on the Gatlinburg SkyBridge is a wonderful memory maker.
Billed as North America’s largest pedestrian suspension bridge – Sky Bridge is 680 feet from tower to tower – with the most fantastic views.
The Skylift is a chairlift that has been taking visitors up the mountain sine 1954. Head 1,800 feet to the top of Crockett Mountain, looking down at forests, mountains and the town. Visitors get off at the Skydeck, where they can sit outside and enjoy the scene, buy a beer, do some shopping and walk the SkyBridge.
For more information about the Tunnel of Love and for tickets, visit the website. For more on the SkyBridge, read our blog.
Romance at Ripley’s
Make your honeymoon memorable At Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, sleep with penguins and learn about sharks with your loved one.
In each of the next nine months (except September), the aquarium is offering a Pints & Penguins Sleepover for those over 21. The first event is Feb. 9.
The sleepover includes a behind-the-scenes tour, delicious bites, a full bar, and more!
The night starts off with appetizers and drinks, followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of the Aquarium. Sleep alongside the Aquarium’s African penguin colony in the Penguin Playhouse and wake up to a hot breakfast and penguin encounter.
Inspired by Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies’ sold-out Sips & Sharks events, Pints & Penguins is an even more intimate program, with limited capacity. Booking in advance is highly recommended. The first Sips & Sharks is Feb. 10.
Carriage Ride Through Cades Cove
Between March and November, enjoy a sweet horse-drawn carriage ride through the idyllic winding forest trails of Cades Cove.
Cades Cove Riding Stables in beautiful Townsend, TN, offers the rides with its knowledgeable carriage drivers entertaining guests with tales of the history of the area while pointing out the native plant and animal life.
Beautiful Carriage Horses
Meet the beautiful carriage horses. Learn how things were done in days gone by. It’s a wonderful way to discover the old Cades Cove.
Carriage rides are 30 to 45 minutes in length. They depart throughout the day have no weight or age limit. However, they are limited 6 passengers.
10018 Campground Drive Townsend,| (865) 448-9009
Wine and Cocktails Adventures
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City, North Carolina, offers a unique experience pairing a railroad adventure with good wine and a great meal on the Nantahala Gorge Excursion departing on April 17, May 8, July 31, Aug 7, Sept 4 and Dec 31.
Just 46 miles from Gatlinburg, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is a memorable and romantic experience.
Passengers enjoy a full service All-Adult First-Class ride in the First-Class cars. This comes with a private attendant and “plush, well-appointed dining seating”.
A narrator will accompany the ride to present each pour to guests. They’ll also share knowledge and history of the wines selected. Passengers will enjoy an exclusive sampling of cheeses, fresh Pumpkin Bisque Soup or Salad, served with a Warm Dinner Roll. After this, they’ll enjoy a main course of onion crusted Atlantic baked salmon topped with a Dijon cream sauce over a bed of creamy mushroom and spinach. Tender beef slices topped with a port wine reduction and carrot soufflé. For dessert, vanilla bean cheesecake topped with fresh raspberries. The wine samples are paired with the meal.
All passengers will receive a GSMR souvenir stemless wine glass, four samples of selected wine, and a seasonal dessert.
Purchase tickets online or call (800) 872-4681.
More Wine Options
In the mood for more romance with wine? Take on the Rocky Top Wine Trail, made up of five wineries in driving distance of one another. Even better, don’t drive, book a VIP tour that will take you in style to three of the wineries.
INCLUDED ON THE VIP TOUR:
- A personalized visit to the following wine trail stops: Mountain Valley Winery, Mill Bridge Winery, Apple Barn Cider House, Apple Barn Winery and Hillside Winery
- (6) Free samples at each location visited
- 15% Discount on any purchases while on the tour
- Free Cheese tray while at Hillside Winery
- Complimentary Swag Bag
- One time ID check
- Expedited service in the tasting rooms
- Automatic completion of 3 stops on the Rocky Top Wine Trail
Rocky Top Wine Trail
Each winery along the trail offers a “unique style of wine ranging from French & German at Mountain Valley Winery to Italian style at Hillside Winery, apple based at the Apple Barn Winery, freshly pressed Hard Ciders at Apple Barn Cider House, and unique wines/hard ciders at Mill Bridge Winery.” All five locations offer free limited samplings gifts, and two of the five offer tours of the winemaking facilities.
Take a bottle back to your American Patriot Getaways cabin to enjoy together. Tickets can be purchased online. Contact Rocky Top Wine Trail at (865) 366-1664.
Catered Cabin
There are many wonderful restaurants in the area, but another idea is to have a romantic catered dinner. Our cabins come with equipped kitchens. Plus, there are several chefs who will travel to your cabin and cook you gourmet meal.
Here are a few:
Finally, if you are in town with kids this week, check out the annual Daddy-Daughter Dance at the Pigeon Forge Community Center on Feb. 4,2024 Take your best girl to the dance.
Book a Romantic Mountain Cabin Now!
After all the romantic eating, drinking and adventures in town, you’ll be ready to sink into a hot tub. Then, sit by a warm fire and just enjoy one another’s company. American Patriot Getaways will help you find the perfect romantic cabin.
How about a honeymoon cabin? Each cabin is specifically designed to create an unforgettable romantic experience. Mountain views, cozy fireplaces, huge King-size beds, opulent private Jacuzzis, hot tubs, and more await guests of our honeymoon cabins. Choose from secluded cabins and cabins with views. We have a large selection of romantic honeymoon cabins in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
To add more to your romantic getaway, add dinner reservations or tickets to a show, grocery shop on you way and perhaps plan to have a beautiful and surprising gift delivered right to your cabin contact American Patriot Getaways’ experts to help you plan.
Book your romantic Smoky Mountain retreat today by calling 800-204-5169 or online by searching our Cabins for Couples in Gatlinburg and in Pigeon Forge.
If you need more help planning your Smoky Mountain Vacation, be sure to check out all our vacation guides, and don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!
