Dollywood: A little bit country, a little bit rockin' rides

With its abundance of music and live entertainment, craft demonstrations, celebration of Appalachian culture, year-round festivals, world-class roller coasters and rides, and — of course — its spotlight on icon and namesake, Dolly Parton, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., has long distinguished itself from typical regional theme parks. But with the summer 2015 opening of the 300-room DreamMore hotel, Dollywood has become a true destination resort.

The lovely hotel offers a place for visitors to stay while they explore the park. And there is plenty to explore at Dollywood.

Located amid the stunning Smoky Mountains, it offers spectacular views. Many of Dollywood's coasters are nestled in the woods and capitalize on the hilly topography. The steel coasterTennessee Tornado meanders far from the midway and soars through a forested trail.

Another coaster, Mystery Mine, includes a beyond-vertical drop and a detour into a spooky, abandoned mine. In addition to its stellar crop of coasters, Dollywood offers many other rides and attractions. For example, the swing ride, Barnstormer, sends passengers rushing headlong towards an old barn. River Battle outfits passengers aboard rafts with soaker guns and provides animated targets such as bears and skunks. Riders are also encouraged to soak each other.

As you might expect at a park featuring Dolly Parton, there are a lot of stage shows, and music fills every corner. There's country music, naturally. But there are also shows offering 50's rock and roll, southern gospel, contemporary pop, and more. Potters, blacksmiths, and other artisans can be seen at work and displaying their crafts.

There is plenty to do for younger children, including shows such as "The Little Engine Playhouse" and toned-down rides. Even the more thrilling attractions, like FireChaser Express, can accommodate a broad audience. The coaster features forward and backward launches but is tame enough for passengers as short as 39 inches to ride.