Sevierville is basically one big photo op, but the best views are the ones that don’t cost a mortgage payment. I’ve hauled my out-of-shape self from the pavement of the Memorial River Greenway all the way up to a helicopter, and let me tell you, the range is absurd.

You can sip a cocktail at 101 Sky Lounge and then get outsmarted by a parrot at Parrot Mountain—that’s the local experience. I was a nervous wreck in that chopper, but the pilot was so smooth I almost forgot my fear of death (almost).

Right. Grab a blackberry, pick your poison.

Here’s where to stand and stare.

Scenic Helicopter Tours - Smoky Mountain

Highlights
Breathtaking mountain and lake views
First-time flyer friendly and reassuring
Super chill, skilled pilots
Smooth ride even on windy days
Nice staff and jet boat options

I strapped myself into a helicopter because I have a will to live and a solid life insurance policy, so why not? Scenic Helicopter Tours had me rethinking my whole fear of small aircraft. Those mountain and lake views are completely unfair, showing off like that. I was a total first-time flyer, a nervous wreck with clammy hands, but the pilots are so chill, so reassuring, that I almost forgot I was a giant metal tube. The ride is surprisingly smooth, even when the wind was being dramatic. The staff is genuinely nice, and the whole operation runs so smoothly. I'm a certified scaredy-cat, and even I loved it. I'm a changed person, basically a different species.

Screw it, I'm going again.

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Treetop Skywalk at Anakeesta

Highlights
Forest canopy, peaceful stroll
Easy walking, family friendly
Fewer crowds early or late
Bear sightings, unexpected thrill
Mountain views, fresh air

I showed up to Anakeesta’s Treetop Skywalk expecting a casual stroll, and honestly, that’s exactly what I got, but with way more trees. The walk puts you right in the forest canopy, which sounds like something a woodland creature would brag about, but it’s genuinely peaceful. Easy walking, so I didn’t even break a sweat. I went early, which I recommend because you get the whole place to yourself and can pretend you’re a very slow, very well-dressed explorer. The mountain views punch through the leaves at every turn, and the fresh air is almost enough to make me forget my car payment. Then a bear wandered by. I froze, it ignored me, we both moved on. Unexpected thrill, zero fatalities.

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Memorial River Greenway

Highlights
River noise beats traffic honks
Free flower show, front row
Otter spotting is possible here
Paved path, zero blisters
Blackberries for the taking

I decided to go look at a river. Riveting stuff, I know. But the Memorial River Greenway is the rare free attraction that doesn't feel like a scam. The sound of the river is actually better than the sound of someone's F-150 with a modified exhaust, so that's a plus. There are flowers here, just growing wild, for free. I didn't have to pay my life savings for a group photo with them. I didn't see any otters, but I chose to believe they were hiding from me, which is their loss. The path is paved, so I didn't even get any blisters, which is great because I'm not an animal. I did find some blackberries, which was a nice snack. I mostly just ate berries and stared at a tree.

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Smoky Mountain Views

The name sets a high bar, and let me tell you, they cleared it. I went to a deck, sat down, and just stared at the mountains for a while. I saw the Smokies. They were smoky. I was not disappointed. I even saw some friends, and I avoided thinking about my other problems. It was honestly a perfect 10/10 experience. I didn't cry, but I wasn't not crying. The air is fresh, the silence is only broken by the sounds of your own existential crises, and best of all, no one is trying to sell you a timeshare. I have mentioned this to one other person and they haven't responded yet.

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Wahoo Ziplines

Highlights
Views worth the harness
Staff jokes are complimentary
Grandma approved, zero complaints
Eleven people, zero regrets
Smooth booking, big adrenaline

I had to zip through the forest to find the best views, and let me tell you, the views are the only thing that's not a blur. Wahoo Ziplines was my pick, and I was a little scared. The harness, my god. But the views are worth the indignity of wearing a weird suit. The staff cracks jokes like they're getting paid for it, and the whole operation runs so smoothly. My grandma even approved, and she complains about the service at church. We had a huge group of eleven people, and somehow, zero of us got injured. The views are breathtaking, and the team at Wahoo made it all feel effortless. Ten out of ten, would recommend, just not to anyone with a fear of heights or a fear of harnesses.

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Gatlinburg SkyPark

Highlights
SkyBridge is absolutely breathtaking
Chairlift ride offers animal sightings
Misting fans beat summer heat
Sunset views are pure magic
Handicap access leaves something lacking

I went to Gatlinburg SkyPark. The SkyBridge is basically a long, high, terrifying sidewalk. It's spectacular. The views from the top are pure magic, especially when the sun starts doing its thing at sunset. There's a chairlift that gives you a nice, slow ride up, and if you're lucky, you might see a wild animal or two. I saw a squirrel. It was very brave. The misting fans are proof that God loves us, and the gift shop is a trap. Just know that the handicap access is a little lacking, so if you have mobility issues, you might be a bit out of luck. The views are worth the effort. It's expensive, but you're paying for the views, not the ability to breathe.

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The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel

Highlights
Breathtaking mountain views from above
Multiple rotations for scenic enjoyment
Great family-friendly ride experience
Worth the short wait
Day or night views impress

Need a break from hiking? Climb inside a giant, glass elevator to the sky. The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel is a giant Ferris wheel that gives you the chance to see the mountains from a different angle. It goes around a bunch of times, which is great for taking 500 photos of the exact same view. We waited in line for a hot second, but it was worth it. The view is an absolute banger of the mountains, and in the evening, the neon lights of the city become a whole new kind of show. A great family-friendly option that doesn't require a ton of effort. Just be prepared for a bunch of people taking selfies in the same spot you want to take a selfie.

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Hidden Mountain Resort

Highlights
Spotless cabins with cozy vibes
Hot tub right in room
Friendly, helpful staff throughout
Perfect for large group reunions
Close to Pigeon Forge attractions

I know what you're thinking. A cabin? In the Smokies? How original. But Hidden Mountain Resort is actually a hidden gem, in the best way. We had a huge group of us, and there was so much room to escape our relatives. The cabin was spotless, and the hot tub is right there in the room, so you can look at the mountains while you boil yourself. The staff was friendly and helpful, and it's minutes from all the Pigeon Forge chaos you want to escape. I didn't see a single hidden mountain, but I'm not a detective. It's the perfect base for a big family reunion, or for when you need to get away from your family. I did not want to leave.

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101 Sky Lounge

Highlights
Rooftop views worth writing home
Scott’s team handles everything
Food that beats city standards
Sunset drinks with mountain backdrop
No decor needed, just scenery

If you're in town and want to feel like a sophisticated adult, get to 101 Sky Lounge. It's on a rooftop, which is already a great idea, and the views of the Smokies are a solid 10/10. I spent the whole time wondering why I don't do this more often. The team there, led by a guy named Scott, handled everything. They even made us a drink called a Smoky Mountain Sunset. It was mostly just orange soda and regret, but the view made up for it. The food is way better than it needs to be, and you get to watch the sunset turn the whole world orange and pink. The view is definitely the main course, but the rest is pretty solid too.

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Anakeesta

Highlights
Amazing panoramic views
Worth the extra cost
Magical nighttime lights
Family-friendly fun
Great shopping and dining

I hiked up a mountain to find a restaurant. No, literally. I went to Anakeesta. It's a theme park, but instead of a roller coaster, it's a mountaintop park with food, shopping, and some of the best views in the area. Yes, it costs a small fortune to get in, but you're paying for the view, which is a solid 360-degree masterpiece. As the sun went down, they turned on the lights and it went from beautiful to absolutely magical, like a fairy tale but with less chance of getting poisoned. It's great for the whole family, especially if your family enjoys spending money on overpriced lemonade and staring at mountains. Not bad, Anakeesta. Not bad at all.

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SkyTrail

Highlights
Breathtaking panoramic mountain views
Smooth, relaxing chairlift ride
Thrilling glass-floor bridge walk
Scenic, easy walking paths
Worthwhile despite ticket price

Why hike when you can take a chairlift? That's the whole point of SkyTrail, and I respect their game. The SkyTrail is a chairlift that takes you up and over the mountain, giving you incredible views of the Smokies. The ride is slow and relaxing, and the views are so good you'll forget you're terrified of heights. There's also a glass-floor bridge, which is a terrifyingly excellent way to test your courage. It's a little pricey, but it gets you up and over the mountain without breaking a sweat. It's a good way to get a full view of the park without having to, you know, walk up a hill. I highly recommend it, especially if you're lazy. I am lazy.

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Parrot Mountain and Gardens

Highlights
Birds plus mountain views
Feed and hold birds
Breathtaking garden scenery
Clean restrooms, great outlook
Friendly staff, snuggle-worthy birds

Okay, so I saw some birds here. That's the whole point of the place. Parrot Mountain and Gardens has a bunch of parrots, some of which are very opinionated, and a completely stunning view of the Smokies. I got to feed the birds, which was a little intimidating with the beak, but they were gentle. The gardens themselves are breathtaking. I was so distracted by the sheer amount of landscaping perfection that I almost missed the part where a blue and gold macaw tried to eat my shoelace. Very friendly staff, and the cleanest restrooms I've ever been to. It's a wild, beautiful time, and I'm not just saying that because a bird might be reading this.

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Our Smoky Mountain View

I saw the name of this place and felt a personal connection, like they knew my secret. Our Smoky Mountain View is not a massive company. It's just a spot where you can go and be attacked by a view you won't forget. I'm not sure what I was expecting from a place with such a straightforward name, but it was perfect. I went for the sunset and just sat there, watching the sky do its thing. It’s a beautiful, quiet place that doesn't have a bunch of marketing fluff. You just show up, and there it is. The answer. If you’re looking for a view with no one else around, this is it.

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