The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Dollywood

Pigeon Forge’s best-known attraction is Dollywood. A visit here isn’t complete without a day here. Don’t miss these Dollywood treasures:

1. Exciting Rides for All Ages

Dollywood promises thrills with more than 50 rides for all ages. Coaster fanatics will love the Lightning Rod which hits 73 miles an hour, and the Wild Eagle, where you fly with nothing above or below you. The Thunderhead coaster crosses over and under itself 32 times including a 100-foot drop.

The Mystery Mine ride hurls you into an abandoned coal mine. The Drop Line is a 200-foot drop tower challenging you to keep your cool as you fall. With dozens more rides, including gentle kiddie rides, there’s something for everyone.

2. Toe-Tapping Entertainment

Fittingly for a theme park inspired by a music superstar, Dollywood is home to dozens of shows. You can find all kinds of music here, like a cappella pop, bluegrass, contemporary hits and holiday shows galore.

No show is more uniquely “Dollywood” than “Harmonies of the Heart,” with Dolly’s nieces and cousin singing original songs and telling stories.

“Forever Country” showcases country hits of the late 80s through the early 2000s. “Kingdom Hearts” presents award-winning Southern gospel. Check out the many other shows all over the park daily.

3. Delicious Food

Whether you want a quick salad, a slice of pizza, a corn dog, or a sit-down meal, you’ll find it here. Aunt Granny’s restaurant is one of the 10 best theme park restaurants in America, according to USA Today, thanks to hearty Southern fare. The Front Porch Cafe offers soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrees. Hickory House BBQ dishes up tender pork barbecue, house-smoked turkey and pork legs, and more. Sweet treats are everywhere, like ice cream, funnel cakes, kettle corn, and Dolly’s signature cinnamon bread.

4. Colorful, Seasonal Festivals

Dollywood celebrates each season with these four annual events:

1. Smoky Mountain Christmas. More than five million sparkling lights illuminate the park, and nightly fireworks light up the sky.
2. Flower and Food Festival. Immerse yourself in more than half a million blossoms and gigantic, blooming sculptures.
3. Summer Celebration. The park stays open later and special attractions include a lighted drone show in the sky.
4. Harvest Festival. Kids love the magically lighted pumpkin displays.

5. Smokies Traditions

Crafting is a Smoky Mountains way of life. Visit Crafters Valley to watch blacksmiths, leatherworkers, candle makers, woodcarvers, glass blowers, and other artisans crafting unique wares. Then try your hand at crafting and take home your creations!

Stay close to Dollywood and you’ll have more time to spend there. Reserve a Pigeon Forge cabin for your Dollywood vacation.