Weekend Trips From Chattanooga for Couples: 7 Getaways Within a Few Hours

You don't need a plane ticket for a weekend away. Within a few hours of Chattanooga there are mountain towns, wine country, a quiet corner of the Smokies and a city full of live music.

Here are seven I would put on a couple's list, closest first. Drive times are from downtown Chattanooga, from Google Maps in October 2026. Plan on extra time on a Friday afternoon.

Under an hour: Mentone, Alabama

About 50 minutes

Mentone sits on top of Lookout Mountain in Alabama, so this is the easiest weekend on the list. DeSoto State Park has chalets, cabins and rooms in its historic lodge, and the 104-foot DeSoto Falls is in the park. Little River Canyon National Preserve is close by, with waterfalls, overlooks and trails along the canyon.

Good for: a low-key weekend, hiking and fall color.

Cabins and a train ride: Blue Ridge, Georgia

About 1 hour 45 minutes

Blue Ridge is the classic cabin weekend. Pick a cabin with a view, then spend a day in town.

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway follows the Toccoa River to the twin towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee. Choose the ride with the 2-hour layover so you have time for lunch and a walk before the ride back. On the way home, stop at Mercier Orchards, which has been growing apples since 1943 and has a bakery and its own hard cider.

Good for: a cozy weekend, fall leaves and a first trip away together.

Wine country: Dahlonega, Georgia

About 2 hours 15 minutes

Dahlonega was the site of the first major gold rush in the United States, and today it calls itself the heart of Georgia wine country. Spend a day at a couple of the wineries and vineyards around town, then walk the historic square for dinner and shopping. You can even try panning for gold.

If you plan to taste at more than one winery, book a driver or a winery tour so neither of you has to drive.

Good for: wine lovers, anniversaries and a weekend with another couple.

The quiet side of the Smokies: Townsend, Tennessee

About 2 hours 15 minutes

Townsend calls itself the peaceful side of the Smokies, and it is a calmer base than Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. It is the closest town to Cades Cove, an 11-mile one-way loop road through a valley ringed by mountains. Along the loop there are historic churches, log homes, a working gristmill and a good chance of seeing wildlife.

Go early in the morning, when the loop is quieter. It is closed to cars on Wednesdays, usually from May through September.

For a milestone anniversary, Blackberry Farm in nearby Walland is a Relais & Châteaux resort in the foothills of the Smokies. Ask me about it.

Good for: nature lovers, slow mornings and milestone anniversaries.

A night out: Nashville, Tennessee

About 2 hours

Nashville is close enough for a Friday night show. The Ryman Auditorium, the Mother Church of country music, hosts hundreds of shows a year, and it has daytime tours if you can't get concert tickets. Add a nice dinner and a walk downtown and you have a full weekend.

My road trips from Chattanooga post has more Nashville ideas.

Good for: music lovers and a birthday weekend.

Waterfalls and cool air: Highlands, North Carolina

About 3 hours 15 minutes

Highlands sits at 4,118 feet, so it is cooler than Chattanooga in the summer. The town is known for its restaurants, shops and waterfalls.

On U.S. 64 between Highlands and Franklin, Dry Falls is a 75-foot waterfall with a trail that takes you right behind the water. Go in the morning or the evening. The Forest Service says it gets very busy in the middle of the day.

Good for: a summer escape, fall color and food lovers.

Worth the longer drive: Asheville and Biltmore, North Carolina

About 3 and a half to 4 hours

Asheville is the longest drive here, so give it two nights. Biltmore has the house to tour, a winery and Antler Hill Village, and Christmas at Biltmore makes it a good holiday weekend. Spend the rest of your time in downtown Asheville.

Good for: a holiday getaway, a big birthday and couples who love history.

How to make a weekend feel like a real getaway

• Leave early. Head out by early Friday afternoon, or go Saturday to Monday if you can.
• Book dinner before you go, especially in the fall and on holiday weekends.
• Choose a place you want to spend time in, not just sleep in. A view, a fireplace or a porch makes the weekend.
• Leave one afternoon with nothing planned.

Who these trips are for, and who they aren't for

These are for couples who want a real break without airports, and for anyone celebrating an anniversary or a birthday on short notice. If you want a beach, a full week off or somewhere you need a passport for, a weekend drive isn't it. That is where I come in.

Ready to start?

If you are celebrating something bigger, like a milestone anniversary or a honeymoon, tell me about your trip. You can also email [email protected] or call our office at (423) 401-9997.

Talk soon,

Cindi