A vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains and the Gatlinburg area is a relaxing time for you and your family to make some good memories. There are many fun activities for you to do in Gatlinburg, including going to the national park and shopping for a souvenir.
You can enjoy going to different attractions in the Smoky Mountain National park. Still, you need a souvenir to remember your trip to the Smokies. There are many souvenir shops in the Downtown Gatlinburg area. You can shop for T-shirts, stuffed animals, local jewelry, wood carving artifacts, and more. To help you buy souvenirs, here’s a list of unique shops you can visit during your tour of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains:
1. Ranger Bob’s Trading Post
Situated in downtown Gatlinburg, Ranger Bob’s Trading Post is a gift shop that sells a variety of paraphernalia, including local handmade products. You can shop for candles, apparel, jewelry, mugs, and other handcrafted items. It is quite a big shop full of different art and crafts items, so take your time choosing the right gift. Locally crafted jewelry is a popular souvenir item you can take as a gift or souvenir for yourself.
2. Jonathan’s The Bear Necessities
Jonathan’s is your one-stop shop for all the bear-themed souvenirs. The store offers various novelties, carved bear figurines, crafts, historical guides, moccasins, shoes, and ornate pottery. The store is located in downtown Gatlinburg within walking distance of most hotels. You can look for downtown Gatlinburg hotels to stay right in the middle of the action-packed downtown area.
3. The Jewelry Spot
If you’re into unique jewelry, you will love this place. The Jewelry Spot offers different handcrafted items sure to delight any jewelry-lover. Their specialty is handcrafted jewelry made from Swarovski Crystals, birthstones, and sterling silver wires. You can find wire-wrapped jewelry, beaded jewelry, rocks, and more here.
4. Celtic Heritage
Gatlinburg has a deep-rooted Celtic heritage, and one of the downtown stores specializes in Celtic, Scottish, and Welsh merchandise. Most of the items in this store are imported directly from Ireland. Situated in downtown Gatlinburg, Celtic Heritage Company has all kinds of goods, including jewelry, luxury items, household items, heraldry, and Irish, Welsh, and Scottish clothing. You can also find traditional items, including Celtic music, tartans, crosses, T-shirts, kilts, and more. The brick walls and tall pointed roofs give the store a classic Celtic feel.
5. Santa’s Claus-et
Craving for some Christmas treats? Why wait till December to get your hands on Christmas items? Head over to Santa Claus-et in the Smoky Mountains to enjoy year-round Christmas. Santa Claus-et is the largest Christmas store in Gatlinburg. You can buy different crafts, hand-painted ornaments, seasonal decorations, traditional jams, jellies, sauces, and more from here.
6. Wood Signs of Gatlinburg
Wood signs of Gatlinburg are the oldest wood carving shop in Gatlinburg. It is a family-owned business that takes pride in the work of Gatlinburg’s traditional wood crafts. You can buy personalized wood signs here. They allow you to customize the shape and size of your wood signs. Both computer and handcrafted signs are available here. The store also offers hand-painted artwork, camping signs, and clipart signs.
7. The Honey Pot
Drop by The Honey Pot store if you’re looking for unique souvenir shops in Gatlinburg. Located in The Village on the Parkway, this store offers a collection of handmade pottery, gardening items, flags, chimes, and more. The store features items for your interior as well. You can buy clocks, fluffy pillows, collectibles, and wine holders. If you can’t find anything interesting here, you can visit other stores in The Village shops. You will find something interesting in the various shops at The Village, which include eateries, galleries, and boutiques.
8. The Mercantile
The Mercantile is a must-visit souvenir shop in the Anakeesta theme park in Gatlinburg. The store is located at the top of the Anakeesta theme park mountain, so you can enjoy the scenery while shopping. Reaching the store is also enjoyable because you have to go either on a chairlift or a ridge rambler vehicle to get to the mountaintop. Here, you can buy kitchen items, farmhouse décor, vintage toys, and more. The friendly staff will help you find a great souvenir. You will genuinely love the place while enjoying family time in the mountains.
9. The Maples Tree
Opened in 2002, The Maples Tree is a family-owned business that offers quilts, home décor, handbags, picture frames, jewelry items, and kitchen accessories. It is also the only Donna Sharp Quilts and purses retailer in Gatlinburg. Donna Sharp quilts are made from the highest quality materials with exquisite craftsmanship. These handcrafted premium quality quilts will increase the beauty of your home and help you remember the great time you enjoyed in the Smokies. The store offers a variety of handcrafted handbags that are sure to quench your thirst for fashion and design. You can also get local jewelry to wear on special occasions or gift someone.
10. The Lollipop Guild
If you are on vacation with your kids, you should definitely check out The Lollipop guild. It is a children’s shop that has been operating in Gatlinburg for the last 12 years, and it is a unique store that is a must-visit for families. The store allows children to become heroes in their favorite comic books or music CDs. Your children can fulfill their fantasies and then boast about them to their friends.
11. NOC – Gatlinburg
While Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) specializes in outdoor gear and equipment, it is also a gift store. You can find locally made calendars, honey, crafts, and other gifts. They also feature a variety of offerings from the Appalachian Trail. You should visit the store, especially if you are interested in outdoor gear and want to support local artisans. The store is specially designed with excursions like a swinging rope bridge, a giant fireplace, wall climbing, and a bear cave. You can enjoy a full afternoon here with your family.
Conclusion
While your vacation in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is for a short time, a souvenir or unique item helps you remember the pleasure and joy you felt. With the shops we have recommended above, you are sure to bring back good memories with you. From local jewelry to wood carvings and artifacts, interior decoration items, and unique experiences, these shops feature some great gift options and souvenirs to remember your trip.
Thank you for reading.
