Exploring Dolly Parton’s Tennessee

Howdy, folks, and welcome to a special edition of The Seeker.

In case you didn’t know, we named this newsletter after a classic song by The Who. We felt its lyrics about “searching low and high” to “get what I’m after” would strike a chord with music-obsessed travelers.

But there’s another song called “The Seeker,” written by the woman who has been on all of our minds this past week: Dolly Parton. She described the song as a talk with God, asking to “show me the way.”

She found it. As an artist, philanthropist, businesswoman and human being, Parton was a guiding light for millions. In her home state of Tennessee, you can see the full scope of her impact, tracing her journey from the Smoky Mountains to Music City and, ultimately, to becoming one of the world’s favorite people.

We’re highlighting seven stops that each tell a different piece of Parton’s incredible story, all spread across a few hundred miles of Tennessee. We’d recommend taking three days to see them all, but with enough cups of ambition, you could make a brisk weekend out of it.

Give yourself a leg up with the free Music Roadtrip app. It’s a live guide to finding the best music spots—from festivals and venues to record shops, museums and studios—wherever the road takes you.

Download it free from the App Store or Google Play.

Dolly Parton Statue in Sevierville, TN

Dolly Parton’s story began in Sevier County, and the bronze statue on the courthouse lawn represents the bond she kept with the people who knew her first.

Unveiled in 1987, Jim Gray’s sculpture shows Dolly seated with a guitar in her hands. She called the hometown tribute one of the best things that ever happened in her career, because recognition from home carried a different weight.

Visitors can make the statue the starting point for a walk through Dolly’s early life. Nearby, The Pines occupies the theater where 10-year-old Dolly gave her first paid performance in 1956. Red’s Soda Fountain, murals honoring her childhood and career, and several buildings she knew growing up round out an easy walk through downtown Sevierville.

Dollywood

Dollywood is Dolly Parton’s love letter to East Tennessee: a 165-acre theme park filled with roller coasters, live music, Appalachian crafts, seasonal festivals and cinnamon bread.

Parton joined the Herschend family in 1986 to transform the former Silver Dollar City, with a goal of bringing jobs and visitors back home. The park represents the way she turned her success into opportunity for the region. Today, Dollywood is Sevier County’s largest employer, with more than 4,000 workers, while supporting an estimated 23,000-plus jobs across the region.

Visitors can spend a full day on the rides, watching shows and seeing craftspeople at work. Dolly’s story runs throughout the park: Tennessee Mountain Home recreates her childhood cabin, while the multi-building Dolly Parton Experience explores her career, style, family and faith. Home-on-Wheels takes visitors inside one of her former tour buses.

Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry was Dolly Parton’s lifelong home within country music. She remained a member for 57 years, performed on the show more than 100 times and called it “the church of my heart.”

Visitors can attend a live Opry broadcast at the Grand Ole Opry House or take a backstage tour through its dressing rooms, galleries and stage. Dolly’s presence remains throughout the building, including a second-floor mural and outfits displayed in the Opry’s collections. In 2019, the Opry celebrated her 50th anniversary as a member with two performances in her honor.

The story began at Ryman Auditorium, where Johnny Cash introduced 13-year-old Dolly at her 1959 Opry debut. She sang George Jones’ “You Gotta Be My Baby” and earned three encores, then became an Opry member on the same stage in 1969. Ryman tours include Dolly memorabilia and access to the historic auditorium.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

At the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the many chapters of Dolly's story come together in one place.

Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker focuses on the turning points, obstacles and decisions behind her rise from East Tennessee to worldwide fame. It represents the determination beneath the humor and rhinestones of her public image.

Visitors can see an early handwritten draft of “Jolene”; the cassette recorder she used while writing “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You” and “The Seeker”; her first record, “Puppy Love”; a costume from 9 to 5; a guitar played at her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction; and clothing spanning decades of performances.

The exhibit is included with museum admission and remains open through October 4, 2026. Afterward, visit the Hall of Fame Rotunda, where Dolly’s permanent plaque has hung since her 1999 induction.

Historic RCA Studio B

Three songs at the center of Dolly Parton’s legacy were recorded at Historic RCA Studio B: “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” Built on Music Row in 1957, Studio B played a major role in creating the Nashville Sound. Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, Chet Atkins, Waylon Jennings and many others also recorded there.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum operates guided tours of the studio. Visitors can stand in the room where the songs were recorded, hear music made there and learn how the sessions unfolded.

Tours depart from the museum and require a separate ticket, so advance reservations are recommended.

SongTeller Hotel

SongTeller Hotel represents one of the final large-scale Nashville projects Dolly personally shaped. She described it as a love letter to the city where she built her career, centered on songwriting, live music and Southern hospitality.

The 245-room hotel is accepting reservations for stays beginning September 14. Visitors can book a room or suite, hear live music at Parton’s Live and Jolene’s, or stop at SongTeller Café.

The third floor will house Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum, the largest exhibition devoted to her life and career. Artifacts, personal stories and immersive displays will trace her journey from the Smoky Mountains to worldwide fame.

A hotel stay is not required to visit the museum. The hotel and museum will both hold their grand openings September 29.

Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop

Dolly Parton was still launching new businesses at 80. Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop, a renovated roadside complex in Cornersville, was one of her final ventures.

She appeared at its June 24 grand opening, greeting fans, cracking jokes and speaking about her plans for the business. It became her final public appearance, two months before her death.

Located off I-65 at Exit 22, the stop is open around the clock. Visitors can fuel up, eat Southern meat-and-three or barbecue, order Cup of Ambition coffee, shop for exclusive merchandise, catch live music or use the community dog park. Professional drivers will find dedicated parking, showers, laundry facilities and a lounge.

More Dolly Destinations

Dolly Parton’s Music City Walk of Fame Star
Her 2009 star in downtown Nashville has become a gathering place for fans paying tribute.

Inca Hoots Productions
Private 12South headquarters and recording studio Dolly called “the house that Whitney built”; view it from the sidewalk.

Dolly Parton Mural at The 5 Spot
Kim Radford’s butterfly-filled portrait beside Hip Zipper honors Dolly’s music and humanity.

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge
Ryman-adjacent honky-tonk where Dolly was an early famous customer; her photograph remains on its Wall of Fame.

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gallery
Free Music City Center display honoring Dolly’s 1986 induction among Nashville’s most accomplished songwriters.

Music City Garden
Walk of Fame Park garden where Dolly has her own namesake rose alongside other musically inspired blooms.

Strong Alley Dolly Parton Mural
Downtown Knoxville tribute near Market Square.