Looking for a special way to spend Valentine’s with your sweetheart?

1. Rent a Cabin. Nothing says romance like a little log cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains. Whether you’re looking for a rustic cabin with a wood-burning fireplace or the lap of luxury with all the amenities, Gatlinburg offers all the options you can imagine.

Want to soak in a hot tub with a view? Try Southern Comfort. Want to enjoy a roaring fire while snuggled into your king-size bed? Try the Above the Rest–one of the cabins at Winfield Heights.

2. Winery Tours. Wine may not be the first thing that pops to mind when contemplating what to do in Gatlinburg, but Smoky Mountain Winery opened its doors in 1981. Take a free tour of the production facilities then follow it up with a free tasting of more than 20 available award-winning wines. Take a bottle home to remember your honeymoon, anniversary or romantic getaway weekend!

3. Ski Lodge. Love to ski? Ober Gatlinburg is a great destination for your winter skiing. Don’t ski? Give it a try in ski school. Nothing will bond the two of you like learning something new. And, if ski school doesn’t go well…you can always help nurse each other’s wounded pride.

4. Photography. When everyone has a digital camera, it is easy to forget about having professional portraits taken. Take the stress out of trying to find the perfect stranger walking by to take a picture of you and your honey on vacation. Gary Woods Photography offers location shoots. I love the composition in his outdoor portraits. Trust a professional and capture the memory for a lifetime.

5. Snow Snow Snow! What happens if you were hoping for snow and don’t see any when you get here? Well, you have to find the snow. Snowfalls of an inch or more occur on average only one to five times per year in the valleys of the Great Smoky Mountains. In the high country, over five feet of snow falls most years. If the Newfound Gap Road has not been closed because of snow, a trip to Newfound Gap is your best bet for finding snow. Have fun and dress warm!

6. Have a Picnic. No–I haven’t lost my mind. I know it is too cold for most of you to be traipsing into the woods with a blanket and picnic basket. I propose you picnic in your cabin. Rent a movie, start a fire, and order take out from one of Gatlinburg’s great eateries. I recommend a big Italian feast from Best Italian (pictured left) or create your own gourmet picnic of hummus, specialty cheeses, olives and breads from our local Food City. Bon appetite!

7. Auto-Touring. Too cold to hike? Hiking not your idea of romance? Take an auto-tour. Enjoy some of the Smoky Mountains greatest sites from the comfort of your car.

Some of my favorite Auto-Touring trails are the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Newfound Gap Road from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, and any section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Fill up your tank and hit the open road.

8. Relax. Ready to get away from it all? Try spa services for the ultimate relaxing getaway. Whether you are looking for a pedicure and facial or a joint massage with aroma therapy, About You Salon offers a whole menu of services to suit your fancy.

Try their Signature Mountain Heritage Massage and 10% of the proceeds will go to Friends of the Smokies’ efforts to support the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

9. Dining for Two. A romantic meal that you don’t have to shop for or cook is always a welcome relief for the cook in your family. Trust me on this one. Gatlinburg restaurants abound.

Whether you are looking for a great steak like those at the Alamo Steakhouse, a gourmet breakfast from the Pancake Pantry, or an indulgent lunch from the Haufbrau House, there is a little something for everyone. By the way, if you love Italian food, Gatlinburg does it well over and over. Check out our Best Italian Food post!

10. Goin’ to the Chapel. Gatlinburg sees the second most weddings in the country each year (surprisingly just behind Las Vegas).

A simply ceremony at a cabin like Bear Path can help create a beautiful memory and a place to return for many years to come.

An elaborate wedding at one of the local chapels is easy to plan from afar. And, of course, you can always get married in the only Hard Rock Cafe in the world with a wedding chapel–the Hard Rock Gatlinburg.

Check out our Smoky Mountain Wedding post for more information.

Rent a Cabin
Whether you are just looking for a comfortable, private place to chill out after a fun-filled day, or a place to retreat from the world for a while, try renting a chalet or cabin. I would be perfectly happy to hole up in a cabin with some food-stocks, some movies, some books, my notebook, a pen, and my guitar. I know there are some of you out there besides me who really need to be by yourself every once in a while. A cabin is the answer!

Go Hiking
In the Spring, Summer, and Fall hiking can lead you to beautiful views of creation, peaceful walks through the woods, and the tranquility you’ve been looking for. For those of you who can’t sit still, but need to let your mind rest, go on a hike. It’s the perfect way to think while moving! If it’s winter, this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a trek through the Park. Try winter hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing! Experience a winter wonderland with evergreen plants, winter birds, gorgeous winter waterfalls, pristine snow, and more!

Enjoy Some Pampering
Visit a Day Spa, such as Utopia Day Spa or About You Salon & Day Spa, for everything from hair & nails to packages including massage, facial, body wrap, manicure & pedicure, shampoo & blow dry, make-up application, and lunch! Have someone come give you a massage at your cabin, or have gift baskets, flowers, romantic dinners and more delivered to your cabin, or even set up and ready when you arrive!

Go Out to Eat
Sometimes you just don’t have the energy to prepare your own food. For those times, just head out to one of our many restaurants. Whether your idea of relaxation and good food is a burger and fries, an organic cafe, or a sit down dinner, we’ve got plenty of options to choose from. We especially like our Italian food here, but that’s definitely not the limit! If you don’t want to prepare your own food, but still relish the idea of eating in the privacy of your cabin, simply order your food take-out and bring it back to your cabin with you!

Relax By A Creek
Here in Gatlinburg you don’t have to go far to find a creek! There is a creek that runs between the two sides of the road between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg! Most of the hiking trails in the Park run beside a creek or cross a creek at at least one point. My personally favorite way to relax by the creek is to go to the Chimney Tops Picnic Area in the Park, rock hop my way out to the biggest rock I can find in the middle of the stream, and sit on it, reading, writing, thinking, or praying. Even if there are tons of people around, no worries, just close your eyes, or lay back and look at the sky or trees above you. The gentle roar of the mountain stream will drown out surrounding noises!

Visit a Chapel
There are historic chapels all over this area, where anyone may enter, sit, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Whether you are looking to connect with God, or simply enjoy the tranquility of these historic and beautiful buildings, chapels are a great place to relax. You can find one at Dollywood, a few in Cades Cove, and various others in different areas of the Park. There are countless wedding chapels in the area, many of which I’m sure would be glad to let you come in and relax when they are not in use. Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Gatlinburg has a beautiful chapel where you can sit and meditate.

Retail Therapy
I had a college roommate that frequently referred to her need for “retail therapy.” To her, going shopping was a way to have fun, ease the mind, and just loosen up! If this is you, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have more than enough shopping to provide a full week’s worth of therapy! Come on down!

Soak Up The Sun
I love to enjoy those sunny days by getting wet! Maybe you just like to lay out! We have several cabins with pool access. But even if you choose one that doesn’t, there are still community pools, Splash Country, Dollywood, white water rafting, and more! There’s no need to miss out!

Newfound Gap
Newfound Gap runs almost exactly through the center of the Park and offers gorgeous views at little pull-offs all along the way! If you don’t have much time or energy, but are eager to experience some great views of the Park, this may be the path for you!

Alum Cave Bluffs
The Alum Cave Bluffs are 100 feet high, and have been in the past, the source of alum, a compound sulfate used in munitions manufacturing, in medicines, and in setting cloth dyes. They were also supposedly a source of saltpeter for Civil War gunpowder. The Alum Cave Bluffs Trail begins at Newfound Gap Rd between the Newfound Gap and Chimney Tops overlooks, and is a popular destination for day hikers. The trail is pretty strenuous at the end. It is 2.5 miles to the Bluffs, and 5 miles to Mount Le Conte.

Andrews Bald
A bald is an open, unforested area on a mountain ridge. Naturalists can’t explain for sure how they happen, but it could be due to overgrazing or repeated fires set by humans. Andrews Bald is the easiest bald to reach in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is located 1.8 miles south of Clingman’s Dome, by hiking trail. It has beautiful view, and the open fields, containing mainly grass and flowering shrubs, make it a nice picnic spot!

Charlies Bunion
This is one of my husband’s personal favorites! He loves the views and it is the perfect day hike for him. He does it in a morning usually. In 1925, a forest fire swept through this section of the Park and exposed the ridge now know as Charlies Bunion, opening up sweeping views of Mount LeConte and Greenbrier. This trail is 4 miles one way.

Cherokee Orchard Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
These roads include historical sites such as homesteads, cabins and a cemetery from a village that was home to about 24 families about 150 years ago! This is often hailed as a mini-Cades Cove, closer to Gatlinburg, a smaller loop, and usually less crowded, but still great for viewing wildlife and historic buildings! The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is closed in the winter.

Chimney Tops
In addition to the actual Chimney Tops Trail, the Chimney Tops picnic area, nearby, is in my opinion a destination of its own. It spreads along a beautiful mountain creek with tons of rocks to play on, and plenty of shallow spots to wade in! There are, of course, numerous picnic tables at which you can enjoy a meal. I have spent the whole day there before, reading, playing in the creek, and just generally relaxing and enjoying the lovely atmosphere! If you are interested in a little more action, continue down the road to the Chimney Tops Trail, and hike up to the Chimneys themselves on a strenuous four-mile round trip trail. This amazing rock formation is sheer pinnacles, looking somewhat like a couple of chimneys sticking up into the air. They said that when that blue mist rolls through the mountains, some of it goes in a cavity at the bottom of the formation and then rises out the open tops, looking very much like a smoking chimney!

Clingman’s Dome
Clingman’s Dome is one of the most popular sites in the Smokies, and with good reason! It is the highest peak in the Smokies, at 6,643 feet, and though the top is covered with spruce and fir trees, there is an observation platform from which you can see a spectacular 360 degree view! The path to the observation platform is steep, but only a half-mile. Even the most out-of-shape person can make it! Just take frequent rests and bring plenty of water and a snack!

Mingus Mill
If you are interested in historical buildings, this is a great place to stop! One of two water-powered mills still in operation in the Park, from mid-April through October, a miller grinds corn and wheat to make cornmeal and flour. This attraction is wheelchair accessible.

Mount LeConte
Mount LeConte is considered one of the most beautiful mountain peaks to look at, and one of the most difficult to climb. It is a badge of honor to have climbed LeConte. I have a few friends who climb it at least a few times a year. My husband likes to go up there, and he usually ends up running most of the way down due to the steep grade! This is the third-highest peak in the Smokies, at 6,593 feet. Near the top, is LeConte Lodge, where some opt to stay the night and rest, and others stop for either a cool drink or a cup of hot cocoa or coffee, depending on the season. You will need to make reservations well in advance if you plan to stay at the Lodge overnight. There are no roads up to the Lodge, and all supplies are delivered by llama train! There are 5 different hiking trails on LeConte: Boulevard Trail via the Appalachian Trail starting at Newfound Gap. 16 miles round-trip; Alum Cave Trail at the Alum Cave parking lot on Newfound Gap Rd, 11 miles round-trip; Rainbow Falls Trail or Trillium Gap, each 13.4 miles round-trip; or Bull Head, 14.4 miles round-trip from Cherokee Orchard.

Mountain Farm Museum
Oconaluftee was settled around 1800, and is now home to Mountain Farm Museum, just a short walk from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. The Museum replicates a 19th-century farm, including a house, barn, corncrib, sorghum molasses mill and blacksmith shop. From the spring through October, there are costumed interpretive demonstrations.

Cold weather is back in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Ober Gatlinburg features nine trails serviced by two quad lifts, one double lift and one surface lift. The resort offers terrain for all abilities, from a beginner experiencing the joy of snow sports for the first time, to a seasoned expert hitting the moguls and terrain park. Ober Gatlinburg also has a popular snow tubing park, skiing and snowboarding equipment and clothing rentals, an ice skating rink, aerial tramway, restaurant and lounge, shops and more.

Ober Gatlinburg was recently selected by AOL as one of the top 10 Ski Destinations in the country! It was selected based on its snow-making system, its tram that goes from downtown Gatlinburg, up to the resort, and the views of the Smoky Mountains!

Slopes are maintained with the latest in snow-grooming equipment to provide a smoother, more consistent surface creating enjoyable skiing conditions.

If you are interested in renting a Gatlinburg cabin that is located close to the ski slopes at Ober Gatlinburg, check out:

The Cabins of Winfield Heights!

Don’t forget that snow tubing is a great option at Ober Gatlinburg! All tubing sessions are 1 hour and 45 minutes. Ticket sales are on a first-come, first- served basis and may sell out early. Must be at least 6 years old and 42″ tall to ride solo; children ages 3 – 5 must ride with an adult; children under 3 are not permitted to ride.

OBER GATLINBURG SLOPE STATISTICS

SUMMIT ELEVATION: 3300 feet BASE ELEVATION: 2700 feet VERTICAL DROP: 600
feet LONGEST RUN: 5000 feet # OF TRAILS 7 tree lined, 1 open SLOPE
DIFFICULTY: SLOPE LENGTH VERTICAL DROP BEGINNER ......2 Runs  Alpine
Way 2,600' 279'  Bear Run 3,200' 393' INTERMEDIATE ..4 Runs  Castle Run
1,100' 163'  Cub Way 1,800' 163' ADVANCED ......2 Runs  Grizzly 3,800'
556'  Mogul Ridge 300' 235' Ober Chute 4,400' 556'  Ski School
(teaching area) LIFTS: QUAD - 2 DOUBLE - 1 SURFACE LIFT - 1 LIFT CAPACITY -
6000 people per/hour AVERAGE ANNUAL SNOWFALL - 35 inches
SNOWMAKING - 100% snowmaking capabilities AVERAGE SEASON - Mid-December
through Early-March NIGHT SKIING - all trails except Grizzly
LESSONS - Smoky Mtn. Snow Sport School http://www.smokysnowsport.com
SKI RENTALS - 1700 sets step-ins available at area
SNOWBOARD RENTALS - 150 sets step-ins available at area
($300 deposit required) SKI SHOP - Swiss Outdoors Gear Shop at area
DINING - Snack bars, Food Carts, Cafe, Restaurant and Lounge
FIRST AID - operated by National Ski Patrol HOSPITAL - 15 miles
TRAVEL - Gatlinburg - 10 minutes via Tram;
Knoxville - 40 miles (1 hour) via I-40 east to Rt.66 to Rt. 441 south 

The Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair is a gathering of spectacular artists and craftsmen from East Tennessee and beyond. For only $6 admission per person, you can enjoy hand crafted art of a wide variety, as well as ongoing live bluegrass music throughout the course of the craft show. It will be held at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, and will run July 15 – 23.

Performers include Dennis Lee and band, performing July 15-19, and Keith Longbotham and band, performing July 20-23. “Dennis Lee is one of today’s most dynamic entertainers. Over the last ten years, Dennis has performed in front of over 1 million people at countless events and functions including the Montana State Fair where he and his band opened for pop superstar, Sheryl Crow and country music artist, Chris LeDoux; the National Retail Grocer’s Association Convention where Dennis opened for Lee Greenwood, and the Brevard County Fair where he opened for the legendary Beach Boys.” “Keith Longbotham is a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, entertainer, worship leader and humorist. He performs concerts for conventions, rallies, fairs, festivals, churches and other special events all over the US and Canada.”

The fair stated in their press release: “We are so fortunate to be able to offer such a wide variety of talent and hand-made products for our visitors to enjoy. We take great pride in the quality level of our craftspeople. Each craftsman is juried for quality and unusual skill. About 80% of our participants are perennial favorites who are returning, however new exhibitors join the show every year so there is always something new, exciting and fresh for our guests to look forward to.”