When and Where to Find Dollywood's Cinnamon Bread

• Kristin Coldwell

If you haven't tasted the sweet and buttery warmth of Dollywood's cinnamon bread, you won't understand why someone may visit the theme park just to bring home this freshly-baked goodness. I had heard the praise of this bread, so during my first Dollywood visit, I intended to buy a loaf and bring it home. After a few minutes of walking to the car, the smell alone made it impossible to not pull off a bite to try right then. In the middle of the parking lot, I gave into the craving, chalked my idea up to a failed plan and devoured it. (My family helped!) Then, we faced the difficult decision of driving home empty-handed or walking back in to grab another loaf. Don't be surprised if you find yourself in the same situation.

Thankfully, you have a few options to acquire the ooey-gooey warmness that is Dollywood's cinnamon bread. Did you know there are multiple places to find it? I'll list the locations for you:

Inside Dollywood

The Grist Mill

The original (and most iconic) place to find Dollywood's cinnamon bread is at the Grist Mill. If you aren't overly familiar with the park, you can trust the aroma will lead your nose to Craftsman's Valley. At the Grist Mill, you will have the opportunity to watch Dollywood hosts making this popular menu item and check out this fully-operational mill! The word is out about Dollywood's cinnamon bread, so if there is a line out the door, don't give up too easily. My advice is to head to the Grist Mill first thing if you'd like as little wait as possible. If you happen to walk by during the day and there's not a line, go THEN. If you plan to come back later, that's likely the plan of a lot of other guests, too.

Spotlight Bakery

Spotlight Bakery is located at the beginning of the park on Showstreet and offers lots of scrumptious treats (like the 25-lb. apple pie). This spot has cinnamon bread warm and ready for your enjoyment. So, if you want to take a break during the day or pick up a snack, this is my recommendation. The line picks up toward the end of the day, so my suggestion is to pick it up in the early afternoon.

Outside Dollywood

Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa

Whether or not you're staying at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa, you can visit the DM Pantry for a loaf of Dollywood's cinnamon bread. It's the same product. If you ARE staying there, the resort offers room service with cinnamon bread as a selection. You can schedule the time for delivery AND add a fresh-brewed pot of coffee to enjoy with it. This is just one of the benefits of booking a room and being right next to the park when you stay on property!

There's typically a rush at the DM Pantry as people are heading out to Dollywood around park opening, so I would advise that you either beat the rush or wait until after it dies down.

At Home

Finally, if you're not close enough to swing by when the cinnamon bread craving hits, check out this homemade recipe from a fellow Dollywood Insider to make your own cinnamon bread at home! This recommendation comes with a warning: I've heard a lot of people attempt this recipe and aren't fully pleased with the way it turns out. I bet it's one of those things that it's just always going to taste better eating it at Dollywood.