A Tennessee Honeymoon that Hits All the Right Notes

Thinking about a Tennessee honeymoon? This US honeymoon destination is perfect for romantic getaways, especially for newlyweds. Big cities like Memphis still manage to boast Southern hospitality rivaled only by the taste of the barbecue fare served inside restaurants. Couples can also retreat to more secluded areas, like Gatlinburg honeymoon cabins, for R&R and mountain views.

Tennessee is accessible from cities like New York in under three hours by plane. The state, meanwhile, is a four-hour flight from Los Angeles. Southerners in border states like North Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia can make your vacation a road trip honeymoon.

If you're looking to plan a honeymoon in Tennessee, consider this your guide. From the best months to visit Tennessee to the top hotels and things to do, use our expert tips to plan your honeymoon itinerary.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

Tennessee Honeymoon Tips in this Article:

• Best Time to Honeymoon in Tennessee
• Tennessee Honeymoon Planning Tips
• Best Tennessee Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts
• Tennessee Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas
• What to Pack for a Tennessee Honeymoon

Photo: Grant Faint | Getty

Best Time to Honeymoon in Tennessee

Fall tends to boast the mildest and best weather of the four seasons. Temperatures range from 65 to 80 degrees during the day in September and October. Nights are comfortable too, which is great if you plan to stay in one or more of the many perfect cabins the state offers.

Best weather: September and October.
Festival highlights: The CMA Music Festival in Nashville, which draws country music fans from all over the world every June. Memphis in May is another major festival, featuring a month-long celebration with events like the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and the Beale Street Music Festival.

Tennessee Honeymoon Planning Tips

Tennessee has a little bit of a lot. Honeymooners can enjoy nights out in bustling big cities for a couple of days and then head off to a secluded honeymoon cabin with cozy fire pits for a more intimate vibe. Don't worry—those cabins still have modern amenities, like Wi-Fi, so you can upload Instagram photos and TikTok videos from your travels to places like Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Before buying plane tickets, remember that summers can get hot, hot, hot (90 degrees and above) and the humidity makes it feel even warmer. Tornadoes and lightning storms also happen here. Newlyweds will want to keep an eye on the weather and stay hydrated in the summer.

Entry requirements: You won't need a passport to go to Tennessee, but bring your ID.
Language: English.
Location: Tennessee is located in the southeastern United States. It is bordered by Kentucky and Virginia to the north, North Carolina to the east, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi to the south, and Arkansas and Missouri to the west.
Currency: USD.
Flight time to Destination: Flights from New York City to Nashville or Memphis are usually around 2 hours.
Getting around: Tennessee's cities and attractions are best explored by car. Renting a car (or driving there from your home state) offers the most flexibility for visiting various destinations, particularly in more rural or scenic areas like the Smoky Mountains. Major cities also offer public transportation options, including buses and, in Nashville, a commuter rail line.

Pro tip: Looking for more help planning out the details of your Tennessee honeymoon? Browse travel agents near you on The Knot Marketplace for honeymoon planning expertise, reviews and more.

Best Tennessee Honeymoon Hotels and Resorts

Finding the right honeymoon accommodations in Tennessee can make or break your experience. Options range from luxury hotels and resorts in major cities to cozy cabins and boutique hotels in more secluded areas. Many stays will offer special honeymoon packages, including romantic extras like champagne on arrival, couples' spa treatments and private tours.

Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

JW Marriott Nashville

Cozy log cabins make for the perfect hideaways, but sometimes, full-on modern luxury calls. And the JW Marriott in Nashville delivers. Take in skyline views with each room's floor-to-ceiling windows, enjoy nightlife venues within walking distance, then relax in the hotel's day spa.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

The Peabody Memphis

The Peabody is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's most noted for its daily duck walk—a tradition dating back to the 1940s. Twice a day, five mallard ducks march across the lobby. The rooms are elegant, featuring plush furnishings and tasteful decor.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Treehouse Grove at Norton Creek Resort

Treehouse Grove is a Great Smoky Mountain hideaway. The luxury vacation rentals are, in fact, set in trees. They offer guests a chance to recharge and reconnect with one another and nature. No need for sleeping bags—this resort is more of a glamping experience complete with cozy beds.

4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews

Pro tip: Check out vacation rentals or romantic Airbnbs and VRBOs for even more Tennessee honeymoon accommodations you'll love.

Tennessee Honeymoon Itinerary Ideas

Tennessee is filled with exciting and romantic activities for honeymooners. Enjoy live music and bar hopping in Nashville, take a historical tour of Graceland in Memphis,or indulge in outdoor adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Photo: Nina Dietzel | Getty

Sevierville

The city of Sevierville is situated on the edge of Great Smoky Mountain National Park, a hub of wildlife, natural beauty and breathtaking views. Take a walk to remember with your loved one and spot dramatic waterfalls along the way. Take in a magnificent view of the mountains via a helicopter ride. The city is also home to plenty of cozy cabins set against the backdrop of the national park. Other outdoor activities to try out in and around Sevierville include horseback riding or taking a bike ride around Cades Cove Loop Road.

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg also offers honeymooners a chance to catch a glimpse of the Great Smoky Mountains—and maybe a black bear or two. (Watch out as they sometimes saunter out of the park and into this city.) Couples looking to give their hiking shoes a break will want to visit Gatlinburg's downtown district. The lively area is home to shops and attractions, including the Guinness World Record Museum and a space needle with panoramic views of the mountains and downtown area.

Pigeon Forge

The Southern hospitality of Tennessee culminates at Pigeon Forge thanks to Dollywood. Dreamt up by country music legend Dolly Parton, the amusement park is full of rollercoasters, water slides, live entertainment and comfort food. Pigeon Forge also has 800 miles of mountain trails.

Nashville

If you crave a honky-tonk kind of life and can sing every word to every song by Patsy Cline, Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, consider a visit to Music City. Tour the Country Music Hall of Fame, see a show at the Grand Ole Opry and learn about the hidden gems the city has to offer on a hop-on-hop-off trolley ride. You'll also find upscale and fast-casual restaurants serving everything from unforgettable steaks to tacos.

Memphis

Country music isn't the only genre with strong ties to Tennessee. Legends and icons like Elvis Presley, B.B. King and Johnny Cash recorded music in the town's famed Sun Studio. Today, fans can tour the spot hailed as the Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll. You can also see how The King once lived by experiencing Graceland. But Memphis' greatest hit is arguably its food. The ribs are savory, slathered in sauce and so tender you can give the knife the night off.

Knoxville

Knoxville combines mountain scenery, a bustling nightlife scene and history into one, making it a honeymoon destination for couples with varied interests. Get your dose of culture at The Knoxville Museum of Art or take a scenic stroll at Alex Haley Heritage Square. Blount Mansion takes people back in time to the post-revolutionary era, when Gov. William Blount, who signed the U.S. Constitution, inhabited the space.

Pro tip: Add Tennessee honeymoon experiences to your gift registry if you'd like your friends and family to skip the gifts and contribute to your romantic getaway instead.

What to Pack for a Tennessee Honeymoon

Photo: Tony Barber | Getty

When going on a honeymoon in Tennessee, you'll want to be prepared to explore a variety of terrain. Spots like Nashville have trendy and upscale restaurants, so you'll want to bring something stylish and a bit fancy in your honeymoon luggage.

If you enjoy mountain views, you may be hiking through portions of the Appalachian Trail. Hiking boots, sunscreen and bug spray ought to go on your packing checklist. Many hotels and cozy cabins have swimming pools and jacuzzi tubs, so pack a bathing suit or two if you plan to take a dip. Have an umbrella and raincoat on hand, just in case.

Brittany Barber contributed to this article.