Patrick and I just returned from a week long visit to Tennessee, where we criss-crossed the state and did a whole lot, but also not enough! Today is the first of many blog posts from our trip!

Dolly Parton is one of the biggest stars of the music industry, and one with a big heart. It’s widely known she loves her home of Tennessee, and early in her career she knew she wanted to give back to her community. Once such way she gave back was with her very own theme park, Dollywood, tucked away in the Smokey Mountains near Dolly’s hometown.

While Dollywood celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, park has a longer history, beginning in 1961, when it opened as Rebel Railroad, with Civil War theming. After several name changes and owners, Dolly Parton arrived, partnering with the owners at the time, and in 1986 the park was renamed Dollywood. Under Dolly’s watchful eye, the park expanded, causing a population, tourist, and tax revenue boom.

One of the unique things that Dollywood offers, aside from all of the Dolly specific experiences, is the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary. In partnership with the American Eagle Foundation, Dollywood exhibits the largest collection of non-releasable Bald Eagles in the United States. The eagles who call Dollywood home, are all permanently disabled, with limited flight abilities, and would not survive in the wild.

Dollywood of course wouldn’t be as incredibly unique without the Dolly touch! And there are many offerings that are specifically Dolly, and were the highlight of the visit! Dolly gives visitors a glimpse into her humble childhood with a recreation of the small cabin that she grew up in, with her mother even decorating the space with original family items. The Dolly Parton Experience offers two museums showcasing Dolly’s life and career, as well as items from her spectacular wardrobe!

We visited during the Flower and Food Festival, which includes special food and various floral arrangements and topiaries. I would love to return during the fall though! Especially to see all of these trees change color!

Ride roller coasters through the Great Smokey Mountains at Dollywood at 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd. in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Learn more via their website.

Sources
“Dollywood through Dolly’s Eyes” Booklet
Dunbar, Hayden. “How Dollywood helped to transform Pigeon Forge from a quiet community to tourism mecca.” knox news, 4 February 2025.