Romantic Getaway Weekend

Day 1

Morning: Foster Falls

Start at Foster Falls, a 60-foot waterfall with a wide pool at the bottom, about 10 minutes from Jasper. The trail to the base is about 0.6 miles out and back, so you can sleep in a little and still get there before the crowd. It is steep and rocky, so wear shoes with grip. Sit on the rocks, put your feet in the water and stay a while. Longer trails leave from the same spot if you want more.

Bring a thermos of coffee to drink at the falls.

Afternoon: a picnic on Nickajack Lake

On the way to the lake, pick up food in Jasper or South Pittsburg. Lunch Box in Jasper makes sandwiches, and Spill Coffee & Creamery Co. in South Pittsburg does coffee and ice cream. Both towns are on the restaurant list.

Spend the afternoon at Nickajack Lake. Hales Bar Marina rents kayaks if you want a slow paddle together, or you can stay on the shoreline.

Evening: bats at sunset

At dusk, tens of thousands of gray bats spiral out of Nickajack Cave and across the sky. The free boardwalk at the Maple View Public Use Area looks across the water at the cave mouth. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset with a blanket and snacks. The bats fly from roughly late March through early October, and the bat cave guide explains the kayak option.

Eat: have dinner before the bats, because small-town kitchens close early. Lookout Winery & Wood Oven Pizza in Guild pairs wine with Neapolitan pizza and a river view. It is on the Guild and River Gorge list.

Stay: a floating cabin at Hales Bar Marina. The cabins sit on the Tennessee River and have private decks, so you can end the night outside with a bottle of wine while the stars come out. If the floating cabins are full, look at the treehouses and cabins under Vacation Rentals.

Put a playlist together before you leave home and bring a small speaker for the deck.

Day 2

Morning: South Pittsburg

After a slow start, drive to South Pittsburg. Big Bad Breakfast serves Southern breakfast and brunch at 220 E 3rd St, and it is on the South Pittsburg list. Then walk Cedar Avenue for the antique shops and gift stores.

The Lodge Museum of Cast Iron is at the same address as breakfast. Check hours and admission on Lodge’s website before you go. See the Lodge guide.

If you come on the last full weekend of April, the National Cornbread Festival fills downtown. Book lodging months ahead for that weekend.

Afternoon: on the river, or in the dam

Rent a boat at Hales Bar Marina and spend the afternoon on the river. If you would both rather hear ghost stories, the old Hales Bar Dam next door runs tours. The Hales Bar Dam guide has the options.