This Christmas my husband and I took a trip, just the two of us. After the last year of being apart due to our deployments we wanted to do something special. We love the cold, little did we know we reserved a White Christmas in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. For my couples looking to reignite your romance on a quick getaway, I have mapped out where we went and what we did:
Gatlinburg, Tennessee🏞️
Looking for a quick, holiday getaway? Look no further, everything you need for the holiday season is in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. A charming mountain town located in the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s a super popular vacation destination for those looking to experience the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, outdoor adventure, holiday lights, cool weather, snow, whiskey and wine tastings, and beautiful scenery!
If you’re looking for more thrilling adventures, Gatlinburg has plenty to offer. The town is home to a number of zip line and ropes courses, as well as white water rafting on the Pigeon River. There are also several ski resorts in the area, making Gatlinburg a great destination for winter sports.
Gatlinburg is also known for its shopping and dining options. The town has a number of unique stores and galleries, as well as a variety of restaurants that offer everything from Southern comfort food to Distilleries.
Educational Fact🏫
Did you know? One of the top attractions in Gatlinburg is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is the most visited national park in the United States. The park is home to over 1,500 species of plants and animals, including black bears, elk, and salamanders. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, fishing, and horseback riding, or take a scenic drive through the park to see the beautiful waterfalls and views of the mountains.
Our Itinerary✨
Ole Smoky Moonshine
The Ole Smokey Distillery offers fun and personable tastings offer three flavor pours (of your choice) for free or $5/person for the five to seven bottles of moonshine they have on the counter. Our personal favorites were their famous BlackBerry and Apple Pie Moonshine. Your experience will come with a $5 off coupon for any bottle in the store. Don’t worry about holding them, if you buy three you’ll walk out with a free cooler.
Ole Smoky: “The Barrelhouse” (Whiskey)
In addition to Moonshine, a five minute walk down the road, is the Ole Smoky Barrelhouse, home to Whiskey. You can receive three free flavor pours, or you can pay $5/person to taste the five to seven bottles of whiskey on the counter. The bartenders really make it a great experience, and if there is a flavor of whiskey you are wanting to try that was not included in the tasting they will try their best to accommodate your curiosity.
The wineries offer also offer three tastings for free, or you can pay $5/person to try the five to seven available bottles. In between the Ole Smoky locations there are numerous wineries.
On a side note, walk back to your car or hotel on River Road, the backside of the Main Street, following a quiet, hidden river. There’s nothing like a romantic walk to talk about your experiences while listening to the water trickle over the rocks.
Visit Knoxville, Tennessee
Located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, with the most delicious food is Knoxville, Tennessee. The city is rich with cultural historical sites and museums. The food scene in Knoxville is also worth exploring. The city is home to a number of locally-owned restaurants and breweries, and it is known for its Southern-style cuisine. Some local favorites include biscuit love, which serves breakfast dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients, and the Central Flats and Taps, which offers a variety of craft beers and pub-style food. We found the best cup of Chili at Petro’s Chili & Chips, which was perfect for the cold weather. Park your car and take a walk as there is a mural on every corner and endless stores on Gay Street.
Book a Photoshoot
Photography is an art form that has the power to capture and preserve memories, document history, and tell stories. It allows us to look back on moments in time and remember them in a way that is meaningful and personal. If it’s been a while since you’ve had professional photos taken, a vacation is the best time to do it.
We loved Anna Leonidov Photography, a Gatlinburg, Tennessee photographer who beautifully captured the love we have for each other. She was so fun and easy to work with. She brought all the equipment needed to capture each individual shot as creatively as she could. Personally, I am obsessed with professional photography, the shots you can capture on film amaze me. It wouldn’t surprise me if on the next trip we take I reserve another photographer!
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Home to Dollywood’s Theme Park, Pigeon Forge has a bustling downtown area with many shops, restaurants, and theaters. Visit year round, with events and festivals taking place throughout the year. We recommend these favorites:
- A Dinner Comedy Show
- Wings of Wander Mural
- Black Rifle Coffee Company
- Reagans House of Pancakes
Dinner + Comedy?🎭
Hatfield and McCoy’s Family Feud is the longest running feud in history, help them try to settle their differences mountain-style. Along with the show comes a Southern all you can eat buffet, and their vegetable soup is like no other. Make sure to stop by and see what all the fuss is about.
Coffee Please!🫘
☕You must try Black Rifle Coffee Company. There aren’t many brick and mortar stores, but there is one in Pigeon Forge, TN. We really enjoy their coffee, not only is it strong but the franchise was founded by former military veteran Evan Hafer. The company was created in 2014 with the goal of providing high-quality coffee to the military and first responder community. They have a strong online presence you can check out here.
Don’t forget your souvenir! Every new city my husband and I go together, we have to pick up a magnet for the fridge.
Where do you want to go for your White Christmas? If you took a trip this year and had a White Christmas tell me about it!
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