Every mother deserves a relaxing vacation! There is no better time than Mother's Day weekend to surprise her with a trip to Gatlinburg, the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains. Make this Mother's Day special with endless shopping, dining, fun activities and majestic mountain views!
Shop for Hand-Crafted Souvenirs
Mothers with an eye for unique, local treasures will want to check out the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. It's filled with handmade gifts and one-of-a-kind pieces which will make perfect Mother's Day gifts. The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community is an 8-mile loop home to the largest group of independent artisans in the U.S. You can find everything from basket weaving to painting and pottery making. Within the specialty shops and galleries, you'll find a plethora of eccentric gifts to buy your mother. Be sure to stop by Cupid's Petals to pick her up some Mother's Day flowers to go with her unique gifts.
Feeling Adventurous
Think outside the box for some more daring Mother's Day ideas and if you like adventure and want a little bit of everything, Ober Gatlinburg has a wide array of activities to entice your mother's venturous self. There's a scenic chairlift, ice skating rink, alpine slide, ski mountain coaster, a mini-golf course, shops and restaurants. Bring your mother to the top of the mountain for a day of fun with unlimited possibilities. Another great way to get out and explore is by going next door to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This will allow you to explore some of the best trails and most beautiful waterfalls. There are also a ton of picture-perfect opportunities!
Go Wine Tasting
After a day of exploring Gatlinburg, take a break and sip on some wine! Get a taste of pure relaxation at one of Gatlinburg's fine Tennessean wineries. Tennessee Homemade Wines have traditional reds and white, but they also have wine made from blueberries, blackberries and other fruits. Along Gatlinburg's wine trail sits the oldest winery in East Tennessee, Smoky Mountain Winery. You'll enjoy the quaint castle look of the building before you head in to taste the wines they have to offer. There are all kinds of wineries downtown with unique flavors from local produce.
Enjoy Dinner With A View
Treat your mom to dinner with a view at the end of the day! One of the best ways to enjoy these views is to dine at a scenic restaurant. Located atop Anakeesta, the Cliff Top Grill & Bar provides breathtaking views of the Smokies everywhere you look. The restaurant serves modern American cuisine which includes mouth-watering steaks, gourmet burgers, signature salads and house-made desserts. The Peddler Steakhouse is one of the most popular Gatlinburg restaurants with a divine view. As you dine, you'll enjoy relaxing vistas of the Little Pigeon River right from your table. All of the restaurant's naturally aged steaks are grilled to perfection over genuine Tennessee hickory charcoal. If your mom is more of a breakfast person, treat her to a Mother's Day brunch at one of our many delicious pancake houses or quaint one-of-a-kind restaurants like Wild Plum Tea Room, Split Rail Eats or Timbers Log Cabin Restaurant.