“Y’all means ALL” courtesy of Taryn Ferro
In 2012 the international LGBTQ Magazine The Advocate listed Knoxville as the “8th Gayest City in America” during its countdown of places to live or visit in the USA.
While the criteria used to generate this list was viewed as pretty shaky (number of nude yoga studios & WNBA teams per capita?) and the general public both in and out of East Tennessee laughed off the declaration that Knoxville was a Queer Friendly place to live and visit, I am here to tell you that this mid-sized city is actually a pretty great place for LGBTQ+ people to visit and call home.
I point this out because I feel it highlights how great Knoxville is at being the perfect road trip city you can get to within a day’s drive for a long weekend of fun with your friends or family. Unlike Nashville’s Pride, Knox Pridefest is free, making it the largest free Pride in the state of Tennessee.

The park has become a major local employer and economic driver for the area, and its success also contributes to her brand and business ventures.
How to get to Dollywood from Knoxville
By Car: The most direct and convenient way is by driving. on a continuing basis and they are active participants in the community.
Recently a group of LGBTQ people begun chatting through social media about the need to provide more options for LGBTQ gathering places in Knoxville which led to the formation of “Keep Knox Queer”, a Facebook Community where the members can follow a series of “Queer Dance Parties” all over the city and throughout the calendar year.
Downtown Knoxville is perfect for exploring and having fun in without the fear of getting a double stare or a mean word spoken at you.
While you are downtown make sure you go visit Yassin’s Falafel House, a local restaurant with a great story. Some of the standout rides include:
- Lightning Rod: A record-breaking wooden roller coaster that launches riders up a steep hill at 45 mph.
- Wild Eagle: A wing coaster that gives riders the sensation of flying as they soar above the park.
- Mystery Mine: A steel coaster that takes riders through dark tunnels and sharp turns.
- Tennessee Tornado: A high-speed roller coaster with loops and dramatic drops.
Hotels near Dollywood
See our full list of Dollywood hotels right here, including hotels co-owned by Dolly Parton herself.
Does Dolly Parton own Dollywood and make money from it?
Dolly Parton is a co-owner of Dollywood, but she does not solely own the park.
You'll take I-40 East from Knoxville, then exit onto U.S. Highway 441 South toward Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. A good thing about USA is that if you don't such as a gay bar you possess a lot of other pubs that you will likely enjoy a lot more.