In 1961, the park was founded by the local legend Dolly Parton; Dollywood is an ideal attraction for families who visit the Great Smoky Mountains. The theme park is an array of thrilling rides along with traditional mountain crafts and delicious meals. The park also plays host to a variety of water attractions as well as live entertainment. Dollywood’s most popular attraction is its roller coasters and other rides, but it also has traditional country music, as well as many other attractions. It’s among the most popular attractions in the United States and has been named the top family-friendly vacation spot throughout the Southeast. Park has 11 themes: Wildwood Grove, Craftsmen’s Valley, Rivertown Junction, The Village, Country Fair, Timber Canyon, Jukebox Junction, Owen’s Farm, Adventures in Imagination, and Showstreet. Each of these places offers its distinctive ambiance and features, so it is important to plan your trip accordingly. If, for instance, you’re looking for rides, you shouldn’t miss The Waltzing Spinner, a double-seater ride that can take passengers about 25 feet up in the air! It is also possible to attend the park’s annual festivals, including The Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival or the Christmas in the Smokies. These festivals feature fall-off-the-bone BBQ and some of the most popular regional bluegrass artists. A lot of eateries and shops located in Dollywood offer items inspired by Smoky Mountain, like carvings of wood glass ornaments, glass decorations, candles that are hand-poured, leather products, bracelets and buckles for belts, and Dolly-style clothes. You can buy them directly at the park or order them online and pick your items up in the Dollywood Emporium in front of the park. The park also features several water slides that include Splash Country, the region’s top water park. The park covers 35 acres and has the largest wave pool in the region and numerous water slides. In 2016 Dollywood introduced its Lightning Rod, a wooden roller coaster with top speeds of 75 mph. The ride was designed to resemble the 1950s hot rod, the highest-speed wooden ride! In the park, visitors can witness skilled artisans creating beautiful masterpieces in their craft stations. You can see the blacksmith forge a hammer or a Grist Mill grind corn into a meal and learn to make hand-dipped candles or leather garments.