Tennessee’s scenic mountain town Pigeon Forge is a popular romantic escape. In many ways, this is an ideal spot to spend some alone time with your loved one due not only to the amazing surrounding scenery but also the leisure and entertainment options available.
It’s not hard to see why Pigeon Forge attracts so many couples looking for a getaway once you consider the river walks, strolls, and scenic drive—not to mention the mountain backdrops!
The Great Smoky Mountains are an essential ingredient for stoking the romance on a getaway, honeymoon, or anniversary stay in the region of the town.
Whether you are seeking peaceful mountain solitude, downtown cuisine, walks, or maybe both—you won’t be short on ideas for things to do for couples in this town and region.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park serves as an ideal background for a truly romantic vacation getaway.
Love is always in the air in this scenic and peaceful getaway mountain region, so let’s take a closer look at the seven romantic things to do in Pigeon Forge.
Seven of the Most Romantic Things to Do in Pigeon Forge
- Cades Cove Carriage Ride
- A Scenic Drive
- Parrot Mountain Secret Garden
- A Cabin in the Mountains
- A Mountain Woodland Hike
- The Wine Trail
- Lunch at the Old Mill
1. Take a Carriage Ride through Cades Cove
There’s a magical romantic air awaiting couples and sweethearts in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains.
The expansive and breath-taking environment and scenery across the eastern side of the state where the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is situated have made this area one of the most visited in the country.
So why not romance your partner with a horse-drawn carriage ride through the stunning forests of Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Cades Cove Riding Stables is nestled away in a cove of the same name, and it offers a series of other outdoor guided adventures like horseback riding trips.
You’ll become more knowledgeable about the history of the area as well as the wildlife as your personal carriage driver leads the way.
Sit back and relax in your very own horse-drawn carriage as your guide leads you through the breath-taking and wildly romantic winding forest trails of Cades Cove.
2. Take a Scenic Drive
While you are in the vicinity of Cades Cove you could kill two birds with one stone if you don’t mind hopping into the car.
You can also take a scenic and romantic drive along the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road. This picturesque stretch of road from Cades Cove features historic cabins set amidst stunning views.
You may even spot some wildlife along the way as there is plenty around in this wild expansive area.
3. Visit the Secret Garden at Parrot Mountain
How does the idea of whisking your other half off to a romantic 4-acre secret garden sound?
Not only is this a secret garden, but it also happens to be one containing literally hundreds of exotic birds. In fact, this garden is situated on the incredibly scenic Parrot Mountain, which gets its name for good reason.
Parrot Mountain is the largest eco-tourist bird park in the Southeast. You can enter the secret garden to see the amazing birds in flight and take in the picturesque gardens and a small waterfall.
There is a nursery where you can drop by to see how the small but exotically-colored baby chicks are doing.
You can even purchase a bird to take home with you—if the mood takes you—or you can take a gentle stroll through the beautiful gardens, and then enjoy a spot of lunch on the deck of the gardens.
4. Stay in a Mountain Cabin
Staying in the Smoky Mountains is undoubtedly one of the most romantic things to do in Pigeon Forge.
Imagine getting completely away from the background hum of everyday own or city life and instead experiencing the gentle calm of the mountains. The only background noise you’ll get to hear in this vicinity is all-natural.
Couples can easily indulge in the leisure and entertainment amenities and establishments of downtown yet still return to the same serenity amidst nature in only a short drive.
Nothing beats the relaxation and quietness surrounding the cabins in the Smoky Mountains, least of all the cabins in Pigeon Forge.
The great thing about cabins is that there is usually a range to suit all requirements and budgets, not to mention the number of guests.
You can’t beat the comforts of a cozy cabin after a day expending lots of energy exploring Pigeon Forge and its surrounding regions.
Whether you’re looking for peace and relaxation or you plan on heading out to explore—you’ll definitely be able to find lots of ways to spend quality time alone with your partner in a mountain cabin in Pigeon Forge.
Most cabins have views of the mountains and forests that are nothing less than enchanting. Imagine overlooking all of that while sipping wine and soaking in a steamy hot tub, and some cabins on the higher end even come with their own indoor pools.
Then there are gas grills, heart-shaped jetted tubs, and king-size log beds covered in rose petals to consider when on a romantic getaway in a Pigeon Forge cabin.
5. Take a Woodland Mountain Hike
When people come to Pigeon Forge, they often venture into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And this is especially appealing if you are looking for a romantic woodland mountain walk upon which to while away an afternoon with your partner, out in the wilds.
The main thing is you are in the right area! This national park is home to more than 800 miles of trails, offering ample opportunities for hiking trails of all shapes and description.
The beautiful trails near Pigeon Forge are an attractive experience year-round, no matter who you are with—but they do hold particular appeal to activity-seeking couples on a romantic getaway to the mountains.
The trails come in all shapes and sizes ranging from straight-out easy and flat to the somewhat more challenging and steep. The trails all offer their own unique aspects, whether that be running through lush woods, past wildflower meadows, or clear flowing waterfalls.
There are lots of these trails within the vicinity of many Pigeon Forge cabins, so you won’t have to drive too far out to find something that suits you.
6. Take the Wine Trail
Pigeon Forge and the surrounding Smoky Mountain towns are well-known for offering a variety of locations for wine tours and tastings. You can visit the wineries individually or take the wine trail.
The Rocky Top Wine Trail is a long-time favorite activity for couples visiting the area who enjoy a glass of wine.
There are five designated wineries all along the trail by way of Hillside Winery, Apple Barn Winery, Apple Barn Cider House, Mountain Valley Winery, and Mill Bridge Winery.
Participants receive a passport at the beginning that gets stamped at each stop off. When you get to the third location along the trail you receive a free gift, and then another after you’ve hit all five of the wineries along the route.
You get free wine tastings at every winery along with a tour of the facility. This gives you the opportunity to witness the various stages of the wine-making process.
There are more than 70 unique varieties of wine to sample along the way, and you might even want to pick up a couple of bottles to take back to your cozy cabin in the mountains.
7. Have Lunch at the Old Mill
The Old Mill is located right in the heart of downtown Pigeon Forge, and is something of an institution in the area.
Dating back to 1830, the Old Mill is one of the most popular stop-off eateries in the Smoky Mountains, not least of all due to the fact that it is simply so picturesque and photogenic.
Why not venture into town and grab lunch at the Old Mill Restaurant and maybe even sample a tad of moonshine at the Old Forge Distillery afterwards nearby if you are feeling brave enough.
If that’s not your thing entirely then there’s always the nearby pottery shop where hand-thrown clay forms the basis of the creative process of the various pieces of art.
