No trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee is complete without a visit to the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community! Situated off of the East Parkway, this 8-mile loop road is lined with studios, shops, and galleries where visitors will find a treasure trove of handmade gifts. The products sold in the Arts and Crafts Community are produced by the largest group of independent artisans in the entire nation.
In addition to all of the wonderful shopping opportunities, the Arts and Crafts Community in Gatlinburg TN is also home to some of the area’s very best eateries. To help you make the most of your next vacation, Timber Tops Cabin Rentals has put together a guide to the top six places to shop and dine in the Arts and Crafts Community.
1. Alewine Pottery
If you’re in search of the perfect souvenir from Gatlinburg, you can’t beat Alewine Pottery ! For over 30 years, Robert Alewine has been making beautiful clay pots, mugs, bowls, plates, vases, lamps, and a variety of other household items. Many of Alewine’s pieces feature the impression of a maple leaf, which gives the pottery a distinct Smoky Mountain motif. In addition to shopping, Alewine Pottery is also a great place to hear live bluegrass music and snack on complimentary popcorn and coffee.
2. Delauder’s BBQ
Voted one of the top 100 restaurants in the United States by the users of Yelp, Delauder’s is a can’t-miss spot for anyone craving authentic Southern BBQ during their vacation. From their mouthwatering ribs and pulled pork to their baked beans and potato salad, everything at Delauder’s is made fresh in-house. Delauder’s is so popular that the restaurant sometimes sells out of certain items before closing, so it never hurts to come early!
3. Tim Weberding Woodworking
Tim Weberding Woodworking is another one of our favorite places to visit in the Arts and Crafts Community in Gatlinburg TN. As a fourth-generation woodworker, Tim Weberding brings immense knowledge and artistry to everything he carves. Popular items available at his shop include door signs, ornaments, wood baskets, wood boxes, pocket crosses, and picture frames. If you would like one of Tim’s wood creations customized with a name or phrase, don’t hesitate to ask!
4. The Wild Plum Tea Room
The Tennessean newspaper named The Wild Plum Tea Room one of the ten best restaurants in the state! Inspired by the teahouses found in the mountains of Austria, this unique cafe is known for its inventive lunch offerings and scenic outdoor dining area. Some of the most-buzzed-about menu items at The Wild Plum include the Lobster Pie, Norwegian Salmon Burger, and Blackberry Cobbler with Cinnamon Ice Cream. It is highly recommended that vacationers make reservations at The Wild Plum Tea Room at least 24 hours in advance.
5. Santa’s Claus-et
The Christmas season never ends at Santa’s Claus-et! This fun shop boasts a wonderful selection of holiday-themed items, including decorations, toys, ornaments, games, and specialty foods. Santa’s Claus-et is a fantastic place to bring the kids because jolly old St. Nick himself is usually on hand to chat with children and pose for pictures.
6. Glades Soda Fountain
The Glades Soda Fountain is a real blast from the past! Designed to look like a malt shop from the 1940s, this beloved ice cream parlor served all of your favorite old-fashioned treats like floats, malts, phosphates, ice cream sodas, milkshakes, and sundaes. If you’re not sure what to order, just ask the fountain’s friendly owner and soda jerk Gordon Grieves!
Wondering where else you should go shopping in the Smokies? Here are the top places to shop in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg!
When you stay with Timber Tops Cabin Rentals, you will be just a short drive away from all of the excellent shops and restaurants in the Arts and Crafts Community in Gatlinburg TN. With everything from 1 bedroom cabins to 15 bedroom lodges, we are guaranteed to have the perfect accommodations for your escape. To start planning your getaway, browse our selection of cabins in Gatlinburg!
