East Tennesseans know we have some of the best theme parks, rides and restaurants. And the rest of the country knows it, too. Several Pigeon Forge attractions received recognition in the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in the theme park and water park categories.
Dollywood and Soaky Mountain received seven top 10 spots in five categories, with Dollywood getting most of those spots.
Unfortunately, none of our winners landed at No. 1. A Dollywood property did get close to the top spot, though.
Check out the East Tennessee theme park winners in the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards:Dollywood’s two hotels both nabbed spots on the 10Best list. The relaxing DreamMore Resort and Spa (No. 2) was beaten by The Hotel Hershey in Pennsylvania. Dollywood’s mountain getaway resort HeartSong Lodge, which opened in 2024, was ranked No. 3.
- The Hotel Hershey (Hershey, Pennsylvania)
- Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
- Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Orlando, Florida)
- Hotel Breakers at Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio)
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Orlando, Florida)
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (Orlando, Florida)
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort (Orlando, Florida)
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando (Orlando, Florida)
- Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort (Orlando, Florida)Aunt Granny’s (No. 3) in Dollywood has repeatedly been named one of the top 10 best theme park restaurants in the country. The restaurant serves family-style comfort food such as fried chicken and macaroni and cheese.
- Silver Dollar City (Branson, Missouri)
- Knoebels (Elysburg, Pennsylvania)
- SeaWorld Orlando (Orlando, Florida)
- Hersheypark (Hershey, Pennsylvania)
- Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
- LEGOLAND California (Carlsbad, California)
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg, Virginia)
- Kennywood (West Mifflin, Pennsylvania)
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Tampa, Florida)
- Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio)
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