Blog for Zipline Attraction in the Smoky Mountains
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
Send A Smoky Mountain Valentine
By Ross Bodhi Ogle
Posted on February 6, 2024
There's only about a week left until Valentine's Day. A lucky few of you may already have mapped out how you want to spend that day with your spouse or significant other. But if you're like most, you probably are still squirming and sweating as the big day approaches. Maybe you're asking yourself questions like, “What's the best gift to give?” “Should we go out to dinner?” “Is there something special I can do to show my special person how I feel?”
If you currently find yourself in that second camp, we have good news. There's one place where you can find answers to all those questions and probably a few more we didn't think of. That place is the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, and if you'll continue reading, we have several ideas for how to make this year's Valentine's Day one of the best ever.
A getaway hideaway
Let's start by addressing a fundamental issue: Do you want to drive into the Smokies just for the day/evening, or do you want to make it more of an event? Of course, we think staying at least one full night is a great way make the most of a Valentine's Day - provided, of course, that you can take some time off in the middle of the week. (We know that not everyone can. Another alternative would be to plan your celebration for the weekend before or after Valentine's Day.) In either case, consider booking a hotel or an overnight rental like a cabin, condo or chalet for the evening.
Smoky Mountain lodgings come with a lot of advantages, including a wide selection of properties. For example, there are lots of cozy, one-bedroom rental cabins in the area that include amenities like hot tubs, whirlpool tubs in the primary bath, fireplaces and stunning views of the mountains. Any of these would be the ideal setting for a romantic getaway in the Smokies.
Dinner for two
Now let's take on Valentine's Day dinner, which is a solid, can't-miss component of any romantic celebration. We're going to single out you fellas here and say that this is not the time to go cheapo on the meal. No McDonald's or KFC, please. It's time to shell out a few bucks and take your partner to dinner at a restaurant more befitting of the occasion. We're talking steak or seafood in a romantic setting.
You have tons of restaurants to choose from in the Smokies, most of which are located in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. We're going to steer you toward establishments that are primarily in the Gatlinburg area, most of which are independently owned or belong to small chains. A few places to consider include the Buckhorn Inn, Chesapeake's Seafood and Raw Bar, Ristorante DellaSantina, The Melting Pot, The Peddler Steakhouse or The Park Grill. Our personal recommendation, if you can get a reservation, is the Greenbrier Restaurant in Gatlinburg.
Tokens of affection
When it comes to a Valentine's Day gift, it's time to get creative. Yes, jewelry for the lady is a classic option, one that never goes out of style. And the Smokies area has plenty of retailers that can set you up with a stunning piece like a ring, bracelet, necklace or earrings. If the object of your affection is a guy, you might have to do a little out-of-the-box thinking if he's not a jewelry kind of dude. Think about his interests. What does he like to do in his spare time? Use that as a starting point and then start looking. There are retailers that cater to just about any special interest you can imagine.
Also, don't rule out experiences when it comes to gift giving. If your significant other is into music, maybe you could spring for tickets to a show at a place like Country Tonite Theatre in Pigeon Forge. If they like comedy, try out the Comedy Barn. If they're into horses, maybe a performance of Dolly Parton's Stampede would be the thing to do. Then there are all kinds of other attractions like the Titanic Museum Attraction, WonderWorks and Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, just to mention a few other of the bigger names. (If Smoky Mountain Ziplines were open, we'd say come celebrate Valentine's Day here. But unfortunately, our Pigeon Forge attraction is on hiatus until spring.)
Finally, don't rule out candy as a Valentine's-Day “I love you.” You don't want to buy candy for someone who's been struggling with weight or eating issues, but if that's not on the table, go for it. The good news is that the Smokies area is brimming with retailers that not only sell homemade confections like fudge, chocolate-covered foods, etc, but many of them also make their treats on site.
