Holiday Shopping for Family, Friends and More
Holiday shopping in the Great Smoky Mountains is the rare kind that feels like part of the vacation rather than a chore to get through. Between Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, a short drive along the parkway puts almost everything on your list within reach, from polished outlet brands to handmade crafts you will not find anywhere else. Better still, a good number of these gifts come with a story about where you found them.
Below we have mapped out the main shopping areas first, then broken things down by who you are buying for. None of it is set in stone, of course. Plenty of folks find the perfect present two aisles over from where they expected, and that is half the fun.
Main Shopping in the Smokies
These are the anchor destinations worth building a morning around. Each one is a little different in character, so pick the spots that match your group and your list. For the full directory of stores and outlets, see our shopping districts and outlets guide.
Shopping by Who You Are Buying For
Gift lists rarely sort themselves neatly by age or gender anymore, and that is a good thing. Consider the groupings below a starting point rather than a rule. Your mom may well want the pocketknife and your brother the hand-thrown pottery.
For Her
Downtown Gatlinburg is where to look for something special. The boutiques in The Village and along the north end of the parkway lean toward quality, unique and often handmade pieces: clothing, jewelry, footwear and accessories with a touch of Appalachian craft or something more exotic. You will pay to park and do some walking, but the scenery makes up for it. Out on Highway 321, the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community stretches eight miles past more than a hundred working artisans. If you cannot find a gift for the women in your life there, you are not really trying.
For Grandparents
For elders who appreciate a slower pace, The Old Mill Square in Pigeon Forge is designed to evoke an older Appalachian feel, and it succeeds beautifully. The Island caters to the fun side and the inner child that never quite went away. Both are easy on the feet: The Old Mill area is served by the trolley, and The Island runs its own tram from the parking lot to the entrance.
For the Kids
The Smokies are built for families, so toy and gift shops are everywhere. The best concentration for children's lists is The Island in Pigeon Forge and Tanger Outlets in Sevierville, the latter stocked with mainstream brand-name clothing, toys and seasonal gifts, plus a tram to spare little legs. Nearby Governor's Crossing and the surrounding Highway 66 corridor add bookstores and craft suppliers for stocking-stuffers and do-it-yourself presents.
For Him
Highway 66 from Sevierville toward Kodak is the place to go. It is home to pawn shops, two flea markets, the Smoky Mountain Knife Works (which blurs the line between store and museum), fireworks outlets, Bass Pro Shops and a string of larger-format stores. It is a bit of a drive and there is real walking involved, but you are all but guaranteed to find something on his list out there.
For the Pets
The four-legged members of the family are not forgotten. Specialty stops like Bonediggity Barkery and Gifts in Gatlinburg carry treats and gifts made for dogs and cats, and pet-friendly Mountain Mall makes it easy to bring them along while you browse.
Christmas Shopping All Year
If the holidays are the whole point of the trip, make time for The Incredible Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge. Built in the style of a Bavarian village, it is the largest Christmas store in the South, stocked year-round with ornaments, trees, lights and decor across themed rooms you can wander for an hour without noticing. It is equal parts shop and attraction, and it pairs naturally with the lights of Smoky Mountain Winterfest just outside.
For the calmest experience, shop on a weekday morning. The parkway and the outlet centers fill up fast on holiday weekends and during Winterfest, so an early start means easier parking and shorter lines at the register.
Where to Stay
The easiest way to shop the Smokies is from a cabin within a short drive of it all. Our cabin communities range from couples retreats to large family lodges, each with mountain views, hot tubs and full kitchens, so you have somewhere comfortable to wrap presents and warm up after a day on the parkway. Browse all cabins to find your base for the season.