Shopping, Events & Must-Visit Stops in Gatlinburg
The cooler weather is starting to abate, and the warmth of a Tennessee spring is beginning to spread over the region like a heavenly blessing. It’s a wonderful time to experience spring in the Smoky Mountains and explore things to do in Gatlinburg! We celebrate in a myriad of ways. The park is alive with hikers, photographers, kayakers and millions of visitors who simply want to soak up nature and our iconic views with their friends and family.
Dollywood, the crown jewel of family fun in the Smokies, celebrates its Flower and Food Festival from April 18th until June 7th. The park is festooned with half a million gorgeous spring flowers, beautifully arranged throughout the magical place founded, run by and named for Tennessee’s most beloved native. There will be brand new shows to watch and new menu items at venues throughout the park. The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, one of the most popular Smoky Mountains spring events, from April 22nd to 25th, is an official celebration of all things flowering in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There will be nature-themed art workshops, lectures by scholars in the field of botany, guided excursions in the park for the purpose of identifying wildflowers and so much more.
While you are here, head into The Village Shops in Gatlinburg for some must-haves. An essential part of welcoming a new season is a wardrobe refresh. We all seek to be outside more often in warmer weather, working off the pounds we added during the cocooning of winter. The Life is Good (Life According to Jake) store is the first place you will want to stop in The Village. Load up on some beautiful, colorful and comfortable apparel for yourself AND your pets and spread positivity in the process. Revive great childhood memories with a Snoopy shirt or grab some mountain-themed t-shirts to remember your trip. It’s all GOOD!
Your next stop in The Village should, of course, be The Day Hiker. There’s an excellent selection of fun, mountain-themed t-shirts here, too! You can also grab a new backpack for your hikes in the Smokies. This unique shop also stocks hiking staffs, hats, maps and many other things you need to enjoy the world of trails in the park.
There’s nothing that ushers in the fun of warmer weather like a brand-new pair of shoes or sandals! If you care about what you wear (and how you treat your feet) while active, you’ll have to stop at The Hayloft Comfort Footwear. From Chaco to Birkenstock to Oofoos; every brand that feels great and looks fantastic is under one roof here. Your warmer-weather wardrobe will get an injection of cute and comfy at this great locally-owned store.
We often think of giving our pajama drawer a makeover when the first hint of cool weather blows in in the fall, but that is counterintuitive to the pajama-obsessed! Spring and summer are our busiest months outdoors. We are planting, mowing, gardening, maintaining our birdfeeders and exercising. In short, we are tired after dinner! What better way to celebrate the glories of spring than with some brand-new, beautiful or whimsical pajamas from The Lazy One in The Village? You’ll love nestling into these 100% cotton pajamas and nightshirts that become softer after each wash. Grab a cup of tea and watch your favorite show while you decompress from your very busy day.
Now that you have a few bags of goodies to brighten your spring, you must head to Boudicca’s Celtic Pub for a delicious, filling lunch! You’ll rub shoulders with locals and tourists alike at this well-loved place. Caution: the Banger Burger will have you coming back again and again.
If spring’s glories have beckoned you to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you’re in the right place for an excellent time. The Village Shops will get you well-equipped to enjoy every aspect of this beautiful season. Don’t forget to duck into Master’s Editions Village Gallery in The Village to consider some new art pieces with a spring/summer bent. It’s perfectly acceptable to rotate your core décor with the seasons. In fact, we encourage it! God gave us four amazing seasons for a reason; all are meant to be celebrated and enjoyed to the fullest. Nothing invigorates a soul more than an indoor space that reflects the beauty of the outdoors. This gallery features the work of premier American landscape artists. It’s worth perusing, even if you think you don’t need anything new.
Come on up to the Smokies and be sure to stop in at The Village Shops in Gatlinburg. You’ll be most warmly welcomed. Best of all, you’ll leave with some treasures to help start your 2026 warm-weather adventures!