Roller coasters, big dreams, and Dolly’s dainty shoes: How this Tennessee amusement park got my family back around the dinner table

We hadn’t sat around the table as a family in years, but that changed after one unexpected trip to Dollywood with my mom’s side of the family.

Dolly Parton’s Tennessee amusement park, nestled in the Smoky Mountains, turned out to be the perfect place to reconnect across generations.

In late July, my family took a two-day trip to the park, arriving on a rainy Wednesday. We had three generations in tow: me, my mom, her two sisters and my grandma. I had visited Dollywood before, but this time, something felt different.

Maybe it was the rocking chairs on the front porch of Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, where we had booked a two-night stay and Thursday morning pedicures.

Or perhaps it was that, even though I’d gone to college in Knoxville and considered myself an honorary Tennessean, Southern Appalachia suddenly felt even more like home when I saw my 87-year-old grandma Ella gently rocking with a contented smile on her face at my arrival.

“Hey girl,” she and my two aunts called. My mom parked the car while we hugged and caught up, munching on a handful of Tootsie Rolls the bellhop had snuck us with the eye twinkle of an old-timey general store clerk.

We checked into our rooms and hatched a plan for our two days, but not without first admiring the detailed touches, all the way down to the toilet paper monogrammed with the hotel’s initials.

Everywhere, artwork and photos reminded us to “dream more,” like the hotel’s name.

And we were ready to do just that.

When Ella met Dolly—where does Appalachaia stop and Pennsylvania begin?

Dolly Rebecca Parton was born in Pittman Center, Tennessee on January 19, 1946. Exactly eight years and 363 days before that, my grandma Ella was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

On the surface, these two places might seem worlds apart: One sits deep in Southern Appalachia, the other at the edge of the northern foothills bordering Pittsburgh. But for me, the similarities between Western Pennsylvania and East Tennessee have always felt obvious.

My family isn’t Southern, but we’re more Appalachian than other parts of Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland, where we moved when I was 11.

Much like Dolly’s upbringing in a small cabin with 11 siblings, my grandma Ella’s roots were shaped by a sense of hard work, resilience and community.

My mom and I refer to her grandmother with the shorthand title of "The Grandma With the Chickens." Because that's what they had: poultry to tend to, cows to milk and hay to bale.

Western Pennsylvania often seems like it's just beyond the "official" borders of Appalachia, but if you’ve been to the rolling hills of both regions, you know they tell a similar story.

Ironically, the closest thing I’ve ever seen to representation of my particular kind of Western Pennsylvania culture is watching Anthony Bourdain eat punkin’ pie cake with the descendants of Italian immigrants in West Virginia.

In contrast, we sat down for a feast of Southern comfort food at Dollywood's Aunt Granny’s Restaurant. Waiters in pioneer outfits served us slow-roasted chicken, pulled pork, mashed potatoes, and bread pudding.

The recipes were different, but both traditions represent a mash-up of hard-won practicality buttered up with fanciful dollops of ooey-gooey good stuff.

Our two-day multigenerational family trip to Dollywood

Our trip officially started when we boarded the trolley to the park from the DreamMore Resort. The vintage-style trolley took us through the resort grounds and dropped us off at the park entrance, where kites hung in the air like a colorful canopy.

The newly opened Dolly Parton Experience was a journey through the singer's legacy

One of the highlights of our trip was visiting The Dolly Parton Experience, a museum-like exhibit dedicated to Dolly Parton’s life and career.

My grandma, who had always loved Dolly, was in her element. We wandered through the exhibit, admiring Dolly’s original lyrics, handwritten on yellowing paper.

Seeing Dolly Parton’s handwritten lyrics to “My Tennessee Mountain Home” at Dollywood hit close to home for me.

I’ve been learning bluegrass with friends during evening classes at Brooklyn’s Jalopy Theater, practicing classic songs like “Bury Me Beneath the Willow” and “Two Dollar Bill.” Yet, Dolly Parton's legacy is often less spoken about than her male peers.

Seeing this familiar song penned in her own ink reminded me how every legacy starts with a few squiggles of a pen. I also realized more intimately how music connects us, whether in the hills of Tennessee or a Tuesday night class in Brooklyn. Let's just say my group chat blew up during my Dollywood trip!

Across from the Songteller building is Dolly's collection of outfits, including the size 5-1/2 custom Christian Louboutin heels that have become synonymous with her style.

The memories and stories during our visit had us laughing and reminiscing like we hadn’t in years. When my grandma posed for a photo in front of a Dolly-themed swing, time seemed to slow down just long enough for us to soak in the moment together. It felt like we were stepping out of our usual rush and just enjoying being a family.

We peeked inside the replica of Dolly Parton’s childhood home, which felt like stepping back in time. The small cabin, built by Dolly's brother Bobby, is modeled after the one in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, where she grew up with 11 siblings.

Filled with original family treasures, the cabin’s vintage furniture and worn dishes offer a glimpse into the everyday life of the Parton family, a snapshot of the upbringing that helped shape one of country music’s biggest stars.

Later, we found ourselves sitting down for a Southern feast at Aunt Granny’s, Dollywood’s family-style restaurant.

It had been years since my mom, grandma, and aunts had all gathered for a meal without distractions, but here, between bites of slow-roasted chicken and veggies, we found our rhythm again.

Day two began with pedicures at the DreamMore Spa

The next morning, my Aunt Deb had the genius idea of booking us pedicures at The Spa at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort.

This little moment of self-care felt like a much-needed pause in our busy Dollywood itinerary. My grandma, my mom, my aunts, and I all settled into plush chairs next to large windows framing the greenery outside.

Outside the spa in the lobby, children’s laughter could be heard as they ran in and out of the elevator. One particularly loud, wonderous "wow!" made me giggle and warmed my heart. It was a perfect reminder of the simple magic around us, and how Dollywood provides that kind of wonder.

Even in these quiet moments, the spirit of multigenerational travel was present: slowing down, enjoying each other's company, and realizing that the best moments sometimes happen when you least expect them.

After the pedicure, I meandered through the hallways and spotted Dolly Parton’s silver dulcimer with butterfly-shaped sound holes.

I immediately snapped a picture and sent it to my bluegrass group chat from Jalopy Theatre. It was one of those full-circle moments, connecting what I’d been learning in class with my admiration for Dolly.

Seeing Dolly’s sparkly dulcimer up close made everything we practiced — root notes, pentatonic scales, solos — feel even more real and connected to a bigger musical tradition.

A show from Heidi Parton's Kin and Friends

Next, we went to the Dreamsong Theater, where we experienced heartfelt performances by Dolly's neice Heidi Parton that brought Dolly’s personal journey to life. I wouldn't be surprised if we each shed a tear or two watching the screen fill with old photos and memories of fan favorites, gospel tunes and hit covers.

Sneaking into Dolly's suite

Okay, so here is where I tell on myself. But in my defense, no family trip is complete without a little adventure. In the afternoon, curiosity got the best of my mom and me as we found ourselves stealing a peek at the Dolly Parton penthouse suite on the sixth floor of the DreamMore Resort.

I can't divulge our methods for getting in, or gush about how beautiful it is inside (take my word: it's gorgeous!). But I can spill this little detail: Rumor has it, the suite has actual golden tiles in the shower.

We don't know for sure if that’s true, but what we do know is that the suite, with its glittering decor and larger-than-life charm, felt like a true extension of Dolly’s spirit — opulent, warm and welcoming.

Check out Dollywood’s Great Pumpkin LumiNights through Oct. 28

If you're planning a trip to Dollywood this fall, don't miss the celebration of the Harvest Festival. Running through October 28, the festival features the ever-popular Great Pumpkin LumiNights with over 12,000 pumpkins lighting up the park. Look for massive pumpkins from the Edwards family of Virginia.

As the Smoky Mountains transition into their autumn hues, I imagine Dollywood’s magic will enchant every family member.

Planning your visit to Dollywood: What you need to know

Here’s a quick guide to help you plan your trip to Dollywood and make the most of your visit:

Tickets

You’ll need separate admission tickets to enjoy both Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country. If you’ve already purchased your tickets online, pick them up at any ticket booth at the park or during your check-in at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort. Don’t forget to bring a valid photo ID (like a driver’s license) when picking up your tickets.

Parking

Guests at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort have two parking options:

1. Resort Trolley Access: You can take advantage of the complimentary trolleys between the resort and Dollywood throughout the day.

2. Preferred Parking: If you drive, use your Preferred Parking certificate. When you arrive, just show it to the parking staff, and they’ll direct you to the preferred parking area.

TimeSaver Passes

To make the most of your time at Dollywood, each guest staying at the DreamMore Resort gets a complimentary TimeSaver Pass. This pass allows you to skip the regular lines on five rides (unlimited during select time windows) or attractions and offers priority seating at select shows.

Accessibility information

Dollywood prioritizes accessibility, making it easy for multigenerational families to enjoy the park together. However, a little planning will help.

Most of the park features level or gently rolling terrain. There is a tent for electric scooters at the front of the entrance, which helps wheelchair users navigate the park's rolling hills more easily. You can reserve them in advance or try first come, first serve. For more information on planning an accessible visit, check out Dollywood's accessibility information on the website’s FAQ.

Did Hurricane Helene affect Dollywood?

Dollywood is open after Hurricane Helene hit the Western North Carolina and East Tennessee area on Sept. 26. As communities across the Appalachian region continue the daunting cleanup efforts, Dolly Parton announced a $1 million donation to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing immediate assistance to Hurricane Helene flood victims.

In addition, Dolly’s East Tennessee businesses (Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show), as well as The Dollywood Foundation, are combining efforts and have pledged to match her donation to Mountain Ways with a $1 million contribution of their own.

During a press conference on Friday, Oct. 4 at Walmart #678 in Newport, Tennessee, Dolly announced these donations. The Walmart location has also helped the local community by offering meals, showers, and laundry facilities to those affected. According to the press release, Mountain Ways also will coordinate other relief efforts, including distributing food, water, and other necessary supplies.

The author’s passion for every trip she writes about is sincere. Some trips may be hosted, but hosting organizations have no control over articles before they're published.