How do we love Smoky Mountain malls? Let us count the ways.
One: they’re the perfect place to pick up a memento from your Smoky Mountains visit whether it’s a piece of artisan pottery or a soon-to-be-beloved sweatshirt. (Or slab of fudge. Does it count as a memento if we eat it all before we get home?)
Two: they’re stocked by artisans! Gatlinburg malls offer tons of lovingly handcrafted items, from leather goods to local jams to original art inspired by the history and landscapes of the Smokies.
Three: close proximity of shops means that you can hit lots of establishments all in one fell swoop – useful for travelers with little shoppers or limited mobility. We call that a win-win-win!
Read on for our picks for some of the best shopping vacation fun!
The Village
Okay, so this one’s not climate-controlled, but The Village is one of Gatlinburg’s best shopping destinations, so pull on your boots and scarf and prepare for an afternoon of pleasant browsing and buying in a quaint little nook off Gatlinburg’s main drag.
There are shops specializing in pottery, olive oils, silver jewelry, Tervis tumblers, toys and games, coffee and tea, doughnuts, shoes and hiking gear, plus a handful of spots to grab a snack or sandwich. Stop by right after you hit the Pancake Pantry for breakfast.
Baskins Square Mall
After you finish treating yourself at The Village, head across the street to the Baskins Square Mall where you’ll find the Mountain Woodcarvers, The Lollipop Guild, and more! Hungry? Grab an appetizer at the Mountain Edge Grill.
The Shops at Ober/Aerial Tramway Mall
Sure, you can sled down a mountain at Ober Gatlinburg, but what about when you’re not in the mood for a face full of snow? There’s plentiful shopping with shops running the gamut such as gift-shop mementos and T-shirts at the Galleria, toys and games at Obear’s Playshop, and coats and shoes at The Leather Shop to name a few. There’s fudge and Native American pottery as well. Definitely bring the kids to this one!
The Mountain Mall
Reminiscent of a wood cabin, the Mountain Mall is an unmissable Gatlinburg landmark. Don’t expect mass-produced goods here; this is your stop for Smoky Mountain trinkets and other novelties. There are crafts, jewelry, artwork, tobacco products, leather goods, hot sauces and other condiments, and fudge. This mall has a little something for everyone.
Tanger Outlets
Nearby Sevierville boasts a Tanger Outlet Mall, one of the country’s best-loved brands of outlet shopping. There may not be a homemade jam in sight, but there’s a Disney Store, Columbia Sportswear, Carter’s, Easy Spirit, Eddie Bauer, and tons more spots to score good deals.
Exhausted yet? Find a place to hang up your boots, and put your feet up on the couch at Smoky Mountain cabins today!
