For more than 75 years, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, has been one of the most popular tourism destinations in the Southeast. One of the main reasons is the city's proximity to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but for as long as the park has been in existence, folks have also been coming to Gatlinburg to find authentic, hand-made mountain crafts.

Selling crafts to area visitors was originally just a way for local artisans to supplement their income, but over time, it became an industry in its own right and blazed the trail for Gatlinburg to become the shopping destination that it has become today. That is most evident today when you visit the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, an eight-mile loop that is home to dozens of shops and studios featuring the authentic works of mountain craftsmen.

But Gatlinburg shopping is much more than arts and crafts. Especially in downtown Gatlinburg, along the Parkway, the streets are lined with shop after shop, offering everything from traditional tourist-style souvenirs like T-shirts and key chains to even more crafts and unique treasures that you can only find in the Great Smoky Mountains. There's something for every age, every preference and every price range.