Dollywood is one of those rare theme parks that feels like more than just a fun destination — it feels like a warm welcome. From the moment you step through the gates, there’s a beautiful blend of Smoky Mountain heritage, wholesome entertainment, and genuine hospitality that makes every visitor feel like family. What stands out the most is how thoughtfully designed everything is. The park is incredibly clean, the landscaping is beautiful, and the music — whether live or playing softly in the background — adds a special touch unique to Dolly Parton’s world. It's a place where thrilling roller coasters, peaceful craft demonstrations, and mouthwatering Southern cuisine all live in perfect harmony. The rides are top-notch and offer excitement for all ages, but even if you never stepped on a coaster, you’d still have an unforgettable day. The shows are heartfelt and professional, the artisans demonstrate real mountain craftsmanship, and the food is absolutely delicious — especially anything fresh-made in front of you. Another major highlight is the staff. They are genuinely friendly, patient, and happy to help, which makes the entire experience feel relaxed and inviting. You can tell the park takes pride in treating guests with kindness — just like Dolly would want. Whether you come for the thrills, the culture, the music, or the memories, Dollywood delivers a complete, heartfelt experience that stands out above most theme parks. It’s a place that celebrates joy, family, faith, and Appalachian tradition — and you leave with not just photos, but feelings you’ll remember.

A family friendly amusement park, with lots of thrill rides and AMAZING shows. We went during the Christmas celebration, and the lights were breathtaking. The Christmas in the Smokies show had a live orchestra, and the singers were outstanding. Going in November, on a weekday, made for super short lines. My family went on all the rollercoasters, and some of them 4-5 times. My daughter and my favorite coaster was Fire Chaser. It had a super cute theme, and is a less intense coaster. My son and husband liked Flying Eagle, but it is definitely a coaster made for thrill seekers. Our longest wait was for cinnamon bread, and it was well worth the 20-30min wait. Lunch was typical theme park food quality, but it might have just been hit and miss for us. There is something for everyone, and I really appreciated the family and faith focus.

Dollywood is fantastic! This was our first visit but won't be our last. Great holiday decor up already in mid-November made it feel like the holidays. We enjoyed it more than we thought we would. Great selection of roller coasters, enough to satisfy any enthusiast. Also a good selection of medium and lower intensity rides for families and all. Carnival games with good prizes. Good food choices. Do NOT miss the Cinnamon Bread (available at the bakery as well) and do not wait until the end of the day to buy it as the lines get long. Highly recommend buying tickets in advance and arriving early (about 45 minutes to an hour before park opens). Arriving too late means parking far away and a long walk or tram ride to get into the park. It's a spread out park across hilly terrain so you're going to walk a lot.

We absolutely loved our visit to Dollywood! We got there early and parking was very easy. We went to the Lightning Rod coaster first, what a rush! The train was delightful. Everything was beautiful, the hills were covered in fall leaves. That cinnamon bread is to die for! Every coaster was exciting and thrilling and did not make me feel sick. They felt very high end. I giggled a lot on the fun fire brigade ride. It was so quarky and silly and caught me by surprise. The Christmas decorations were plentiful and it felt like every structure was lit up. The Dolly Experience was so heartfelt abs inspiring. It felt like she was expressing who she was and sharing rather than showing off. The pink sparkly Christmas decorations in that area were so unique and every girl's dream. The gift shops had mostly decently priced items that were much more affordable than other theme parks. The staff were all friendly and it was clean. Dollywood knows exactly what their brand is and it doesn't feel like they are trying to compete with anyone.

We love going to Dollywood! We live 3.5hrs away so its not to far of a drive for a quick trip. We got season passes this year and they are good until Jan 2027! The rides are great (we love roller coasters) The food is awesome and Aunt Grannys is our go to! The prices are not bad for a theme park🩷🩷🩷

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An Absolute Blast at Dollywood! I had such an amazing time at Dollywood! From the moment I walked through the gates, the whole place was bursting with charm, Southern hospitality, and good old-fashioned fun. The staff were incredibly friendly—everyone smiled, cracked jokes, and genuinely seemed happy to be there, which made the whole experience even better. The rides? Absolutely awesome! The coasters gave the perfect mix of thrill and excitement without feeling overwhelming (Lightning Rod was my personal favorite 😍). Between rides, I loved exploring all the themed areas—everything felt so clean, well-kept, and beautifully decorated. And don’t even get me started on the food! The cinnamon bread is legendary for a reason—warm, gooey, and impossible to eat just one piece. I also tried some delicious barbecue and homemade fudge that I’m still dreaming about. The live shows were such a pleasant surprise, too—tons of talent and heart. It really felt like more than just an amusement park; it’s a full experience filled with music, laughter, and that cozy mountain magic you can only find in Tennessee. If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly, and unforgettable getaway, Dollywood is 100% worth it. I left with a full belly, sore cheeks from smiling so much, and a phone full of happy memories. Can’t wait to go back! 🎢🎶🌄

This was our second time visiting Dollywood — last year we came during Christmas time, and now it’s officially becoming a family tradition for us! 🎡✨ We visited in October this time, and it was just as magical. We chose the Preferred Parking ($55) again, and it’s absolutely worth it — especially with a toddler and stroller. It’s super convenient being so close to the entrance, and even if you choose regular parking, they have trams that pick you up and drop you off right at the gate. At the entrance, the staff measures the kids and gives them color-coded wristbands, so you immediately know which rides are safe and suitable for their height — such a smart and thoughtful idea! There are tons of rides for younger kids, and plenty for adults too, so everyone has fun. The train ride is always a favorite — it runs every hour and takes about 16 minutes through the beautiful Smoky Mountain scenery. 🚂 The park is spotless, the staff is kind and helpful, and the food is delicious (definitely don’t skip the cinnamon bread!). Everything feels warm, friendly, and family-oriented — exactly the kind of place you want to come back to year after year. We’re already looking forward to coming back for the Christmas lights again — Dollywood has definitely become one of our favorite family traditions! ❤️🎠

Nice public area. A good mix of stores, restaurants and attractions. Very clean and well kept. The fountains are fun to watch, especially when the scheduled shows occur. Restrooms are kept clean and well stocked. Free parking is nice with trams bringing you from the parking lot.

🌟 The Island in Pigeon Forge – A Beautiful, Must-Visit Spot Visiting The Island in Pigeon Forge is always a great experience. It’s clean, well-maintained, and feels a bit more upscale compared to the main strip. Whether you’re with family, friends, or just exploring solo, there’s something for everyone. At night, the whole place lights up beautifully—it’s honestly one of the prettiest spots in town. There are tons of shops to browse, fun activities to try, and plenty of food options to satisfy any craving. It’s a great mix of entertainment and relaxation, perfect for both adults and kids. One highlight is the SkyFly ride—super fun and definitely worth checking out. It’s immersive, exciting, and one of the best attractions on site. The whole area just has a more polished, classy vibe compared to the rest of the strip, and that makes it stand out. If you’re in Pigeon Forge, The Island is 100% worth the visit. Highly recommended!

My pictures are from the gigantic wheel. It's really easy to get on, I definitely recommend to get the unlimited tickets, I promise you that you won't get tired of the views and the experience. Staff was really nice. There're plenty stores for gifts, memories, pictures, candy, food. It all in one place. Rides for kids and adults. The atmosphere was fantastic. Thank you for the experience!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five-Star Review: The Island in Pigeon Forge The Island in Pigeon Forge is hands-down one of the most fun, vibrant, and family-friendly spots in all of Tennessee! Whether you’re visiting for a day or stopping by every night of your trip, this place has something for everyone. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels lively and welcoming. The shops are amazing—boutiques, specialty stores, treat shops, toy stores, sweet shops, and unique little spots you won’t find anywhere else. You can stroll for hours and still discover something new each time. Whether you’re hunting for souvenirs, snacks, clothing, or handmade goodies, The Island truly delivers. And the fun things to do are endless! The Great Smoky Mountain Wheel gives you stunning views, the fountains are mesmerizing (especially at night), and the rides and attractions keep both kids and adults entertained. There’s also delicious dining everywhere you turn, from quick bites to full meals, and you can relax in the rocking chairs around the fountain between adventures. If you’re looking for a place that’s clean, entertaining, and full of energy, The Island in Pigeon Forge is a must-visit. I’d give it more than five stars if I could!

The Island is always a pleasure to visit. I love walking around and checking out all the shops. This recent visit was especially fun because there were dinosaurs! My best friend and I decided to do the dino "scavenger hunt" and we had tons of fun spotting them all. The bonus gift at the end was nice too!

Fun and diverse. It is a little crowded. However, there is so much to do. Free parking and a nice ambiance, dinosaurs included. Lot's of shopping to do from food, clothes and typical mountain stuff. Lot of entertainment and dinning for all tastes and budgets. Keep in mind that everything is paid individually, so it adds up quick.

A great place to shop or just walk around! I loved the jurassic theme! The Dino exhibits was so neat! And don’t even get me started on the fountain lol. I LOVE fountains and this is one of the best!

It's a nice experience if you're into historian events or if you enjoyed the movie (as they have an entire section devoted to it). We missed a couple of things while on the tour, but it still didn't seem like it was that big. It took us about an hour to finish the tour. Overall, though, it's a nice museum and gives you a very detailed look at the events that occurred.

I really enjoyed learning about the Titanic. Several rooms were recreated to look exactly like those on the ship, which made the experience feel very real. When you enter, you’re given a boarding pass with the name of an actual passenger, but you won’t find out whether that person survived until the end. You can also feel how cold the water was—the same icy temperature many passengers faced. Overall, it was a fascinating and engaging experience for both kids and adults.

My mother and I really wanted to come here for our family vacation and it was okay. Definitely didn't learn anything I didn't already know about the ship however there were a few interactive games you could participate in if you like to. When we order tickets, you had to select a time slot (which is thought maybe that would mean not many people), however we could barely move along the ship and had a awful time seeing everything we wanted to see. Beside thats no complaints

Such an amazing museum! This and another in TN, if I remember correctly, are privately owned. So informative with artifacts about the ship, it's crew, and the people. A great stop if you are wanting to do something in the area. Self guided or you can download an audio tour. The hosts know thier history and the many people that traveled on the ship. How long g can you keep your hand in 28 degree water? You can try it. The ice cream shop is wonderful.

We had such a wonderful experience at the Titanic Museum. It was so eye opening to read about what happened that night and see actual artifacts from the wreckage. The grand staircase was the most beautiful thing ever. It's amazing that it's an exact replica. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

OMG!!! This was a great experience!!! Sooo informative. You even get to touch the 28° water to feel how cold it was. As you enter you get a "Boarding Pass" which contains info of one of the passengers. At the end of the tour you will see the names of the passengers etched on a blue wall and there you can see whether you survived or not.

This was a great experience. It is a bit expensive but it is worth it. This is geared more towards teens and adults. A lot of reading and actual belongings of some of the passengers. Also, there is a lot of Bios about some of the people aboard. You are given a card of an actual passenger. Towards the end you can see if you survived or not. Great photo ops on the grand staircase, and outside. The iceberg area is very cold and you can feel what 28° water feels like. You can also stand on the varying degrees onthe ships main deck to experience how hard it was to hang on.

If you are visiting Pigeon Forge, you absolutely must make a stop at the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster. This was an awesome time and easily one of the highlights of our trip! Unlike traditional roller coasters, you control your own speed, which is a blast. You get to zip down the mountain through the trees, making the experience feel adventurous and unique. Even if you brake a little, the scenery is beautiful. The real test of a great family attraction is if the kids want to do it again—and mine were begging for more! They wanted to ride multiple times right away. It's safe, exhilarating, and provides such a rush that one trip is just not enough. The staff was friendly, the equipment felt secure, and the whole operation was very professional. Skip the lines at other places and head straight for this mountain adventure. We can't wait to go back!

Good ride! Circular section of track allows huge speed. Jamaican staff/crew were pleasant but I wondered why local workers were not staffing the ride. “No phones, loose clothing, or hats”rule seemed excessive as Lost Mine ride does not say this and their coaster ride is similar.

We were so nervous at first, but this turned out to be such a blast! While we knew the weight wasn’t an issue, we’re still considered “thick” and lord… at one point I was going so fast I thought for sure I was about to jump the tracks…lol. It was such a rush and so much fun that we went back again to experience the track at dusk — and it was even better! The staff was friendly, the ride was smooth, and being able to control your own speed made it perfect for both thrill seekers and those who just want to enjoy the views. Highly recommend if you’re in the area.

A lot of fun in Pigeon Forge. Tickets are reasonably priced and the lines were okay. We only had to wait about 20 minutes. Very fun experience where you're in control of the speed of the coaster. Great views and well maintained.

Our group of 10 adults had a blast! We rode once in day time and again at night. Didnt use the brakes and the ride was thrilling!We found the staff to be very friendly and helpful! Would recommend!

Very fun! I would recommend checking Groupon. We paid $21 as for two rides as opposed to $18 per ride at the booth. GoPro cameras are allowed only with chest or head strap

Great for all ages. I rode alone and with my 16 yr old daughter. The lights at night are so cool. The speed of the cart and wind in your hair as you're whipping through the hillside is exhilarating.

My favorite place to visit in Pigeon Forge! So many beautiful friendly birds to meet and you can handle many of them. As a parrot lover and owner, this gem is top of my list of places to visit in the area. Parking is a bit wonky on an incline so beware of that. Some of the birds bite, read the stickers on their perches! We saw lots of people not following rules and nearly losing a finger for it. Parrots can be unpredictable! Even Some of the friendly ones were not in the mood to be handled, but that's okay, we don't judge! Most of my parrots are quick to let me know they aren't in the mood for handling so I am used to it! Many of the parrots here are rescues from all kinds of situations so the fact Many of them are so tolerant of handling is amazing. There was a little green cheek conure that was obsessed with us and just wanted to snuggle, so sweet. We also tried the lorikeet feeding this time, that was pretty cool, though once they quickly eat the food youre provided they no longer care about you lol. The birds all seem pretty happy and healthy and the caged ones have very large enclosures. I do feel Many of them could be offered more toys, but I dont think they stay there all the time so that would make sense. The only thing I was sad about is I didnt see the little violet clear headed indian ringneck who was my favorite last time we visited! I hope he is still alive and well! He was a sass but soooo cute!!!

This was a great activity overall! There are so many exotic birds and many of them you can interact with! The feeding ticket is an extra $3 but it is worth it. You will enter a cage with birds that will fly over to you and land on your arms, shoulders, and head! Do not miss the baby birds for sale room. You do not have to buy, but you still get to hold and pet the little birds there. They have a restaurant onsite and this is where I will level my only criticisms. The food is pricey, but then our order was rung up with even higher charges. We asked about it and the cashier corrected one of the items, but it still was not correct. We just let it go at that point. It was also disappointing to come back for a drink refill after having paid so much to be told that refills cost an additional $1.00. So if you eat at the cafe, be sure to double check your bill before paying. That said I still highly recommend Parrot Mountain. The birds were very educational and fun to see, and the interactive exhibits were a wonderful experience. Very nice people own the park and it appears well taken care of. Last thing to mention: small children can do great here because they have birds that are smaller for them to play with.

So much better than expected. We all had such a wonderful day at Parrot Mountain! So much to see and experience. Be sure to ask for Terri, she was our tour guide. Terri drove us around on a cart and she was so sweet, funny and knowledgeable. Terri knew everything about all the parrots and made us all feel very special, like V.I.P's. Parrot Mountain is beyond beautiful and a must see for anyone visiting the area. Great for kids and adults. A+

Loved this place! We were looking for something quieter to do on a cloudy, rainy day, and this was wonderful. All kinds of parrots and different types of birds! Some of them speak too. There are three different places where you can feed the birds and hold them and get pictures! The gardens are beautiful! They also have a small lunch/snack bar and gift shop. Really enjoyed it and recommend this place!

I am absolutely blown away by this place. My other half told me about it and we decided to go for his birthday. He’s a bird person, I am not because I never had any experience with them in the past. The grounds and landscape of Parrot Mountain was BEAUTIFUL. The prayer gardens made me feel like I was in a totally different place. Absolutely breathtaking, I can’t express that enough. Stunning and IYKYK. We were lucky enough to have Shar walk with us. She ran the place and knew everything about every bird. She took the time to handle the birds with us, answer questions, and got them to talk and play with us. You were able to hold the birds and pet them and I never handled birds before so I was uncertain with how I would feel. But I felt so comfortable with them and had the best time. Everyone who works here are friendly and incredible. You MUST PAY THE EXTRA FEW DOLLARS TO FEED THE BIRDS. They fly all over you and it was hilarious. Trust me on this!! And bring quarters for the feed machines. I can’t wait to go back. It probably is my new favorite place. Book your trip and bring your camera. You’re going to love it. And thank you, Shar!!! You were the absolute best!!

Our family visited Parrot Mountain for the first time this past weekend. It was amazing! The birds were gorgeous and the staff were very helpful and friendly. We loved the gardens, the scriptures posted throughout, and the experience we had when holding the birds and even talking to them! This will definitely be a place we visit again!

It’s a wonderful spot up in the hills. It’s very very hilly so I highly recommend getting the golf cart it holds 3 people and well worth the 1 on 1 with your guide. Ours was Terri and she was wonderful stopped a took lots of pictures with us!! Well worth the money and goes for a good cause! Many beautiful birds!! A must see!!

Had the best time at Ole Smoky! Me and husband did their tour and tasting and Tim was so funny and such a good tour guide. We loved every single part of it and when we’re done touring and shopping we could sit on the rocking chairs and watch some of the live music going on. Would definitely go back!

Loved this place! Friendly & funny staff! Very reasonably priced tastings & delicious flavors. We took home the sour watermelon. Thanks Emily for the great tasting! 😋 🍉 🥃

10/10 recommend the behind the still tour. It was informative and fun, plus the private group tasting at the end of the tour was amazing! Ashley A was the best guide ever, she was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Ole Smokey and made our experience there very memorable!

Really neat place. Very friendly. Love the taste testing, Gyver was very entertaining and super friendly. Lots of variety of you like their stuff. Very clean. Lots of souvenirs. Love the setup.

We had the best experience here! We did not feel welcome everywhere we went in town. This place embraced us, entertained us and provided a wonderful experience for our visit. We even came back twice and cleared out their merch. 10/10 would recommend. A MUST VISIT!! Would try to get your tasting with Keebler if you can, he was awesome

Absolutely terrible place I was trying to get my stamps for the old Smokey moonshine trail and I have already been to almost all the bars and got my stamps and I went in to get my stamp and the bartender kicked me out because I was having shots that I payed for and I was with my girl the whole time and I jokingly said that you got more then me and when she poured it I said I can’t believe you got more then me and the bartender cut Me Of because of what I sad to my girl and i was playing around with my girl friend the bartenders name was Jess and she took my cups and said I’m done I already payed for my shots and everything so as I got kicked out for absolutely no reason at all because I was joking with my girlfriend I asked for the manger we talked for a minute and then she left for awhile I talked to Jacob he was awesome and I had no problem with him what so ever i got my money back from the manger on duty and left while my girlfriend got her stamp and shots and stayed until she was done with the taste tasting I think the girl that was the bartender need more training and customer service training and the realizing what’s going on with a couple and that where a happy couple and love one another and was playing around and ask more questions or something before kicking a paying customer out of someplace I have spent so much money with this company so I’m very upset but even tho I was talking to my girlfriend I got kicked out for joking with her I will never be back to this place ever again I have never had this happen to me I’d go anywhere else in pigeon forge and Gatlingburge and pigeon forge before I would ever go here again very upset and unsatisfied with the way I was treated

Super fun spot in downtown Gatlinburg. They have an outdoor stage with rocking chairs to sit and listen to live folk music between the store and the distillery. You can read about the moonshine making process and the history. In the shop, you can pay a few bucks to do a fun tasting (they'll give you a $5 coupon to buy something when you do the tasting). Recommended!