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Hollywood can't hold a candle to Dollywood, where bright lights and great music reign during the holidays.
Photo by Meg McKinney and Cary Jobe. © 2009 Southern Living
Dolly Parton puts on quite a show at the Celebrity Theatre in Dollywood.
Photo by Meg McKinney. © 2009 Southern Living
by Wanda McKinney
Shake, Rattle, and Roll on Saturday
You will need a good breakfast today, so choose a pancake house, and stoke up. The Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area probably has more pancake houses per capita than Santa has dependent Clauses. My favorite is the Log Cabin Pancake House on Airport Road; it has been there pretty much forever and stays busy, so go early.
Okay, now yell out a mighty chorus of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," and descend upon Dollywood. Take the parkway to Pigeon Forge, and turn at traffic light number eight to indulge your senses in the theme park that Dolly built.
Christmas is a terrific time to visit, with 3½ million lights all aglow and Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas in full swing. Adults pay $40.15 and children ages 4-11 pay $30.10 to see all the special shows, such as Christmas in the Smokies, which features a live orchestra.
Between performances, soak up the demonstrations of glassblowing and blacksmithing. And if the chilly weather shoos you inside, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate in one of the wonderful eateries. At the Backstage Restaurant, you'll get full table service and a great home-style meat loaf.
You have three choices once you leave Dollywood for after-dinner, live entertainment. Kick back at the Louise Mandrell Theater, Black Bear Jamboree, or Dixie Stampede. Take your pick; they're all first-rate.
So, yes, Virginia, there is more to see than Dollywood. After a good night's sleep, you'll be ready to tackle the other options.
Swing Low, Sweet Sunday
So you overdid it yesterday? Not to worry. Take yourself just one block away to the Burning Bush for a leisurely breakfast. Order the Bountiful Breakfast, which includes eggs, cinnamon apples, grits, home fries, buttermilk biscuits, and sausage gravy. Add some bacon or sausage, and you'll be as full as a tick for about $10, depending on meat selection.
Now it's time for a little Gatlinburg shopping. Try the Village, which is downtown and covers 27 shops, including the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen, where you can watch employees making taffy and fudge. You can even ship a token of your confection to your favorite someone.
When it's lunchtime, go down the street to The Park Grill where you'll find the best in service and food in Gatlinburg. Save room for the Jack Daniel's Crème Brûlée or the Chocolate Ecstasy. You'll ho-ho-ho all the way home.
For more information
Contact the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism (800-251-9100; www.mypigeonforge.com) or the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce (800-568-4748; www.gatlinburg.com).
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© 2009 Southern Living
© 2009 Southern Living
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