Dollywood is one of the most popular theme parks not just in the Smokies, but in the entire United States. Once you step foot through the turnstile, you will quickly understand why. Before you head to the park, it is good to have a knowledge of some of the most exciting things to see and do while you are there. Here is the ultimate guide to a family trip to Dollywood:
Thrilling Rides and Attractions
As you probably guessed, the main draw to Dollywood is the exciting rides! No matter how old you are, there are some fun rides you will want to add to your itinerary. If you have small kids, it is best to start your day in the Country Fair section of the park, which includes introductory rides for kids including the Busy Bees, Lucky Ducky, and Piggy Parade. For the older guests, the park is home to some of the most thrilling roller coasters in the country! Some of the rides to add to your list include the Mystery Mine, Lightning Rod, and the Wild Eagle. There are plenty of rides that the whole family can enjoy together as well, such as the Express Train through the Smokies!
Delicious Food
Exploring everything that the theme park has to offer can cause your belly to start to rumble. Luckily, there are plenty of places to eat throughout Dollywood, with everything from quick snacks to full meals. If you want something light to tide you over, head over to Showstreet Snacks, where you can get some popcorn, cotton candy, and drinks. When it’s time for a larger meal, there are plenty of options throughout the park, including Aunt Granny’s Restaurant. It is so good that it has been named as one of the top-10 best theme park restaurants by USA Today. You will find a full selection of all your favorite southern dishes, including fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and biscuits!
Entertaining Shows
If you aren’t able to ride roller coasters, or just don’t enjoy them, there are plenty of other things to do in the park, including taking in one of the incredible shows! Depending on what season you decide to visit, Dollywood puts on a number of different variety shows, including gospel music, bluegrass, and even animal shows! One of the shows that you can see year round is The Kingdom Heirs, which is an award winning gospel quartet show that you will want to check out! During the Christmas season, the park has a variety of holiday specials, to go along with millions of dazzling lights!
Shopping Galore
You might as well knock out two birds with one stone and get some souvenir shopping done while you ride roller coasters! Dollywood has plenty of fascinating gift shops, including the Emporium, where you will find all types of incredible gifts. They have every kind of Smoky Mountain souvenir imaginable, including apparel, toys, stuffed animals, jewelry, and so much more. This gift shop is also easy to locate, as it is stationed right by the main park entrance!
Now that you have a guide to a family day at Dollywood, be sure to check out our free Smoky Mountain attraction tickets to get some more ideas on things to do during your stay at one of our cabins in the Smokies! We look forward to seeing you soon!
