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Glimpses from Dollywood

April 21, 2026 By Tamera Alexander 11 Comments

How many of you have been to Dollywood before? We visited last week and had a wonderful time.

Dollywood, originally Silver Dollar City before Dolly Parton’s partnership in 1986, is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee near where Dolly was born in a small one-room cabin in Locust Ridge, a rural community just outside Sevierville, in the foothills of the beautiful Smoky Mountains.

The kids look serious in this pic but they loved it!

It took a little coaxing at first, but Leo loved riding the rides. So did Ari, although her choices were more limited due to her age and height.

What trip to Dollywood (or any theme park) would be complete without riding the tea cups?

Ari and Kellie on the frogs
On the train with Kels

Lots of laughter and some good family memories tucked away.

What’s the last theme park you’ve visited? And do you ride ALL the rides? I used to love the roller coasters, but just can’t do those anymore like I used to. But that doesn’t bother me a bit. I get so much joy watching the kids (both young and older) have fun, so it’s a win-win!

Love from Nashville,

Tammy

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Tamera Alexander

Novelist at Novelist
Tamera Alexander is a USA Today bestselling novelist and one of today's most beloved authors of inspirational historical romance and women’s contemporary fiction. While being Gram Tam is her current favorite role, she’ll never turn down a stroll through an old cemetery or browsing through antique shops.
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Comments

  1. Patty says

    April 21, 2026 at 6:08 am

    We visited Dollywood on our honeymoon 11 years ago. I think that’s the last time I’ve been to an amusement park. It ended up being a sort of rainy day so we didn’t get to do a lot, but we did ride a couple of the smaller roller coasters.

    Reply
    • Tamera Alexander says

      April 21, 2026 at 6:24 am

      Look at you, Patty! Roller Coaster Queen! In my book, anyway.😉 That area of the country is so pretty! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  2. Betty Strohecker says

    April 21, 2026 at 8:21 am

    Busch Gardens in Williamsburg near me is probably the last park I visited. And, no, I don’t ride all the rides. I have a height and up and down challenge, which eliminates roller coasters and Ferris wheels. The best I could do was the flume ride at Busch G., but I can go round and round. The Twister works well for me. We took our granddaughter to Disney World when she was five (will be 19 this year). Sadly, she doesn’t remember any of it, but it was a great family vacation. I was fortunate as a ten year old to visit Disneyland the second year it opened, when my father turned a business trip to LA into a family vacation. Since my daughter has lived in CA for 30 years, I have visited it again several times. I will have to say that three trips to Gatlinburg remain among some of my fondest memories. Didn’t make it to Dollywood, which was fairly new then. We did enjoy a show in Sevierville at Lee Greenwood’s theater on one trip. You live in a beautiful state, Tammy.

    Reply
    • Tamera Alexander says

      April 21, 2026 at 6:52 pm

      I love that you’ve been to Gatlinburg, Betty. We’ve traveled the same roads. I would love to visit Busch Gardens and Williamsburg. If ever I make it to Williamsburg (it’s on my list), we’ll need to work in a visit. Loved hearing about your travels and how your dad turned a business trip to LA in to a family vacation. Those memories are so precious. Bless you for sharing today. Loved it!

      Reply
      • Betty Strohecker says

        April 22, 2026 at 7:19 am

        Would absolutely love to work in a visit if you come to Williamsburg. It’s an hour from me and a great place to visit for the America 250 celebration. Williamsburg has the wonderful colonial historical restoration that we always took our students to for a spring field trip when I was teaching and is part of the historical triangle that includes Jamestown and Yorktown. Busch Gardens is an added treat to all of this history.

        Reply
  3. D'Ann Mateer says

    April 21, 2026 at 10:07 am

    So fun! That last theme park I went to was Disney World! Our kids were teenagers, and our family rule for that trip was “everyone rides everything.” Probably the last time I’ll do that! 😂

    Reply
    • Tamera Alexander says

      April 21, 2026 at 6:55 pm

      LOL on that rule, D’Ann. Just kill me now. 🙂 My bout with Covid last year left me with major mastoid issues, and I’m pretty sure one of those roller coasters would just kill me off. LOL But I love the “flying” rides and the ups and downs. Heights don’t bother me. Thanks for sharing—and for the laugh.

      Reply
  4. Becky Wade says

    April 21, 2026 at 10:16 am

    I was at Disneyland for 3 days last year. LOVED it! I haven’t been to Dollywood, but would definitely enjoy a trip there.

    Reply
    • Tamera Alexander says

      April 21, 2026 at 6:57 pm

      Oh we love Disneyland, too, though it’s been a while since I’ve visited out there. You would LOVE Dollywood. So family friendly and the entire park is built among the hills and hollers, so tons of the pathways are shaded. Trees everywhere. Just lovely. And the landscaping is gorgeous! Immaculate. I meant to share pics of Dolly’s original tour bus. Next time! 😉

      Reply
  5. Deena Adams says

    April 22, 2026 at 10:20 am

    We took our kids to Dollywood many years ago and loved it. It’s a beautiful park. We’ve taken our grandkids to Disney World a couple of times but not Dollywood. Maybe we’ll get the chance to do that sometime!

    Reply
  6. Deborah Raney says

    April 22, 2026 at 12:02 pm

    Dollywood was a wonderful surprise to us! We were NOT expecting such a great place with such a wholesome atmosphere. I’d choose it over Disneyland any day of the week!

    Reply

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