A Short Guide To Christmas Shopping In The Smokies

There’s nothing quite like a cozy cabin getaway in November. The air is crisp, the trees are bursting with color, and the Smoky Mountains make the perfect backdrop for a relaxing retreat. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend or a quiet escape with friends, here’s how to make the most of your cozy cabin stay this fall.

1. Settle In and Get Cozy

Start by creating that classic cabin atmosphere. Light a fire in the fireplace, curl up with a blanket, and enjoy a good book or conversation by the glow. Make use of the cabin’s amenities, play a round of pool or board games, watch a movie on the big screen, or soak in the private hot tub while taking in the cool autumn air. With a fully equipped kitchen and outdoor grill, you can cook up a hearty dinner and enjoy your meal on the deck surrounded by the beauty of fall.

2. Explore the Great Outdoors

When you’re ready to venture outside, take advantage of the season’s stunning scenery. Drive along scenic routes like Cades Cove Loop Road or the Blue Ridge Parkway for breathtaking views of fall foliage. Go for a hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just start early to avoid crowds. You can also visit a local pumpkin patch, explore Gatlinburg’s charming downtown, or stop by the Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival for crafts and seasonal fun.

3. Plan Ahead for a Perfect Trip

November is a busy month in the Smokies, so book your cabin and activities early. For a quieter experience, try visiting midweek instead of the weekend. And don’t forget to plan your meals and stock up on groceries before you arrive so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying your autumn escape.

If you're ready to take the plunge or are just interested in where you should stay this fall click here for the best autumn cabins around.

Now that the season is upon us, we wanted to showcase our recommendations for Christmas shopping areas and ideas for those who are looking to get something unique and distinctly Smoky Mountain for family, friends or others back home!

Downtown Gatlinburg

This is a rather wide swath, yes? Indeed, detailing downtown Gatlinburg's shopping opportunities would be a task and require sub-sections, but we include it as one shopping "area" as you can still park and get in the same length and walking as any of the other shopping centers or proper-sized malls you have been to before. Downtown Gatlinburg is a great idea for people who want to cover a lot of bases in one trip - featuring everything from trinkets and gifts from the ubiquitous Smoky Mountain gift stores, hiking supplies, Smoky Mountain books and foods to martial arts equipment, magic, handmade clothes, Irish and Scottish goods and more you can only believe when you see it! Worth the effort and exercise!

Noteworthy shopping:

* The Village Complex

* China Bazaar

* Jonathan's (National Park related items)

* Mountain Mall Complex

* Nantahala Outdoor Center

* The Maples Tree

* The Paula Deen Store

* The Gamer's Place

See more Gatlinburg shopping

The Glades Arts and Crafts Community

The other major side of Gatlinburg and a pioneer in Smoky Mountain tourism is the generations-old Arts and Crafts Community just off of Highway 321 in Gatlinburg. Well before we had Ole Smoky Moonshine, Dollywood, Ober Gatlinburg or 70% of what makes up the cities now, the reason people came to the Smokies was to see the National Park and get genuine handmade woodwork, furniture, clothing, art, stone masonry and more craftwork that continues today with the elders' successors and subsequent generations. The Arts and Crafts Community is an 8-mile loop with several complexes and just about everything you came to Appalachia to look for.

Noteworthy shopping:

* Alewine Pottery

* Beech Branch Craft & Art Gallery

* Blackwollf Knives

* Buie Pottery

* Cliff Dwellers Gallery

* G. Webb Gallery

* Gatlin County Leather and Gallery

* Highland Craft Gallery

* Jim Gray Gallery

* Lorelei Candles

* Ogle's Broom Shop

* Paul Murray Gallery

* Santa Claus-et

See more on the Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community

The Old Mill

Consider The Old Mill something like the Pigeon Forge Arts and Crafts Community, except to a much smaller and tighter-knit degree. The Old Mill is a park-once shopping complex where you'd only need to walk to everything the area has to offer and still find an exquisite selection of handcrafted, local-artisan-supporting items like pottery, kitchen wares, jams and jellies, Smoky Mountain artwork, clothing, items for pets, boots, flowers, gifts, and more. It is also right next to Patriot Park and the central hub of the Pigeon Forge trolley system.

Noteworthy Shopping:

* The Old Mill General Store

* The Old Mill Pigeon River Pottery

* The Old Mill Farmhouse Kitchen

* Sassafras

* Smoky Mountain Cathouse

* Twisted Vessel Art Gallery

* Randall Ogle Art Gallery

* A Long Story Short

See more on The Old Mill

Highway 66 to Kodak

Way on the other side of the county, we have a "shopping" district of sorts that is unique and often under-represented for shopping in the Smokies and that is Highway 66 from Sevierville to Kodak. This area is our area for HUGE, HUGE stores that have many things you can't easily get in other parts of our area, or at least along the main tourism routes. This area is home to our flea markets, the Bass Pro complex, the Smoky Mountain Knifeworks, our favorite fireworks stores, thrift stores, antique stores, outlets and many restaurants well worth your lunch or dinner presence.

Noteworthy Shopping:

* Bass Pro

* Music Outlet

* Cherokee Trading Post

* KARM Store

* Flea Trader's Paradise

* Bud's Gun Shop and Range

* Smoky Mountain Knife Works

* Great Smokies Flea Market

* Coleman Outlet

* Lodge Factory Store

* Memory Lane Antique Mall

* Gorilla Fireworks

See more Sevierville shopping

Five Oaks Tanger Mall

We'll conclude our recommendations for Smoky Mountain Christmas shopping with the Five Oaks Tanger Mall. While there isn't the same kind of "unique, handmade Smoky Mountain" vibe at Five Oaks like the other listings we've had here (quite the opposite, in fact), this is still one heck of a shopping experience. After scouring across the county for knit jackets and locally painted portraits of Cades Cove, sometimes we just need to go back to what we're familiar with and Five Oaks will provide that and other needed shopping opportunities in spades. Brand name fashion, books, Disney, shoes, treats and so much more that Five Oaks has its own trolley system can be found here.

Noteworthy Shopping: