When you think of spending Christmas time in the Great Smoky Mountains, what’s the first thing you think of? No, not winding, icy roads (but that is something to be on the lookout for). If you’re like us, you’re thinking of ways to spend quality time with family. One of the more memorable events we’ve found is going over the river and through the woods to Dollywood for the Great Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Pigeon Forge in summer and fall serves as the perfect gateway to exploring Great Smoky Mountain National Park. We have a great guide to getting the most out of your trip to the National Park, but we’ve found wintertime limits the activities you can do out in nature. That’s why this time of year is a great excuse to experience the area’s most popular other attraction—Dollywood.
There’s a lot that Dolly Parton does right (okay, she does just about everything right), and as it turns out, theme parks are on that list. From November 1st to January 5th, Dollywood becomes a Holiday-themed extravaganza.
The park itself is a fun time no matter the season, but the holidays really bring out the best of what the experience is all about. Most people are suckers for nostalgia, especially when it comes to Christmastime—and at Revealed Travel Guides we are no different. Show us an idyllic, country town draped in twinkling lights and snow, and we’re ready to deck the halls.
One of the best parts of the Great Smoky Mountain Christmas (besides its reasonable prices—less than half what you’d pay in Orlando) is that there’s a little something for everyone.
If you want thrills, there’s rides like Big Bear Mountain to get your adrenaline pumping.
Those that are looking to feast will find some of the better food offered by any theme park. (Country-style cooking just goes with the Christmas theme.)
Little ones will enjoy visiting Santa’s village to marvel at the colorful displays and see Santa and his helpers.
If excitement or consuming mass quantities is more than you want, taking in the traditional Christmas sights might be more your speed. Just strolling through the various lands in the park listening to carolers singing and admiring the more than six million lights is a great way to savor the moment.
Each night ends like any great celebration should—with a fireworks show. How do you make a fireworks display Christmas themed, you ask? Time the show to Christmas classics! The oohs and ahhs are replaced with singing, and some songs seem tailor made for a fireworks show. (We’re looking at you, Carol of the Bells.)
Not everyone is into the theme park scene. However, Dollywood isn’t your typical theme park. Sure, it’s still touristy, but there’s something wholesome about Dollywood that very few attractions are able to replicate. Add to that charm the Christmas season in an idyllic, mountain setting and you’ve got something that the family will remember for years to come.
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