Pigeon Forge, Tennessee offers some of the most photogenic scenery in the Southeast, from the banks of the Little Pigeon River to the heights of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Whether you’re looking for a scenic natural backdrop, a quirky selfie spot at a popular attraction, or an iconic landmark to anchor your vacation album, Pigeon Forge offers a variety of fun, family photo opportunities right here in the heart of the Smokies.
The best family photo spots in Pigeon Forge include the Historic Old Mill (built in 1830), the 200-foot Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at The Island, Dollywood, the Titanic Museum Attraction, Laurel Falls and Grotto Falls inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Riverwalk Trail along the Little Pigeon River. Read on for exact locations, what to look for, and when to visit each one.
Be sure to tag your photos with #mypigeonforge and post them on your social media!
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Historic Old Mill
The Historic Old Mill, constructed in 1830, is Pigeon Forge’s most photographed landmark. One of the oldest operating gristmills in the country, it is still used to make freshly ground grains sold in the general store and both Old Mill restaurants. The best spot to capture it all is from the Old Mill Avenue bridge, where you’ll get a beautiful frame of the gristmill and the rushing waters of the Little Pigeon River, one of the most iconic shots in the entire Old Mill District.
Where: 175 Old Mill Avenue
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
You’ll find countless opportunities to capture incredible photos within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Start at the iconic National Park Sign at the entrance from the Parkway, a perennial favorite where hundreds of families stop each year to officially document their trip to the most visited national park in the U.S. From there, take your pick of scenic backdrops: mountains, waterfalls, streams, tree lines, a pioneer mountain town, and so much more. With over 800 square miles to discover, the Smoky Mountains offer some of the best photo spots you’ll find anywhere in East Tennessee.
Where: 175 Old Mill Avenue
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Waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
If you’re looking for the picture-perfect spot to capture photos of the family, then these incredible waterfall hikes in Great Smoky Mountain National Park should be at the top of your list! Laurel Falls is an 80-foot-high waterfall divided into upper and lower sections by a footbridge. The bridge is a great spot to capture a unique family photo. Another beautiful waterfall hike is to Grotto Falls, where you can walk behind the cascading falls.
Where: various locations throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at The Island
The Island in Pigeon Forge is home to lots of great shops, restaurants and attractions. One of its most popular attractions is the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel. You cannot miss this 200–foot high observation wheel that towers above The Island as you are driving along the Parkway! This iconic Pigeon Forge attraction offers the perfect backdrop for an incredible family photo. Or go for a ride on the wheel to get a bird’s eye view of the city and capture some great pictures from above.
Where: 131 The Island Dr.
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The Island Show Fountains
Another great family photo spot at The Island is the Island Show Fountains. The fountains perform year-round with choreographed music. Time it right to get a picture when the fountains are all spraying in the air. At night, the fountains light up for an even more incredible backdrop.
Where: 131 Island Dr.
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WonderWorks
WonderWorks is part science experiment, part indoor amusement park, and nearly every exhibit doubles as a one-of-a-kind photo opportunity. Lie down on the Bed of Nails, get spun in the Astronaut Training Gyro, brave the indoor Glow-In-The-Dark Ropes Course, or create a life-sized bubble in the Bubble Lab. With over 100 hands-on exhibits spread across a building that appears to be flipped completely upside down, WonderWorks delivers the kind of photos that need a little explaining when you get home.
Where: 100 Music Road
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Titanic Museum Attraction
The Titanic Museum Attraction is a life-size replica of the RMS Titanic that stands just off the Parkway. While the museum does not allow cameras inside, you can capture this great piece of history from many different views on the outside. Take pictures from the front of the ship with the artificial lake and replica of an iceberg, or from the parking lot side, as if you were preparing to board the ship for a voyage.
Where: 2134 Parkway
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Incredible Christmas Place
Get into the holiday spirit year-round at the Incredible Christmas Place. The beautifully designed Christmas trees and decorations that fill the store offer countless opportunities for capturing Insta-worthy photos. Outside the store, there’s also a comical cutout picture prop with Santa driving an old pickup truck surrounded by snowy evergreens and a family of inquisitive black bears.
Where: 2470 Parkway
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Dollywood
Dollywood is an iconic theme park in Pigeon Forge, known for its thrilling rides and attractions, world-class entertainment, and delectable Southern fare. The park is open year-round, and each season is celebrated with unique and festive décor and events that make for great photo opportunities any time of year. Just inside the entrance, you’ll find a classic Dollywood sign and a beautiful butterfly sculpture — one of Dolly’s most beloved symbols. Each themed area of the park, from Country Fair and Wilderness Pass to Timber Canyon and Jukebox Junction, offers its own scenic spots worth stopping for.
One standout photo stop within the park is the Dollywood Express, a 110-ton coal-fired steam engine. Snap a photo before climbing aboard for a five-mile ride through the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Bonus spot: Near traffic light #8 on the Parkway, look for a replica Dollywood Express locomotive that has been a popular photo opportunity for families since the early 1960s, a great preview of what’s waiting inside the park.
Where: 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd
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Ripley’s Illusion Lab
Ripley’s Illusion Lab is a photographer’s dream hiding in plain sight. The attraction’s optical and photographic illusions are specifically designed to put you inside the picture — shrinking you down, flipping your perspective, and placing you in scenes that shouldn’t be possible. Every exhibit is a potential album highlight, and the whole family can get in on the fun. It’s one of the most creative and camera-ready stops in all of Pigeon Forge
Where: 1950 Parkway
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Three Bears General Store
Photo credit: Three Bears General Store
A new wall mural you’re sure to love in Pigeon Forge is located behind the Three Bears General Store. Stop in and pick out the perfect souvenirs from the general store to take home with you. Then make sure to grab a picture by this ‘Pigeon Forge’ themed mural before you head home!
Where: 2861 Parkway
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Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay
Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay brings 36 holes of themed mini golf adventure to Pigeon Forge, and the photo opportunities are part of the fun. From the immersive indoor Mermaid course to the rooftop Sky Pirates course, every hole is designed with creativity and visual flair that practically begs for a family photo. Keep an eye out for the Kraken — if you spot him, that’s a shot worth capturing.
Where: 2420 Parkway
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Mama’s Farmhouse
Another great place to grab a photograph with the family is at Mama’s Farmhouse. Get your pictures taken with Mama in this adorable cutout prop scene of a farmhouse complete with all your typical barnyard animals. After you’ve captured a photo, head inside for some delicious home-cooked Southern fare for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
Where: 208 Pickel Street
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Patriot Park
Patriot Park is a great spot for capturing family photos in the scenic outdoors in Pigeon Forge. Get in a little exercise and a lesson in American history. The park is home to a replica Liberty Bell and a Patriot Missile that was used in the first Gulf War. It’s a great spot for a family picnic lunch, with plenty of open grassy areas and a picnic pavilion located along the river, near the park’s gazebo. The Patriot Park sign is a popular spot for capturing a memorable family photo of your vacation.
Where: 186 Old Mill Avenue
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Riverwalk Trail
For even more scenic, outdoorsy spots to capture photos, try the Riverwalk Trail. Enter at Patriot Park and walk along the paved trail that takes you from Old Mill Avenue, past the LeConte Center, through The Island in Pigeon Forge, and all the way to the Pigeon Forge Community Center. The peaceful tree-lined greenway trail is lined with the flags of the United States, placed in the order they achieved statehood. The trail runs alongside the Little Pigeon River, where you’re likely to see ducks walking or floating around.
Where: 112 Dollywood Ln
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Gorilla Taco
Gorilla Taco is one of Pigeon Forge’s most fun and unexpected dining stops, and the photo opportunities inside are just as bold as the menu. The restaurant’s oversized gorilla mascot is an instant crowd-pleaser, and families can’t resist snapping a photo with him before or after their meal. It’s the kind of quirky, only-in-Pigeon-Forge moment that’s guaranteed to get laughs and likes.
Where: 115 Music Mountain Drive
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Pigeon Forge Parkway during Spring
Another great place to grab a photograph with the family is at Mama’s Farmhouse. Get your pictures taken with Mama in this adorable cutout prop scene of a farmhouse complete with all your typical barnyard animals. After you’ve captured a photo, head inside for some delicious home-cooked Southern fare for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
Where: various locations along the Parkway
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Pigeon Forge Parkway during Fall
Another great time of year for a visit to Pigeon Forge is during the fall leaf-peeping season. The beautiful fall colors that adorn the tree lines are truly a sight to behold. And with the fall season comes an array of festive fall décor, complete with Pigeon Forge’s fall scarecrow people that can be found in various locations along the Parkway. Make plans to take the family on a scarecrow scavenger hunt during the fall months to see how many you can spot!
Where: various locations along the Parkway
With so many iconic spots waiting around every corner, Pigeon Forge makes it easy to come home with photos worth sharing. Pack your bags, charge your camera, and get ready to capture something unforgettable.
