The shopping options in Tennessee are as eclectic as the towns themselves. In tourist haunts like Gatlinburg’s European Village and Pigeon Forge, it’s all about knick-knack souvenirs and outlet malls. There are more than 85 major brand retailers at Belz Factory Outlet World and nearly as many at Pigeon Forge Factory Outlet Mall. These two venues draw a lot of visitors in search of big savings on popular labels.
In the big cities like Memphis, the stores really cover the whole spectrum. There are loads of tacky Elvis souvenir shops around Beale Street and Graceland, but also upscale retailers in East Memphis shopping malls and neighborhoods. There’s no single shopping hub here, however, so you’ll need to do some driving to really experience the full package. Recently, the South Main Historic District has become a hot spot for eclectic boutiques, while antiques are best searched for in the area around South Cooper Street and Central Avenue.
Nashville also has a great shopping scene, but it’s spread out all over the city, incorporating modern shopping malls on the outskirts with historic downtown neighborhoods and their quirky boutiques. Befitting this country western town are some excellent stores that focus on western wear in the District, Music Valley, and along Music Row. Antiques are another good buy in Nashville, especially in the shops around the intersection of Douglas Street and Eight Avenue South. Souvenirs are also big sellers in Nashville, and it’s never hard to find a music shop with a stash of instruments and other related memorabilia. Memphis is also awash in music shops around Beale Street and the downtown district.