Dollywood is an amusement park located in the state of Tennessee in the United States. It is named for Dolly Parton, a popular musician who became a co-owner of the park in 1986 and developed it into a major attraction. Dollywood is the most heavily visited tourist site in Tennessee and it features a wide range of attractions. Like many amusement parks, it offers both day passes and season passes to attendees, along with a variety of inclusive packages with housing and meals for people who want to plan their vacations around a Dollywood visit.
The park is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in very close proximity to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It covers 130 acres (approximately half a square kilometer), including mountainous and wooded territory. On the park's grounds there are 10 themed areas that people can visit. In addition to amusement park rides, Dollywood also features a variety of restaurants, which offer Southern-style food. Lodging is available in cabins offsite and people can also purchase tickets for the adjacent Dollywood Splash Country, a water-themed park designed for visitors of all ages.
Dollywood also hosts a number of festivals and performances, including several major music festivals that can feature well-known musicians including Dolly Parton herself. The park houses the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame, as well as other attractions related to musical artists from the South and their work. The park also features craftspeople from the Smoky Mountains, offering guests opportunities to interact with people who make traditional arts and crafts and to buy their products.
This amusement park is open from March until January. Events are ongoing throughout the year and the park publishes information about upcoming festivals, performances, and other special events that may be of interest to visitors so they can plan ahead. Certain rides may not be open year round for safety or weather reasons. People interested in all-inclusive packages may want to book ahead to get the most favorable rates as these packages tend to sell out very quickly.
Travel agents can assist people with making arrangements to visit Dollywood and other attractions in and around Pigeon Forge. A rental car is usually recommended, as transportation options are limited, but it is also possible to book a tour that includes busing or other private transport. People can also book trips directly through Dollywood, and same day tickets are usually available for travelers who prefer not to plan ahead.