We took a fantastic fall family trip this year to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. During this trip we spent the days experiencing the Harvest Festival at Dollywood and the nights experiencing the Great Pumpkin LumiNights exhibit!
Dollywood
Dollywood is a theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, only a few minutes from Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The park has been expanding and improving since my last visit, which was about 2 decades ago!
The theme of the park is the culture and history of the Appalachian region, including the family history of Dolly Parton, for whom the park is named.
Dollywood features 11 themed areas with 9 coasters and countless other attractions, including a narrow gauge steam train that serves as a park icon.
Our family’s favorite coasters were the Whistle Punk Chaser and the Dragonflier.
Even our five-year-old could ride them! Mystery Mine and Thunderhead were favorites for our older two children (the only two tall enough to ride those).
Just like in the rest of the region, the food is spectacular. Dollywood Cinnamon Bread, generally praised as the best snack at the park, did not disappoint!
We ate lunch at Till & Harvest, which featured a limited menu of Mexican staples and a handful of theme park staples. It’s located in Wildwood Grove, the newest expansion of the park.
When I was here in the mid-1990s, I actually saw Dolly Parton perform! The shows are fewer and farther between in the days of COVID-19. Smaller shows made up of one or two talented performers claim walkways like buskers and enhance the atmosphere.
Harvest Festival at Dollywood
The theme park has several seasonal events and we were happy to visit during them. Each fall, the Harvest Festival at Dollywood expands the offerings, celebrating professional craftsmen, showcasing southern music, and lighting up the sky with the Great Pumpkin LumiNights!
Colossal pumpkins were added to the festival this year. Several massive pumpkins from all along the east coast were on display. They were so big, it was hard to believe they were real!
Special foods were added for the season, too. Pumpkin-themed foods were everywhere and included pumpkin praline funnel cake, pumpkin bread, cannoli, and cream puffs. We tried the cream puffs, which were pumpkin flavored with praline sauce. They were delicious and extra rich!
Great Pumpkin LumiNights
When the sun sets, it’s time for the Great Pumpkin LumiNights!
The prestige of this event may be the 40-foot pumpkin tree, but you’ll find something glowing in just about every corner of the park.
Pumpkin spiders perch on glowing rope webs!
Pumpkin quilts are a nod to southern culture and craftsmanship. The lights slowly change color.
You can even walk through a forest of hanging lights and fog! It was picturesque, but, ironically, it was very difficult to get a good picture!
Plan Your Visit
Dollywood
2700 Dollywood Parks Boulevard
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 37863
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