Every special mother deserves a relaxing vacation, and what better time to surprise her with a cabin getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains than on Mother’s Day — a time-honored holiday on which the most important women in our lives are honored for all their time and effort spent not only looking after but also guiding their children through life?! Make this Mother’s Day special with fun activities, fine dining, endless shopping, spa evenings, and breathtaking mountain views!
Let the Good Times Roll
Between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, there’s something for every mom to enjoy in the Smokies. For excitement seekers, spend an entire day (or 2) at Dollywood, an amusement park filled with daredevil rides, entertaining shows, unique shops, and quaint eateries. If tranquility is first on her wish list, visit Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies to watch schools of fish swim and sway in the Ocean Realm, feel the smooth tops of rays as they glide past at Touch-A-Ray Bay, and giggle at the adorable waddles of the prime residents at Penguin Playhouse. For active moms, TopJump Trampoline Park will be an experience to remember with 21 climbing lines, a gladiator pit, a ninja course, and — trampolines, of course!
Gourmet Finds
A vacation for mom wouldn’t be complete without tasty breakfasts, scrumptious lunches, delicious dinners, and oh-so-sweet desserts. Head to Reagan’s House of Pancakes to tackle the breakfast buffet — complete with French toast, fresh fruit, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, eggs made to order, and pancakes! After a few in-town activities, stop by the Wild Plum Tea Room for a vegan-option lunch on the covered porch. Best of all, this restaurant is pet friendly, so her precious pooch can come, too!
Make supper an entertaining event by attending a dinner show — cheer, laugh, cry (from laughing), and leave with smiles for miles. We highly recommend Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Adventures, one of the newest dinner show attractions in Pigeon Forge, featuring a Southern meal fit for a queen, acrobatic stunts galore, spectacular musical numbers, and a love story woven throughout the performance. After the show, choose from mini cheesecakes and dessert shooters at Heavenly Delights Cafe and Bakery in Gatlinburg for a dessert to live for!
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Moms with a passion for fashion and an inherent gift for shopping will be thoroughly impressed by the array of stores the Smokies has to offer. Venture to Tanger Outlets, a large shopping outlet loaded with dozens of brand-name stores boasting deep discounts on handbags, shoes, clothes, dishes, tools, and more! Mosey down to The Village in downtown Gatlinburg — which harbors 27 charming shops and eateries — for fun apparel from Life Is Good, a midday treat from Coffee & Company, cooking blends from The Spice and Tea Exchange, exquisite scents from Candle Cottage, and adorable moccasins from The Hayloft.
For a unique experience, travel around the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community to view local crafters at work and purchase a few one-of-a-kind pieces while you’re at it. From handwoven baskets, beautiful pottery, and oil paintings to handmade jewelry, stained-glass décor, and homemade candies, the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community has you covered — and then some!
Never Leave the Cabin
Tucked away in the mountains awaits a cozy cabin made for peace and quiet as well as rest and relaxation — just for her. Unwind in a rocking chair on the back deck while enjoying the immeasurable beauty of the Smoky Mountains, read a good book by a warm fire, snuggle up for movie night on the big screen TV (chick flicks are highly recommended), pack a picnic lunch in the full kitchen, take an evening soak in the outdoor hot tub, and play a few rounds of pool in the game room — moms are the best at having fun!
Along with countless cabin amenities, make her stay even more exceptional with in-cabin gifts. From seeing wildflowers upon entry into the home and finding a bath basket filled with all things spa to brewing provided gourmet coffee blends in the morning and receiving her own personal chef for the evening, there’s an option for every mom!
Whether you want games, plenty of spaces for relaxation, amazing views, room for the whole family, or a short drive to downtown, our Gatlinburg cabins and Pigeon Forge cabins offer something for every Mother’s Day getaway! Browse our cabin rentals by amenity or give us a call to find the perfect relaxing cabin for the perfect Mother’s Day weekend!
For the Love of Nature
Nature-loving moms won’t be able to contain their excitement on the hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Wondrous wildlife all around, trees as high as the sky, the sound of footsteps over rock and bridge, the rushing river waters flowing in tune with passing songbirds…what could be better? Well, maybe walking isn’t really her style; perhaps a drive through Cades Cove is the perfect way for her to get close to nature without the physical strain of meandering through the forest.
Why not take the more exciting route by scheduling a helicopter ride over Bluff Mountain and the Tennessee Valley with Scenic Helicopter Tours? Better yet, travel to Anakeesta for a day of exploring Firefly Village, strolling through nature on the Tree Canopy Walk and Forest Memorial Interpretive Trail, duel ziplining high above the forest floor, and snapping pictures aplenty to capture every moment.
Unique Mother’s Day Ideas
Is it almost Mother’s Day and you still don’t have anything planned for the best mom in the world? No worries! If you don’t have plans or you’ve put off shopping, we have you covered. Read on for some last-minute gifts and ideas for Mother’s Day – especially in the Smokies.
Breakfast in bed. Pamper your mom with a pancake breakfast in bed, some fresh-squeezed orange juice, or some great local pastries. Whatever it is, just let her kick up her feet and enjoy a peaceful morning. Bonus points if you’ve booked a Smoky Mountain cabin and order the Mountain Breakfast basket!
Lunch at The Wild Plum Tea Room. From chicken salad and quiche to homemade desserts and tea, The Wild Plum Tea Room offers the classics in a peaceful setting. Treat her to a special meal here!
An afternoon at The Village Shops. Tervis tumblers, Life is Good shirts, sterling silver jewelry, candles, specialty olive oils, Thomas Kinkade paintings, personalized bags, comfy pajamas, and luxurious bath products – find it all in the old-world shopping area in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg.
Miniature golf in the Smokies. If you and your mom love to be outside and have a little fun, take her for a game of mini golf. It will bring out the kid in everyone!
A custom wood sign. Beautiful hand-carved signs are a staple in the Smokies, and they make great gifts. Stop by Wood Signs of Gatlinburg, Some Guy’s Wood Signs & Crafts, or Thistle Dew Nicely to have made especially for your mom.
Movie night – and she picks. Make it a movie night in the house (or cabin), with popcorn, her favorite candy and drinks, and a marathon of movies SHE loves. Some of our cabins even have private home theaters, so you can give her the full experience.
An in-cabin massage. If you did book a cabin (or are planning a last-minute getaway), book a massage in the cabin for your mom. It’s an incredible way to pamper her.
Breaking out at The Escape Game. If a bouquet of flowers isn’t your mom’s thing, try working together to stop an art thief or break out of prison at The Escape Game.
A day at Pigeon Forge’s The Island. With so many things to do, The Island in Pigeon Forge is your one-stop attraction this Mother’s Day for good food and fun. We recommend taking her to Paul Deen’s Family Kitchen for a down-home Southern meal the way her own mama used to make it, and then letting her shop at the more than 35 retail and specialty shops onsite. Close out the day with a memorable ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, which overlooks the city and The Island’s spectacular show fountain.
Sweet treats in downtown Gatlinburg. In downtown Gatlinburg, The Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen and Kilwin’s are two local favorites that send their sweet smells out onto the sidewalks along the Parkway. Stop in for candy apples and chocolate-covered strawberries or make up a bag to surprise her with!
A bottle of local wine. Made up of 5 wineries and a distillery, the Rocky Top Wine Trail is the perfect Mother’s Day activity for 21+ children. Tour the wineries, enjoy tastings, and treat her to a bottle of her favorite.
Watch the show fountain. Rocking chairs surround the show fountain at The Island, where water is lit up and dances to 14 musical pieces.
A beautiful bouquet. A small bouquet of fresh flowers goes a long way. Even if you keep it small, wrap the bouquet in craft paper and string – with a lovely handmade card attached. In the Smokies, stop by Flowers of Gatlinburg, Cupid’s Petals Florist, or Little Pigeon Florist.
Sweet Southern duds. Southern Charm Boutique at The Island will be a treat for Mom – apparel, home décor, cute cups, jewelry, and more.
Shopping at the Tanger Outlets. Whether you splurge on a handbag or pick out some simple but beautiful jewelry, the Tanger Outlets has something for any mom.
Local treats basket. The Old Mill and The Apple Barn both feature general stores with enough treats and mixes to fill up a beautiful Mother’s Day gift basket. Get stone-ground grains, pancake and biscuit mixes, jams and salsas, and ready-made goodies. Brownie points if you make her a homemade meal with them!
Get nostalgic. Print off a special photo of you and your mom and find a beautiful frame for it. It’s a simple, quick, and always memorable gift. If you’re in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, step it up with an old-time photo together!
A day on the Arts & Crafts Trail. Not all trails in the Smoky Mountains take you through the woods. In Gatlinburg, you’ll find the historic 8-mile loop known, designated a Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community. Featuring the largest group of independent artisans in North America, this craft trail will be the highlight of her Smoky Mountain getaway as you check out handmade jewelry, ceramics, baskets, quilts, pottery, and so much more.
A Wild West Supper at Waldens Creek. If you plan your hot air balloon ride for the morning, then you’ll have plenty of time for a Wild West Supper Show that night. So head to Waldens Creek Stables in Sevierville for a finger-lickin’ good time! Your mom will love the menu—good ole BBQ pulled pork, cowboy baked beans, buttery corn, homestyle green beans, chips, and bonfire roasted marshmallows. And everyone will love the best cowboy show in town!
A ride on a hot air balloon. Your mom will love this unforgettable way of seeing the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Ask about their sunrise or sunset flights, and be sure to set aside at least 3 hours for entire ballooning experience.
A stroll through Parrot Mountain. If she likes flowers, tropical birds, and Thomas Kinkade, or if she’s always wanted to visit a stone-walled garden in Ireland, then she’ll love Parrot Mountain & Gardens in Pigeon Forge! This tropical oasis in the Smoky Mountains is truly unique, offering a secret garden with Toucans and Magpies, an English-style cottage gift shop, and a deli-style lunch spot that overlooks the Smokies. You can even purchase a newly hatched parrot from their nursery—now that’s a Mother’s Day gift you won’t find anywhere else!
Bird watching in the national park. She may not be a hiker or a cycler, but that’s okay. There are so many ways to enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains, including an afternoon of bird watching. Pack a picnic, find a perfect spot in the national park, and spend the day searching for the more than 200 different species that call these mountains home.
Fudge tasting at Ober Gatlinburg. Don’t let the ski lift fool you—Ober Gatlinburg is so much more than a snow & ski resort! This May, instead of the hitting the slopes, hit the The Fudge Shop for a sweet treat that’s also a Smoky Mountain staple. Or take her shopping on the mountain for some unique Smoky Mountain souvenirs. Ober Gatlinburg also features an aerial tramway, year-round ice skating, and a scenic chairlift. Plan your visit around the activities you know she’ll love!