2 Best Shopping in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

It's worth driving the eight-mile loop road through the arts and crafts community, even if you don't plan to stop. But you probably will—these mountain craftspeople do more than carve chainsaw sculptures (although they do that, too). Along the way, you'll find the works of world-class painters like Jim Gray, whose gallery is housed in a century-old former church. Just behind the gallery, Ogle's Broom Shop is home to third-generation broom makers whose functional and decorative brooms and hiking sticks are treasured by craft aficionados. There are also spots to stop for a meal, a cold drink, or ice cream.

If your plans include outdoor adventure in the Smokies, consider this your base camp, where you'll find expertise, apparel, gear, and guides—all under 18,000 square feet of retail space. There's so much here—for hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting, canoeing, and camping—the store actually schedules guided orientation tours. And to keep it fun for the whole family, you'll also find a kids' play area, a rock-climbing wall, and a swinging rope bridge.