When you are in the Smoky Mountains, you will want to stop by Dollywood at Pigeon Forge, TN and have a wonderful time with the family at this great amusement park. Dollywood has been a favorite of many people as they visit this part of the country.
Dollywood was started and is owned by Dolly Parton and it has a definite country flavor to the rides and park. The park itself sits on 125-acres in the foothills of the Smokies.
There are plenty of rides and things to see and do in this unique amusement park. Rides are available for every member of the family - including special areas just for the little ones. They can play in a special area with challenges just for them in the Lil' Loggers' Landing, or take rides on Lucky Ducky, Piggy Parade, the Village Carousel, the Amazing Flying Elephants, to name just a few.
A new challenge that will be opening in 2010 is called the Adventure Mountain. This fantastic obstacle course will have more than 100 different obstacles to give kids a real challenge. It includes swinging bridges, flying islands, a tire traverse, suspension bridges and more.
The whole family can do some things together, too. There is the train ride on the Dollywood Express that uses a 110-ton steam engine that takes you through the foothills of the Smokies on a 5-mile run. The views are terrific and you will certainly want to bring your cameras as you ride this steam-engine train from out of the past.
Another great place to go is to the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary. This aviary, which is 30,000 square-feet in size, houses many bald eagles - ones that cannot be released into the wild. Talks and demonstrations are given about these birds by representatives from wildlife agencies.
Other great rides include the Mystery Mine. This ride takes you into an abandoned mine and has some real surprises - including sudden drops in the dark of 85-feet! Other sudden turns and amazing maneuvers wait, too, making it a great ride. The ride asks the question - "What if there is no light at the end of the tunnel?"
Altogether, there are more than 30 exciting rides. The thrill rides also include Timber Tower, Mountain Slidewinder, The Thunderhead, and more. There are also some water rides, too. This includes River Battle, Blazing Fury, Daredevil Falls, and more.
One thing that Dolly is famous for is her love of country music. While visiting Dollywood, you will discover that there will be a showcasing of various talent from as many as 12 different performances throughout the day. You will be able to hear bluegrass, country, mountain music and gospel, too, when you visit, and it will be some of the best.
You can also see many crafts from the old days that show you how they did things in the Mountains. This includes actual craftsmen and women performing such arts and crafts as glass blowing, blacksmithing, hand-made wagons, slate tiles, an old grist mill, candles, woodcarving shop, and more.
When it comes time to eat, you can be sure that there will be a wide variety, but you can also be sure that good old-fashioned country cookin' will be there, too. There are may different places to eat, and they include Granny Ogle's Ham n' Beans, Miss Lillian's Chicken House, Hickory House BBQ, All-You-Care-To-Eat Buffet, Crossroads Funnel Cakes, Berries n' Cream, and many more.
If you like the water rides at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN, and want more, be sure to go right down the road and visit Dollywood Splash Country. They'll be ready to give you a great wet ride.
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