Activity Guide
Shopping in the Smoky Mountains
From 100-year-old grist mills to designer outlet malls, the Smokies offer a genuinely varied shopping experience within a few miles.
place Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville
schedule Most shops open daily
attach_money All price ranges
shopping_bag Artisan crafts, outlets, specialty food, antiques
Before You Go
What to Know
Arts Loop Parking
Free parking throughout the 8-mile Glades loop
Old Mill Hours
Daily 9 AM to 6 PM (extended in peak season)
Tanger Hours
Daily 10 AM to 9 PM (10 PM in peak season)
Village Shops
Gatlinburg Parkway, open 10 AM to 9 PM daily
Cash
Bring cash for artisan markets and smaller studios
Shipping
Most pottery and woodwork shops offer packing and shipping
Where to Go
Best Shopping Destinations
The distinct shopping districts of the Smokies each have their own personality.
Glades Arts & Crafts Community
placeGlades Rd, Gatlinburg
scheduleDaily 10 AM to 5 PM
palette100+ working artisan studios on 8-mile loop
Old Mill District
place175 Old Mill Ave, Pigeon Forge
scheduleDaily 9 AM to 6 PM
storeWorking 1830 grist mill, pottery, candy, specialty food
The Village Shops
place634 Parkway, Gatlinburg
scheduleDaily 10 AM to 9 PM
store27 specialty shops in European village courtyard setting
Tanger Outlets Sevierville
place1645 Parkway, Sevierville
scheduleDaily 10 AM to 9 PM
shopping_bag100+ brand-name outlet stores
Gatlinburg Parkway (The Strip)
placeParkway, Gatlinburg
scheduleShops open 10 AM to 10 PM
storeCandy stores, fudge, taffy, souvenirs, apparel
Antique Malls -- Sevierville
placeChapman Hwy, Sevierville
scheduleDaily 9 AM to 5 PM
categoryMultiple large antique malls with local dealers
Last verified: May 2026. Hours and pricing are seasonal and subject to change.
Local Knowledge
Things Most Visitors Don't Know
How to shop the Smokies like a local.
palette
The Arts Loop Is Genuinely Special
The Glades Arts and Crafts Community is the largest community of independent artists in the eastern US. You are watching people make things -- pottery thrown on a wheel, quilts being sewn. Not a souvenir shop.
local_florist
Buy Food to Take Home
Old Mill grits, sourwood honey from the farmers market, homemade jam, and mountain apple butter are all exceptional gifts and cabin pantry staples. They pack and ship anything.
savings
Tanger vs. Strip Pricing
The Parkway strip has high tourist-markup pricing on most things. Tanger Outlets and the Old Mill have genuinely competitive prices. Know the difference.
store
Knife Shops Are Everywhere
The Smokies have a disproportionate number of knife and blade shops. Cutco dealers, custom blade smiths, and souvenir shops all sell knives. There is real craft here if you look for it.
groups
Split Up for the Arts Loop
The Arts loop works best when everyone can wander at their own pace. Give the group 2 hours on the loop and pick a meeting spot. The pottery and woodworking shops are slow-down experiences.
schedule
Avoid Saturdays at Tanger
Saturday afternoons at Tanger bring significant crowds and full parking lots. Tuesday through Thursday mornings are the quietest times for the full outlet shopping experience.
On the Calendar
Events Worth Timing Your Trip Around
Annual events that revolve around craft and shopping in the Smokies.
Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair
Gatlinburg -- Oct -- 180+ artisans, largest craft fair in the South
Summer Craftsmen's Fair
Gatlinburg Convention Center -- One week in July
Holiday Market at the Village
Gatlinburg Village Shops -- Seasonal holiday shopping event
calendar_today See All Events
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