Who doesn't love a good photo op? Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park offer a handful of spectacularly picturesque locations that are perfect for a family portrait or even just a quick snap and #pigeonforgetn hashtag. Which of these great spots can you check off your list? Here are the top 20 most instagrammable places in the Smoky Mountains.
The Wheel
Easily one of the most recognizable sights in Pigeon Forge, the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel towers above The Island in Pigeon Forge. The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is instagrammable from the ground or in the wheel itself. Pose nearby with this iconic Pigeon Forge attraction or grab a ticket, hop in one of the carts and snap a shot of the area from above.
The Island
The Old Mill
The Old Mill was built in Pigeon Forge in 1830. It once served as a way for farmers to grind flour and cornmeal. Today, water runs through the mill. It makes the perfect backdrop for a group insta photo or even a shot of it by itself. Be sure to step back and get the river in the picture as well for a beautiful picture that'll be worth a thousand words.
Old Mill
Hollywood Wax Museum
Catch all of your favorite celebrities in one place over at Hollywood Wax Museum and pose for some photos. The museum holds life-size wax representations of A-List stars, including actors, musicians and more. Strike a pose alongside the celebrities you talk about every day and share your moment in the spotlight on your Instagram account.
Hollywood Wax
Toy Box Mini Golf
Toy Box Mini Golf is a top-notch attraction in Pigeon Forge. There are plenty of great photo ops here- the course is covered with larger than life toys to get the perfect shot with! There is also a beautiful butterfly mural at Toy Box that visitors love. The mural is made up of tons of pictures of your favorite childhood toys.
Toy Box Mini Golf
Mountain Coasters
Mountain coasters are not only an exhilarating experience, but a great opportunity for a photo. Snap a shot of your legs in the cart as you wind around the side of the mountain. Ride a few times to get a good idea of where you'll find the best view along the way. During spring and summer, many of the coasters are lined with wildflowers which makes for a great backdrop.
Mountain Coasters
Anakeesta
Anakeesta is home to many instagrammable photo opportunities. On your way up, take a ride on the chair lift and snap views as you rise above the trees. At the top, take on the Treetop Skywalk and traverse rope bridges (keep your eyes open and you may even spot bears below!). There's even a huge troll hidden in park that visitors love taking photos with.
Anakeesta
Ripley's Aquarium
Crystal blue waters, vibrant-colored sea creatures and incredible habitats make Ripley's Aquarium one of the most instagrammable spots in Gatlinburg. One of our favorite places to snap a shot in Ripley's is in the tunnel, where sharks swim all around you and overhead. It's like being underwater without getting wet. You'll look great and well-timed photos will leave you with incredible pictures of sharks surrounding you.
Ripley's Aquarium
Crave's Sweet Shop
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a treat from Crave's Sweet Shop. While you're there, don't miss the perfect picture opportunity! Crave's Sweet Shop is home to an incredible wall of Jelly Belly, with tubes lining the store full of different flavors and colors of beans. It'll catch your eye right when you walk in the door. Take a photo with friends in front of the wall, or even try out close up angles to capture the sweet sight.
Crave Sweet Shop
Crave Golf's Wall Mural
Another awesome spot to take a photo is the awesome candy wall mural just outside of Crave Golf Club. These delicious looking candy wings make a great backdrop to stand in front of and have a friend snap your picture. If you like this mural, check out the artist's instagram to see other examples of his amazing artwork around East Tennessee.
Crave Golf Club
Titanic Museum
Take your photo with a representation of a piece of history at the Titanic Museum Attraction on the parkway. Before you enter, head to the sidewalk in front of the ship and snap a photo that captures the grandeur of the vessel and the tragedy of the accident that drug it under.
Titanic
National Park Entrance Sign
When you take a drive into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Gatlinburg, you'll come across the iconic National Park Sign that has been the backdrop to countless group photos and Instagram pictures for years. The sign is a great spot to grab a shot for social media because you can safely pull off the road, park and walk up to it.
National Park
The Village In Gatlinburg
Step off of the parkway and into The Village, an area of Gatlinburg that feels just like it's own town. This shopping center is full of quaint, Old World storefronts that truly make it feel like you've stepped back in time and into a whole different world. There are plenty of instagrammable spots in this area including the stores and the flowing fountain. As a bonus, head into the Donut Friar to grab a snack for a #foodphoto that'll leave your followers hungry for more.
Gatlinburg SkyLift Park
An attraction that has taken Gatlinburg by storm is the Sky Bridge at the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. The bridge itself is an incredible sight, with many visitors stopping to snap photos at the start of the bridge. What's even more incredible, however, is the middle of the bridge which has a glass floor. Peer down below your feet and you'll spot treetops below. It really looks like you're floating mid-air.
Gatlinburg SkyLift
Clingmans Dome
On a clear day, Clingmans Dome is one of the most iconic overlooks in the Smoky Mountains. It's the highest point in Tennessee, making it a great place to view sunrises, sunsets and even just daytime mountain views. If the sky is clear, you'll be rewarded with 360 degree views that span over 100 miles. For safety it is closed from December- March, so be sure to verify that it is open if you're coming to take photos around that time.
Clingmans Dome
The Bridge At Laurel Falls
Laurel Falls is a popular hike in the Smokies. It is paved with a roundtrip distance of 2.6 miles. At certain times of the year, the whole trail is very instagrammable, with wildflowers and evergreen shrubs lining the path. Year-round, you'll want to make the trek for the 80 foot waterfall at the end. There's even a wooden bridge that runs over the stream. The scene as a whole is a great photo opportunity, but the bridge itself also makes a great place for a photo with your group.
Cabins with Mountain Views
Scattered throughout the Smoky Mountains are thousands of cabins, each with unique amenities. One of the most popular amenities that visitors looking for an instagrammable moment will want to search for is a cabin with a mountain view. Stepping out onto your balcony for a Smoky Mountain sunrise is easy and one of the most popular Instagram photos we see from visitors.
Cabins With Mountain Views
Scenic Overlooks
Scenic overlooks are scattered throughout the mountains. They are easily accessible by car and visitors are always encouraged to pull off, park and take in the views. Scenic overlooks are also a dream for an Instagrammer because with good weather, you'll have easy access to many different mountain scenes. If you can't hike (or would prefer not to), these are great alternatives where you will still get the shot you've been waiting for.
Scenic Overlooks
River Rafting
The ultimate Instagram action shot can be taken from a rafting excursion in Pigeon Forge. Whether you're brave enough to hold your phone, strap on a go-pro, or just grab one of the pictures taken professionally on some excursions, rafting trips are something you'll definitely want to photograph. You'll be suited up in brightly colored life jackets & helmets making for some fun group shots.
Rafting
Butterfly Mural
Local artist Pinkie Mistry has painted a beautiful butterfly mural that can be found in downtown Sevierville at 111 E. Main Street. The mural has quickly become a destination for tourists to stop and snap a picture. Stand in front of it and it looks like you have sprouted wings! Stop by the back of the Sevier County Bank building and enjoy Pinkie Mistry's work- known as the Wings of Wander.
Three Bears General Store
Stop by the award winning Three Bears General Store on the Pigeon Forge parkway and slide around back to snag a photo op in front of this very cool mural on their building. The giant PIGEON FORGE lettering includes artwork representing iconic features of the area including the trolley, mini golf, go karts, dinner shows, and of course mountainous scenes.
Three Bears
