Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Discover Romance in the Smokies

By Misti Sandefur

Whether it's a honeymoon or just a romantic getaway with that special someone, you want your trip to be memorable and as romantic as possible, but one thing is stopping you: you have no idea where you want to take your sweetheart. Problem solved! Worry no more! The Great Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Tenn. is the solution. The Great Smoky Mountains is a guaranteed destination for romance and memories that you'll treasure for the rest of your lives.

The Great Smoky Mountains has a diversity of things for newlyweds and sweethearts to enjoy and remember. In this guide, I will tell you about places to dine, places to stay while visiting and more. There won't be a dull moment, and you'll leave Gatlinburg with many memories to share with your family and friends. Oh yes, before we continue, take along a camera to capture every single moment!

Places to Stay

Before you even begin to explore the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, you and your sweetheart will need to check-in at the place you plan to stay during your visit. It's best to call and make reservations ahead of time, so you know there will be a room available when you arrive. Below are a few of the many places you can stay during your visit.

Gatlinburg, Tenn. has many cabins, and their cabins are a fantastic choice for honeymooners. Not on your honeymoon? The cabins are still a perfect option for romance.

Honeymoon Hills provides the best cabins for sweethearts. Honeymoon Hills is a little pricey, but well worth the money for an unforgettable stay in the Great Smoky Mountains. Each cabin is decked out for romance and includes a kitchenette, satellite TV, private decks or patios, gas fireplaces, heart-shaped Jacuzzis and more. If you visit Honeymoon Hills on the Web you will find specials, pictures of some of the cabins, prices and much more.

Heartland Rentals offers you the choice of a log cabin on the river, a log cabin with a view of the mountains, a log cabin in the woods or a log cabin in a private setting. The cabins from Heartland Rentals may consist of hot tubs, cable TV, VCRs, DVD players, pool tables, foosball tables, saunas and more.

Maybe a cabin is not your style, or maybe you and your sweetheart prefer a hotel instead. Well, there's good news, because Gatlinburg, Tenn. has many hotels as well. As a matter of fact, the River Edge Motor Lodge is perfect for couples and honeymooners. River Edge Motor Lodge offers a few special packages at affordable prices, and many of the packages also include tickets to places like Dollywood, Ripley's Aquarium and others. One package, which would be a great choice for you and your sweetheart, is their Lovers' Getaway package. The Lovers' Getaway includes three days/two nights stay, a special gift basket and two buffet dinners at Duff's Smorgasbord. Furthermore, your room comes with the following amenities: balcony, refrigerator, gas log fireplace, queen or king size bed and a microwave. Currently, this entire package will cost you anywhere from $136 to $260.

Things to Do and Places to See

The Great Smoky Mountains is filled with fun and excitement: shopping, amusement parks, rides, museums, entertainment and much more! Make your reservations today, because I can assure you that you and your sweetheart will not see a boring day, and there will be something for the both of you to enjoy! Following is only a fraction of the fun and excitement that waits.

Do you and your sweetheart love to shop? Want to grab a few souvenirs? Then pay a visit to The Village. The Village is located on the parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. At The Village, you will find over 27 unique shops. A directory to each village will be available at the brick archway entrance.

Visit the Guinness World of Records Museum to view exhibits such as Elvis memorabilia and much more. For more information call 865-436-5096.

Take a tour through the Hollywood Star Cars Museum. Do you remember the cars from popular movies and TV shows like "Back to the Future," "The Beach Boys," "Days of Thunder," "The Fast and the Furious," "Miami Vice," "The Andy Griffith Show" and etc.? The Hollywood Star Cars Museum will give you an up-close look at many of these cars, and you will even discover how movies are made. The cost for adults is $9.95 per person. For directions and further information call 865-430-2200. Hollywood Star Cars Museum is open 7 days a week (9 a.m. to 10 p.m.).

If you and your sweetheart have an interest in exotic sea creatures, drop by Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies. This 1.4 million gallon aquarium features 12-foot sharks and other exotic sea creatures from around the world -- over 10,000 of them. For more information telephone 888-240-1358 (toll free).

After visiting Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, stop by the Mysterious Mansion of Gatlinburg (865-436-7007) -- just a short walk from the aquarium. If you want your sweetheart to jump into your arms for protection, this is a stop you have got to find time for, because they say that the Mysterious Mansion is the "scariest" and "most exciting" attraction in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

For just $12 per person, you can get a magnificent view of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains! The Gatlinburg Sky Lift will give you and your sweetheart a magnificent view you'll both cherish for the rest of your lives.

Just down the road a piece, in Pigeon Forge, is Dollywood. Dollywood is filled with entertainment and fun! Enjoy rides, festivals, dinner shows, musical entertainment (country, bluegrass and gospel), comedy entertainment and a whole lot more; there's something for everyone!

Places to Dine

Savor some good old fashioned, southern, made-from-scratch cooking. Where can you get this delicious cooking? At the Old Mill Restaurant in downtown Pigeon Forge.

Would you two love birds like to take pleasure in more of the beauty that the Smoky Mountains has to offer while you dine? Blaine's Grill and Bar will let you do just that if you dine on their balcony that overlooks the Great Smoky Mountains.

Treat your sweetheart or new wife to an expensive dinner and great Italian food at Legends by Max. Legends by Max is located on the Parkway just before you reach the Smoky Mountains Park; will be on the left.

Fill your tummies and enjoy rock 'n' roll too, at the Hard Rock Cafe. The Hard Rock Cafe is located at 515 Parkway in Gatlinburg, Tenn. If you stop by the Hard Rock Cafe on the right date, you may enjoy more than just food. Some of Hard Rock Cafe's events include giveaways, musical entertainment, parties and more.

When you both have had enough excitement for the day, go back to your cabin or hotel room and snuggle up in the hot tub to relax and reminisce on the new memories you have just made together. Or, if you're on your honeymoon, you may want to cuddle up in bed instead (wink).

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