Looking for romantic things to do in Gatlinburg ? Take a look at this list of fun ideas for date night in Gatlinburg TN for every type of couple– the laid-back, foodie, adventure seeker, and more!
1. Casual Stroll, Laid-Back Dinner & Live Music
The Gatlinburg Trail is accessible from downtown Gatlinburg (close to our hotel in fact!) and offers an easy walk through the scenic Smoky Mountains, beautiful views, chances to see wildlife, and more. You can also bike the trail instead, and it’s one of the only dog-friendly trails in the national park! Afterward, head over to Tom & Earl’s Back Alley Grill for a casual dinner and drinks and enjoy live music on the weekends! Share a plate of Rocky Top Nachos or the Cream Corn Fritters and choose from a variety of draft and bottled beer, cocktails, and wine. Entrees range from thick juicy burgers to BBQ, wraps, salads, and more!
2. Tastings, Tours & A Tasty Steak Dinner
Downtown Gatlinburg is full of moonshine distilleries, wineries, and breweries offering samples of flights of their local brews and blends. Instead of the traditional “happy hour”, go enjoy some tastings at places like Ole Smoky and Sugarlands. When you get hungry, enjoy a premium steak dinner at The Park Grill Restaurant, one of the top places to eat among the locals and well-known for its amazing salad bar! Be sure to save room for dessert– the Nanner Puddin’, Jack Daniel’s Creme Brulee, and Peanut Butter Mud Pie are incredible!
3. Smokehouse BBQ & Astra Lumina at Anakeesta
From Gatlinburg mountain coasters to ziplining and the iconic Treetop Skywalk, Anakeesta has all kinds of fun activities to enjoy all day long. But at night, this adventure park comes alive in a whole new way!
Astra Lumina is an immersive, magical experience with lights, projections, and sounds that will make you feel as though you’re walking among the stars. When it comes to food, you’ll have a wide range of options, but we especially recommend Smokehouse, the attraction’s BBQ restaurant with open-air dining overlooking downtown and the Great Smoky Mountains!
4. Mini Golf, Mexican Food & Margs
Another fun idea for date night in Gatlinburg is for those couples who like a bit of competition! Challenge one another to a few rounds of miniature golf before enjoying a delicious meal and refreshing drinks (the margaritas are second to none!) at No Way Jose’s Cantina . When the weather is nice, you can eat outside on the patio overlooking the river! Everything on their menu is amazing, and one of our favorite dishes is the sizzling steak, chicken, and shrimp fajitas. It’s perfect for 2 people!
5. Upscale Dining & Scenic Views
Want to find a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle? Try The Greenbrier Restaurant and enjoy their Smoky Mountain twist on upscale dining! Located just a few minutes outside of downtown, this lodge-style restaurant has an incredible chef-inspired menu with premium meat and seafood, unique flavor combinations, and some of the best handcrafted cocktails in town. After a relaxing meal, you can watch the sunset from the Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook or head back downtown and take in the twilight views from the Gatlinburg Space Needle ! Now that you have some ideas for date night in Gatlinburg, all you have to do is find a place to stay! Here are a few reasons why couples love staying at our Gatlinburg hotel on the river – our location and amenities are unbeatable!
