Gatlinburg Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community Map and Guide
Published Sep 22, 2025
The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community is Gatlinburg's arts and crafts loop: more than 80 independent artists and craftspeople along an eight-mile road through the Glades, a quiet wooded area about three miles east of downtown. Everything for sale here was made by the person selling it. Here's how to make the most of your visit.
The community dates back to 1937, when local craftspeople began setting up shops in the hills outside town. It has grown into a loop of studios, galleries, and small cafes that feels a world away from the Parkway, with no chain restaurants, dinner shows, or rides. The loop is free to visit, and you can spend an hour or a whole day.
How to get there
From the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, turn at traffic light #3 onto East Parkway (Highway 321 North) and drive about three miles east. Turn onto Glades Road to start the loop, follow it to Buckhorn Road, and Buckhorn brings you back out to Highway 321 to complete the eight-mile circle. Most studios have their own free parking, so you can pull in and out at each stop.
Pick up a printed community map at almost any studio. It shows the shops, restrooms, places to eat, and studios that offer hands-on sessions, and it's often easier to use than your phone on the loop.
Taking the trolley
Rather leave the car behind? The Gatlinburg Trolley is free, and its Yellow Route runs from the Mass Transit Center downtown out around the Arts and Crafts Community loop, with stops along the way. If you're parking at the free Welcome Center Park N' Ride, ride the Purple Route into town first, then switch to the Yellow Route. The Yellow Route runs seasonally and less often than the downtown routes, about once an hour, so check the schedule on gatlinburg.com before you go.
What you'll find
The studios cover a wide mix of crafts: pottery, woodworking and carving, jewelry, candles, baskets and brooms, leather goods, glass, paintings and photography, soap, and quilts and other textiles. Many shops are grouped into small villages along the loop, but each village has a mix of crafts rather than one specialty.
What makes the loop special is that the makers are usually right there. You might watch a potter at the wheel, a woodcarver at the bench, or a glass artist at work, and buy straight from the person who made the piece. Ask how it was made. Most artisans are happy to talk about their craft. To learn more about some of the people behind the work, read our post Meet the Makers.
Hands-on sessions
Several studios offer sessions where you can make your own piece with an artisan's help, from pottery and candles to jewelry and more, depending on the studio. Look for the hands-on studios marked on the community map. Fowler's Clay Works is a popular choice for pottery, especially with families. Most sessions need to be booked ahead and have a fee, so call the studio before your trip.
Where to eat
Made-from-scratch Southern comfort food at 849 Glades Road, right on the loop. It's a favorite lunch stop, so expect a wait on busy weekends.
Small plates and a wine list in a cozy setting, a good choice for a relaxed dinner after an afternoon of browsing.
You'll also find coffee, sweets, and snacks at small cafes and candy shops along the loop.
When to visit
The community is open year-round, but hours vary from studio to studio, and some shops close on certain days or keep shorter hours in winter. Check greatsmokyartsandcrafts.com before you go, and call ahead if there's a studio you don't want to miss.
Fall — the woods along the loop turn red and gold in October, making it the most scenic time to visit. Plan your trip with our guide to fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains and our fall cabin rentals.
The holidays — the community hosts a Thanksgiving craft show and a Christmas craft show each year, with extra artisans and a festive feel along the loop. Check greatsmokyartsandcrafts.com for this year's dates, and plan your stay with our Thanksgiving cabins or Christmas cabins.
Spring and summer — longer days give you more time on the loop, and the Glades are green and shady.
Winter — the quietest season, with easy parking and fewer crowds. Some studios keep shorter hours, so call ahead.
Planning tips
Give yourself time — a quick visit takes three to four hours. With a hands-on session and lunch, the loop can easily fill a full day.
Bring some cash — most studios take cards, but cash is handy for smaller purchases.
Grab the map first — it shows the hands-on studios, restrooms, trolley stops, and places to eat in one view.
Make it a Gatlinburg day — the loop is a short drive from downtown Gatlinburg, so you can browse in the morning and spend the afternoon on the Parkway. While you're out there, stop by the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. See all things to do in Gatlinburg.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to see the Arts and Crafts Community?
Plan on three to four hours for the highlights, or a full day if you add a hands-on session and lunch.
Is it free to visit?
Yes. The loop and the studios are free to visit. Hands-on sessions have a fee that varies by studio.
Can I take the trolley?
Yes. The free Yellow Route runs from downtown out to the community. It runs seasonally, about once an hour.
How far is it from downtown Gatlinburg?
About three miles east of downtown, roughly a ten-minute drive depending on traffic.
Is it open year-round?
Yes, but hours vary by studio and some keep shorter winter hours. Check greatsmokyartsandcrafts.com before you go.
When are the holiday craft shows?
The community holds a Thanksgiving show and a Christmas show each year. Check greatsmokyartsandcrafts.com for current dates.
Is everything handmade?
Yes. The artisans sell work they made themselves, and many are happy to show you how.
Want to stay right in the Glades? See our cabins near the Arts and Crafts Community, or browse all of our Gatlinburg cabins, just minutes from the loop. Book direct and the Stay & Play Pass includes free attraction tickets for every paid night.
