The Ultimate Tennessee Honeymoon Guide: Top Resorts, Excursions, and Travel Tips

If you don’t want to carry on with the age-old cliche of honeymooning on a tropical island or a beach destination, then why not jet off to Tennessee after your wedding ceremony so that you and your partner can explore some of the beautiful mountain ranges and wildlife that the state has to offer.

Not only is Tennessee home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and all of its natural beauty, but it is also home to the music city, which is more commonly known as Nashville. In this article, we will discuss the best places to stay and some of the amazing activities that those staying in the state of Tennessee can get up to.

What Makes Tennessee Perfect For A Honeymoon?

If you plan on spending your honeymoon in Tennessee, then you’ll be spoilt for choice as there really almost is a little something for everyone. If you want to spend your honeymoon cuddled up in front of a fire in some cozy cabins in the mountains, then the cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have you covered.

A romantic getaway in a cabin in one of these mountain towns starts from $300 per night, so you won’t need to break the bank to get some much-needed alone time. If you’d prefer to spend your honeymoon in the country music capital of the world, then Nashville will be perfect for you and your new partner.

While the music city obviously has plenty of live music performances to attend, the city also has some great museums, restaurants, and other great attractions. Southern hospitality is alive and well in Tennessee, and you’ll only need to visit to figure that out.

Best Honeymoon Resorts, Hotels, and Other Stays in Tennessee

The type of accommodation that you will find in Tennessee will vary depending on the location that you choose to stay in. If you want to be a stone’s throw away from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it will be easy to find resorts with cabins and hotels.

If you and your partner would prefer to be closer to some art, culture, and country music, then Nashville has some great hotels and AirBnBs throughout the city, so you’ll never be too far away from good food and great music. It can make a great honeymoon destination for you and your new spouse if you’d prefer a honeymoon closer to the city.

Memphis is another big city in Tennessee with a lot to offer, as it has the world-famous Beale Street, famous for its excellent restaurants, clubs, and stores. If you and your new partner like the idea of having a romantic dinner and then dancing the night away, then Memphis also has plenty of great hotels and AirBnBs for you to stay in.

1. Loews Vanderbilt Hotel

Image Courtesy of Loews Vanderbilt Hotel
  • Price per Night: From $189
  • Best For: Long stays (guests earn $25 of dining credit per night that they stay)
  • Availability: Easy to book

The Loews Vanderbilt Hotel is only minutes from downtown Nashville, so you’ll only be a short drive away from the Country Music Hall of Fame. You’ll also be just as close to large and small music venues, depending on the vibe you are looking for.

There are rooms and suites available to suit nearly any budget, with many having great views of the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University, or West End. If you and your partner want a romantic dinner, then you won’t even need to leave the hotel, as Mason’s puts a modern twist on many classic southern dishes.

Even the most budget-friendly rooms at the hotel offer great features, such as coffee machines, free Wi-Fi, and king-sized beds, so you won’t need to break the bank to be close to some of the best experiences that Nashville has to offer.

2. Riverstone Resort & Spa

Image Courtesy of Riverstone Resort and Spa
  • Price per Night: From $209
  • Best For: Long stays, short stays
  • Availability: Easy to book

The Riverstone Resort & Spa is one of the most coveted hotels based in Pigeon Forge due to its excellent amenities and close proximity to many other great activities and locations. First and foremost, the resort is not far from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so if you’re after some fresh air and some hiking, then you and your partner will be in paradise.

The resort also features a spa in-house so that you and your partner can ease your muscles after spending your day doing activities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you and your spouse would prefer to have a slightly less action-packed day, then you can also float around on the resort’s lazy river.

Many of the rooms on offer have excellent river views of Little Pigeon River, which you can look out on from your very own balcony, and even the most affordable rooms also have full-body massage showers. This makes Riverstone Resort & Spa an excellent honeymoon destination for you and your spouse if you want to spend some time in the mountains.

3. The Peabody Hotel Memphis

Image Courtesy of the Peabody Memphis
  • Price per Night: From $210
  • Best For: Long stays, short stays
  • Availability: Easy to book

The Peabody Memphis is one of the city’s most iconic hotels as it has welcomed guests since 1869. The hotel is located in downtown Memphis, meaning the world-famous Beale Street is within walking distance, so you’ll have easy access to world-class nightclubs, restaurants, and stores.

The historic hotel features excellent views of the Mississippi River. It is based right alongside it and is also remarkably close to the Orpheum Theatre, so newlyweds can spend a night at the theatre and then head off to Beale Street for a meal.

Alternatively, guests can also choose from a variety of restaurants based in The Peabody Memphis, as guests can choose from French cuisine at Chez Phillipe, Italian cuisine at Capriccio Grill, or they can get a quick bite to eat at Peabody Deli & Desserts. The Peabody is, therefore, an excellent place for newlyweds to enjoy the city of Memphis and all it has to offer.

4. Gatlinburg Falls Resort

Image Courtesy of Gatlinburg Falls Resort
  • Price per Night: From $140
  • Best For: Long stays, families, couples
  • Availability: Easy to book

If you want a Tennessee Honeymoon in the Great Smoky Mountains, you can choose between a few cities, the most popular being Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Your choice will depend on personal preference, but Gatlinburg is more accessible if you haven’t hired a car.

The Gatlinburg Falls Resort will be an excellent option if you’re looking for cozy cabins nestled in a beautiful wooded area. You will also have views of the Smoky Mountains right out of the window of most of the cabins available at the resort.

The fact that the resort is so close to this beautiful mountain range also means that you will never be too far away from hikes, rafting, and many other activities the region offers. Thankfully, you won’t need to rough it all that much either, as the city of Gatlinburg is close by and has many modern amenities that should keep guests satisfied.

5. The Hermitage Hotel Nashville

Image Courtesy of Hermitage Hotel
  • Price per Night: From $387
  • Best For: Long stays, short stays
  • Availability: Easy to book

The Hermitage Hotel is another great option if you want a Tennessee Honeymoon in Nashville. It is situated in the downtown area, so you’ll have quick and easy access to all of the best things that Nashville offers.

You’ll only be a short distance away from the Nashville Zoo, which houses over 6,230 animals and is also known to be one of the most ethical zoos around. Not many people visit Nashville for the zoo, though, so you’ll be happy to know that you’ll also be in close proximity to many country music events and the famous Broadway street.

You’ll also feel right at home at the Hermitage Hotel, as it is renowned for its luxury and comfort. Since it’s establishment in the early 1900s it has been about style and esteem. All of the rooms come with complimentary Wi-Fi, DUX beds, smart TVs with Bluetooth capabilities, and more! These are only the amenities of the most affordable rooms as well, so if you’re willing to spend a little more, you’ll be treated to utmost luxury.

6. The James Lee House Memphis

Image Courtesy of James Lee House
  • Price per Night: From $325
  • Best For: Couples, short stays, extended stays
  • Availability: Limited space

While Nashville is known as the music city, Memphis has just as much to offer if you and your new husband or wife consider yourselves to be music lovers. While Nashville is known for country music, Memphis is better known for soul, R&B, and rock ‘n’ roll and has many attractions that lovers of these genres will likely enjoy.

The James Lee House is a quaint boutique hotel in the thick of downtown Memphis, so you’ll be right near Sun Studio, where legends like Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley recorded some of their music. Another location to check out if you’re a fan of “The King” is Graceland, which is the famous former home of Elvis Presley.

The accommodation at this boutique hotel is just as grand as the attractions around it, as it houses five beautifully decorated Victorian-styled suites that are still equipped with enough modern luxuries to make your stay comfortable. The building has been around for over 160 years and is, therefore, a great place to experience Memphis for what it truly is.

7. Dollywood Dreammore Resort & Spa

Image Courtesy of Dollywood Dreammore Resort & Spa
  • Price per Night: From $380
  • Best For: Long stays
  • Availability: Easy to book

The Dollywood Dreammore Resort & Spa is another great way to enjoy the Smoky Mountains, as the resort allows guests to stay in a room, suite, or even a cabin surrounded by some natural beauty. Dollywood has much more to offer than just being so close to the Smoky Mountains, as the resort has many different amenities and attractions.

You and your partner may be drained after your wedding after all the planning and organizing it likely took, so a relaxing hike in the wilderness followed by a day at the spa will probably be precisely what you feel like. There is also a water park and a theme park themed after the very musician the resort is named after.

Fans can stay in Dolly Parton inspired suites or stay in a tour bus. Though, you won’t even need to be a Dolly Parton fan to enjoy everything that Dollywood has to offer, as the standard cabins, suites, and rooms are all outfitted with all of the modern luxuries that guests will have likely come to expect.

Best Areas To Stay in Tennessee

If you’re interested in a honeymoon in Tennessee, then your best bet would likely be choosing from one of a few main attractions that the state has to offer. If you and your partner want music, art, and culture galore, then Nashville will be a great place to spend your honeymoon, as the city is loaded with country music events, museums, and great restaurants.

If you and your partner would prefer to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city on your honeymoon and like the idea of a cozy cabin surrounded by flora and fauna, then taking a trip to one of the resort towns near the Great Smoky Mountains will be great for a quiet romantic getaway.

If nightlife, shopping, and city sightseeing are your thing, then you and your partner should consider honeymooning in Memphis. The city is also rich in music history and has some great restaurants, clubs, and stores to choose from, as there is always something going on in this bustling city.

Nashville

people walking on sidewalk during night time
Image Courtesy of Chad Morehead

Nashville is the state capital of Tennessee and is most famous for its extensive country music history, which is why it is often referred to as the music city. Many great country music artists, both world-famous and just starting out, regularly perform in the city.

If you and your partner are interested in seeing a country music performance live, then the Grand Ole Opry or the Ryman Auditorium would be great places to start looking if you want to see some of the bigger acts that the city has to offer.

You and your partner can also indulge in other attractions that the city has to offer, such as the Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, which is a picturesque botanic garden, or Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, as Tennessee is also rather famous for some of the whiskey that comes out of the city.

Great Smoky Mountains

green trees on mountain under white clouds during daytime
Image Courtesy of Anvesh on Unsplash

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in all of the United States, and for a few good reasons, as the park is filled with natural beauty that is hard to get anywhere else.

There are many different hiking trails for people to explore and some whitewater rafting for more adventurous honeymooners. If you’d prefer a calmer boating experience, you can also choose to paddle around Fontana Lake.

The Smokies, as they are affectionately referred to, are an excellent place for people to unwind and experience nature in the way it was meant to be experienced.

Memphis

brown and white concrete building under blue sky during daytime
Image Courtesy of Frederic Barriol on Unsplash

Memphis is the second biggest city in Tennessee after Nashville and has a similarly extensive history relating to music, but Memphis is better known for soul, R&B, and rock ‘n’ roll. If you or your partner have any interest in Elvis Presley, then you could spend a good deal of time visiting Graceland and Sun Studio.

If you like the idea of spending your honeymoon exploring famous museums, eating good food, and listening to great music, then Memphis will be a great place to go on your honeymoon.

Some of the famous museums include the National Civil Rights Museum, which is where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. A great place to get some good eats and listen to some live music is likely Beale Street, as many establishments serve great barbecue, the food that Memphis is most famous for.

Top Excursions & Activities To Do On A Tennessee Honeymoon

  • Hiking – If you enjoy nature and hiking, then the Smokies will provide you with some of the best hiking trails in the US. The park is vast, and it will take extensive time to get close to seeing all it has to offer.
  • Whitewater rafting – If you and your spouse enjoy adrenaline-fueled activities, whitewater rafting in the Smokies may make for the perfect honeymoon. There are a host of different places and sections of river to choose from based on your level of experience.
  • Music – If you love country music, there are many live performances in Tennessee, and you’ll likely be able to find one regardless of the time of year that you visit. If you prefer blues and R&B, then Memphis also has a huge number of performances and establishments with some great live music.
  • Museums – Tennessee is steeped in American history, so if you and your partner are interested in seeing some great museums, then Memphis and Nashville have a lot to offer. Many of these museums are related to music, so it will be good to check some of them out if you are fans of some of the genres that started out in these regions.

Sample Itinerary & Budget For Your Honeymoon To Tennessee

When planning a honeymoon trip to Tennessee, the most important thing will be to decide which area of the state you’d like to visit most as it is rather vast and will likely take you more than one trip to take in the best places it has to offer.

Here’s roughly what you can expect to spend if you decide to spend a 7-day honeymoon in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Activity Price
FlightsFrom $223 for a round trip if traveling from LAX to McGhee Tyson.
Car Rental$427 for 7 days
Accommodation From $223 for a round trip if traveling from LAX to McGhee Tyson.
FoodAround $700 based on $15 per meal per person
Whitewater rafting$46 per person
Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Park$55 per person
Dollywood Theme Park$84 per person
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkFree entry
Smoky Mountain Jeep Rental$340 per day
Massage at resort$75 to $150 per person
  • Day 1 – After landing in Knoxville and hiring a car, you will make your way to the resort in Pigeon Forge, which is about an hour away. After unpacking, you may just want to relax in the lazy river at the resort or pop off to the city of Pigeon Forge for a meal at one of the many restaurants.

  • Day 2 – After feeling well rested, you can take a quick car ride to one of the entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where you can treat yourself and your partner to a hike, so you can take in some of the natural beauty that the area has to offer.

  • Day 3 – If your muscles are feeling tender after your hike, then you and your partner might want to treat yourselves to a relaxing massage at the resort before heading off to the water park at Dollywood to splash around and go down some slides.

  • Day 4 – If you and your spouse are keen on some adventure, then take a trip back up to the Smokies for some whitewater rafting, where you and your partner can have some adrenaline-fueled fun.

  • Day 5 – If you want to explore all the national park has to offer, hiring a Jeep for the day can be great fun, as you can explore some of the rougher terrains and get to some great spots.

  • Day 6 – Taking a trip back up to Dollywood will be worth your while as you can enjoy the theme park and some of the great rides with your spouse.

  • Day 7 – After a fun-filled week, it might be nice to relax at the resort pool and lazy river again. You could also take a stroll down the Little Pigeon River nature trail at the resort.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Tennessee honeymoon cost?

The above honeymoon itinerary will cost around $3000 in total, but this will change if you decide to visit Memphis or Nashville instead of Pigeon Forge.

When is the best time to visit Tennessee?

The best time to visit Tennessee is from June to August, as these are the Summer months and will allow for more outdoor activities.

What is the best way to travel around Tennessee?

The best way to travel around Tennessee is by car, but it would be best to stick to one area if you plan a week trip, so you can see all it has to offer.

Start Planning The Perfect Romantic Honeymoon Getaway

A honeymoon in Tennessee is great for music, culture, and nature lovers, so it can be great for you and your spouse to unwind after your wedding. Thankfully, you won’t need to break the bank as much as you would if you decided to honeymoon in a more popular destination.

You have all of the live music, national parks, good eats, and museums that you could ever want, so if you want to plan a Tennessee honeymoon, then you should check out Couples Travel.