Getting to Dollywood by Plane

Hi everyone,

I've noticed that many people are asking about flying to Dollywood. I thought I would write an article that would be helpful.

As a Knoxville resident for 30+ years, I know that McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) can be expensive to fly in and out of. However, it is a great airport to fly in and out of, as it is compact and easy to navigate. If you are willing to add a road trip to your journey, there are some other airports that may be more budget friendly.

✈️The closest commercial airports to Dollywood:

👉Knoxville, Tennessee - McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) - Link Here.

TYS is the closest airport and is about 1 hour drive to Dollywood.

👉Chattanooga, Tennessee - Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) - Link Here

CHA is about 2 to 2.5 hours' drive to Dollywood.

👉Johnson City/Kingsport/Bristol, Tennessee - Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) - Link Here

TRI is about 1.5 to 2 hours' drive to Dollywood. 

✈️Further Away, you have these options:

👉Asheville, North Carolina - (AVL) - Asheville Regional Airport - Link Here.

Google maps says this is about 2 to 2.5 hours away from Dollywood.  You'll be driving through the Smoky Mountains where nighttime driving is dark, and the roads are curvy.

👉Charlotte, North Carolina - (CLT) - Charlotte-Douglas International Airport - Link Here.   

This is about 3 to 4 hours' drive to Dollywood, including going through the Smoky Mountains. 

👉Nashville, Tennessee - (BNA) - Nashville International Airport - Link Here. 

This is about 4.5 to 5 Hours to Dollywood, and about 2.5 to 3 Hours on the return trip.

Note that this airport is in Central Time and one hour behind Dollywood, which is in Eastern Time.  You'll add the extra hour going from Nashville to Dollywood and gain the hour on the return trip.  This road trip will take you over the Cumberland Plateau in East Tennessee.

👉Atlanta, Georgia - (ATL) - Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport - Link Here. At least 4 Hours away.

Some important notes about Atlanta Airport - It's in the Eastern time zone, as is Dollywood.  It's the world's busiest airport by passenger count and in 2023 it had 104.7 million, and in 2022 it had nearly 94 million passengers pass through it....so, yeah.  It's a very large airport and it seems like my connecting flights are always on opposite ends of the airport, making connections challenging.  It's located south of Atlanta, so your road trip North to Dollywood will likely include passing through downtown Atlanta and its notorious traffic.  Atlanta Airport is next to I-285, which is the perimeter highway circling Atlanta and that may be an option to avoid passing through downtown Atlanta.  Google maps says it is a 4 hour drive IN NO TRAFFIC, so add a bit more time for rush hours.  Atlanta is Delta's main hub, so you'll easily find Delta flights, but almost every airline flies in to ATL.  Atlanta airport is connected to Atlanta's 'subway' system, MARTA, which adds lots of options if you want to spend time in Atlanta first or on the return end of your trip, great for those budget conscious travelers.  Some of the Marta stations have car rentals at or near the stations.  This road trip does not include driving through any mountains.  Traffic aside, it's a fairly easy drive.

👉Lexington, Kentucky - (LEX) - Bluegrass Airport  -  Link Here.

This is a 3.5-to-4.5-hour drive to Dollywood.  This is in the Eastern time zone, so no time change.  You do have to drive through the Cumberland Mountains North of Knoxville on I-75 to get to Dollywood.

👉Cincinnati Airport - (CVG) - Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport - Link Here.

This is a 4.5-to-5-hour drive to Dollywood.  This is in the Eastern time zone, so no time change.   The airport is in Northern Kentucky - south of Cincinnati so you will avoid driving through Cincy. You do have to drive through the Cumberland Mountains North of Knoxville on I-75 to get to Dollywood.

KEY: Star=Dollywood, Circles=Featured Airports, Blue Line=Central/Eastern Time Zone

 

✈️Flying your own plane?

👉Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport - (IATA: GKT, ICAO: KGKT, FAA LID: GKT) is a county-owned public-use municipal airport in Sevier County, Tennessee, United States. The airport is well north of the cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, but only two nautical miles (3.7 km) southeast of the central business district of Sevierville, and within its city limits.

This airport is 6 miles to Dollywood.

Wiki - Gatlinburg-PF Arpt

LINK HERE: https://www.gktairport.com/

👉Knoxville Downtown Island Airport or Knoxville Downtown Island Home Airport - (ICAO: KDKX, FAA LID: DKX), often referred to as Island Home Airport, is a general aviation airport located approximately one-half mile east of downtown Knoxville, in Knox County, Tennessee, United States.

This airport is included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015, which categorized it as a reliever airport.^[3] Although most U.S. airports use the same three-letter location identifier for the FAA and IATA, this airport is assigned DKX by the FAA,^[1] but has no designation from the IATA.^[4]

Wiki - Downtown Knox Arpt

Runway Lighting was recently installed at Island Home Airport

LINK HERE: https://www.dkxairport.com/

Recent (October 2023) Article about the Island Home Airport ...read that HERE.

 

Where Can I Find ________ at Dollywood? Check Out This Handy List! - a post from Dollywood's Blog

 

I saw this post and it is full of great information!  By the way, if you're not already following the Official Dollywood Blog, please do so.  They post relevant information to your Dollywood visits.  Hopefully you have bookmarked or signed up for RSS Feeds for this blog too!  And my youtube channel (here!) It's greatly appreciated!

You can find this post from Dollywood's Blog Right Here!

On to their post - Where Can I Find ______???

Written by Amber Davis

• 

I want to make your Dollywood experience better, so I thought it would be helpful if I gave you a handy reference list for where can you find miscellaneous items you may have forgotten at home. Think: batteries, eye drops or (gasp!) deodorant. Similarly, I thought it may be of use to give you a list of certain kinds of foods you may be looking for. [Read: Help! My kids only eat three kinds of foods!] I hope you can file this information away for the next time you realize you need (fill in the blank) while you’re at Dollywood. I’m listing the stores/restaurants where you can find these items as well as which area of the park.

This is not an exhaustive list, though I tried to think of the most-commonly requested items. It’s current as of July 2022.

Baby Care (Diapers, Wipes, Pacifiers, Bottles)

Dollywood Emporium (Showstreet), Temple’s Mercantile (The Village), Hillside General Store (Craftsman’s Valley), Mountain Grove Merchants (Wildwood Grove), Mystery Mine Shaft (Timber Canyon)

Self-Care Items (Sunscreen, Over-the-Counter Medicine, Etc.)

Dollywood Emporium (Showstreet), Gazebo Gifts (Showstreet), Temple’s Mercantile (The Village), Hillside General Store (Craftsman’s Valley), Eagle’s Flight Outfitters (Wilderness Pass), Volunteer Supply (Wilderness Pass), Mountain Grove Merchants (Wildwood Grove), Mystery Mine Shaft (Timber Canyon)

Cold Weather Goods (Gloves, Hats, Sweatshirts, Etc.) and Heat Relief (Fans, Misters, etc.)

Dollywood Emporium (Showstreet), Gazebo Gifts (Showstreet), Temple’s Mercantile (The Village), Eagle’s Flight Outfitters (Wilderness Pass), Mystery Mine Shaft (Timber Canyon), Mountain Grove Merchants (Wildwood Grove)

 

Dolly Merchandise (Apparel, Perfume, Dolls, Etc.)

Dolly’s Closet (Adventures in Imagination), Dollywood Emporium (Showstreet), Temple’s Mercantile (The Village); if off-site, you can find Dolly merch at Pokeberry Lane, the retail shop inside Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa. Check the hours here.

Souvenir Mugs (Purchase and Refills)

While supplies last, you may purchase souvenir mugs at all dining locations.

You may refill souvenir mugs throughout the park—wherever you see a Coke fountain. Check out this video for an explainer on how the souvenir program works.

Coffee/Hot Chocolate

Starbucks coffee is available at Spotlight Bakery (Showstreet) and Splinter’s Funnel Cakes (Wilderness Pass).

Drip coffee is available at Front Porch Café (Showstreet), Aunt Granny’s Restaurant (Rivertown Junction), Grist Mill (Craftsman’s Valley), Market Square (Showstreet), Showstreet Ice Cream (Showstreet), Red’s Drive-In (Jukebox Junction), Till & Harvest (Wildwood Grove), Lumber Jack’s Pizza (Timber Canyon), Dogs N Taters (Rivertown Junction)

Hot chocolate is seasonal and available at Spotlight Bakery (Showstreet), Showstreet Snacks (Showstreet), Showstreet Ice Cream (Showstreet), Front Porch Café (Showstreet), Aunt Granny’s Restaurant (Rivertown Junction), Crossroads Funnel Cakes (Rivertown Junction), Grandstand Café (Country Fair), Grist Mill (Craftsman’s Valley), Hickory House (Craftsman’s Valley), Splinter’s Funnel Cakes (Wilderness Pass), Sweets and Treats (Wildwood Grove), Red’s Drive-In (Jukebox Junction), The Dog House (Wilderness Pass), Lumber Jack’s Pizza (Timber Canyon), Market Square (Showstreet), Dogs N Taters (Rivertown Junction) and Kettle Corn (Rivertown Junction)

Frozen Drinks (ICEE and Frozen Lemonade)

ICEE- Mr. Jerry’s Sit N Sip Refreshments (Craftsman’s Valley), Midway Market (Country Fair), Skyview Snacks (Wilderness Pass)

Frozen Lemonade- Showstreet Lemonade (Showstreet) and Rampage Lemonade (Rivertown Junction)

Home-Cooked Meal (Sit-Down and Order from Menu)

Front Porch Café (Showstreet), Aunt Granny’s Restaurant (Rivertown Junction), Granny Ogle’s Ham N Beans (Craftsman’s Valley)

Pizza

Iron Horse Pizza (The Village), Lumber Jack’s Pizza (Timber Canyon)

Chicken Fingers

Grandstand Café (Country Fair), Hickory House (Craftsman’s Valley), Till & Harvest (Wildwood Grove)

Barbecue

Hickory House (Craftsman’s Valley), Miss Lillian’s BBQ Corner (Craftsman’s Valley), Miss Lillian’s Smokehouse (Craftsman’s Valley)

Burgers

Red’s Drive-In (Jukebox Junction), Till & Harvest (Wildwood Grove)

Mexican

Till & Harvest (Wildwood Grove)

Hot Sandwiches

Market Square Big Skillets

Fish N Chips

Market Square

Corn Dogs

Dogs N Taters (Rivertown Junction)

Salads

Front Porch Café (Showstreet), Iron Horse Pizza (The Village), Lumber Jack’s Pizza (Timber Canyon), Hickory House (Craftsman’s Valley), Grandstand Café (Country Fair), Picnic in the Park (Grab and Go locations: Showstreet, The Village, Craftsman’s Valley, Wilderness Pass)

Wraps

Red’s Drive-In (Jukebox Junction), Picnic in the Park (Grab and Go locations: Showstreet, The Village, Craftsman’s Valley, Wilderness Pass)

Butterfly Pretzels

Showstreet Snacks (Showstreet), Skyview Snacks (Wilderness Pass), Wildwood Grove concession stand (Wildwood Grove), Midway Market (Country Fair)

Cinnamon Bread

The Grist Mill (Craftsman’s Valley), Spotlight Bakery (Showstreet); if off-site, you can find cinnamon bread 365 days a year at the DM Pantry inside Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa. Check the hours here.

Ice Cream

Blue Ribbon Cones (Country Fair), Showstreet Ice Cream (Showstreet), Sweets and Treats (Wildwood Grove)

Gluten Free

Front Porch Café (Showstreet), Red’s Drive-In (Jukebox Junction), Hickory House (Craftsman’s Valley), Iron Horse Pizza (The Village), Lumber Jack’s Pizza (Timber Canyon), Till & Harvest (Wildwood Grove)

Special note for those with food allergies: as you plan your trip, please feel free to reach out to our Culinary Team with any questions about our dining options. You can reach them by phone at 865-428-9428 or by email at dollywoodfoodquestions@dollywood.com.

By Amber Davis

Pigeon Forge Trolley & Dollywood - Information you'll want to know!

Did you know you can ditch the hassle of driving and parking at Dollywood? The Pigeon Forge Trolley offers a comfortable and affordable way to travel directly to the park's front gate. Say goodbye to crowded entrance roads and parking fees, and hello to a relaxing ride!

Enjoy my Trolley Guide Video below...

Dodging Dollywood's December Dilemma: Your Trolley Ticket to Fun!

Planning a winter wonderland escape to Dollywood during Smoky Mountain Christmas? Be prepared for the festive crowds! Parking can fill up fast, turning your joyful anticipation into a stressful scramble. But fear not, merrymaker! Here's how the Pigeon Forge Trolley can save the day:

Skip the parking pandemonium: Forget circling endlessly for a spot. Hop on the trolley at Patriot Park and enjoy a stress-free ride straight to Dollywood's doorstep.

Beat the capacity blues: Don't get caught waiting outside a full parking lot, potentially missing precious park time. The trolley guarantees your arrival, regardless of peak season crowds.

Save your jingle bells (and cash): Trolley fares are significantly cheaper than Dollywood's parking fees, leaving you more moolah for holiday treats and souvenirs.

Bonus tip: Even if Dollywood offers free parking during peak times (good luck finding a spot!), remember the trolley whisks you away from traffic congestion, saving you valuable time and frustration.

Ditch the Car, Ride the Trolley, Save Big at Dollywood!

Staying on the Pigeon Forge Trolley route and planning a Dollywood adventure? Consider leaving your car behind! Not only will you avoid the stress of parking, but you can also pocket some serious savings:

• Skip parking fees: Standard parking costs $22.80, RV parking is $27.35, and preferred parking is a whopping $46. Imagine all the delicious Dollywood treats you could buy with that money!
• Gold & Platinum perks: If you have a Gold or Platinum Season Pass, parking is already included. But why not double down on convenience and enjoy a relaxing trolley ride instead of navigating crowded parking lots?
• Stress-free travel: Leave the driving and parking hassles behind. Hop on the trolley and arrive at Dollywood's doorstep refreshed and ready for fun.

More than just saving money, the trolley offers:

• Convenience: Get dropped off and picked up right at the park entrance, avoiding traffic congestion.
• Relaxation: Enjoy a scenic ride and arrive at Dollywood feeling energized, not frazzled.
• Environmentally friendly: Reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a greener Pigeon Forge.

So, if your hotel is on the trolley route and you crave a stress-free, budget-friendly Dollywood experience, the trolley is your golden ticket! Read on to discover more details and hop on board an adventure!

Details:  What, Where, How Much & When??

What:  Pigeon Forge Trolley

Where:  186 Old Mill Avenue, Pigeon Forge, TN  37863.  Link to Google Maps.

How Much: $2.50 one-way or $3 for all-day wristband.

When:  Every 15 to 20 Minutes, to Dollywood from Patriot Park at 186 Old Mill Avenue.

What:

For the very latest information, schedules and pricing, be sure to double check the Pigeon Forge Trolley official website here:  https://www.pigeonforge.com/trolley/.

Pigeon Forge Trolley Route Map.  Note that the light blue route to Splash is not in operation at this time - see note below about transferring to a Dollywood Tram Below (in BOLD).

Pigeon Forge Trolley Route & Fare Information

Take Note of the Dollywood Trolley hours.  It says it runs 30 minutes before Dollywood opens, and then when Dollywood closes it will run until everyone has returned to Patriot Park.  My advice if you're closing the park is to get to the front gate as soon as possible after the park closes.

Splash Country - if you're going to Splash Country then you have to exit the Trolley at Dollywood, and then switch to the Dollywood Parking Lot Tram to go to/from Splash Country.  I have heard that only some designated trams run to Splash, so it would be wise to inquire with a host when you arrive at Dollywood, rather than guessing or jumping on the first tram you see.  The Tram Attendant at the rear of each tram should also be available to assist.  Read more here.

Where:

The Main Hub where you park for Dollywood, and you can transfer to different routes - including transferring to/from Gatlinburg - they all happen at Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge.  Here's a street view photo of the Hub.

Patriot Park, from Google Maps

Google Street View of Patriot Park Main Hub/Station, AKA Pigeon Forge Mass Transit for Pigeon Forge Trolley System

Easy & Affordable

Visitors can leave their vehicle parked for free at the office at 186 Old Mill Avenue (just beside Patriot Park) and relax on the trolley as they enjoy all the sites and destinations like Tanger Outlets, Dolly Parton's Stampede, the Historic Old Mill, and even Dollywood! All it takes is $3 for a wristband that allows you to ride all day and get off at any of the stops as many times as you like. When looking for a stop, just find a Fun Time Trolley shelter or a Trolley Bear sign at over a hundred locations.

How Much:

Fares

Individual fares paid each time you board a transit. Pigeon Forge Mass Transit drivers will accept exact fare only. Sorry, the transit drivers cannot make change. For a great deal, consider our All Day Transit Pass available for purchase at the Pigeon Forge Mass Transit office. Our safe and courteous drivers will pick you up or drop you off at more than 100 stops throughout the city of Pigeon Forge and and a portion Sevierville. Just wait at a transit bear sign or a transit shelter and we will be there shortly. See the city of Pigeon Forge and a portion of Sevierville in a safe and unique way.

When:

Schedules - Updated February 5, 2024 

Daily 8:00am - Midnight, early March through October
Daily 10:00am - 10:00pm, November and December
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Main Street transit run every 20 to 25 minutes. Wears Valley transits run every 40 to 45 minutes. Dollywood transits run every 15 to 20 minutes.  Gatlinburg Welcome Center transits run every 25 to 30 minutes. These times may vary due to traffic flow during peak tourism days, car shows and holiday weekends.

Accessibility:

Many visitors ask, is the Pigeon Forge trolley wheelchair accessible? Most of the Fun Time Trolley cars are equipped with a wheelchair lift. The trolley drivers will even take special care to drop wheelchair passengers off at a flat area of the Gatlinburg Welcome Center parking lot, where you can transfer between the Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge trolleys easily. Read on for more information about the Gatlinburg trolley.

If you're handi-capable, and need the ECV Rental Services at Dollywood, you'll be glad to know there is one ECV Rental location before the Front Gate, as well as the Main Rental Location just inside the front gate, past The Emporium on your way towards Timber Canyon. Just go left once inside the main gate.

Make your Smoky Mountain Christmas merry and bright with the convenient and affordable Pigeon Forge Trolley. Book your ride today and let the holiday magic begin!

I would love to hear your comments and experiences!

Helpful Resources related to the Trolley

• Pigeon Forge Trolley Official Website
• Additional Trolley Info for Pigeon Forge
  

Top Breakfast Places in Pigeon Forge

July 24, 2022

Hi Everyone, I have noticed that lots of folks want to know about the best breakfast locations in Pigeon Forge, near Dollywood.

I did some research and have ranked the top contenders based on an Average score from Google, Yelp, Facebook and Trip Advisor.

Below, you can see the results with the most popular on top.  Because formatting is wonky on Blogger, I have included the list twice.  Below the results you can find links to all of these establishments.

I hope you're enjoying your time in Pigeon Forge!  Tell me what you think in the comments.

Click to Enlarge Table

Restaurant	Address	Phone	Google Rating (out of 5 Stars)	Yelp Rating (out of 5 stars)	Facebook Rating (out of 5 stars)	Trip Advisor Rating (out of 5 circles)	Ratings Average	Price
The Old Mill Restaurant	164 Old Mill Ave, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863	18654293463	4.7	4.5	4.8	4.5	4.63	$$-$$$
Brick and Spoon - Pigeon Forge	136 Community Center Dr, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863	18654101221	4.5	4.5	4.9	4.5	4.60	$$-$$$
Lil' Black Bear Cafe	3068 Veterans Blvd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863	18653661181	4.7	4	5	4.5	4.55	$
Mel's Diner	119 Wears Valley Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863	18654292184	4.6	4	4.8	4.5	4.48	$
Sawyer's Farmhouse Restaurant	2831 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863	18653661090	4.4	4	4.7	4.5	4.40	$$-$$$
Smoky's Pancake Cabin	4235 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863	18654120986	4.4	4	4.7	4.5	4.40	$
Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe	2785 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863	8657747707	4.3	4	4.6	4.5	4.35	$$
Flapjack's Pancake Cabin	2734 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863	18659086115	4.2	4	n/a	4.5	4.23	$
Paula Deen's Family Kitchen	131 The Island Dr #8101, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863	18653661510	4.2	3.5	4.5	4.5	4.18	$$-$$$
Red Rooster Pancake House	3215 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863	18654283322	4.2	3.5	4.4	4	4.03	$$-$$$
Cracker Barrel -2 PF Locations	2285 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 / 3960 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863	18659084459 & 18654284613	4.4	3	n/a	4.5	3.97	$$-$$$

Links

• The Old Mill Restaurant
  
• Brick and Spoon -Pigeon Forge
  
• Lil' Black Bear Cafe
  
• Mel's Diner
  
• Sawyer's Farmhouse Restaurant
  
• Smoky's Pancake Cabin
  
• Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Cafe
  
• Flapjack's Pancake Cabin
  
• Paula Deen's Family Kitchen
  
• Red Rooster Pancake House
  
• Cracker Barrel