Search Results for: blog family vacation at dollywood

Dollywood is For the Birds (Among Other Things)

While Murphy enjoyed Doggywood during our recent Smoky Mountain Getaway, Wayne and I enjoyed Dollywood. And we truly enjoyed it. Especially me, because at every turn I discovered this was no ordinary amusement park. In addition to the exciting rides, craftsman exhibits, and great food, there was also an emphasis on animal conservation. Eagle Mountain Sanctuary As far as birds go, Dolly is definitely for them. In particular the bald eagle. I’m not sure exactly how many eagles call the 30,000 square foot aviary known as Eagle Mountain Sanctuary home, but what a nice one they have! (And apparently it’s … Continue reading →

Family Vacation at Dollywood

Just about everyone loves Dolly Parton and for one of the best family vacations, you can visit her theme park – Dollywood. Located in the beautiful Smoke Mountains of Tennessee, this park is spread out over 125 acres. While there are many excellent theme parks, Dollywood has been rated among the top contenders. We visited a few years ago and I have to say – I WAS IMPRESSED! Some of the rides in the park include The Thunderhead, an award-winning wooden roller coaster, as well as live entertainment, glassblowing, woodcarving, kiddie rides, and much more. If you want some place … Continue reading →

Avoiding Amusement Park Sticker Shock

How much would you pay to fly through the air on a ride that features two pendulum arms that swing through 230 degrees of rotation, reaching 81 feet high and 45 mph? The family thrill ride, dubbed “Barnstormer” is yours for the boarding this summer at Dollywood theme park in Tennessee. Now, would you pay more or less to ride the Barnstormer than the Rev-O-Lution at Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut? The ride features 24 outward-facing seats on a spinning disk that moves back and forth along a halfpipe-like track? Fortunately, you won’t have to dig too deep to experience … Continue reading →

Porter’s Ailing, John’s Left Rehab, and McGinley to be a Dad Again

County legend Porter Wagoner has been hospitalized in serious condition for an undisclosed illness. His publicist, Darlene Bieber, said the 80-year-old Wagoner is asking for prayers from friends and fans. The country star had marked his 50th anniversary with the Grand Ole Opry in May of this year. He was previously hospitalized in July 2006 with a stomach aneurism. Porter is probably best known for his trademark rhinestone suits and for helping a then unknown Dolly Parton get her career started in 1967. Porter saw a recent upsurge in his career when he signed with ANTI-records and was the opening … Continue reading →

Murphy’s Gatlinburg Getaway Part I: The Holiday Inn and Doggywood

I’m so glad I took the time to plan Murphy’s Smoky Mountain getaway. We were pretty much prepared for what to expect while traveling with a dog in the Smoky Mountains, but we also lucked out a little too. Everywhere we took him held surprises! Our Accommodations: The Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort I decided to book us into the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort instead of renting a cabin. For one thing the price was more affordable, but also we didn’t have to worry about driving back and forth from a cabin into town. We could walk to Gatlinburg’s main thoroughfare … Continue reading →

Planning Murphy’s Smoky Mountain Getaway

Photo by Don Wang Not counting the family Christmas road trip all of us –even Mr. Meow–took back in 2005 to Denver, the week we spent looking for houses in March of 2005 when we were moving from Jacksonville to Nashville, or last Labor Day weekend when we made a quick trip down to Jacksonville for a couple of days, we haven’t gotten away for a true vacation to somewhere we’ve never been since we went to Charleston in 2003. Well, we’re finally going to take a few days and head up to Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. A neighbor … Continue reading →

Summer Travel: Calling All Thrill Seekers

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kick off to summer. June 1st is considered the meteorological start of summer. But those of you with school age children know summer really begins on the last day of school (around here that’s June 6th). Just as there are different interpretations as to when summer officially begins, families consist of members who have differing opinions as to what the perfect summer vacation entails. That said, today I am beginning a series of blogs, which cater to the individual interests each family member may have and how each can be satisfied on a group … Continue reading →

Chattanooga, TN: Rock City

Waterfall on Lover’s Leap Cliff, Rock City How do you get people to come pay money to experience a rock garden atop a mountain? One way is how Garnet Carter advertised it: by painting “See Rock City” on barns situated along highways. It all started in the late 1920s when Garnet and his wife, Frieda, decided to make a large walk-through garden on their estate atop Lookout Mountain in Georgia. Frieda diligently collected and preserved over 400 species of indigenous plants to tend and display in her garden. (Among other things, this earned her national acclaim from the Garden Club … Continue reading →

Travel to Cherokee Landing in Tennessee

Located in Middleton, Tennessee is a great place with beautiful scenery called Cherokee Landing. With more than 296 power and water campsites, as well as cabin rentals, this is the ideal destination for families or couples wanting a romantic getaway. While there, you will fall in love with the rolling hills and relaxing valleys. Of course, the gorgeous lake where you can enjoy a paddleboat or canoe is a huge draw, along with the great fishing. With a huge outdoor area to explore, hike, swim, fish, or boat, Cherokee Landing is a wonderful destination but the campsite is also loaded … Continue reading →