PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee — (Oct. 15, 2026) — Travelers looking for memorable locations to add to their 2027 plans should plan a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains and landmark theme park destination, Dollywood. Leading travel guide publisher Frommer’s has named Dolly Parton’s Tennessee as one of its “Best Places to Go in 2027,” recognizing the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, park among its 15 places around the world that travelers should consider visiting in the year ahead.
The annual list is developed by the Frommer’s editorial team, which reviews recommendations from journalists around the world to identify destinations offering compelling reasons to visit. Earning a place on Frommer’s “Best Places” list is a prestigious distinction that highlights destinations offering truly exceptional experiences for travelers. The inclusion underscores Dollywood’s standing as a must-visit destination for travelers.
“Since our founding in 1957, the Frommer’s guidebooks have sold over 75 million books, and welcomed millions more travelers to our website Frommers.com,” said Pauline Frommer, Editorial Director of Frommer’s and daughter of its founder, Arthur Frommer. “The books and the website employ dozens of journalists in every corner of the globe. Each year, we poll them to ask: which destinations are going to be particularly visit-worthy in 2027? Which ones will be having special events in the coming year only? Or are suddenly less expensive, or easier to access than ever before? Or are about to get very popular, so you’ll want to visit now rather than later. Our core Editorial Team then meets to review all the pitches, and we choose the 15 that we think will be the most interesting to travelers.”
Dollywood offers guests a distinctive blend of thrilling attractions, award-winning live entertainment, seasonal festivals, creative culinary options and the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. As the park continues to build on its reputation as one of the country’s premier theme park destinations, its combination of experiences offers families and travelers plenty of reasons to plan a visit in 2027.
“Being recognized by Frommer’s as one of the 15 Best Places to Go in 2027 is a tremendous honor,” explained Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President. “Dollywood is a place where families can make lasting memories through incredible entertainment, thrilling attractions and experiences that celebrate the people and traditions of the Smoky Mountains. We’re proud to welcome guests to East Tennessee and look forward to giving them even more reasons to visit in the year ahead.”
Among the park’s newest experiences is NightFlight Expedition, an attraction that combines four thrilling ride elements to create a ride like nothing else. Guests also can enjoy live musical performances and festivals throughout the operating season. Culinary highlights celebrate the flavors and traditions of the Smokies and change with each season.
Other destinations featured on Frommer’s list include The Austral Islands, French Polynesia; Abruzzo, Italy; Uzbekistan; Waikato Region, New Zealand; Luxor, Egypt; Miami, Florida; and Salt Lake City, Utah. The complete list may be viewed here.
Frommer’s was founded in 1957 by Arthur Frommer and has become a trusted name in travel publishing, with guidebooks and Frommers.com helping travelers discover destinations around the world. Its annual Best Places to Go list identifies 15 destinations the publication’s editorial team believes will be especially interesting to travelers in the coming year.
With a year of surprises ahead, guests should consider a season pass to ensure they can experience all the fun! Four season pass levels—Diamond, Gold, Silver and the Summer Fun Pass—provide great options for every guest, while the popular Pre-K Imagination Season Pass offers free admission all season long to any child born in 2022 or 2023. Passes are on sale now to current 2026 season passholders with exclusive renewal benefits. Passes go on sale to the general public on Monday, Nov. 2. Anyone who purchases a 2027 Dollywood Diamond, Gold or Silver season pass can start visiting during this season’s Smoky Mountain Christmas festival! It’s the perfect Christmas gift for every member of the family.
Dollywood Diamond Season Passes provide a premium experience for guests. In addition to admission all season long to both Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country, Diamond passholders receive four flexible Bring-A-Friend Free tickets for Dollywood or Dollywood’s Splash Country, free general parking, one-time preferred parking, the largest discounts on dining, shopping and lodging, an all-season refill mug, as well as discounts on TimeSaver passes, VIP tours and preferred parking. Guests interested in this pass should act early as there is a limited quantity available.
The Gold Pass options represent tremendous value for guests. The two-park Gold Pass provides admission to both Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country, a flexible Bring-A-Friend Free ticket for Dollywood, a flexible Bring-A-Friend Free ticket for Dollywood’s Splash Country, free general parking, an all-season refill mug, as well as discounts on dining, shopping and lodging. The one-park Gold Pass provides the above, minus the entitlements to Dollywood’s Splash Country.
Guests at this world-class family vacation destination can experience even more fun at one of Dollywood’s award-winning resort hotels, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa or Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. Both properties offer unbeatable hospitality and exclusive complimentary privileges, including TimeSaver passes, door-to-door transportation, preferred parking at Dollywood parks, and package delivery for purchases made at Dollywood theme park.
For more information about Dollywood’s 2027 season or season passes, please visit Dollywood.com or download the Dollywood app.
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About Dollywood Parks & Resorts: A highly awarded and widely recognized leader in the amusement industry, Dollywood Parks & Resorts consists of the 165-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; and two award-winning resort properties: Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort. As unique as its namesake Dolly Parton, Dollywood opened in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on May 3, 1986, and earned the theme park industry’s highest accolade, the Applause Award, in 2010. Dollywood has earned 67 Golden Ticket Awards and 28 Brass Ring Awards for live entertainment. In 2022, 2024 and 2025, Dollywood was named by Tripadvisor as the #1 theme park in the country based on actual guest reviews. The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park and has been recognized as a top U.S. theme park by USA Today on multiple occasions. Dollywood is open mid-March through early January and offers rides, attractions, shows and crafters inspired by and authentic to the East Tennessee region. Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel and Tripadvisor as one of the country’s most beautiful water parks, operates from mid-May to mid-September. Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa as well as Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort provide guests with spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. For more information, visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.
Media Contacts:
Pete Owens: Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, (865) 428-9486, (865) 755-7972 or [email protected]
Wes Ramey: Public Relations Director, (865) 428-9484, (865) 640-3805 or [email protected]
Ellen Liston: Public Relations Manager, (865) 428-9629, (865) 919-7001 or [email protected]
Jennifer Webb: Sr. Publicist, (865) 428-9602, (865) 323-7584 or [email protected]
Sophia Nieves: Publicist, (865) 428-9456, (256) 631-5413 or [email protected]
For B-roll, photography and more information, visit the Dollywood Media Room at http://www.dollywood.com/Media/Media-Room