Best Things To Do at Dollywood: Dollywood Theme Park Guide
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Nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, this sprawling theme park is without a doubt one of the best family attractions in the country.
Much like the exceptional country music star that owns the joint (Dolly Parton), this park boasts all the charm, friendliness, character, and curves (in the form of rollercoasters) that have defined it as a destination theme park. While the park might not boast the largest collection of rides, it more than makes up for it in quality of attractions and overall atmosphere. For those of you wondering, the park caters to guests aged 8 to 80. Many guests come just for the excellent shows and seasonal events.
The park itself consists of the main theme park, Dollywood, the water park, Splash Country, and the park’s on-site hotel, the Dream Resort. While we haven’t been to the waterpark or spent time in the hotel, the theme park should be on every park lover’s bucket list. Madame Parton herself can often be found wandering throughout the park (usually on top of a parade float – okay, she isn’t wandering, she’s floating.) Just don’t expect her to ride a coaster with you - her makeup will blow right off.
This gorgeous park boasts eight rollercoasters, four excellent water rides, and a plethora of other thrill and family attractions. Near the park is the quirky town of Gatlinburg.
Best Things To Do at Dollywood:
From record-smashing coasters to steam-train views and Dolly’s glittering museum, the best things to do at Dollywood pack a full day with thrills, music, and Smoky Mountain charm. First timers can start with Lightning Rod and Wild Eagle, then add family favorites and backstage exhibits to round out their list of things to do at Dollywood for adults and kids alike.
Lightning Rod – The world’s only launched wooden steel hybrid coaster, this intense thrill machine launches to 45 mph uphill before careening down a hillside 165-foot drop at 73 mph. It’s consistently ranked in the top five coasters in the country.
Blazing Fury – This indoor dark ride family coaster sends riders into an underground mine to help put out a blazing fire. It’s loud, it’s hokey and it’s old (like me). You’ll blaze past scenes of lost miners, a town on fire, and then plunge into a shack filled with dynamite.
Mystery Mine – An indoor/outdoor vertical drop coaster contains several animatronic scenes and special effects. It features two inversions and a 95-foot plunge. Hold your head back on this one, it’s a bit jarring. The mystery is what happened to that front tooth that’s now missing.
Tennessee Tornado – One of the best multi-looping steel coasters in the country, this coaster rockets upside down three times at speeds of up to 63 mph. It’s incredibly smooth and lightning-fast. It’s probably more fun than a real tornado.
Firechaser Express: This family coaster launches forward and backward as riders escape an exploding dynamite supply shack. Dollywood loves a good dynamite shack. If you’re in a theme park and enter a dynamite shack, something bad is about to happen.
Wild Eagle – This “wing” style looping coaster seats riders on the outside of the track giving passengers a unique sensation of weightlessness.
Mountain Slidewinder – The only ride type of its kind left in the country, rubber rafts send families whirling down a hollowed-out trough through the mountainside.
Smokey Mountain Home – A recreation of Dolly Parton’s original house. It’s what one would call a flipper.
Dolly’s Home-on-Wheel’s – You can visit Dolly’s tour bus. Imagine riding around the country with Dolly Parton playing the washboard and singing along. Washboard not included.
Dollywood Express – This actual coal-fired steam engine will take you on a tour of the Great Smoky Mountains. You’ll probably have to dust off some ash after your ride.
Chasing Rainbows – A museum dedicated to Mrs. Parton. If you’re a huge fan, plan to spend a couple of hours here. There’s a lot to see. There’s a lot of sparkle in here. It’s like drag queen heaven.
Dollywood Rides
Adrenaline hunters will love the best rides in Dollywood, including Lightning Rod’s launched drop, Tennessee Tornado’s silky loops, and the splashy Smoky Mountain River Rampage. Families should mix in FireChaser Express, Blazing Fury, and the Dollywood Express to experience the best rides at Dollywood without burning out.
Daredevil Falls is a terrific log flume ride perfect for a cooling off.
Drop Line, the park’s drop tower plunges riders into a 200-foot-tall freefall. The view from the top is both terrific and terrifying.
Thunderhead is the park’s wooden rollercoaster. It’s twisty and quite fast.
Robert F. Thomas Chapel – It’s a one-room country church and possibly the only church inside a theme park that actually holds mass on Sundays. Coincidentally, Dollywood is Jesus’ favorite theme park. We asked.
River Battle – Passengers can aim water guns at each other and at more than 100 water-activated targets as they float down a small river.
Smoky Mountain River Rampage – A family river rapids ride guaranteed to get you soaked. Yes, there are waterfalls at the end.
Live Entertainment at Dollywood
Plan time for the best shows in Dollywood, where powerhouse vocals, bluegrass pickers, and seasonal productions keep the park buzzing all day. Check the day’s schedule and stitch performances between rides so you never miss a curtain call.
The park boasts a wide variety of excellent musical shows and street performers. The shows rotate throughout the year so be sure to check the schedule. Dolly’s own family (and sometimes Dolly herself) can be found singing in the park’s main show, My People!
Shopping at Dollywood
Browse artisan crafts, glassblowing, woodcarving, and Dolly-branded goodies in charming storefronts that feel like a Smokies main street. It’s the perfect place to grab unique gifts and gear before you head back for more rides, treats, and photo ops.
You’ll find multitudes of handcraft goods and interesting tchotchke shops all throughout the park. You can get a souvenir Lightning Rod mug, but you can also get some handmade jewelry. It’s like the craft fair your crazy cat lady aunt dreamed about.
Best Food in Dollywood
Come hungry for the best food at Dollywood, from the legendary Cinnamon Bread at the Grist Mill to hearty Southern plates and quick snacks between shows. For sit-down breaks, scout the best Dollywood restaurants near your favorite rides so you can eat, refuel, and get right back in line.
Disappointingly, the food is nothing special. It’s your typical theme park fare – hotdogs, burgers, chicken tenders, pizza, fried chicken, etc. There is one thing we swear is worth the calories and that’s Dollywood’s Cinnamon Bread. It’s made fresh daily at the Grist Mill. You won’t be disappointed. It’s life-changing.
Dollywood Christmas
Christmas at Dollywood TN transforms the park with millions of lights, holiday shows, and nighttime rides that sparkle under the Smoky Mountain sky. Grab cocoa, catch a seasonal musical, and watch the park glow like a giant ornament.
Dollywood is nearly a year-round theme park, boasting many events throughout its season. The premiere park event, Smoky Mountain Christmas, features a lineup of spectacular Christmas shows and parades. The park’s buildings and Main Street are decked out in millions of Christmas lights and holiday décor is strung throughout the park. In addition to the shows, the park even opens up many of its signature rides (weather permitting).
Other Special Events at Dollywood
From the Flower & Food Festival to the Harvest Festival and Great Pumpkin LumiNights, each season brings fresh flavors, decor, and concerts. If you’re timing a visit for festivals and lighter crowds, the best time to visit Dollywood is usually weekdays outside peak holidays.
Harvest Festival features five weeks of Southern Gospel concerts. This isn’t really our scene, but we’re sure you can get your Jesus on if you want.
Dollywood also features a family-style Halloween event as well as a Festival of Nations where performance groups from all over the world get the opportunity to perform.
Tips for Visiting Dollywood
Check Dollywood park hours before you go, aim for rope drop, and target midweek for the best day to visit Dollywood with shorter lines. Look for discount tickets to Dollywood in vacation bundles or partner passes, and consider adding things to do at Dollywood Resort like pool time or a spa visit to turn your park day into a full Smokies getaway.
The park offers a variety of upcharges including a skip-the-line pass, a zipline experience, and a VIP tour. Check out the website for details.
Before you go and book that expensive plane ticket, you should know that the park's operating schedule changes often. Towards the end of summer, the park is not open every day. In the off-season, it’s typically only open on weekends.
Dollywood makes a terrific long weekend trip. Fly into either Atlanta and drive (3.5 hours to the park) or fly directly to Knoxville (45 minutes to the park). You can fly in on a Saturday, experience Gatlinburg on Sunday, and then spend Monday and Tuesday at Dollywood and Splash Country. It’s a bit of an investment, but it’s totally worth every penny.
