We're passionate about all things Dollywood and Sevier County, and we want to share that passion with you. Come along as we explore all that this beautiful area has to offer. From Dollywood and Splash Country to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove, there's something for everyone in Sevier County.
We're also big fans of Dolly Parton, and we'll be sure to keep you up-to-date on her latest news and projects. We're sure you'll find something to love here.
It recently came to my attention that Grey Line Bus Tours offers a Nashville-to-Dollywood-Nashville one-day trip available for around $200.
I can't find a daily schedule of events but based off of driving Knoxville to Nashville and back for over 30 years, I can make a good guesstimate.
7am - Depart Downtown Nashville - Central Time
10-11am - Arrive at Dollywood - Eastern Time
7pm - Depart Dollywood - Eastern Time
9:30-10:15 - Arrive Downtown Nashville - Central Time
For the time zones, in my head I have to tell myself that it takes me 2 hours on the clock to get to my parents' house in Nashville from Knoxville, and it takes 4 hours on the clock to get home to Knoxville, coming from Nashville. Over the past several years the travel time has crept upwards.
At this moment I'm looking at availability for the rest of October and it's pretty limited, so this tour seems like it is already a popular option. I know that it can be a daunting experience for the Nashville tourists who want to visit Dollywood. You may have to rent a car, drive over 400 miles round trip, factor in a time change, book a hotel, eat, buy park tickets, park at the park.... it's a lot to do to make it happen. If you are coming here from overseas, then it compounds all of that work...so, this idea seems to me like it should have happened decades ago.
This is what you'll see when you head to their website. Click the image to make it larger. In the bottom left, I selected one adult and one child. The cost is $416 after 'fees' are added.
I looked around for some first-hand experience reviews but came up short. If anyone has an experience to share, please let me know about it in the comments section. Apparently, the busses are outfitted with Wi-fi....so, there's that. I kind of wonder if it stops at the Bucee's in Crossville, which kind of halfway in between the two?
Here is the website where you can book your trip, if you desire. Begin with selecting a date and then click on the times that are available - which is 7am. It will then take you to the ticket purchase page. Good Luck!
Something else to note, in my blog post about the upcoming Dollywood hotel , SongTeller, off of Broadway in Nashville, I mentioned that the hotel would likely have day long excursions to the park. I'm imagining that the Gray Line Service will become part of the SongTeller Hotel's service. Makes a lot of sense to me for them to outsource this service to a tour bus company.
π΅Blog Posts and other Helpful Trip Planning information -
Dollywood's 2026 Ride - Hidden Hollow Aviation - Updates, Photos, Videos of it Under Construction.
Hotels with High Ratings in Pigeon Forge. I have created a spreadsheet that incorporates ratings from different reliable sources and ranked hotels in the area. I've listed out columns for things like indoor pools, hot tubs and more on the spreadsheet. Very helpful if you, or someone in your group is looking for a specific amenity.
Top Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge. I have created a list of the best Breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge using ratings from various reliable sources and ranked them in my blog post.
Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as Big Bear Mountain footage.
Dollywood has unveiled the details for their HARVEST FESTIVAL 2025 TASTING PASS.
Running from Friday, September 12, to Monday, October 27, 2025, the event offers plenty of time to experience it all. Let’s dive into what’s in store! Notice that the park will maintain the same operating hours throughout this festival - 10am to 9:00pm...and they're open every single day!
Here's the link to ''BUY NOW'' - click here to do that, if you wish. All of this info is found on this page at Dollywood.com - Click Here.
A few tips for the tasting pass....
You can use all five menu items in one visit, or over several visits. Just use it before the festival ends on October 27th.
If you are looking for a lightish date night meal, you may want to split one pass with your bestie and sample different things. Get creative, you can each get two 'entree' items, and split a dessert treat!
Diamond and Gold Passholders, $39.99 is your discounted price....not including taxes and fees.
Beverages
click to enlarge image
Savory Bites
Desserts
SCENES FROM AROUND THE PARK DURING HARVEST FESTIVAL
~Scroll Down for Videos~
Check out my videos from last year's festival
What are your thoughts on the offerings for the Harvest Festival? Share your opinions in the comments.
π΅Blog Posts and other Helpful Trip Planning information -
Dollywood's 2026 Ride - Hidden Hollow Aviation - Updates, Photos, Videos of it Under Construction.
Hotels with High Ratings in Pigeon Forge. I have created a spreadsheet that incorporates ratings from different reliable sources and ranked hotels in the area. I've listed out columns for things like indoor pools, hot tubs and more on the spreadsheet. Very helpful if you, or someone in your group is looking for a specific amenity.
Top Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge. I have created a list of the best Breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge using ratings from various reliable sources and ranked them in my blog post.
Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as Big Bear Mountain footage.
As I write this we are in peak-Christmas season, just a few days out from the big day and I am wrapping up my videos from Dollywood's Harvest Festival. I had several videos from this festival and it's nice to have them all in one place to easily share them with you all. Of course they are all on my Dollywood Playlist on YouTube, but here they are all bundled up together.
Smoky Creek Leather & Hat Co, in Craftsman's Valley
Blown Glass Shop - Harvest Highlights
Emporium - Harvest Highlights
Dolly's Fan Shop
π΅Blog Posts with other Helpful Trip Planning information
Hotels with High Ratings in Pigeon Forge. I have created a spreadsheet that incorporates ratings from different reliable sources, and ranked hotels in the area. I've listed out columns for things like indoor pools, hot tubs and more on the spreadsheet. Very helpful if you, or someone in your group is looking for a specific amenity.
Top Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge. I have created a list of the best Breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge using ratings from various reliable sources, and ranked them in my blog post.
Tons of YouTube videos - I have so many YouTube videos of Dollywood including every festival and lots of general park updates as well as Big Bear Mountain footage.
I hope you enjoy this Dolly at Dollywood Thanksgiving Special from 1987, as much as I do every year. Feels like a wayback machine trip.
I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving! Thank you all for your continued support with What's Up At Dollywood as it continues to grow.
Dolly, as far as I know, is not going to be at the Dallas Cowboys football game this year, sadly. But you can re-live that show in its full glory below, through Youtube.
You may have to click a link to watch on YT itself, due to the NFL media rules.
Here's Dolly all the way back in March of this year, 2024 in the Opening Day Dolly Parade at Dollywood.
I have been doing some research for all things Thanksgiving in Sevier County for 2024. What's Open for Meals, Fun Stuff to Do, etc. Dollywood is closed on Thanksgiving Thursday, reopening at 11am on Friday. As of this writing, Friday November 29th says the Crowd Calendar for Dollywood attendance will be at 40%, which makes it a great day to go if that number holds. It will likely change as the date draws closer and the weather is good. Dollywood's two resorts and restaurants will be open for Thanksgiving Day.
What is in this article?
π£Restaurants that are open. I've found a few lists of restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving Day.
π£I've listed some catering type options for those of you who want to retreat to a cozy cabin and not cook, or cook very little. Note that some advance ordering will need to happen.
π£Other entertainment options that are open on Thanksgiving Day, like Snow Tubing, Ripley's, Mountain Coasters and more!
π¦Let's Get Started π¦
π£Restaurants Open On Thanksgiving Thursday
Visit East Tennessee's Facebook page has this great list of Restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving Day...3 Pages worth!
I have a couple Restaurant Related blog posts that might be of interest to you...
Top Breakfast Restaurants in Pigeon Forge. I have created a list of the best Breakfast restaurants in Pigeon Forge using ratings from various reliable sources, and ranked them in my blog post.
There are several restaurants that offer these Takeaway Feasts. Perfect if you're wanting to have all your fun in a cabin! Make sure you order in advance.
Applewood Farmhouse Grill
Applewood Farmhouse Grill has a special Thanksgiving-To-Go special menu with Two Offerings - Mini Feast $75, or Family Feast for $135, details Below. Applewood Farmhouse Grill also has 'Cabin Packs' year-round, which is another option for you from Applewood Farmhouse Grill.
Link to Applewood Farmhouse Grill Thanksgiving Website - Click Here
Thanksgiving-To-Go Meal - Two Options Available
Here's what's included in the 'Mini Feast' for $74.99, above. LINK
Here's what's included in the 'Family Feast' for $134.99, above. LINK
Cabin Packs - Dinner and Breakfast Options
Year-Round Offerings
Calhoun's Restaurants - They will cook an entire Thanksgiving Dinner for you. They have Two Sevier County Locations, as well as in Knoxville, Lenoir City, Maryville, Oak Ridge. See all Locations Here.
Calhoun's' Sells "Holiday Packs" of either Smoked Turkey or Prime Rib, with sides, as well as their own Beers! Be sure to order in advance, 48 to 72 hours. Check out the details and pricing HERE.
They also sell "Family Packs'' with other options like BBQ Pork, Brisket and Rib, with sides. You can order online the day-of for Family Packs. Check out the details, pricing and Order Online HERE.
You can read more about their beer offerings on this drink menu from the Pigeon Forge location...on Page 5...Click Here for PDF.
Guide To Mountain Coasters - Every Single Coaster, how they do pricing, LOTS OF INFO. Take a look at all the types of mountain coasters in Sevier County. All of them should be open on Thanksgiving...and they may be busy.
Helene swept through our region, causing minor damage around Dollywood, but the impact was significantly less severe than what we witnessed in far east Tennessee, such as Greeneville and Unicoi County. The damage was even more extreme in western North Carolina, including Asheville and numerous smaller mountain communities.
Several people are reported missing, though many are likely out of communication due to widespread power outages and disrupted cell service. Wi-Fi has been a lifeline for those fortunate enough to have restored power, allowing them to stay connected with loved ones.