20 Best Places for a Proposal in the Smoky Mountains

You’ve found a gorgeous ring, planned a heartfelt speech and now all you have left is to find the perfect location before you get down on one knee. A wedding proposal is one of the most special moments in a couple’s life, which is why it needs to happen in a special place. The Smoky Mountains are home to many romantic spots that provide the right opportunity to pop the question. Check out the 20 best places for a proposal in the Smoky Mountains:

1. Gatlinburg Space Needle

If you’re looking for a spot with an incredible view for your marriage proposal, do it at the Gatlinburg Space Needle. The Space Needle is a 407-foot observation tower that offers breathtaking views of Gatlinburg and Smoky Mountains. But the view won’t be the only thing taking her breath away when you get down on one knee. You can do it in the daytime or at night when the city is twinkling with lights.

2. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

Pop the question surrounded by her favorite sea animals! Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies offers a special proposal package that will help make your experience one that neither of you will ever forget. The big event will happen following one of the scheduled dive shows. After the dive show, the aquarium will reveal a proposal sign in the water for everyone to see. You’ll even get a picture of the moment and a Ripley’s gift to take back home!

3. Cades Cove

Cades Cove is one of the most beautiful places in the Smoky Mountains. Not only are the views wonderful, but there are old cabins and other structures, waterfalls and more! If you plan on proposing at Cades Cove but don’t want a huge crowd around, it’s best to do it in the early morning or evening.

4. The Island in Pigeon Forge

The Island in Pigeon Forge is another incredible attraction that offers a special proposal package. You and the love of your life can get engaged on the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, surrounded by the beauty of Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains. There will be rose petals, candles and even a personalized song and photo with your name written in the background. You can also choose to propose in front the Island Show Fountains.

5. Anakeesta

Anakeesta in itself is a magical experience, so proposing there will make the moment even more magical. You can choose to pop the question at the famous twigloo heart, with a beautiful backdrop of the Smoky Mountains. Other places that are perfect for a proposal at Anakeesta include the Vista Gardens, at the top of the AnaVista Tower, or at the Cliff Top Veranda.

6. Dollywood

The award-winning theme park is the perfect place to ask the big question! After a fun-filled day of rides and delicious food at Dollywood, it’s the best time to get down on one knee. There are so many options for places to do it in the park, whether it’s on your favorite ride, at a restaurant or after a show. She’ll think it’s just an exciting day at the park until you drop down to one knee!

7. Smoky Mountain Cabin

What’s more romantic than a cabin surrounded by the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains? One of the best places to propose is on the deck of a Smoky Mountain cabin. What she thinks is just a romantic getaway will turn into the best time of her life! With the seclusion a cabin provides, you won’t have to worry about anything getting in the way of your big moment. You’ll even have romantic amenities to help you celebrate the special occasion, like a hot tub, fireplace and more!

8. Grotto Falls

If you want your proposal to happen in the great outdoors, Grotto Falls is a great place to do it! You can access the waterfall from Trillium Gap Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail actually runs behind the 25-foot-high waterfall, which is an amazing spot for your proposal. Not only will it make for great pictures, but she won’t be expecting it!

9. Gatlinburg SkyLift Park

The Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is another romantic way for you to propose. You’ll get the best seat in Gatlinburg on the SkyLift as you travel 1,800 feet high to the top of Crockett Mountain and enjoy stunning views of Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. Imagine the shock on her face when you pull the ring out while you’re in the air! Also at the SkyLift Park is the Gatlinburg SkyBridge, which is becoming a popular place for proposals too. There’s something so magical about standing on a bridge high above Gatlinburg with the one you love, surrounded by gorgeous views.

10. Ober Mountain

Another popular attraction where you can propose is at Ober Mountain. There are plenty of opportunities at the park for you to get down on one knee. You can do it during the winter at the top of the slopes, on the scenic chairlift as you enjoy beautiful views or while dining at the Seasons of Ober Restaurant! You can even propose on the Aerial Tramway on your way to park so you can celebrate with a day of fun.

11. Heritage Carriage Rides

What’s more romantic than a horse-drawn carriage ride? When you visit Heritage Carriage Rides & Gold Rush Stables, you’ll be able to take a romantic ride through Pigeon Forge. For a proposal, you’ll love the romance package that gives you a 30-minute carriage ride, a dozen roses and a CD of pictures of the event.

12. Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome offers the opportunity for a picture-perfect proposal. There is an observation tower at the summit of Clingmans Dome where you can see panoramic views of the mountains and is a great spot to sweep your sweetheart off her feet. Make sure you have a camera to capture the beautiful moment!

13. Parrot Mountain & Gardens

Parrot Mountain & Gardens has 4 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens with hundreds of tropical birds and thousands of flowers and trees. You’ll stroll through paths lined with birds before entering a secret garden where you can feed and take pictures with the birds. There’s even an aviary where you can feed lory birds nectar. When you leave the aviary, you’ll find a picturesque waterfall where you can pop the question. It will be the perfect end to an exciting adventure!

14. Scenic Helicopter Tour

Another place to propose to your girlfriend is on a scenic helicopter tour. Scenic Helicopter Tours offers incredible flights that take you over the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Douglas Lake and Douglas Dam! You can pull out the ring while the water is glistening below you. Even though it will be loud in the helicopter, it’s still a memorable way to propose!

15. The Peddler Steakhouse

If you prefer to propose in a more common way like at a romantic dinner, The Peddler Steakhouse is one of the best places to do it! This Gatlinburg restaurant offers a romantic and intimate dining experience with spectacular views of the shimmering Little Pigeon River. Enjoy a delicious meal and delectable dessert before pulling out the ring. Then celebrate with a bottle of wine!

16. The Village in Gatlinburg

The Village in Gatlinburg is a popular place to go to shop, eat and relax! There is a fountain surrounded by flowers that provides a gorgeous backdrop for your proposal. We’re sure your sweetheart won’t mind you interrupting her day of shopping by getting down on one knee. And after the special event, you can head to the Best Gift Idea Ever shop in The Village to get her future last name spelled out in unique letter art!

17. Titanic Museum

If you really want to impress your soon-to-be fiancee, propose to her on the Grand Staircase at the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge! The museum offers a wedding proposal package that allows you pop the question at the top of the elegant staircase that is an exact replica of the real Grand Staircase on the Titanic. The attraction will handle everything to help keep it a surprise, and you’ll even get a souvenir photo of the special moment.

18. The Melting Pot

Another way to propose to your girlfriend is over dinner at The Melting Pot in Gatlinburg. Not only does The Melting Pot offer a unique dining experience, but it has an Ultimate Romance Package that is great for special occasions. The table will be decorated in rose petals, and you’ll also get your choice of wine or champagne, a four-course meal for two, a dozen red roses and a framed picture. The meal will make your evening even more special.

19. A Dinner Show

Dinner shows are some of the most popular attractions in the Smoky Mountains, so why not enjoy your special moment at one? Some of the dinner shows will even work with you to make your proposal part of the show. Your sweetheart won’t even see it coming! Some of the most popular dinner shows in the Smokies are Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, and Dolly Parton’s Stampede.

20. Old Time Photo

To propose in a unique way, do it during an old time photo session! There are numerous places around the Smoky Mountains where you can get old time photos taken, like Four Sisters Old Time Photo, Wild Gals Old Time Photo and Old Time Photo at The Island. Dress up in the couple costume of your choice, whether it’s a Southern belle and Southern gentlemen or even a bride and groom. She won’t be expecting it, and even better — it will all be caught on camera!

Your proposal in the Smoky Mountains will be special moment you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Check out more things to do in the Smoky Mountains and decide the perfect way to pop the question.