7 Must-Have Experiences you can Only get at Dollywood Any day at Dollywood is a good day - But did you know that in addition to the thrills of the rides and roller coasters, the park offers additional features that can only be experienced at Dollywood? That’s right! One trip to Dollywood just isn’t enough to experiences all the great things happening in the park. Below you will find my list of 7 Must-Have Experiences that you can only get at Dollywood!
1. The Festival of Nations Dollywood’s Festival of Nations is one of the most unique experiences you can have at an amusement park! This festival features numerous shows, delicious food, and unique art in a celebration of culture from around the world. During this festival, which takes place soon after the park’s opening in the Spring, you can stroll down the decorative streets
and take in the art pieces or purchase hand-made crafts on display from vendors from across the globe. Afterward, pop into a show and experience a cultural variety of music, acting, and dancing. Finally, take a break and take your pick of delicious foods from around the world. While you can still hop on a roller coaster or two, the Festival of Nations transforms the environment of the park and creates a one-of-a-kind event that is a can’tmiss experience!
2. BBQ and Bluegrass Even if you aren’t a Bluegrass Music fan, you can’t help but be wowed by the talented musicians taking stage during Dollywood’s BBQ and Bluegrass Festival. Not only does this festival include a variety of talented Bluegrass musicians, it also features a delicious BBQ throughout the park. You won’t be able to stop yourself from tapping your foot as you enjoy some slow-smoked BBQ and the talents of the Bluegrass musicians.
3. Klondike Katie & Cinderella No, Klondike Katie wasn’t one of Cinderella’s evil step sisters - these are the leading ladies of the Dollywood Express. There are few places in the world where you can still hop a ride from a World War II train engine - but you can do just that at Dollywood! Engine 70, known as Cinderella, or Cindy for short, and Engine 192, knows as Klondike Katie, served their country proudly, transporting troops and lumber through Alaska during the war. Today, however, they are happily enjoying retirement and carrying out a new mission - to serve the guests at Dollywood on a 2.5 mile loop of the park. During your journey on the Dollywood Express, you can relax, enjoy the breeze, and take in the unique views of the park and beautiful scenery. A visit to Dollywood isn’t complete without a visit to see Klondike Katie and Cinderella.
4. Aunt Granny’s There’s a rumor that amusement park food isn’t good. But whoever started that rumor (or believes it) hasn’t been to Dollywood! While there are many great places to eat inside the park, Aunt Granny’s offers a variety of southern food options on a buffet that will serve the whole family - so good that even the pickiest eaters leave full and happy. Not only does Aunt Granny’s have great food (and lots of it), it also has a warm, welcoming environment that makes you feel like you’re eating in, well, Granny’s kitchen! And having just gotten a new look in 2018, the new-and-improved Aunt Granny’s is more welcoming than ever!
5. Harvest Festival & Great Pumpkin Luminights Fall is a beautiful time in East Tennessee, and Dollywood is no exception. A visit to Dollywood during the Fall season offers beautiful fall scenery and decor throughout the park, accompanied with more than 500 Southern Gospel concerts, talented artisans, and of course, pumpkins! One of the newer additions to the park, the Great Pumpkin Luminights, transforms the Timber Canyon area of Dollywood into a glowing pumpkin patch featuring thousands of carved pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. This kid-friendly attraction includes additional activities, including Character Meet-&-Greets, where you can get to know Harvey the Pumpkin, Vine Vinny, and all their friends. While there are still many open rides for thrill-seeking guests to enjoy, the additional layer of whimsy during Dollywood’s Harvest Festival is a one-of-a-kind experience unlike any other amusement park. You don’t want to miss it.
6. The Grist Mill There aren’t many (if any) amusement parks where you can take home the world’s best cinnamon bread, let alone watch it be made. But at Dollywood, you can do both! The Grist Mill, located in Dollywood’s Craftsman’s Valley, has been tempting (and breaking) the diets of many park-goers since 1982. The smell of the warm, fresh-baked cinnamon bread fills the air around the Grist Mill, making it nearly impossible to not give in to your senses. Along with the famous cinnamon bread, the Grist Mill offers additional yummy treats such as stone-ground corn meal, grits, jams, jellies and honey butters. This little spot is uniquely Dollywood, and the cinnamon bread is an experience worth having!
7. Christmas in Dollywood There is no better place to find the magic of Christmas than at Dollywood. The Smoky Mountain Christmas festivities within the park are like no other. From the buildings strung with so many lights that the park looks like a Christmas Village, to the award-winning shows and delicious holiday treats, Dollywood can make even Mr. Scrooge cheer ‘Merry Christmas!’ Dollywood’s award-winning shows are not to be missed during the Christmas season. These musical productions (especially Dollywood’s own Christmas in the Smoky’s) will have you singing along with all your favorite Christmas Carols, and ready to warm up by the fire with a cup of hot co-co, which you can also do right inside the park! In addition to the beautiful scenery and outstanding performances, there are several fun activities for the whole family specifically during the Christmas season at Dollywood. Get up close with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, be front and center for the Parade of Many Colors, and maybe, just maybe, event get a visit from Santa himself! There are so many great times to visit Dollywood, but Christmas - this is one visit you can-not-miss! There you have it! My list of 7 must-have experiences you can only get at Dollywood! Remember, you can’t fit it all in one trip, so make sure to upgrade to a Season Pass and keep making memories!
Jessica Thames Dollywood Insider, 2021