Cherokee is about 30 minutes from me. We go up fairly often to the NC side of the Smokies - where the elk are and when company comes into town as it's so close.
The Southern End of the BRP to me is the nicest part - although the whole NC part is wonderful and different. Southern end has some of the highest points on the BRP and one spot - Waterrock Knob is a sunset photographers haven.
Sadly, much of it is not really dronable, unlike much of the northern NC side - as the north end has several public side roads that run parallel with the BRP and at many points less than 1/8 mile - so you can take off / land there and grab some great aerials of spots like Linn Cove Viaduct, which is not easy for a land photographer.
Cheers