Date Ideas on the Peaceful Side

Written by: Emily Huffstetler

On the Peaceful Side, date night doesn’t have to be same ol’, same ol’. And it doesn’t just have to be for singles. Consider these ideas when you and your significant other want to spend quality time together.

Active Adventurers – Townsend

Start the morning off exploring Tuckaleechee Caverns, the highest-rated cavern of the Eastern United States. Along the 1.25-mile tour, there are millions of formations and a 210-foot waterfall to admire. At the end, you’ll experience total darkness in a room big enough to fit a football stadium.

Grab lunch at one of the many restaurants in Townsend, including Peaceful Side Social, Little River Pub and Deli, and The Abbey.

Then, put on your water shoes and head to River Rat, the highest-rated Tubing Outpost in Tennessee. Outpost A, a calmer, two-hour route, features a private rock jump and swimming holes. Meanwhile, Outpost B offers an hour-long, heart-pumping adventure.

You can tube once, or you can go until closing with a Day Tubing Pass. Pro Tip: If you book a day or more in advance, you’ll receive a $5 discount per person.

If you’re not looking to spend money, consider hiking instead. These are a few of our top picks, ranging from easy to strenuous:

• Easy – Spruce Flat Falls
• Moderate – Abrams Falls
• Moderately Difficult – Alum Cave
• Strenuous – Mount LeConte

All of these hikes have rewarding scenery, ranging from waterfalls to panoramic mountain views. To beat the summer heat (and the crowd), start your trek earlier in the morning, and be sure to bring plenty of water.

Classic Romantics – Downtown Maryville

Keep things simple and sweet. Surprise your date with flowers from a local florist, like Hartman’s Flowers and Gifts or Coulter Florist & Greenhouses. Then, go out for a romantic dinner in Downtown Maryville. Bella, Diamondjack and The Walnut Kitchen are some of our favorites.

Early Birds – Maryville

Get an early start to the weekend at the Maryville Farmers’ Market, which operates on Saturday mornings from April to November. You can grab coffee, sweet treats, produce, flowers—whatever your heart’s desire.

Once the two of you are done shopping, mosey on over to Bella, Southern Grace Coffee or Vienna Coffee House for a hearty southern brunch. Then, take a leisurely stroll on the Maryville-Alcoa Greenway or peruse shops downtown. We love Dandy Lions Gifts, J. Danforth Mercantile, Neighborly Books and Pinkie Mistry Art.

History Buffs – Townsend

If you’re looking for a weekday adventure with your sweetheart, embark on a 3.5-hour Cades Cove Heritage Tour. Enjoy a break from driving in a comfortable ADA-compliant bus, while experienced guides reveal the history of Cades Cove and point out wildlife.

Townsend has a variety of museums to explore any day of the week. Dive into East Tennessean history at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, where you and your loved one can experience live demonstrations and tour 17 preserved Appalachian structures.

Or head down the road to the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum, which preserves the heritage of what was once one of the largest commercial logging operations in southern Appalachia. This museum is free to visit, although donations are appreciated.

Retro Lovers – Maryville

Take a blast to the past at a drive-in movie. But first, you’ll want to get some snacks.

Start your evening off with sweet treats at the Capitol Theatre in Downtown Maryville. There are a variety of movie-themed sundaes, floats, candies and bottled drinks to choose from. The two of you can enjoy ice cream there and pick something else to take with you.

Then, take a short drive to Bigfoot Popcorn. There are unique flavors, like Bigfoot Poop and banana pudding, as well as traditional ones like cheddar and caramel.

Before dusk, make your way to the Parkway Drive-In off East Lamar Alexander Parkway. If you get there early enough, you’ll be able to pick a prime parking spot. You can stick around for both movies or call it a night after the first. Either way, it only costs $10 per adult.

Are you or your loved one planning a date on the Peaceful Side? We’d love to hear how it goes. Be sure to tag us on social media (@peacefulsmokies).

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Born and raised in Maryville, Tennessee, with roots tracing back to Cades Cove, Emily Huffstetler is a proud Maryville College graduate and passionate storyteller of the Greater Smokies region.