It sounds like Dollywood is what Silver Dollar City was when I was a kid. We went there 2-3 times a year when I was growing up. They did have rides and stuff but the best part was all the crafty bits. I watched the glass blowing, paper making, and mill-based wood working pretty much every time I went. Oh, and they had old school candle making by the dip process. Way too meticulous for my candle making needs but nifty all the same.
They had lots of other stuff too but those are the parts I remember. 
If you do find yourself across the NC border, a visit to the Cherokee Museum should be on your list. “Story of the Cherokees: 13,000 Years” is mandatory. I don’t have any other recommendations for Cherokee NC specifically.
If I was going to stay in NC long term, I’d move to Asheville. Plenty of interesting things to do in and around there for a day trip but for a day trip, I’d probably do some hiking instead of Asheville proper. 
