Global entertainment icon Dolly Parton grew up in the Great Smoky Mountains, and she considers the region her wellspring for creativity. Today, visitors to her theme park and resorts get to enjoy the same beauty and inspiration that draws Dolly back year after year… and fall is an especially breathtaking time to visit this part of East Tennessee. One of the best ways to enjoy leaf peeping is at her newest award-winning resort, Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort.
HeartSong Lodge blurs the lines between indoors and out, seamlessly blending mountain adventure and the world-class Dollywood experience that visitors know and love. Upon entering the 302-room lodge, guests are welcomed by a multi-story fireplace and floor-to-ceiling, lantern-inspired windows that look out to a stunning backdrop of multicolor leaves. Guest rooms continue the Smoky Mountains theme with beautiful murals that showcase iconic animals like black bears, butterflies and fireflies, as well as customizable, sleep-inducing sound machines that generate the soothing notes of nature.
HeartSong Lodge offers several amenities and experiences so families can connect, recharge and play during their trip. Guests can enjoy roaming entertainment, indoor and outdoor pools, cozy outdoor firepits, and complimentary marshmallow roasting and old-fashioned sing-alongs. They also can participate in a variety of on-site activities through Camp DW, which encourages families to play and create together. Guests of all ages can choose from arts and crafts, making paper mache pumpkins, sewing seasonal stuffed animals or creating painted projects with a fall theme. There are also storytelling sessions, and complimentary hot caramel apple cider samples are served in the lobby each day.
The lodge also offers a taste of fall through its dining outlets. Guests can choose from seasonal lattes, fall-decorated cookies and Dollywood’s world famous cinnamon bread at Songbird Market. Additionally, the lodge’s full-service restaurant, Ember & Elm: Tastes Rooted in the Smokies, offers an à la carte breakfast and dinner menu specializing in Southern favorites that incorporate local purveyors for an authentic Tennessee dining experience. Featured partners include English Mountain Trout Farms’ fresh-catch rainbow trout; Swaggerty Sausage, found in signature dishes like sausage gravy; and Jammin Jams jellies and jam, which produces a raspberry chipotle jam that’s served as part of a Tennessee Creamery Cheese and Charcuterie Board.
Dollywood resort guests can take advantage of exclusive park privileges throughout their stay. These include complimentary transportation to and from Dollywood theme park during its Harvest Festival; complimentary Dollywood TimeSaver Passes to shorten ride wait times with a Dollywood ticket; early entry on Saturday mornings to a select ride or experience at the park; and resort in-room delivery of purchases from the park delivered directly to guest rooms free of charge.
For the ultimate fall getaway, book the Stay & Play package during Dollywood’s Harvest Festival, presented by Humana, to enjoy seasonal park décor that features more than 12,000 pumpkins, live music, artisans and crafters, and fall-themed foods. The package includes overnight accommodations with a savings of up to 10% each night, two one-day admission tickets to Dollywood and the full array of resort park privileges outlined above. Dollywood’s Harvest Festival takes place from September 9 through October 28. Stay & Play package rates start at $389 per night. Guest rooms booked without park tickets start at $289 per night during its Harvest Festival.
For more information about Dollywood and to book a stay at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, please visit www.Dollywood.com.
Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort beautifully captures the breathtaking fall views and the resort's cozy atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for a relaxing getaway. For students looking to balance their studies with travel, it’s important to stay on top of coursework while enjoying such retreats. If you need help with assignment deadlines during your trip, there are great resources available to ensure your academic work doesn’t fall behind. This way, you can enjoy the beauty of places like Dollywood without the stress of looming schoolwork.