The 5 Best Reasons to Visit The Village in Gatlinburg
There are very few places in Gatlinburg where it’s an almost certainty everyone who visits can say it’s a must. The Village is such a staple of this tourist town, it’s hard to fathom anyone disliking it. I think the main reason is because it’s so different than anything else here. Before I go too far with that thought, its history goes back to the late 1960s, with construction beginning in 1968. The dream was realized 2 years later, as it started with 18 shops, and expanded in 1982 to the tune of the 27 shop spaces that make up the entirety of The Village in the present day. It is a beautiful complex, accentuated by elements that maintain memories with an unmatched charm. Here are the 5 best reasons to visit this…village.
5. Its Distinct Visual Aspects
It’s like a miniature Old World European Village where the streets are lined with bricks and the structures all have their own unique characteristics. There are road signs, markers to lead you to the different shops, two fountains, beautiful seasonal flowers, a village horse, (how’s that for style) and no two stores look alike. Most are small and sometimes a little cramped, but that might be the only drawback. And I don’t believe anyone really minds when they’re here. It’s such a neat place. It even leads you to a historic cemetery in the back. If you know, you know!
4. Outdoor Seating
The Village in Gatlinburg has plenty of tables, chairs, and benches for you to rest your feet, relax, and take in the atmosphere. It’s not just a place for tourists to hangout; it’s also a great place for locals to sit while on break for a bite to eat. On more than a few occasions, we’ve grabbed food on the Parkway only to tote it into The Village to enjoy. Coming up on this list will be more detailed offerings you can take to your chosen seating area to seriously satisfy some succulent cravings.
3. Awesome Shops
Shopaholics will love The Village, because there’s even a wide variety of shops that appeal to almost anyone. Hey, even the men can enjoy the shopping here, and that’s saying something, if you know what I mean. There’s candle shops, (Candle Cottage) an art gallery, (Master’s Editions a spice and tea shop, (The Spice and Tea Exchange) sock shop, (Yep, The Sock Shop) pajama shop, (The Lazy One) men’s and women’s wear shops, (Life is Good, The Hayloft) a candy store, (Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen) toy shop (Toy Crazy)…the list goes on. In fact, I haven’t even mentioned the places where you can get some of the best food and drinks in Gatlinburg. Wait, that’s next…
2. Excellent Food and Drinks
You can arguably find some of the best comfort food and drinks right here in The Village. I’ll start with the shop that’s been here from the beginning, and that’s The Donut Friar. They’re still churning out donuts, cinnamon bread, cookies, and coffee to happy Gatlinburg guests. A hop-skip away is my favorite coffee shop, Coffee and Company, which has been in business since 1993. They recently changed owners for the first time, but the new one is delivering the same quality product that Jeannie, the original owner, had been doing. Boudicca’s Celtic Pub has only been around a few years, but they’re building quite the reputation for outstanding burgers, beer cheese, and a few other traditional Irish comfort foods that transition well to the tourist crowd and local alike. Maddie Mae’s is doing something no one in town is doing, and that’s homemade ice cream. They also have energy drinks that go beyond coffee—which they also serve—sandwiches, snacks, and a few miscellaneous items. All tiny shops with some big energy flowing from them. More dessert can be had at the old-school Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen, a big favorite of ours as well!
1. A Place For Memories and Dreams
Throw a coin in the fountain after you make a wish. No, it doesn’t matter which one, but the center of The Village is where it all happens. I’ve taken hundreds of pictures in The Village throughout our visits, and I can’t bring myself to delete any of them. There’s just nothing like it here in Gatlinburg. It’s a place for memories, and for us, it’s the source for our dreams that came true last year. Yes, it’s one of the reasons why we decided to move here. That may sound a little crazy, but I know from people's comments directed to my social media page, that I’m not alone in sharing these thoughts. It’s just special. And it’s another piece of Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains that add up to a lot of feelings of belonging. It’s hard to explain if you’ve never visited, but I think you might get it when you do. It’s a part of downtown Gatlinburg that’s quite a paradox, but somehow it belongs in all this madness that we love. And I mean that in the nicest way.
Thank you for reading and subscribing to my publication! I hope you enjoyed this opinion piece on The Village in Gatlinburg. But if you ask many, this is almost gospel, as it’s truly a memorable part of your vacation and many others. Stay tuned for more reviews coming up! I am staying busy in the best sense possible here in Gatlinburg!