As I took a bite of cinnamon bread outside of the Grist Mill at Dollywood on Thursday, I couldn’t help thinking: I’ve made it.
I grew up in Nashville and have wanted to visit Dolly Parton’s Tennessee theme park for years, but the timing never worked out – though billboards reading “The Great Smokies are calling” made me consider an impromptu road trip more than once.
I finally took the three-and-a-half hour drive this week for the opening of its new Big Bear Mountain roller coaster and spent a day exploring. Here’s what stood out to me as a first-time visitor and what other newbies like me should keep in mind:
