Hey, y’all!

I recently had the privilege of attending a press trip to Dollywood with four other travel and food writers from around the United States. I was extremely honored to be included in the group – and having worked with Dollywood before, I knew that we were in for a treat.

Upon my arrival at the Dollywood DreamMore Resort (more on that later), I was ready to get to the park & eat! If you have visited Dollywood, or if you are planning to, you probably know that they are all about food. While they have rides and other traditional forms of entertainment, both the hospitality and the culinary scene sets Dollywood apart from its competitors.

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Full disclosure: I don’t ride rides at all and I absolutely love going to the park.

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While my fellow food writers and I were sampling all that Dollywood had to offer, there were several foods that are specific to the autumnal season. Thus, I had to tell y’all about those first… so you can hurry to the park to try them, of course!

I present to you…

The Top Twelve Foods That You Have To Have At Dollywood This Fall

Famous Apple Pie

Spotlight Bakery

Apple pie. It’s as American as it gets, y’all. And you know what they say — the South does it bigger and better! Dollywood’s apple pie uses 25 lbs of apples in the filling alone; one slice weighs in at 3-4 lbs. If you visit the park, you have to have this; it’s available year-round and can also be shipped to your door (and you get the custom skillet pictured below!).

Fruity Pebbles Funnel Cake

Splinter’s

This is as decadent as one would imagine. It’s a hybrid: fair food meets childhood nostalgia. That’s hard to top, y’all!

Cinnamon Bread

Grist Mill

Dollywood is famous, more than any other food, for their cinnamon bread. Have one bite and you’ll see why. You can eat it plain, with icing, or with apple butter; I prefer it without either of the dips, though I recommend trying it with each if it’s your first time indulging in the bread!

PS: if you’re interested in the Cinnamon Bread, I have a short clip on my Facebook page showing y’all how they make it!

Ice Cream

Sweet Shoppe

If you love ice cream and you love chocolate, you’ll die over this Fudge-Ripple Ice Cream Cone from the Sweet Shoppe! The best part? It’s Tennessee-Proud, as many things are in the park. I love that Dollywood focuses so heavily on uplifting the local and regional economy.

Pierogis

Harvest Festival Special, Market Square

Topped with sour cream and chock-full of delicious caramelized onions, these pierogis were finger-lickin’ good. Pierogis, for those of y’all that aren’t familiar, are dumplings that originated in Eastern + Central European cuisine.

Pumpkin Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich

Sweet Shoppe

Need I even describe this beauty? Delicious, creamy Tennessee pumpkin ice cream between two oversized sugar cookies. Two thumbs up!

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

Sweet Shoppe

Stop and give me fifty… of these milkshakes, y’all.

Pumpkin Spice Funnel Cake

Splinter’s

Have y’all ever heard of such? Loved the combination of flavors, textures, and the presentation of this dish. Be sure to share with friends — it’s rich!

Monster Rice Krispie

Spotlight Bakery

I think it’s the memories attached to them – but, I love a good Rice Krispie treat! Spotlight Bakery does them very well; I loved that they weren’t too sweet, were oversized, and I just adored the monster/autumnal decoration!

Fried Green Tomato BLT

Harvest Festival Special, Market Square

I’ve made many a Fried Green Tomato BLT on the blog/online – and y’all probably know that this sandwich is the way to this country boy’s heart. Delicious!

Pumpkin Spice Pork Rinds

Pork Rind Booth, Craftsman’s Valley

Pork Rinds are one of my favorite snacks. Have you ever thought about having pumpkin spice added to them? Call me basic, because sign. me. up. So good!

Low Country Boil

Harvest Festival Special, Market Square

When I talk about Dollywood having elevated food, this is what I’m talking about. Who thinks about going to an amusement park and having a full shrimp boil? Let me tell y’all – it was so, so good!

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Adventure awaits in Pigeon Forge, y’all – when visiting Dollywood, be sure to come hungry. I can promise you this: you will leave full!

As always: Happy Eating, Happy Traveling, Happy Living!

Y’all come back now, ya hear?

My best,

JC

FTC: This post was kindly sponsored by Dollywood; however, as always, all opinions are my own.