Dollywood
Nestled in the tree-lined woods of the Great Smoky Mountain foothills in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is Dollywood, a 125-acre Country-Western music theme park. Named after singer/actress Dolly Parton, Dollywood is a popular destination attracting millions of visitors each year. One-of-a-kind adventures and live entertainment features musical talent in country, mountain, bluegrass, and old-fashioned Gospel music.
While the stageshows are a hit with audiences, Dollywood’s thrill rides are on par with the best theme parks, including award-winning rollercoasters, plentiful water excursions, and rides for the little ones. Apart from the amusement rides, Dollywood is known for it celebration of many festivals, including the Festival of Nations, the National Harvest & Music Celebration, and the Smoky Mountain Christmas festival.
In the theme shops, Dollywood showcases the work of craftsmen from days past including blacksmiths, woodcarvers, candle and soap makers. Diners will find old-fashioned southern cooking served up in Dollywood’s many restaurants and cafes.
Dollywood is open from April through the end of December.
Graceland Mansion
The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, was a celebrated musical artist, star of 33 Hollywood movies, and honorable soldier in the U.S. Army. Since his death in August 1977, people over the world have been fascinated by this handsome, humble, and charismatic superstar and have made a pilgrimage to his home, Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Graceland offers fans a look into the private life of Elvis Presley. The 14-acre estate showcases Elvis’ career – his many gold and platinum music awards, personal artifacts, and clothing. The standard tour is self-guided and the journey includes stories told by Elvis and daughter Lisa Marie Presley. An outdoor museum at Graceland displays Elvis’ automobiles including a 1955 Pink Cadillac, a red MG from the movie “Blue Hawaii”, a Harley Davidson motorcycle collection, and more
Other attractions at Graceland include a look inside the Lisa Marie and Hounddog II – Elvis’ customized jets. The “Sincerely Elvis” exhibit each year highlights a different year in the life of Elvis.
The Graceland Mansion is open daily year round, except Tuesdays December through February, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest and just north of the Cherokee Indian Reservation lies the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Over 9 million visitors annually make their way to this half million acre (800 square miles) mountain vista on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. Running in a unique northeast to southwest direction in the southern Appalachian mountains, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its diversity of plant and animal life. Abundant rainfall and a temperate climate, as well as elevation changes (875 ft to 6,643 ft) contribute to the wide variety of species.
In addition, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to a large bear habitat. Nearly 1,800 American Black Bears (the symbol of the Smoky Mountains) call the park home. Several endangered species, such as the northern flying squirrel, Peregrine Falcon, and the Red-cockaded Woodpecker find a protected sanctuary in the park.
Over 800 miles of trails within Great Smoky Mountains National Park lead hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders through the park’s rolling hills and mountains and up past the numerous waterfalls. Campers and fishermen find plentiful campsites and streams. Even those who prefer the comfort of an automobile will find guided auto tours that highlight the park’s many features, such as the blooms and blossoms of spring and summer or the panorama of fall colors.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open year round. There are several visitor centers, some which close during the winter. The Sugarlands Visitor Center, near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is open every day except Christmas.