Gatlinburg is the perfect place for a romantic retreat with your sweetheart! Located at the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, our charming city offers spectacular natural beauty in a fun setting. When you stay at Sidney James Mountain Lodge, you will enjoy wonderful accommodations and proximity to everything there is to see and do in the area. To help you make the most of your getaway, we have put together a guide to four of the most romantic things to do in Gatlinburg.
1. Take the Aerial Tramway to Ober Gatlinburg and Go Ice Skating
A visit to the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area & Amusement Park is the ultimate romantic activity – and getting there is part of the experience! The best way to reach Ober is via the Aerial Tramway, a cable car ride that leaves from the Parkway and takes passengers to the top of Mt. Harrison. As the Tramway travels the 2.1 miles to the ski resort, passengers will enjoy stunning views of the Smoky Mountains and the city of Gatlinburg. Best of all, the Aerial Tramway is just a 12 minute walk from Sidney James Mountain Lodge.
Once you reach Ober Gatlinburg, you will find a variety of fun things to do. For a special afternoon with the one you love, we suggest taking advantage of Ober’s year round ice skating rink. Holding hands as you skate through the indoor rink is sure to be a memorable part of your vacation.
2. Walk Through the Village
The Village is one of the most romantic spots in downtown Gatlinburg. This lovely shopping area located behind the Pancake Pantry is designed to look like a quaint German village, with brick walkways and a beautiful fountain. Couples will find 27 different boutiques to explore during their visit. Some of our favorite romantic activities in The Village include:
- Enjoying a sweet treat at the Donut Friar or The Village Cafe & Creamery
- Admiring the artwork at the Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery or the Lamplight Gallery
- Shopping at Alewine Pottery, The Honey Pot, The Silver Tree, or another great store.
3. Sample Some Moonshine
Moonshine tasting is another one of our favorite romantic things to do in Gatlinburg. The downtown area is filled with a number of wonderful distilleries that make Tennessee’s legendary (legal!) moonshine. For a $5 fee, you can sample the various flavors of white lightning available at the distillery of your choice. The money for the tasting goes towards any purchase you make in the store, so the fee is nominal if you already plan on buying a jar of shine to take home. Gatlinburg’s distilleries offer a variety of fun moonshine flavors to try, including Apple Pie, Root Beer Float, Blackberry, and Peach.
The moonshine distilleries in downtown Gatlinburg that offer tastings are:
4. Relax at Sidney James Mountain Lodge
Sidney James Mountain Lodge is minutes away from all of the most popular romantic things to do in Gatlinburg. Of course, there are also plenty of great activities for couples to enjoy right at our hotel! Choose one of our rooms with a fireplace, Jacuzzi tub, or a balcony overlooking a beautiful creek to set the perfect mood for your escape in the Smokies. Our indoor and outdoor pools are also great places for couples to relax for an afternoon. No matter how you decide to spend your getaway, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience when you visit Gatlinburg for your romantic retreat.
To start planning your vacation, browse our selection of Gatlinburg hotel rooms!