My daughter and I have been taking a lot of trips to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge lately—it’s quickly become our new favorite place. We originally went to check out the Food & Flower Festival, but ended up smack in the middle of tornado warnings! Day one was stormy, but we made the most of it. Day two was clear and gorgeous—we stopped at the Apple Barn, cruised around town, and finally made it into the park.

If you haven’t been to Dollywood, it’s a theme park nestled in the Smoky Mountains that blends Southern charm with stunning mountain views, thrill rides, artisan demos, live music, and some of the best theme park food around. It’s part amusement park, part mountain town, and all heart. Dolly Parton’s influence is everywhere—from the butterfly decor to the emphasis on kindness, hospitality, and storytelling.

About the Food & Flower Festival

Held in spring, Dollywood’s Food & Flower Festival is a seasonal celebration filled with colorful blooms, garden sculptures, and a lineup of creative bites and drinks. Think edible butterflies, refreshing lemonades, floral-inspired treats, and photo-worthy displays everywhere you look. It’s whimsical, relaxing, and totally unique.

Here’s a quick rundown of everything we tried—ranked from least favorite to absolutely unforgettable:

Butterfly Pea Flower Iced Tea
I’m not a huge iced tea fan, so the floral flavor was a bit strong for me—but I loved the vibrant violet color.

Black Forest Cupcake
Of the three featured cupcakes, this one stood out for my daughter. A cherry-lover’s dream with rich frosting and a chocolatey base. Not my favorite flavor combo, but good for what it was.

Cookie Dough Brownie
I was obsessed with the powdered sugar butterfly on top! I expected a layered cookie dough brownie bar, but it was more of a brookie. Still cute, but ours was a bit dry since it was the end of the day.

Dragonfly Lemonade
Sweet, slightly sour, and very refreshing. The boba pearls were strawberry-flavored and gave it a fun twist.

Vegetable Cobb Salad
So fresh and satisfying! I skipped the blue cheese, but everything else was crisp and flavorful.

Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese
Dollywood doesn’t mess around with their mac and cheese. This version was creamy with a kick of sweetness and heat—comfort food perfection.

Ice Cream Nachos
Crispy fried pastry “chips” tossed in cinnamon sugar, served with scoops of ice cream and toppings. Yes, they were as amazing as they sound.

Butterfly Cookie
Don’t underestimate it—it might look like a simple frosted cookie, but it was one of the most flavorful cookies I’ve ever had. 

Bacon Jam & Broccoli Pizza

Unexpected and brilliant. The savory-sweet combo worked so well that I already want to recreate it at home.

Potato Birria
Top 3 theme park food of all time. Tender, flavorful, and served in a giant portion. I would go back just for this dish.

Final Thoughts (Or as I like to say: A Sprinkle for Your Thoughts)

Dollywood has easily become our go-to spot for memory-making. Their festivals are thoughtfully curated, and the food is genuinely incredible. I’m hoping we get to go back this summer for the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration, or maybe the fall for Harvest Festival. Either way, we’re hooked.