A Dollywood fanatic remembers rides and attractions that have been removed over the years Dollywood’s master plan is a thing of wonder. The 36-year journey from niche theme park to being named the No. 11 theme park in the world, according to TripAdvisor, is a remarkable testament to strategic planning and execution. But with remarkable progress, there is some element
A Smoky Mountain local offers an honest review of the Hatfield and McCoy dinner show Devil Anse Hatfield was no hero. A cantankerous mountain man, he was unyielding and full of hate. He was at the heart of a West Virginia-Kentucky feud that left members of his own family as well as the McCoy family deprived of life for nothing more
A timeline of events that inspired shows, movies and more The truth is sometimes stranger than fiction, and it’s certainly the case with the Hatfields and the McCoys. Growing up in East Tennessee, I’ve seen the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud along the Parkway several times. But until recently, I didn’t know the full story of their famous feud. You
Local talks about what it’s like to walk across this famous glass bridge in the sky When I was a teen in the early 90s, certain things outside the grunge culture were considered cool. For example, there was the “No Fear” athletic brand trend that sold shirts and bumper stickers in a righteously extreme font. It was an ethos inspired by
TN local lists pros and cons of the iconic train ride Bryson City, a small town located in Western North Carolina, is home to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad train ride for 10 months out of the year. But each November and December, it is the host of something more magical. Based on the classic children’s book and movie, The
Branson’s Silver Dollar City looks like a 1990s Dollywood sans the Dolly Parton theme Most loyal fans know that Dollywood has a sister park located 700 miles away in Branson, Mo. And it goes by the name of Silver Dollar City. It may sound familiar because Dollywood also used to be called Silver Dollar City. And both are still owned,
What to expect when you take a ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad There’s so much to do and see in the Great Smoky Mountains. But I recommend that you go just a little further past the state line of Tennessee. You’ll find that the neighboring state also has a lot to offer – especially for train enthusiasts, like
A Smoky Mountain native shares signs that you, like she, might be addicted to Dolly Parton’s namesake park Dollywood is known as the friendliest theme park in the world, and for those of us who grew up with the park practically in our backyard as I did, visiting Dollywood feels like coming home for the holidays. Of course, there are
A first-hand experience visiting Oconaluftee Islands Park in Cherokee When visiting the Smokies, my family loves to stop and stretch our legs at Oconaluftee Islands Park. It’s a small park in downtown Cherokee, North Carolina. If you’re heading into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the North Carolina side, chances are you’ll drive right past it, but I always
Photos from the 1970s remind us of the park that came before Dollywood: Pigeon Forge’s Silver Dollar City Six Flags, Disney, Cedar Point and, yes, Dollywood, are managed with a statistical mastery of people’s behaviors. They are run with precise technologies that track wait times, dining and character interactions. On good days, the best modern amusement parks, of which Dollywood