Millions of fans around the world are still mourning the loss of musical and cultural icon Dolly Parton, who passed away Tuesday, August 25 after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 80. The queen of sparkle and country music was beloved for her blonde wigs, quick wit, songwriting and storytelling, and perhaps most of all – her philanthropic spirit and loving personality that appealed to generations of audiences from all walks of life.
Heartbroken fans from Texas looking to plan a pilgrimage to Queen Dolly in the coming weeks, months, and years to come might not realize the number of Dolly-fied destinations she owned in Tennessee, the superstar’s home state. Parton served as the “Dreamer-in-Chief” for three hotel resorts (including one opening next month in downtown Nashville), two theme parks, multiple dinner shows, an expansive new museum (opening in Nashville late September), and even an 18-acre travel stop – the site of her last public appearance in late June during its grand opening.
Here are multiple ways to celebrate Parton’s life and legacy that are either a short flight or day-long road trip east. Each is sure to bring lots of smiles, laughter, and joy – not just sadness - just as the entertainer would have wanted.
Theme Parks
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Opened in 1986 in the Great Smoky Mountains of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and spanning 160 acres, Parton’s iconic theme park is home to more than 50 rides, entertaining live shows, and award-winning Southern cuisine, from the fried chicken and pot roast at Aunt Granny’s (it’s what her nieces and nephews called her) to the park’s world-famous cinnamon bread. (You can smell it upon arrival as it’s baked fresh daily at the Grist Mill bakery – just look for the line.)
Dollywood is full of opportunities for fans to get a glimpse inside Parton’s entire life. There’s a replica of the two-room cabin where she was raised with 11 siblings, a replica of her hometown Sevierville, Tennessee, (including Red’s diner where she had her first hamburger and the Pines Theater where she saw her first movie), and even a chapel named for the doctor who delivered her in exchange for a sack of cornmeal – the Robert F. Thomas Chapel. (Services are held every Sunday.) Opened just last year is the Dolly Parton Experience, an immersive museum that lets park visitors walk through Dolly’s life and career through photos, stories, music, and memorabilia.
While Dollywood boasts plenty of thrilling coasters and rides – including the new $60 million NightFlight Expedition indoor adventure coaster that opened on August 19 – the park’s two oldest are a pair of coal-fired steam trains, collectively called the Dollywood Express. Built in 1939 and 1943 for the U.S. Army, they’re now used to give guests 30-minute tours of the park.
It was important to Parton to pay homage to the talents of mountain craftsmen. Visitors can watch them in action as they demonstrate their skills, from dipping candles and blowing glass to forging metal, and purchase their wares or even try crafting themselves.
Upcoming Dollywood events:
Run Dollywood: Launched by Parton last spring and expanded to include fall dates of September 25-27, 2026, the race weekend includes a kids’ fun run, 5K, 10K, and half-marathon right through Dollywood. Registration deadline is September 12.
Pumpkin Lumi-Nights & Harvest Festival: A not-so-scary fall family experience that runs September 14 – October 31.
Smoky Mountain Christmas: Launched in 1990 and features more than six million twinkling lights, dozens of Christmas trees, weekend fireworks, and Christmas musical shows. Runs November 6, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Admission: 1-day tickets start at $99.99 for adults (ages 10-61), and $89.99 for children and seniors (ages 4-9, 62+)
How to get there: Dollywood is located about an hour from the McGhee Tyson Aiport (TYS) in Knoxville, Tennessee and about nine miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Dollywood’s Splash Country, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Just next to Dollywood is Parton’s water adventure park, offering 35 acres of water slides, pools (including one that’s butterfly-shaped), splash zones, lazy rivers, and attractions. Dollywood’s Splash Country celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, and it’s where Dolly fans can cool off during its seasonal operation of mid-May through mid-September.
Admission: 1-day tickets start at $59.99 for adults (ages 10-61), and $49.99 for children and seniors (ages 4-9, 62+). Combo Park Tickets (Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country). 1-day tickets start at $109.99 for adults (ages 10-61) and $99.99 for children and seniors (ages 4-9, 62+).
How to get there: Dollywood’s Splash Country is located just next to Dollywood, about an hour from the McGhee Tyson Aiport (TYS) in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Hotels & Resorts
Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
With the popularity of Dollywood, it’s no surprise Parton opened a hotel just next door where guests could kick up their feet after park hours. Opened in 2015, Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa sits on 20 acres with 300 guest rooms and suites, including the apartment-style penthouse Dolly Parton Suite on the resort’s top floor. The hotel puts an emphasis on nostalgic experiences, such as checkers by the fireplace, porch-sitting in a rocking chair with iced tea or a cocktail, and family activities like arts and crafts and fireside bedtime stories featuring books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Amenities include an indoor and outdoor pool complex, multiple dining destinations, including a Southern eatery called Song & Hearth and bar and restaurant called The Lounge, and a full-service spa.
New at DreamMore is Suite 1986 Tour Bus Experience, named for Parton’s very own highly personalized motorcoach that’s parked on-site. Guests can reserve exclusive experiences in the tour bus that includes a guest room inside the resort, VIP dinner, and options for Dollywood parks tickets, dinner show reservations, and Pink Jeep Adventure Tours. Net proceeds from each Suite 1986 stay are donated to The Dollywood Foundation.
Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Dolly Parton opened a second spot for overnight accommodations next to Dollywood in 2023. Called Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort, the property is Parton’s homage to the Smoky Mountains through its design that reflects the natural flora and fauna of the region and an emphasis on bringing the outdoors in. The 4,000 square-foot atrium lobby features a showstopping four-story stone fireplace with a screen depicting Parton as a little girl interacting with a butterfly. Other unique features include a glittering guitar-shaped chandelier, a display of Parton’s own guitars, and black-and-white images of the musician herself. Amenities of the 302-room lodge include balconies with most rooms, a natural playground for children built into the hillside landscape, walking paths, splash pad, hot tub, and indoor and outdoor pools, nature-inspired crafts, nightly campfires with marshmallow roasting, and multiple dining options including Ember & Elm known for its welcome basket of biscuits along with deviled eggs, fried green tomatoes, steaks and fried chicken.
Rates for both Dollywood’s DreamMore and HeartSong: Shoulder season rates start at $139 and peak-travel period rates start at $369.
How to get there: Located 9.5 miles from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, 10 miles from the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and about an hour from Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS).
Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee
Overnight stays begin September 14, 2026 at Parton’s stunning new 12-story hotel, located in the heart of downtown Nashville. Guests can expect a lively atmosphere in true Music City fashion, where Parton’s songwriting spirit – any many hues of pink – will be evident in each of the property’s 245 rooms and suites. The hotel is also home to Parton’s new Life of Many Colors Museum, which encompasses the entire third floor and will be the largest exhibit celebrating her life anywhere in the world, along with two live music venues – Parton’s Live, an intimate cocktail lounge with culinary offerings, and Jolene’s, and 11th floor club with small plates and skyline views.
Rates: Starting at $386, with rooms still available for opening day.
Life of Many Colors Museum: Standard general admission tickets start at $31.99. Grand opening is September 29, 2026.
How to get there: Texans should fly into the Nashville International Airport (BNA), which will soon be renamed after Dolly Parton. "At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state’s favorite daughter and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness," said Tennessee governor Bill Lee in a statement. The airport is about 7.5 miles from SongTeller.
Travel Stop & Dinner Shows
Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop, Cornersville, Tennessee
Opened in June and the site of Dolly Parton’s last public appearance, this first-of-its-kind roadside destination is inspired by Parton’s lifelong connection to the open road. More than just a pit stop for gas, the 25,000 square-foot venue situated on 18 acres and features a full-service restaurant and bar, Tennessee barbecue served 24 hours, the Doggy Parton dog park, and even live music stage shows. Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop is also home to Parton’s new line of coffee, Cup of Ambition, launched in partnership with Community Coffee. The brand is named for Parton’s iconic opening line in her hit anthem, “9 to 5” and will available nationwide online on September 29, 2026 and in stores by spring 2027. More travel stops are in the works across Tennessee and the US, especially in underserved counties in an effort to bring new jobs.
How to get there: Located about an hour south of Nashville, Tennessee off Interstate 65, Pulaski Highway. Fly into Nashville International Airport (BNA).
Dolly Parton's Stampede Dinner Attraction, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Branson, Missouri
This entertaining dinner show that’s fun for all ages features thrilling horseback trick riding and original musical production in an arena setting while guests partake in a four-course feast. Menu highlights include creamy vegetable soup, hot biscuits, rotisserie chicken, pulled pork, corn on and cob, mashed potatoes, and a signature dessert.
Tickets: Both locations start at $59.99 for guests 10 and up and $29.99 for children ages 3-9.
Pirates Voyage, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Panama City Beach, Florida
Combining sword fights, cannons, and full-sized pirate shows, Parton’s swashbuckling dinner show takes guests alongside an epic battle for treasure. Fans will want to take note of the song “Sail Away,” written by Parton and performed during the show’s mermaid sequences. Menu items are similar to Dolly Parton’s Stampede and varies slightly be location.
Tickets: All locations start at $59.99 for guests 10 and up and $29.99 for children ages 3-9.
More Dolly Coming Soon
At the time of her passing, Dolly Parton still had many projects in various stages of development. A few of those include:
DOLLY: A True Original Musical on Broadway: Previews begin December 7, 2026. Opening night is January 19, 2027 with tickets currently on sale through November 21, 2027. Tickets start at $66.
Kendra Scott x Dolly - The 9 to 5 Collection: The new collection will launch January 2027. See Parton’s current Kendra Scott collab collection here.
Dolly’s Dog Treats: Launching early 2027
Dolly Bedding & Home Decor: Launching in third quarter 2027
Other future projects include a Dolly avatar show, a Dolly Musical documentary, a Dolly biopic, a Dolly docuseries, and a Dolly scripted series.
