Shopping In The Smokies
Retail Therapy At Its Finest
If you are planning on enjoying the Smokies in the summertime, be sure to visit during their annual tax-free weekend where you can purchase everything from clothes to computers without paying the sales tax. Wherever you go, you’ll find amazing deals, one-of-a-kind gifts with a Smokies touch and, as always, a level of sweet Southern customer service you won’t find anywhere else.
GATLINBURG
Boasting over 400 shops and five malls in downtown Gatlinburg, you won’t have to do much exploring to find some unique treasures to take home. In fact, Gatlinburg is host to a variety of specialty shops that you’d be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Looking for a shop selling over 1,000 varieties of hot sauce? They’ve got it. What about a store devoted entirely to beads? They have that, too. Whatever your heart desires, be prepared to find just the thing in Gatlinburg.
Of course, one of the most meaningful mementos of a Smokies vacation is a piece of art by a local artist. The nation’s largest group of independent artisans, the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, offers a wide selection of paintings, pottery, quilts, candles, hand-carved items and other mountain crafts, all in a scenic eight-mile loop on the edge of Gatlinburg.
PIGEON FORGE
When shopping in Pigeon Forge, get ready to reel in some fabulous finds—all with outstanding savings. In fact, the shopping is so good, it has even attracted national attention! Pigeon Forge is consistently named one of the Top Shopping Spots in the South by the readers of Southern Living Magazine and has been named Best Place to Outlet Shop by Blue Ridge Country Magazine.
Once you’ve shopped at Pigeon Forge, you’ll never want to pay full price ever again. Home to a number of major outlet malls fully stocked with name brand designer garb for all ages, this is a frugal fashionista’s mecca. All of the outlet malls are located right near the Blue Ridge Parkway, so leave your hubby and kids to hike some of our breathtaking trails while you get a retail workout of your own. Trust us, at Pigeon Forge, shopping is a sport.
TOWNSEND
For the artsy antique collector who is looking to take home the heart of the Smokies, Townsend is the perfect place to visit. Quaint and charming, this town embraces the works of the local artists. Galleries and studios featuring paintings, woodcarvings and drawings are the most popular, and handmade pottery makes for a memorable—and useful—keepsake. If you’d like to bring home the music of the mountains, a local music shop specializing in handcrafted wooden instruments is just the thing. And a large antique mall just north of Townsend, in Walland, is a great destination to rediscover some one-of-a-kind treasures.
SEVIERVILLE
Home to the world famous Dolly Parton, Sevierville is a main destination for those looking for a little Southern inspiration and a glimpse into the star’s hometown. Big on customer service, this little town is bursting with antique shops, from one-room style stores to huge antique malls. Give the kids a treat to take home from one of the toy stores, and get something for yourself from the handful of specialty shops.