Dollywood is a magical adventure theme park home in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The park received its name from Dolly Parton, the country music artist. The park encompasses 125 acres and is filled with a variety of fun things to do that the whole family will enjoy. The park is known for its amusement rides, historical displays, as well as various festivals held throughout the year.
Amusement Rides
Dollywood has all kinds of rides, from ones for thrill seekers to ones that are a bit tame for the little ones. Roller coasters are, of course, at the top of the list for fun.
Roller coasters
Dollywood is famous for its roller coasters, including Thunderhead, which is a wooden coaster that takes riders forwards and backwards, the Tennessee Tornado, which twists and turns through an old mining company, and the Wild Eagle, which takes you through an adventure that actually makes you feel like you are flying.
Water Excursions
What adventure park would be fun without a few water slides and adventures? At Dollywood, you will love the various water excursions, including the Mountain Slidewinder, which is a water toboggan ride; Daredevil Falls is a unique boat expedition that takes you through an abandoned logging camp, and the River Battle, which is a water raft ride that comes complete with soaker guns.
Kiddie Rides
Your kids are certainly not left out of the fun with rides designed especially for the little ones. They will love the Amazing, Flying Elephants, Busy Bees, Lucky Ducky, Dizzy Disk, Lemon Twist, Village Carousel, and Timber Canyon’s interactive play area.
Fun for the Whole Family
The Demolition Derby is exciting bumper car fun that all ages will love, but the most popular ride for the entire family is the Dollywood Express. The steam engine is an authentic 110-ton coal-fired engine that will take your family through a 5-mile journey along the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The scenic adventure is one that will leave you breathless.
Live Entertainment
Dollywood offers a variety of live entertainment from music to craftsmen and artisans that will certainly spark your interest. You can take in a free concert with a large array of music choices from gospel to 50’s to classic rock to bluegrass, and of course, country. Two of the most popular live entertainment musicians are the Gem Tones, which is a group that dances and sings to the 50s and 60s, and the Smoky Mountain String Band, which fills the air with authentic mountain music.
Going back in history and learning about various crafts from the Tennessee area will not only be educational but will also be fun for the whole family to watch. A few of the attractions include Valley Carriage Works, which is one of the US’s remaining working wagon shops. You can actually watch as a craftsman creates handmade wagons. Custom Glassworks is a wonderful display offering a collection of handmade glass pendants, figurines, and ornaments. The Grist Mill is a must-see. The mill was built in 1982 and is fully operational.
Dollywood is famous for hosting some of the largest annual festivals found in the southern United States. If you are planning a trip to Dollywood, you may want to ensure you visit during the time of one of these unique festivals. The Festival of Nations is usually held for an entire month during March and April, showcasing music, dance, food, and art.
If you love Bluegrass or Barbeque, then you will want to visit during the end of May and beginning of June for the famous Dollywood’s Barbeque and Bluegrass festival, offering 16 days of excitement, 250 free concerts, and all kinds of barbeque. Other festivals include the Great American Summer, National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration, and Smoky Mountain Christmas
As you stroll through Dollywood, you will want to stop in and visit the replica of Dolly Parton’s childhood home, the Southern Gospel Museum Hall of Fame, and the Calico Falls Schoolhouse. The one stop that will give you hours of relaxation and awe-inspiring moments is the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, which is home to a large number of non-releasable bald eagles that call the 30,000 square foot aviary home.
