Since you're from Baldwin County , I'd look hard at Hot Springs Arkansas. Similar to Gatlinburg but way better IMO, my wife agrees. Y'all want a little love shack here ya go:

https://www.hotspringstreehouses.com/

We always go hiking in that park. It's always pretty crowded the first 2 miles of a trail. But the longer you walk the less people you see

My feelings too. I try to like that area but I just don’t.

Congratulations and just have fun!

Please refer to my above post. Gatlinburg and the Gulf Coast are two places I don't care if I ever go back to. There's too many other great places to go instead of back to the same ol' same ol'.

We used to go a couple times/year as long as I can remember and still go pretty regularly. We’ll go for 3-5 days at a time and we NEVER go into PF and usually are only in Gatlinburg in the evenings. We spend pretty much all day every day in the park. Never a shortage of things to do in the park and usually have to skip various things.

The problem right now though is the traffic in the park (and in town) will most likely be a dumpster fire. Fall is certainly the prettiest time of year, but traffic is a nightmare. We’re going to start going in more off-peak times.

I would sneak out to Clingmans dome and make some memories….
If I was honeymooning that is…
We really enjoyed the skylift up to the new walkway in Gatlingburg.
Cades cove has been a disappointment lately for us.

Thanks everyone. We usually go up every year since we got together and figured we’d change it up a bit for our honeymoon. Definitely want to see some of them elk for sure

We’ve always had the beat luck seeing elk around the Oconaluftee Visitor Center (just before you get into Cherokee). As far as deer and bears, we’ve seen more on Roaring Fork than Cades Cove the last couple trips

Go to Bennett's or Calhoun's if yall like ribs. The apple barn in Pigeon Forge, the outlet malls, the island, Smokey Mountain Knife works....all in Pigeon Forge.
Can't go to Gatlinburg without a Cades Cove visit. Make the loop at take food for a picnic if that's your thing. Lots of wildlife usually and the scenery is stunning.
If you like Horseback riding, you can also do that at Cade's cove....it's a pretty tame ride and the scenery is also pretty cool. Cherokee is also a pretty cool place if yall are going over the mountain.

Went to cades cove yesterday evening late. Saw the biggest buck I’ve seen out there in years. 4 bears and several other nice bucks. Beats the tourist in town any day

We didn't grow up going there so the first time I went was as an adult. I didn't really "get it" but you can make any place a fun or enjoyable vacation with the right attitude.

But again. I won't ever voluntarily go there. I don't need airbrushed shirts and fudge.

If you're spending any significant amount of time, at least during daylight hours, "in town" (PF or Gatlinburg), you're doing it wrong. But, we know people that will go up there for a week at a time and never set foot in the Park.......I just don't get it. The National Park is THE attraction.

I'll also admit my perspective on it is extremely skewed. I have only been for the Strength to Stand conference for youth group stuff. But I saw enough of "town" to know I didn't care for that. Didn't get to spend anytime in the park and I'm sure it's beautiful.

Hiking to the various waterfalls in the park is nice. I hear riding the train in bryson city is very nice

Been a couple times years ago... was not a fan myself. The wife and I have not been back in 15 years and may never go back. However, my daughter is there right now with her boyfriend... I want to see how they liked it.

im surprised at how many folks that have been going up there for years that don’t even know there is a park. Suits me it’s crowded enough

Go spend a night over in Cherokee. Trout fish during the day, hit the casino later on.

Honeymoon - Cabin with hot tub. Verify Uber eats delivers.

Go somewhere in North GA. Find a cabin somewhere around Blairsville or Hiawassee. Day trip drives over to Blue Ridge, Helen, or up to Murphy,NC are nice.