Tennessee Archives : TRAVEL/FOOD

Celebrate 65 Days of Christmas at Dollywood Resorts

Christmas, Dollywood, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, Family & Kids Cooking, Holiday, Holiday dining, Holiday events, Holiday Travel, National Parks, Tennessee, Uncategorized

Starting on November 1, guests staying at Dollywood Resorts in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, will get to experience the magic of the holiday season over the course of 65 days. Dolly Parton’s iconic resorts have been busy adding extra glitz and glam by stringing lights, hanging garland, fluffing trees and lining up festive entertainment to complement Dollywood theme park’s award-winning Smoky Mountain Christmas festival, making the destination a must-visit holiday experience.

Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, shines extra bright with classic green and red décor, warm white lights, a showstopping 30-foot Christmas tree, and a nightly outdoor tree light show that’s synced to holiday tunes.

Santa’s elves make an appearance through Camp DW holiday-themed events and crafts, with opportunities to write letters to Santa. (Crafts come at an additional fee.) The whole family can also enjoy roasting s’mores in the resort’s back yard and listening to bedtime stories – all books selected from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library – in the barn. This year the resort is also introducing a new entertainment offering in the form of Christmas carolers.

DreamMore Resort’s signature restaurant, Song & Hearth, serves buffet-style family breakfasts and dinners featuring Southern classics made with seasonal flair. For guests visiting on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, the 300-room resort will offer a curated holiday buffet of comfort foods like warm biscuits, a carving station, popular country sides and specialty desserts.

*Dollywood’s Red velvet-flavored funnel cake, a holiday treat, is topped with sweet cream cheese icing and whipped cream.*

The Spa at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort gets into the holiday spirit with seasonal treatments designed to help guests de-stress as they navigate one of the busiest times of the year. They can choose from a peppermint and mocha-scented mani-pedi combo, a chocolatey facial that will leave skin hydrated and glowing, or an iced peppermint mocha massage that uses chilled infinite globes to soothe sore muscles and provide complete relaxation. To learn more about the spa and its treatments, check here.

Guests who prefer woodland creatures, Santa’s reindeer and holiday décor inspired by nature should choose a stay at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. On December 5, the 302-room lodge will host a tree-lighting event centered around its Murray Cypress Christmas tree, which measures more than 25 feet and that’s traveling from a family-owned farm in Jesup, Georgia. The event will be hosted by Dolly’s niece, Heidi Parton, and include music, popcorn, warm drinks and a holiday sing-along.

The merriment continues throughout the season with nightly musical entertainment, including special performances of holiday favorites at Acoustic Lobby every Friday and Saturday evening, and outdoor fireside sing-alongs of popular Christmas carols. Guests can also visit Camp DW and choose from a variety of festive craft activities available at an additional fee. HeartSong Lodge will also introduce Holly Claus, Santa’s niece, who will interact with guests on select dates from Thanksgiving Day weekend onward.

HeartSong Lodge’s culinary team offers a feast of locally sourced fare at its signature restaurant, Ember & Elm. Dine here for a breakfast buffet or a la carte items, or at dinner for its thoughtfully crafted menu featuring Smoky Mountain Christmas festival favorites. The lodge will also host a family-friendly buffet in its main ballroom on each major holiday.

A stay at either of Dollywood’s pair of resorts is the best way to experience the more than 6 million lights at Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival because both hotels offer exclusive benefits like complimentary transportation, TimeSaver Passes, morning priority access to park attractions, package delivery of park purchases and more.

For the ultimate holiday getaway, book the resorts’ Christmas Tree Décor Package, which includes a decorated 3-foot faux Christmas tree, a letter from Santa’s elves, baked cookies, a commemorative ornament, a Christmas-themed gift for each child in the room, and an assortment of holiday candies. The package is available throughout the duration of the Smoky Mountain Christmas festival at a starting rate of $364 per night.*

To learn more about Dollywood Resorts and to book a holiday getaway, please visit www.Dollywood.com/Resorts.

About Dollywood Parks & Resorts

A highly awarded and widely recognized leader in the amusement industry, Dollywood Parks & Resorts – which is celebrating its 40th anniversary season throughout 2025 – consists of the 165-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; and two award-winning resort properties: Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort.

*Dollywood sells an average of 2,700 to 3,000 loaves of its famous cinnamon bread daily.*

As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade; winner of 64 Golden Ticket Awards; and recipient of 28 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment.

The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park and earned the Golden Ticket Award for the Best Park in the world in 2023. In 2022, 2024 and 2025, Dollywood was named by Tripadvisor as the #1 theme park in the country based on actual guest reviews. It also has been recognized as a top U.S. theme park by USA Today on multiple occasions.

Dollywood is open mid-March through early January and offers rides and attractions, shows and crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel and Tripadvisor as one of the country’s most beautiful water parks, operates from mid-May to mid-September. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort provide guests with spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. For more information, visit Dollywood.com. Park operating days and hours vary.

Taste New and Returning Culinary Delights at Dollywood This Spring

Adventure, Dollywood, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, Historic foodways, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Tennessee Mountain Home, Uncategorized

Dolly Parton’s East Tennessee theme park, Dollywood is recognized for its live entertainment, world-class rides, incredible guest service, and tributes to the traditions and culture of the Great Smoky Mountains. As part of that commitment to heritage, the park showcases Southern and Appalachian cuisine. Instead of simply offering traditional amusement park fare, Dollywood makes an extra effort to serve high-quality options that range from family-style comfort foods to unique items created especially for its various seasonal festivals. As part of its ongoing commitment to bringing guests the best dining experiences, Dollywood has debuted a new restaurant this spring for its 40^th anniversary season. Guests can feast on their favorites and try the new offerings as well.

Guests who visit the park during Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival from now through June 8 can indulge in Southern-inspired springtime foods that can be enjoyed individually or by using the Flower & Food Festival Tasting Pass. Those with the tasting pass can sample up to five festival items, including new creations like loaded street fries, pesto caprese paninis, Smoky Mountain grilled corn, blueberry pie milkshakes, wild berry cream cheese funnel cakes and a Salad of Many Colors (named for Dolly’s beloved song, “Coat of Many Colors”). The pass can be purchased in the park or online for $42.99 plus tax.

Dollywood will introduce its newest dining venue, Wilderness Pass Restaurant, during the festival. Opening in early May, the restaurant is set to serve a variety of smoked meats along with Southern classics like hush puppies and mac and cheese. Wilderness Pass will also debut a brand-new menu item for the park: rotisserie chicken. The restaurant, which features both indoor and patio seating, can accommodate 400 people and will allow guests to order their food in line before choosing their table.

Dollywood has also become famous for some iconic foods that are offered all season long. For generations, park-goers have flocked to the Grist Mill to devour Dollywood’s world-famous cinnamon bread, which can be enjoyed “naked” or with a side of icing and/or apple butter. The theme park’s original restaurant, Aunt Granny’s (named for what Dolly’s nieces and nephews call her), is consistently named among the best theme park restaurants in the country and serves Southern favorites like fried chicken and pot roast. Spotlight Bakery, located right near the park’s entrance and exit – making it a great first or last stop of the day – provides an array of desserts, including a 25-pound apple pie that’s baked in a specially made, huge cast-iron skillet.

Dollywood’s culinary team acknowledges the food allergies and avoidances that park guests have. With that in mind, they developed a Start Fresh program that ensures vegetarian and gluten-free items are available throughout the park. And when guests inform the culinary team about food sensitivities or allergies, the team ensures that foods are prepared without any cross-contamination.

For more information about Dollywood’s culinary offerings and to plan a trip during its 40^th anniversary season, please visit Dollywood.com.

About Dollywood Parks & Resorts

A highly awarded and widely recognized leader in the amusement industry, Dollywood Parks & Resorts – which celebrates its 40th anniversary season in 2025 – consists of the 165-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; and two award-winning resort properties: Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade; winner of 64 Golden Ticket Awards; and recipient of 28 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment.

The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park and earned the Golden Ticket Award for the Best Park in the world in 2023. In 2022 and 2024, Dollywood was named by Tripadvisor as the #1 theme park in the country based on actual guest reviews. It also has been recognized as a top U.S. theme park by USA Today on multiple occasions.

Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa as well as Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort provide guests with spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. For more information, visit Dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.

All photos courtesy of The Dollywood Company.

Looking Good: Dolly Parton’s wardrobe exhibit now open at Dollywood’s Heartsong Lodge & Resort

Dollywood, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, Tennessee

Fashion choices always make headlines during awards season, and since the 1960s, Dolly Parton’s iconic looks are frequently in the spotlight. For a limited time, some of her signature styles will be on display at Dollywood Resorts, giving guests an up-close look at her rhinestones, fringes, metallics, and more.

Overnight guests, diners, and spa-goers at Dolly’s two resorts in the Great Smoky Mountains (Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort) can explore a curated selection of wardrobe pieces from album and book covers, music videos, concerts, television and films, interviews, and award shows spanning her nearly 60-year career.

The display is part of Dolly Parton’s Wardrobe Exhibit at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, which was curated by Dolly’s niece and archivist, Rebecca Seaver. The Exhibit is on display now through March 12 and is complimentary to overnight guests and patrons of the resorts. So even if you don’t stay overnight, you can get an entry voucher by dining at one of the resort’s restaurants or visiting the spa.

The Dolly Parton Wardrobe Exhibit is just one of many special happenings at Dollywood Resorts and Parks, which this year is celebrating the 40^th anniversary season of Dollywood theme park, the 25^th anniversary of Dollywood’s Splash Country water park and the 10^th anniversary of Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa.

All photos courtesy The Dollywood Company.

Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge Now the Home of an Incredible Piece of Movie History

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Uncategorized

The item in question is a wooden panel from the 1997 film “Titanic,” which lead character “Rose” managed to climb on and survive the ship’s sinking while fellow lead “Jack” clung to it from the water and perished. The panel has been the subject of much debate for more than 25 years – could both characters have fit on it and lived? – and it outsold 1,600 other auction items and costumes from other notable films.

After being in storage for more than 20 years, the panel has found a new home at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Here, it can finally be seen and appreciated by the general public through a special movie-themed display. Other items in the new exhibit include original wardrobe pieces from the film; the lifejacket Rose wore (and actor Kate Winslett signed); and a prop violin signed by all the cast members and the film’s director, James Cameron.

These items join hundreds of others at the museum, which is home to one of the world’s largest permanent collections of Titanic artifacts. Many of those items have incredible historic significance because of their direct personal ties to the more than 2,200 passengers and crew members who were aboard the ship.

What’s the Item?

This wooden panel is one of the most iconic and talked-about props in Hollywood history.
It’s an ornate piece of carved wood, which most movie-goers might call the “door” that featured prominently in the Oscar-winning blockbuster “Titanic.”
The panel helped save the character Rose, portrayed by Kate Winslet, from drowning as Titanic sinks.
Since the movie was released in 1997, fans have speculated whether Jack, the film’s other main character (portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio), could have fit on the wood panel with Rose, thereby saving his own life.
Now visitors to the Titanic Museum Attraction can decide for themselves if two people could have fit aboard.
It’s the focal point of a new display that pays tribute to the saga of “Titanic” movie characters Rose and Jack.

Photo courtesy of the Titanic Museum Attraction

Why a Piece of Wood?
The eight-foot balsa wood movie prop was based on the most famous complete piece of debris salvaged from the Titanic, which sank in 1912.
The intricately carved prop bears a striking resemblance to the Louis XV-style panel housed in the Maritime Museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Titanic Director James Cameron regularly visited that museum when doing research for his film, and it inspired him to create a similar piece of debris to stage Jack and Rose’s emotional final moments.

What Else Is in the Special Movie Exhibit?

Several original wardrobe pieces worn by the character Rose.
The coat worn by the character Cal.
The lifejacket worn by the character Rose, which was signed by the Oscar-winning actor who portrayed her, Kate Winslet.
A prop violin used in the movie and signed by all the key cast members, director James Cameron and Celine Dion.

What Else Is at Titanic Museum Attraction?

More than 1,000 artifacts.
This attraction houses one of the largest permanent collections of Titanic items anywhere in the world.

Where Did This Prop Come From and Where Has It Been?

The prop has been in storage for two decades.
It was acquired in March, at the Heritage Auctions’ “Treasures from Planet Hollywood” auction.
It was the auction’s highest-selling item, outselling 1,600 key items and costumes from other notable films such as Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

How Do People See It?