Immerse the Family in Rides, Adventure and Country Music at This Resort and Theme Park

Whether it’s a stop for families camping or traveling through Great Smoky Mountains National Park or simply a trip to the destination, Dollywood is all about family fun. The resort and duo of theme parks created by singer-songwriter Dolly Parton are filled with water activities, creative rides and play spaces, and, of course, country music.

In the theme park, imaginative pre-K rides such as Busy Bees, Frogs & Fireflies, Black Bear Trail, and Flying Elephants delight the young set, while nine different rollercoasters keep their older siblings screaming. With more than 50 rides, there’s fun for every age and thrill level.

Splash Country, too, gears water experiences to different ages. The Cascades is a lagoon-style pool, with zero-depth entry and more than 25 interactive elements. Inside a giant rock grotto are low-speed body slides and a geyser shooting spray 20 feet in the air. Parents can watch from chaise lounges on the deck.

Shows are an important part of the Dollywood experience, especially the Forever Country performance in the Valley Theater, where seven talented performers celebrate the country music of the 1980s and 1990s with both traditional and new sounds. In Back Porch Theater, a quintet called A Capella Fusion uses only their voices to create a unique sound and beat.

Good Vibes, also in Back Porch Theater, features four singers with a five-piece band for a show of lively songs from all genres. In Imagination Playhouse, kids can meet favorite book characters like Peter Rabbit and Llama Llama, who bring the books to life.

Family suites at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort feature murals of the Smokies scenery and bunk beds for kids. Complimentary privileges for lodge guests include TimeSaver passes and door-to-door transportation; children age 9 and under receive one day’s complimentary Dollywood or four-day Splash Country tickets.