Dolly Parton’s influences are found throughout her 130-acre Dollywood family adventure park in Pigeon Forge, TN. Her creativity as well as her fond childhood remembrances of what it would be like to be a star inspire many of Dollywood’s attractions and add to the uniqueness that is found only at Dollywood in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Festivals
There are lots of chances to celebrate the various seasons and holidays at Dollywood, with the park’s excellent selection of festivals. Stop by in the spring for the Flower & Food Festival, or visit in the fall for the iconic Harvest Festival. And of course, you can’t forget about Smoky Mountain Christmas! These are just some of the many festivals that Dollywood holds throughout the year here in the Smokies.
Rides & Attractions
Dollywood has lots of exciting rides and attractions that will get your heart racing while also building on the park’s connection to Dolly herself. Check out Daredevil Falls, which is named for a childhood experience Dolly shared with her brothers and sisters growing up in the Smoky Mountains. The siblings used to swim in a secret swimming hole that was fed by a crystal-clear waterfall, and sometimes her brothers would try to “ride over the falls.” You will love the thrilling drop on this ride! Or go for a calmer experience at Dolly's Tennessee Mountain Home, a two-room replica of Dolly's childhood home. These are just some of the many Dollywood rides and attractions you can check out when you visit.
Shops
When you come to Dollywood, you will have lots of options for shopping as part of your experience, with many of the shops having direct connections to Dolly’s life! Since Dolly loves candy, the Dollywood Sweet Shoppe on Showstreet features homemade candy, fudge, and caramel apples. You can also find excellent souvenirs at the Hillside General Store, Gazebo Gifts, and plenty of other interesting shops. These shops and more will make your time at Dollywood especially memorable as you can leave with fun souvenirs!
Restaurants
There are plenty of places to get a delicious meal when you come to visit Dollywood. For instance, Aunt Granny’s is among Dollywood’s most popular restaurants, serving the finest southern specialties. The name is a nod to Dolly, whose many nieces and nephews affectionately refer to her as “Aunt Granny.” There are tons of other great options as well, including Miss Lillian's Mill House and Ned's Snack Shack. These are just a couple of the many options you will have for dining at Dollywood.
The Dollywood Foundation
Founded in 1988, this not-for-profit foundation supports a variety of innovative projects to promote education. Over the years, the Dollywood Foundation’s efforts have expanded beyond Dolly’s native Sevier County, Tenn., reaching across the United States and into Canada with the Imagination Library. One of the Foundation’s most recognized projects, the Imagination Library provides participating preschool children a free book every month from birth until they enter kindergarten.
