Want a romantic getaway to the Smokies and looking for a home base? Maybe something closer to Townsend, not as hardcore as Gatlinburg, and not as Dollywood like Pigeon Forge? Look no further; A romantic, adventurous getaway to Sevierville is the answer! It's close enough to enjoy it all but secluded enough to find some romantic time for your next couple's trip.
Although you may not have heard of Sevierville (pronounced “sevier-ville”), it is the eighth-oldest city in Tennessee. It is also home to John Sevier (the first governor of Tennessee) and Dolly Parton. When it became the county seat in 1795, it was a farming and logging community. After the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it is now a tourist center. As they say – “Your smoking starts here.”
Keep reading to discover adventurous and romantic things to do in Sevierville while honoring its Appalachian heritage. Along the way, you'll find plenty of good things to eat and charming places to stay. No wonder she did #1 the best honeymoon Destinations in the United States in 2017
Romantic things to do in Sevierville
Sevierville is full of romantic things to do, making it hard to choose. At Coleman Concierge, we plan our travel activity and adventures first and then fill in the details of where to stay and what to eat. Sevierville is an outdoor lover's dream.
Get a relaxing massage
Nothing says romance more than a massage, and Spa at Oak Haven Resort It is the best in the valley.
As I walked in, I noticed how cute the spa was like a perfect little cabin nestled in the Oak Haven resort near the pool. The treatment rooms were modern and well equipped. My therapist, Dan, was excellent at assessing my individual needs and performing a personalized massage treatment to meet my specific needs and problem areas. No wonder they have all those five star reviews.
Go on wine and spirit tours
If you're looking for love, there's a saying that alcohol is faster. I don't know about all that, but Sevierville has a great wine and spirits scene. I've explored Rocky Top Wine Trail, a collaboration between five local wineries offering more than 75 unique, high-quality wines. I got my passports stamped from three locations, and got a free souvenir wine glass to take home for each.
I also learned how to make a couple of classic Southern cocktails while in Sevierville Southern bee's knees (a simple cocktail made with Yannoh's in-house honey spirit, honey simple syrup, soda water, and a pinch of lemon) and Tennessee mule kick (Mule made from aloe vera spirit named Tennekeela). They were very good, but they knew I had to take it easy or I would be sorry in the morning!
Enjoy some Appalachian appreciation
No trip to Sevierville is complete without exploring the city's cultural past. Tennessee was America's original frontier, where settlers tamed the Appalachian Mountains. It lies at the crossroads of the South and Midwest, creating a harmonious blend of tastes and cultures. At one point, East Tennessee, including Sevierville, claimed Franklin's independent state status. Although Franklin State was never officially recognized, this pioneering spirit lives on today.
Try fly fishing
I also learned to fly with fish Smoky Mountain Angler. A little secret about fishing, it's not always about catching the fish. Casting flies is rhythmic and soothing as if you are dancing in nature. By spending the morning on the river, you learn to think like a fish. Imagining where they will hide and what they will eat connects you to nature. Even though I didn't get anything, I left feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Take a walking tour of Sevierville
I learned a lot on my guided walking tour of Sevierville. I had the opportunity to meet artists from Smoky Mountain Mural Company. Behind the newest mural depicts Dolly as a child at the local soda fountain. The city of Sevierville regularly hosts guided walking tours, but you'll need to make a reservation.
Even without a guide, you will enjoy exploring the city center. Sevierville actively installs public artwork such as the famous Dolly Parton statue and a variety of murals. If you are an art lover, be sure to visit the art galleries in Sevierville such as… Robert Tino Gallery.
Visit the Tennessee Aviation Museum
It is located just outside the city Tennessee Aviation Museum. Now girls, listen to me. Your man will love this place, and you'll get it later 😉 They have not one, but two airworthy P-47s. My husband Ed was obsessed when he heard this. He says these classic warbirds were on Bomb.com in World War II.
The Luftwaffe didn't know what hit them when these huge fighters came screaming from above with eight 50-caliber machine guns blazing. They had one of the fastest dive rates of all Allied aircraft, despite dwarfing all Spitfires based at the base. What's more, it was so heavily armored that it was able to take twice as many bullets as any other aircraft in the air, and continued to fly the next day. #Things that men love
Adventurous activities you can do in Sevierville
Longtime readers know our slogan – “Amazing Adventures for Ordinary People.” Even on romantic vacations, we look for fun things to do. Sevierville did not disappoint our adrenaline addiction.
Ride the largest Zipline in the Smokies
I don't know about you, but ziplines definitely make me want to cuddle after the shower. the Goliath Tour of Foxfire Mountain It was very intense and a lot of fun. It is the longest, highest, and fastest zipline in the Smokies. You fly at speeds of up to 55 mph suspended 475 feet above the valley floor. I loved the way you cleared the trees and the valley would seep out from under you. I felt like I was flying…that is until I flew on a classic biplane with Sky High Air Tours.
Rising above Sevierville
Mark Hightower in Sky High Air Tours He took me on a 15-minute ride on a 1927 Waco open cockpit biplane. I couldn't believe the view as we explored the smoke from the air. The pilot sits in the back, with two seats in the front, perfect for a romantic flight.
On a personal note, I loved meeting Mark and hearing about how his career journeys took him from boat captain to divemaster to bird pilot. If there's a great guy in Sevierville, I haven't met him!
Take a day trip from Sevierville
Sevierville's prime location at the base of the Smokies makes it an ideal spot for day trips to the mountains. We've put together a 12-piece waterfall tour of Great Smoky Mountains National Park that highlights the great hiking in the Smokies. If you love biking (or scenic drives or historic cabins), you'll love Cades Cove Loop. It takes less time to drive to Cades Cove from Sevierville than it does from Gatlinburg, and that's not including the (heavy) traffic on the Parkway.
Gatlinburg Only a half hour drive from Sevierville. It's easy to enjoy the best of Gatlinburg, including flights over the city and more than 100 artisans on an 8-mile loop through Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community. You can also take a full-day trip via Townsend in the morning to Cades Cove and then back via Gatlinburg in the evening, hitting all the highlights along the way.
Enjoy the restaurants in Sevierville Tn
One of my favorite experiences in Sevierville was the delicious food. It was an extension of the Appalachian Appreciation tour, minus your stomach with a touch of down-home Southern cuisine and fresh farm-to-table Midwestern goodness. My favorite restaurants in Sevierville include:
- Holston Kitchen: Quality food in a casual atmosphere. From hand-cut prime rib steaks to delicious side dishes, this Houston restaurant will make the whole family happy.
- Applewood Farmhouse RestaurantHighlights include slow roasted or signature fried chicken. Each meal comes with a complimentary basket of Apple Fritters with homemade apple butter and an Applewood Julep with apples grown in their own orchards.
- Gray's Burger: A farm-to-table restaurant serving 100% natural, grain-fed burgers that are always fresh and never frozen. In fact, the only thing in the fridge is ice cream!
Find romantic places to stay in Sevierville
I spent almost a full week in town, so I found three great places to stay in Sevierville. My first stop was a writer's workshop held in a huge hotel cabin Hidden Mountain Resort. There were seven bedrooms and even a small indoor theatre. I loved the luxurious touches like their gourmet cuisine and the views of the valley below. Our giant seven-bedroom hotel was perfect for relaxing in the jungle, but one- and two-bedroom units are also available.
After the workshop, I went into town and stayed at the newly renovated hotel Central Hotel. This historic property hosted President Roosevelt in 1940 when he designated Great Smoky National Park and was purchased by the Sevier County Bank in 1968. In fact, the bank vault still exists on the building today. All this history and elegance makes the Central Hotel one of the most unique properties in downtown Sevierville. It was very convenient to be within walking distance of everywhere I wanted to go in the city as well.
Before I left, I did an experiment Oak Haven Resort, where I had a wonderful massage at the spa. Although gorgeous, the rooms were a little cramped compared to the first cabin I stayed in, but I loved the master bedroom's shower and private hot tub on the balcony. It seemed similar to Hidden Mountain Resort, where you can get a cabin in the Smokies that is part of a larger resort complex. It's the best of both worlds! I can see why the Smokies are considered the “Wedding Capital of the South.” Either property would be an ideal location for a driving destination wedding.
Wrapping up my romantic getaway to Sevierville
We can't wait to come back and visit! There's something to do in every season in Sevierville. Spring brings small animals and cascading waterfalls, and summer, long days for hiking and playing. Autumn has turned the leaves in Tennessee, and the snow turns the valley into a winter wonderland. Until we meet again, Sevierville – bye
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Hello! We are Jane and Ed Coleman also known as Coleman Concierge. In short, we are a 10th generation couple from Huntsville sharing our stories of amazing adventures through transformative and experiential activity-based travel.
