The Most Interesting Specialist Stores in Sevier County

The Smoky Mountains don’t just feel like a magical place, they really are a mystical destination. The phrase “old as the hills” rings true when you really dive into the old lore of the mountains. When you come to visit, take this otherworldly tour and investigate for yourself. Here are six of the Smokies’ best kept secrets.
1. Elkmont Trollbridge
Escape to a place that really feels like a glimpse into a mythical land. The Elkmont Trollbridge is a true hidden gem that only locals know about. Hike along the Little River Trail until you reach this spot. Covered in moss and mushrooms, the Trollbridge is perfect for capturing pictures or looking for hidden fantastical creatures.
2. House Of The Fairies
This whimsical spot is only a mile from downtown Gatlinburg yet it feels like you’ve been transported into another realm. Map to this magical place, then go out and explore. Here, you’ll find towering trees and moss covered logs and boulders. Then at the end of the trail you’ll see it...an arched doorway, that looks like it’s almost cut into the side of the hill, sits with a wooden ladder leaning against the frame. Step inside and find a cool spring, filled with water that tinkles like bells.
3. Synchronous Fireflies
The synchronized fireflies that come out every year like clockwork might be more science than magic but when you’re sitting among the trees and they begin to spark in unison, flickering in and out of sight, it feels like something otherworldly. This rare phenomenon is only seen in a few places in the world and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of them.
4. Elkmont Ghost Town
Once a thriving vacation spot for the Knoxville elite, the Elkmont Ghost Town looks like a legend brought back to life. Recently restored, explore inside the homes and hike trails where you will find the remains of homes once occupied by Appalachian locals who would serve, supply and work in the town. This piece of history is frozen in time and feels like stepping back into the past.
There are many magical places in the Smokies and these are only four of them. Don’t stop here, continue to search for more mystical creatures and sprites living in the trees and hollows. To discover more, stay overnight in the mountains in a log cabin. This cabin is even called Magical Moments, which is exactly what you’ll find when you visit the Smoky Mountains.
Shopping in the Smokeis, there is something for everyone!
Below you will find a list of some of the more unique and unusual shopping/ attractions in the area.
Pepper Palace
From their website: "Pepper Palace, the Planet's #1 Hot Shop, encourages a fun and fiery environment for everyone. We create the Spice Life experience with our small batch, handcrafted, natural, and award winning products. Pepper Palace believes that food should be memorable with a taste that consumes you. Pepper Palace exists to help our customers cultivate a more joyful and memorable culinary experience, both in their home and in our retail stores."
611 Parkway #D10 at Mountain Mall,
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-5577
131 Island Dr,
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 365-1116
Offers: Hot sauce, BBQ sauce, wing sauce, salsa, pepper relish, pepper jellies, pickled goods, fruit butter, drink mix, chili starter and more.
Celtic Heritage
From their website: "Fine gifts from Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The majority of our products are imported directly from Ireland, Scotland and Wales. We have a variety of products including jewelry, clothing, food, music, clan heraldry and various other collectibles. Many of our customers visit us each time they are near to purchase products that they can only find here. When you are in the area, please stop in and see us or shop with us online anytime."
634 Parkway #26,
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
celticheritage.net
(865) 436-2588
Offers: Celtic jewelry, bracelets, rings, silver and gold, Celtic t-shirts, Celtic music, Celtic heraldry, Celtic books, Celtic glassware, decorations, kilts, shoes, toys and more.
China Bazaar
A martial arts superstore in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg that carries just about everything for casual, intermediate and expert martial artists, as well as other gifts and items from the Smoky Mountains and decorations.
3145 Parkway,
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
(865) 908-7020
747 Parkway,
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-3533
Offers: Swords, knives, shurikens, training equipment, uniforms, staves, tonfas, self defense pepper spray, martial arts books and DVDs, pads, belts, decorations and more.
The Rhythm Section
From the Mountain Mall website: The Rhythm Section is an independent record shop specializing in hard to find music and movies. We have a very large selection of CD's/LP's for the music lovers and DVD's for the movie buffs. We also have tons of patches, stickers, T-shirts and other music/movie accessories to accompany our music selection. If you can't find what you're looking for,we can special order it for you!”
611 Parkway in the Mountain Mall,
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-4342
Offers: Common and hard-to-find CDs and vinyl albums, T-shirts, stickers, magnets, flags, hoodies, posters, memorabilia, concert tickets, DVDs, movies, TV series and more.
Smoky Mountain Knifeworks
From their website: “SMKW is one of the world's largest sources for knives. We sell pocketknives, fixed blade knives, kitchen cutlery, multi-tools, swiss army knives, swords, self-defense, sporting goods, knife making supplies and much more. SMKW is one of the oldest and largest knife retailers. We have partnerships with all the top manufacturers.”
2320 Winfield Dunn Pkwy,
Sevierville, TN 37876
smkw.com
(865) 453-5871
Offers: Knives (clearly), knife parts, knife rolls, sheaths, books, misc. gifts, relics, replicas, signs, firearm accessories, martial arts, military surplus, self defense, axes, flashlights, lighters, rescue tools and much more.
Christmas Place
From their website: "The Incredible Christmas Place, at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, is the premier destination for Christmas gifts and collectibles, designer-themed Christmas Trees, novelty and traditional Christmas Lights, hundreds of Personalized Ornaments, and all your favorite Holiday brands like Department 56, Lemax, Christopher Radko and many more!"
2470 Parkway,
Pigeon Forge, TN 37868
christmasplace.com
(800) 445-3396
Offers: personalized Christmas items, Christmas floral decoration, Christmas lights, Christmas music, Christmas stocking, Christmas trees, Christmas village dioramas, dolls and toys, garlands and wreaths, jewelry and apparel, nativity scenes and accessories, many other stores.
The Hemp Store
From their Facebook: "Our store is focused around Hemp and the culture that comes with it. The store has something to offer for everyone. We have clothes, hemp lotions, posters, various books, incense and incense burners, jewelry, sunglasses, purses, and hemp twine. In the back of our store we have a full smoke shop with metal pipes, American made glass water pipes, American made glass hand pipes, papers, grinders, vaporizers, herbal blends, and much more."
511 Parkway, Suite 201 (2nd floor)
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 277-7445
Mortons Antiques & Coins
From their website: Since 1949 Morton’s Antiques has been in business in East Tennessee, selling some of the finest antiques the world has to offer. We deal in a variety of high end merchandise, that includes furniture, chandelier’s, paintings, art glass, coins and other specialty items. We have something for everyone and strive to offer you the finest quality items at a fair price. Along with providing the best service possible.
409 Parkway,
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
mortonsantiquestn.com
(865) 436-5504
Offers: Antique furniture, antique clocks, baseball cards, antique vases, antique wall decorations, faberge eggs, antique bowls, antique brass, antique silver, antique coins, antique fine art and much more.
Whole Earth Grocery and Cafe
Whole Earth Grocery is a complete natural foods store and café, offering a variety of organic foods and seasonal produce, as well as the highest quality herbs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, natural beauty products, baby items, aromatherapy, tie dyes and so much more.
446 E Pkwy #4, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
wholeearthgrocery.com
(865) 436-6967
Scrapbook Superstore
From their website: "Your Scrapbook Superstore is pure Scrapbook Heaven with over 15,000 different Scrapbook and Rubber Stamping items from over 280 vendors! We carry more items than any scrapbook store in the nation with the most unique selections from many different areas of the world."
250 Collier Dr,
Sevierville, TN 37862
yourscrapbookstore.com
(865) 428-9980
Offers: scrapbooks, rubber stamps, cards, card-making materials, graph paper, sewing ribbons, sewing supplies, albums, scissors, pencils, colored pencils and more.