Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge Make Facebook Lists of Top Honeymoon Destinations

The neighboring cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have been favorite honeymoon destinations for Facebook users in 2014.

According to a Facebook news release, Gatlinburg, Tenn. placed #8 in the list of top ten honeymoon destinations in the Unites States for U.S. and international couples, beat only by Las Vegas, Key West and five Hawaiian destinations. New York City came in at #9 and Lake Buena Vista, Fla., home to Walt Disney World and a number of luxury resorts, rounded out the final #10 spot. In a list of U.S. honeymoon destinations that excluded Hawaii, Gatlinburg ranked #3 and Pigeon Forge, Tenn. #6.

Facebook compiled the list using data for those users who in 2014, posted a marriage event and “checked in” to a location further than 20 miles from their home location within two weeks after getting married.

Top honeymoon destinations in the U.S. for all couples (international + U.S. Facebook users):

1. Las Vegas, Nevada
2. Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii
3. Honolulu, O’ahu, Hawaii
4. Līhuʻe, Kaua’i, Hawaii
5. Key West, Florida
6. Poʻipū, Kaua’i, Hawaii
7. Kīhei, Maui, Hawaii
8. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
9. New York City, New York
10. Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Top honeymoon destinations in the U.S. (excluding Hawaii) for all couples (international + U.S. Facebook users):

1. Las Vegas, Nevada
2. Key West, Florida
3. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
4. New York City, New York
5. Lake Buena Vista, Florida
6. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
7. Orlando, Flordia
8. Whitehouse, Texas
9. San Francisco, California
10. Miami, Florida

People who have never visited Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge may wonder what these small American towns, which lie next to each other and have a combined population of less than 10,000 residents, have to offer honeymoon couples. The answer is: just about everything except a sandy beach.

It may be the convenience of these cities being within one day’s drive of two thirds of the U.S. population. Or perhaps honeymooners are drawn by the cities’ proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The most visited national park in the country.

There is lodging in the area to fit every budget, from luxurious hotels to bargain motels, as well as condos, resorts and RV campgrounds. The lodging options in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge that set them apart from most other cities are the rental cabins. Thousands of private cabins nestled in the Smoky Mountains with amenities such as hot tubs, fireplaces and amazing mountain views that provide the perfect romantic setting for a honeymoon.

Honeymoon couples may come to the area because they are interested in filling their days with outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, golf, zip lining, whitewater rafting, horseback or ATV riding, or visiting theme parks such as Dollywood or attractions such as Ripley’s Aquarium and Ober Gatlinburg.

But there is even more to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Yes, more:

• Shopping
• Arts and mountain crafts
• Fine dining and “fun dining” dinner shows
• Live music, theater and entertainment
• Breweries, distilleries and wineries
• Relaxing massage and day spas

It would be difficult to find another destination in the United States that offers honeymoon couples more lodging, dining, shopping and leisure activity options than Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.