Best Places to Shop for Christmas in the Smokies
Whether you are Christmas shopping or Hanukkah shopping, or just looking for something for yourself, the towns in the Great Smoky Mountains have shops with something unique for everyone.
THE ISLAND
The Island in Pigeon Forge is a great destination for shopping in the Smokies with more than 40 unique shops. It’s also a fun place for playing, eating and being entertained. Decorated for the holidays, it’s a great place to go and feel the joy of the holidays.
Among the interesting shops are:
The Handblown Glass Gift Gallery - handmade blown glass items with more than 300 to choose from.
Savannah Bee Company – honey tasting, honey accessories, honey lip balm – I bought a unique Mint Julep balm last time I was there.
Old Smoky Moon Shine – pick up some white lightning and accessories to take home and share with friends.
The Paula Deen Store – celebrity chef Paula Deen has a retail store and a restaurant at The Island. Butte anyone?
Farmhouse 9110 – made in the U.S. original home décor from signs to coffee mugs, reclaimed wood and farmhouse charm.
Build-a-Bear – you remember these. You make your own bear and even put its heart in as the final touch.
Beef Jerky Experience – With wall-to-wall jerky, it’s a “try it before you buy it’ kind of place;
MOUNTAIN MALL
The The Gatlinburg Mountain Mall,, dubbed as a “premier indoor shopping experience.”
Each shop has a unique theme such as hand-crafted candy and local foods, hand-made jewelry, custom- blended tobacco products, quilts, dolls, magic tricks, sports, clothing for your dog, collectible toys and locally made artwork.
Walk around the two indoor fountains, one of which is 30-feet tall. Check out the now-and-then photos as you stroll around the mall. The photos are of the general store that once stood on the same spot –
Ogle’s General Store. The Ogle family still owns the Mall.
Check out all the merchants, which include home-made candy, food, crafts, hand-made jewelry, custom blended tobacco products, pipes, music, movies, leather goods, hot sauces, books, magic tricks, quilts, dolls, sports collectibles, toys and original artwork and even outfits for man’s best friend.
Be sure to visit Alwine Pottery in the Village Shops, and Mountain Village Décor in the Mountain Mall, both of which sell local hand-crafted items. Nearby, the popular Jonathan’s “The Bear Necessities” has home items, apparel, books and scrapbook supplies with a decidedly mountain theme.
Mountain Mall is located at Traffic Light #6 across from Ripley’s Aquarium. 611 Parkway, Ste F15,Gatlinburg.
THE ARTS AND CRAFTS COMMUNITY
Find original hand-made art can be found in The Arts and Crafts Community. Do the Loop, as locals say, to find the perfect gifts.
The largest independent organization of artisans in the United States, the Arts and Crafts Community is filled with a wide assortment of items from dulcimers to stuffed bears to ceramics. “The artists often wi talk with visitors and discuss the history of their craft.” With more than 100 artists and craftsmen, Gatlinburg’s Arts & Crafts Community “is a living, breathing tribute to the history of Tennessee. The carvers, weavers, watercolor artists, casters, soap makers, potters, silversmiths and dozens of other artisans skillfully demonstrate their abilities before thousands of visitors, making Christmas shopping in the Smokies a unique experience.
The community is located on an 8-mile loop road that’s designated a Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail. The Arts & Crafts Community can be reached using the Yellow Trolley from downtown Gatlinburg.
DOLLYWOOD
If you are going to Dollywood (and we think you should), make sure to spend some time shopping at the entertainment park’s Craftsman’s Valley, which features a one-stop shop for authentic handmade crafts.
In Craftsman’s Valley, talented artisans continue to perform the same jobs that were so vital to life in th late 1800s. Blacksmiths, just like those years before them, use their skills to create beautiful hand-forge steel items. Customized metal gifts and home décor, including the always-popular wind chimes, are available for purchase at the blacksmith shop.
At the Old Flames Candle Shop, candlemakers dip candles the old-fashioned way, creating an amazing range of beautiful handmade items. Available in many different shapes, sizes and scents, visitors often find gifts from the candle shop make perfect home accents. Children also can create special keepsakes b dipping their own candles with one of the candlemakers.
At Smoky Creek Leather, guests can purchase leather apparel and accessories crafted by Dollywood’s leather smiths or create their own one-of-a-kind Christmas ornament or other unique piece with the master craftsmen at Mountain Blown Glass. Additionally, woodcarvers, candy makers and many other skilled workers set up shop throughout the park.
Take home a piece of the Smoky Mountains from heritage products such as Dollywood’s apple and pumpkin butters from the Sweet Shoppe, seasonal home decor from Mountain Laurel Home and everything in between from the Dollywood Emporium or maybe buy someone a season pass or tickets for a weekend. Check out the park’s shopping locations
THE VILLAGE
Located on the Parkway at traffic light #6, The Village offers over 27 unique shops, eateries and galleries There truly is something for everyone. Spend the afternoon walking through a place reminiscent of an old-world village. With it’s beautiful European-style architecture you will feel like you’ve been transported to a quaint little town.
Shopping in The Village offers lots of variety including classic places like The Hayloft and The Hayloft Comfort Footwear. The Hayloft specializes in Moccasins for men, women and children. It’s second store offers shoes from Born, Naot, MBT, Keen and more. Candle Cottage is another classic shop with a wide variety of candles in all shapes and sizes. It is Gatlinburg’s largest and most complete candle shop.
Other shops include Toy Crazy and is praised as Gatlinburg’s coolest toy store. The Sock Shop offers a huge variety of fun, crazy and cool socks. Misty Mountain Soap Co specializes in handmade soaps lotion and bath products.
BIG SHOPPING AT THE OUTLET MALLS
Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg – are best for finding fashion and household item bargains. In Sevierville, you can visit Five Oaks Tanger Outlets, while Pigeon Forge features the Factory Merchants’ Mall and Pigeon Forge Factory Outlet.
The largest shopping extravaganza is Tanger Outlets. Tanger is a nationally known outlet mall enterprise based in Greensboro, NC. The Sevierville location is at 1645 Parkway.
Here, you’ll find hundreds of our favorite shops with sales and deals galore – kids, adults, men, women, shoes of all kinds! Coach, Christopher & Banks, Byrd's Cookies (you can build your own assortment), Kate Spade New York, Michael Kors, Pink by Victoria, Tommy Hilfiger. There’s a Disney Outlet, Eddie Bauer, Brooks Brothers, Columbia, The North Face, Under Armour – and so much more.
Check out the list of shops.
BOOK YOUR SHOPPING ADVENTURE
If you are ready to enjoy Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville shopping, click here. Click on cabins at the top and scroll to Gatlinburg. Simply select your amenities and you are there! If you prefer to speak with a live person, our reservation specialists are happy to help - just call 800-204-5169.
Check our Pinterest boards for Pigeon Forge cabins with a view. Also, see our board on economy cabins.
If you need more help planning your Smoky Mountain Vacation, be sure to check out all our vacation guides, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Published on Friday, November 15, 2024