When Dolly Parton comes to town, big things follow.
The Tennessee local girl and country superstar has pledged to bring a new 300-room DreamMore Resort to Pigeon Forge by 2015, and new attractions already are popping up around Dollywood.
Work is underway on the 232,000-square-foot Pigeon Forge LeConte Center, which will bring the area a 100,000-square-foot exhibit hall for large events and trade shows.
The center is designed with elements of a Smoky Mountain Lodge, set against the backdrop of Mt. LeConte.
Groups visiting the area also can try several new attractions.
Besides the enduring splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains Park, the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster opened this summer, offering a drive-it-yourself open-air sled that zips along for 3,940 feet.
There’s also the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at the Island in Pigeon Forge complex, carrying 42 glass gondolas 200 feet above the Little Pigeon River, and the Wonders of Flight, a giant helium balloon that’s 72 feet in diameter, with a gondola big enouugh to carry 30 passengers.
