Dollywood Family Vacation

Head Out to Tennessee for a Fun Family vacation!

by Francine Brokaw

Located in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee is a little gem that is basically undiscovered by Southern Californians. Why would we even consider going to Tennessee for a theme park when we have so many right here? That's what I thought until I went to Dollywood! Dollywood is the pride of Dolly Parton, who in 1986 bought a little-known theme park and turned it into one of Tennessee's biggest tourist attractions. The entire park bears her mark. With areas for small children, adults, and everyone in between, this place is good ol' family fun.

The rides range from slow kiddie rides for the youngest visitors, to big and fast rides for daredevils. The Dollywood Express is a real coal-fired steam engine that takes passengers on a five mile ride through the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Besides all the rides there are plenty of other activities to keep everyone entertained. This is home to the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, which houses the largest collection of non-releasable bald eagles in the country. There are daily shows educating visitors about the eagles and other birds, and the American Eagle Foundation is partnered with Dollywood to help increase the population of the endangered birds.

There are areas to watch master craftsmen and artisans and learn the old ways of creating items - the way they did it through the centuries. There are also many themed stores dedicated to various things like nature and America. And don't worry about getting hungry when you're in the park. They have everything: fried green tomatoes, barbeque, a buffet, a diner, sandwiches, a bakery, pizza, and everything in between. There's no way you'll stay hungry here. Everywhere you turn there's another great place to get something delicious.

Entertainment is also part of Dollywood, with singers, musicians, magicians and more. Don't be surprised if Dolly herself is at the park when you're there. She often visits, especially when there is a new attraction opening. A special attraction is "Chasing Rainbows," a place dedicated to the history of this delightful performer. You'll learn everything about her roots and all about her career as you walk through the building which encompasses plenty of fashions and artifacts from her life.

Dollywood is impressive. Everyone is friendly and the place is immaculate! And everything is very affordable - compared to what we're used to here in Southern California! With 118 acres of fun, this place has it all. There's something for everyone in the family, and I do mean everyone. The next time you're looking for a different location for a fun family vacation, think about Dollywood.

Dollywood is filled with wholesome family entertainment and charm. It is located in Pigeon Forge, next to Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. All of these locations combine to offer plenty of things for a unique family vacation.

For more information go to www.dollywood.com