Another Vote for the little Big Apple, Asheville.
Lots of great desinations nearby there and a lot to do in the city proper.
No chains in the downtown area, most restaurants are farm to table.
If you like a good proper Old Fashioned check out Pecks Bar, they age their own Old fashioned in barrels.
Check out the Arcade Building, it is a copy of the base of the Empire State Building, as a matter of fact a lot of Asheville is a copy of NYC.
Its a very cool little city.
Edit
Make reservations at Hot Springs, especially if you want to have a nice romantic evening. Bring bathing suits, or don't.
you reserve your own private hot tub in a very secluded setting on the bank of a river, the hot tub is filled for each guest with fresh hot spring water that is around 105°.