The Smoky Mountains are the perfect place to design your own self-care and wellness retreat. Whether you’re planning a girl’s getaway, a bachelorette party with a wellness twist, or a rejuvenating solo vacation, here are our top 5 suggestions to create the perfect itinerary of healthy activities for your most relaxing experience yet.
1. Stay In
Book a cabin away from busy downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Quiet Townsend (the “peaceful” side of the Smokies), Wears Valley or Cosby are a little more of a drive from the main hub of tourist attractions, but offer easy access to the trails, rivers and vistas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Enjoy a soak in the hottub, a crackling campfire or a beautiful view from the rentals on our list of places to stay.
2. Take a Yoga Class
Smoky Mountain Yoga is a mobile wellness studio that brings a yoga class right to your front door – yoga mats, instructor and good vibes included! Stretch out and relax after the stress of travel or a long day of hiking. Choose from a menu of class options or request a customized session: whether you prefer an easy, gentle flow or a deep and intense stretch, a yoga class will help you feel more connected and grounded in mind, body and spirit.
3. Have a Spa Day
What’s a wellness weekend without a little pampering? The Smokies boast numerous spas and massage studios guaranteed to leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Treat yourself to a chakra-balancing massage at Wanderlust Salon and Spa, or the Body Glow treatment at the Riverstone Resort and Spa.
Prefer to stay in? Save yourself the stress of fighting traffic and book Gatlinburg Mobile Massage straight to your vacation rental!
4. Nourish Your Body
Healthy eating doesn’t have to stop on vacation! You can find locally-sourced and sustainable foods made from scratch at the Local Goat American Restaurant, or enjoy fresh farm-to-table fare at The Appalachian. Stock up your pantry or grab an organic lunch from Whole Earth Grocery, which specializes in vegan and vegetarian options too.
5. Venture Out
The Smokies are a playground for outdoor adventure: get some exercise and fresh mountain air by exploring one of the many hiking trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or cool off in one of the many rivers with a guided kayak tour or rafting trip. If you’re in town on a Wednesday, take advantage of the vehicle-free day in Cades Cove by renting bikes and peddling the scenic loop road to spot wildlife and connect with nature.
Some self-care and time away are essential to our well-being: the lush and peaceful setting of the Smokies provides the perfect escape to do just that. Take advantage of what the area has to offer: you’ll be glad you did!
Author Spotlight:
Caroline Iantosca loves the mountains and loves to move! Passionate about health and wellness, she is a yoga instructor and founder of Smoky Mountain Yoga. Formerly a hiking guide in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, she has called the Smokies home since 2019 and loves to share all the area has to offer with visitors from near and far.