With thrilling Dollywood roller coasters, hearty southern food, and an abundance of unique boutique shops, there truly is something for everyone at Dollyworld Theme Park.
Whether amusement parks are typically at the top of your travel itineraries or not, this famous and most-visited Smoky Mountain attraction needs to be on your radar for more reasons than one.
We’ve even made it easy to start planning your trip today, focusing on seven of the absolute best Dollywood roller coasters, restaurants, and other experiences you won’t want to miss during your Smoky Mountain adventure.
Check out this ultimate guide to Dollywood, and start planning your getaway now!
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Hotels Near Dollywood
The first step in planning your trip?
Booking one of the best hotels near Dollywood, of course!
Before we get into the seven best things to do at Dollywood, let’s sort out where you’ll want to stay during your trip.
Clarion Inn Dollywood
Dollywood Theme Park is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Therefore, this is the area you’ll want to book a hotel in to be close to the park.
One of the most popular, budget-friendly hotels near Dollywood is the Clarion Inn Dollywood.
Located off the parkway in Pigeon Forge, the Clarion Inn Dollywood gives you the best of both worlds with access to the shopping, restaurants, and entertainment of Pigeon Forge, but is also just minutes from Dollywood Theme Park, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
We’re pretty sure you can’t lose with this one.
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Dollywood Cabin Rentals
Get to the heart of smoky mountain living with one of the over 100 unique Dollywood cabin rentals.
Dollywood cabin rentals located both in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer accommodations that can lodge as many as 41 guests.
Some Dollywood cabin rentals even feature views of Dollywood roller coasters like the Wild Eagle, Tennessee Tornado, Mystery Mine, and also Dolly’s Night of Many Colors Summer fireworks show.
Dollywood Dream Resort
Looking for the ultimate Dollywood experience?
One of the best hotels near Dollywood to achieve this is the Dollywood Dream Resort.
Located just minutes away from Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, the Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa has a number of special amenities that make the stay worth your while.
A few items included for resort guests with Dollywood Theme Park tickets are a free TimeSaver pass to gain expedited entrance to 10 different TimeSaver Dollywood attractions, door-to-door transportation, and even early Saturday entry to the park.
It sounds like there isn’t a much better way to fully experience Dollywood than at the DreamMore.
7 Unforgettable Things to Do at Dollywood Theme Park: The Best Dollywood Roller Coasters, Food, & More
Now that you’re familiar with some of the hotels near Dollywood, let’s jump to the best part — seven unforgettable things to do at Dollywood!
1. Explore Dolly’s Epic Life at the Chasing Rainbows Museum
Ready to get up close and personal with some of Dolly’s most famous awards, gowns, and more?
Check out the Chasing Rainbows museum, located in the Adventures in Imagination section of the park.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how many amazing artifacts the museum showcases, vividly depicting Dolly’s vibrant and interesting career throughout the decades.
2. Ride the Dollywood Train
You can’t truly experience the magic of Dollywood without hopping aboard the Dollywood train.
This 20-minute excursion on Dolly’s authentic 110-ton coal-fired steam engine train is hands down the best way to see the park.
Bonus points if you visit Dollywood during the fall, as you’ll see some of the finest fall foliage of the Smoky Mountains during this tour.
Pro Tip: The final departure for the Dolly train is at 7:45 p.m. If you want to experience Christmas at Dollywood, it may be worthwhile to take an evening ride as you’ll get the absolute best view of the park and lights at night!
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3. Visit Dollywood Emporium and the Many Other Unique Dollywood Shops
One of the most surprising things about Dollywood is the abundance of unique shopping opportunities.
Every theme park has gift shops of course, but Dollywood actually features a number of more specialized boutiques.
The shops are very true to the Smoky Mountain aesthetic, and you can find everything from a typical Dollywood hoodie to hand blown glass figures, iron sculptures, and other artisan works from within the area.
4. Ride the Best Dollywood Roller Coasters
Whether you’re a major thrill seeker or just prefer to keep things low key, there’s likely at least a few Dollywood roller coasters for you.
A few fan favorites include:
Wild Eagle Dollywood (Located in Wilderness Pass)
America’s first “wing coaster” is perched 21 stories above Dollywood and takes riders on a unique experience that is designed to make them feel like they’re soaring above the Smoky Mountains.
Tennessee Tornado Ride (Located in Craftsman’s Valley)
Find out what happens when a tornado sweeps through the Smoky Mountains by jumping on Dollywood’s Tennessee Tornado ride.
With three large spiral loops, a 128 foot drop, and maximum speeds nearing 70 mph, this is clearly made for roller coaster junkies.
Dollywood Lightning Rod (Located in Jukebox Junction)
Themed after a tricked-out 1950s hotrod, Dollywood Lightning Rod takes riders from zero to 45 mph and up more than 20 stories in the air.
With a top speed of 73 mph, Dollywood Lightning Rod is the fastest wooden roller coaster in the world, making it the ideal ride for the ultimate thrill seeker.
Thunderhead Dollywood
Experience Dollywood from 21 stories above on one of the wilder Dollywood roller coasters.
Mystery Mine Dollywood (Located in Timber Canyon)
Hop aboard Mystery Mine Dollywood for an exciting trip through an abandoned coal mine.
Featuring a 95 degree, 85 foot vertical drop, Mystery Mine Dollywood is another high thrill ride.
However, speeds only reach up to 46 mph, so this may be one of the Dollywood roller coasters well suited ride for visitors who enjoy mid level rides who don’t mind hanging upside down for a few moments.
The Dragonflier (Located in Dollywood Wildwood Grove)
The Dragonflier is one of the mid level Dollywood roller coasters located in Dollywood Wildwood Grove.
Mimicking the flight of a Smoky Mountain dragonfly as it speeds through the terrain in a twisted, unpredictable path, this is a great thrill ride perfect for people who enjoy roller coasters, but don’t want to do the maximum heights and speed that other Dollywood roller coasters offer.
Related: Your Complete Guide to the Best Universal Studio Orlando Rides
5. Indulge in Dollywood Cinnamon Bread
If there’s one Dollywood food you can’t pass up, its Dollywood cinnamon bread.
Served with either icing or apple butter, this warm and gooey treat is a must-try all year round.
Pro Tip: Dollywood cinnamon bread typically comes as a big loaf, so you may want to find a friend to share this Dollywood food with!
6. Experience Christmas at Dollywood
Christmas at Dollywood is nothing short of magical.
Though summertime is peak season at the park, there’s lots of perks to experiencing it during the winter season.
The Christmas decor is second to none with countless streams of glowing lights and even a Christmas light parade at the end of the evening.
If you have the opportunity to do Christmas at Dollywood, don’t pass it up!
7. Eat a Warm Meal at Aunt Granny’s
Known as one of the best Dollywood restaurants, you’ll want to stop in Aunt Granny’s at some point during your trip.
Located in Rivertown Junction, this old time restaurant offers all the best Dollywood food in a convenient and delicious buffet style setting.
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Overall, visiting Dollywood makes a fun and exciting experience for guests of all ages.
No matter what time of the year you decide to plan your own adventure, don’t forget to hit up the above best Dollywood roller coasters, restaurants, etc. that will make your trip one to really remember.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dollywood
Where is Dollywood located?
Dollywood Theme Park is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
How far is Dollywood from Nashville?
Dollywood is about three and a half hours from Nashville.
You can easily spend the entire day at the park, so we’d recommend at least staying one night in Pigeon Forge or nearby Gatlinburg to get the most out of Dollyworld.
Who owns Dollywood?
Famous country performer Dolly Parton has owned Dollywood since 1986, in partnership with Herschend Family Enterprises.
What’s going on with the Dollywood expansion?
The most recent Dollywood expansion, Dollywood Wildwood Grove, just opened in 2019.
This $37 million dollar expansion features a whole slew of new Dollywood roller coasters, restaurants, and other attractions.
So, it’s safe to say that Dollywood is absolutely still in the process of expanding!
What are the Dollywood wait times like?
Dollywood wait times vary during different times of the year.
Summertime is peak season and children aren’t in school, so you can expect the wait times to be longer during this time of the year.
Christmas at Dollywood is a big attraction, but other times during the off season you can expect wait times to generally be shorter — especially on weekdays.
What are your favorite Dollywood roller coasters? Did we miss any of the best Dollywood food or restaurants?
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