Want to do something unique for your partner or special friend this Valentine’s season? How about a romantic weekend in Tennessee’s South Cumberland?

Even if you’re not excited about seeing beautifully frozen waterfalls, magnificent snow-covered mountain vistas, or simply taking a peaceful walk on a beautiful mountain trail, there’s still plenty of indoor fun to be had here in the Mountains of Adventure!

Dine with your Valentine

There are numerous romantic dining places in Tennessee’s South Cumberland, each with its own special atmosphere and charm, including two that are listed in the Michelin Guide!. Here are three suggestions; reservations are always a good idea...

Dinner at Judith: A recent addition to the restaurant scene in the Mountains of Adventure AND the Michelin Guide, Judith is a new American tavern, the brainchild of Julia Sullivan (chef at Henrietta Red in Nashville). The name is an homage to Judith Ward Lineback, the first woman to matriculate at the University in 1969. Judith features a seasonal menu of creative and approachable dishes including a selection of small, shareable plates, perfect for the bar crowd. The beverage program mirrors the food with accessible wines and a cocktail list created by Henrietta Red’s Beverage Manager, Patrick Halloran. Judith is located just behind the Sewanee Market in the Sewanee Village.

Breakfast or lunch at Lunch: No, that's not a typo. Sewanee has a restaurant called Lunch, and it's also in the Michelin Guide! Open Wednesdays through Saturdays 9am - 3pm, Lunch serves a rotating menu of pastries, frittatas, salads and sandwiches from ingredients sourced mostly from local farmers in a cozy, casual environment.

Dinner at High Point Restaurant: Step back in time at High Point, the crown jewel of fine dining in Monteagle. Built in 1929 by a lady-friend of gangster Al Capone, the historic mansion still has original underground tunnels used to transport liquor during Prohibition. Start off with the lobster bisque or classic Oysters Rockefeller and then pick from delectable entrees like filet mignon, blackberry duck, grilled Atlantic salmon, or High Point Oscar, a succulent grilled beef tenderloin topped with crab meat, asparagus, and béarnaise sauce. Save room for dessert. Try the mile-high buttery Grilled Pound Cake with homemade caramel sauce and butter pecan ice cream or Chocolate Lava Cake, a dense chocolate cake filled with rich chocolate ganache and served warm with vanilla ice cream. Reservations are recommended for this gourmet dining experience. High Point is located on Main Street in Monteagle, at the east end of downtown.

Brunch or dinner at LaBella Pearl: LaBella Pearl is a remarkable culinary destination, renowned for its captivating blend of Italian and Mediterranean influences. The menu features an impressive variety of dishes (with generous portions!), including an awesome antipasto bar. LaBella Pearl has a unique BYOB policy, which allows guests to pair their meals with their favorite beverages. The Sunday Brunch is perfect for your romantic weekend getaway! LaBella Pearl is located on US41A between Monteagle and Sewanee.

Dinner at Judith

Lunch at Lunch

Dinner at High Point

Have an Adventure with your Valentine

Take a Cave Tour at The Caverns: In addition to being one of the world’s most unique live music venues, The Caverns, located between Pelham and Monteagle, offers daily cave tours that include one of the largest underground rooms in the world. Tours feature the cave geology, cave lore, and the unique history of Tennessee’s South Cumberland.

Daily, walking cave tours at The Caverns lead you through two captivating caves. Explore the vast Big Room Cave, stretching three football fields in length, and marvel at its otherworldly subterranean beauty. Venture into The Caverns’ legendary underground music hall for a behind-the-scenes tour (access may be limited on show days). Optional playful passages provide crawl-through experiences enjoyable for both children and adults.

For thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies, take an Adventure Cave Tour to explore deep portions of The Caverns with a seasoned cave guide. You’ll navigate the challenging “Tombstone Pass” to discover an underground river, unique and beautiful geological formations like “soda straws,” and thriving cave creatures. For Adventure Cave Tours, The Caverns provides caving helmets, head lamps, and knee pads. You will get muddy, so dress appropriately! Book online at TheCaverns.com.

Enjoy breathtaking views: There are notable and easy-to-reach overlooks in each of our three State Parks. Check out the longest view in any of our Parks from the Pack Hollow overlook in Head of the Crow State Park, less than 1/2 mile from the trailhead (bear right at the first split, then left at the second, to stay on the Sherwood Loop Trail). In Savage Gulf State Park, take the easy 1/2 mile walk out to Stone Door, with a majestic overlook of the three canyons that form this stunning natural landscape. At

Fiery Gizzard State Park, walk out from the Fiery Gizzard South trailhead to see the beautiful power of Foster Falls, as it plunges into a deep, forested canyon.

Share a couples massage: In the Sewanee Village, Sublime Haven offers a wide range of healing rituals designed to restore balance and harmony, each tailored to meet your individual needs, ensuring a personalized experience that is uniquely you. This boutique spa is designed to provide a cozy and serene atmosphere, with every detail carefully curated to ensure your comfort and relaxation.

Just up the road, in the Country Mart building in Monteagle, High Vibes Healing has a beautifully designed and state-of-the-art studio. Owner Anneli Virkhaus offers infrared sauna sessions that Anneli says will boost circulation, lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, burn calories and promote weight loss.

Or have the massage brought you to you: Mobile Mountain Massage will tailor a massage to your needs in your vacation rental.

Whatever you do, it will be a fun and memorable adventure for you and your Valentine!