For the Love of Dolly: 7 Ways to Celebrate Her Legacy

Dolly Parton was deeply rooted in the beauty, hospitality, and music of the Tennessee mountains, but her talent, heart, and personality sparkled far beyond the South. Whether you want to celebrate Dolly through her music, her iconic style, or her inspiring life and generosity, there's a Dolly destination for every type of fan. So pack your best glittery garb, get your playlist cued up, and set out on your own Dolly-inspired adventure!

Location: Nashville, TNMore Info: songtellerhotel.com

Open since September 29, the SongTeller Hotel is Dolly's love letter to the city that made her a star. While there is so much to explore throughout Music City that celebrates the Tennessee-born legend, the SongTeller offers a one-stop immersive experience in the heart of downtown.

Every room, every motif, and every last detail in this luxurious boutique hotel is quintessentially Dolly. Check out the live entertainment and events on Parton's Live stage and end the day with a nightcap at Jolene's lounge. The SongTeller is also home to the new Life of Many Colors Museum, the largest exhibit of Dolly's life and work to date.

A stay at the SongTeller is the perfect way to live it up in Music City, Queen of Country style. Image: Facebook

Of course, Dolly's legacy glitters throughout Nashville. Stop by the Grand Ole Opry (a place she called the "church of my heart"), the Country Music Hall of Fame (where she was inducted in 1999), and the Ryman Auditorium (where Johnny Cash introduced "A little girl from East Tennessee" to the world in 1959) to pay your respects to the Queen of Country.

Explore Dolly's magical, imaginative world at the Life of Many Colors Museum in the SongTeller Hotel. Image: Facebook

Location: New Orleans, LAMore Info: thekreweofdolly.org

New Orleans' famed Krewe of Dolly is a nonprofit organization unlike any other. Founded in 2020, the Carnival Krewe partners with Dolly's Imagination Library to deliver free books to more than 3,500 children throughout Orleans Parish each month.

But they also have a blast celebrating their beloved icon by participating in parades and local events in their Dolly-inspired style, donning wigs, rhinestones, and even guitars to share her sparkle wherever they go. According to their website, Krewe membership will open again in late summer 2027.

Whether in community service or dressing to the nines, the Krewe's mantra always guides them: "What would Dolly do?" Image: Facebook

Road tripping to NOLA? Consider breaking up your trip with a stay at the Steel Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The historic house was the site of the Eatenton home in the 1989 film and is a stop along the Steel Magnolias film trail around town, which includes Truvy's (Dolly's character) church, home, and salon.

Location: New York City, NYMore Info: dollymusical.com

After a dazzling debut in Nashville last year, Dolly: A True Original Musical is heading to Broadway this December. The show tells Dolly's life story through brand new songs written by Dolly herself, along with her greatest hits, including "I Will Always Love You," "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," and "9 to 5."

Of the show, Dolly said, "My whole life has been a musical … I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I've enjoyed livin' it!" Previews begin December 7 at the St. James Theatre.

If you can't make it to NYC, you can catch a local production of Dolly's other hit musical, 9 to 5. Find a performance near you here.

"Dolly: A True Original Musical" brings Dolly's incredible life and music to the Broadway stage. Image: Facebook

Location: Pigeon Forge, TNMore Info: dollywood.com

Following Dolly's passing, Dollywood announced plans for permanent fixtures and tributes throughout the park to honor the life and legacy of its Dreamer-in-Chief. There is so much to do at Dollywood, and the Dolly Experience is an absolute must for a commemorative pilgrimage.

Take in her story, songs, and style through interactive exhibits, and enjoy live performances in the Heartsong Theater. Be sure to also stop by Dolly's Tennessee Mountain Home, a replica of the humble childhood home she shared with her parents and 11 siblings.

The Dolly Experience at Dollywood connects visitors to the kind, talented, and brilliant star they've loved for generations. Image: Facebook

Now is a great time to go to Dollywood — the park's annual Harvest Festival is on through October 31, followed by its Smoky Mountain Christmas from November 6 through January 3, 2027. Plus, the park just opened a brand new attraction: NightFlight Expedition. The first-of-its-kind immersive indoor coaster takes passengers on a journey exploring the beauty and wilderness of the Smokies and the South.

The sprawling Dollywood acreage includes two luxurious accommodation options — the HeartSong Lodge and Resort and the DreamMore Resort and Spa. At the DreamMore, you can even book an overnight stay aboard Suite 1986, Dolly's tour bus from 2008 to 2022.

Make a Dollywood accommodation your "Tennessee Mountain Home" away from home. Image: Dollywood Parks & Resorts

Location: Sevierville, TNMore Info: indollysfootsteps.com

Before you leave Pigeon Forge, make sure to take the short drive up to the charming town of Sevierville, where Dolly grew up. On October 16, the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce is debuting its "In Dolly's Footsteps" self-guided walking tour to soak up all the sights and stories that shaped her early years.

One must-visit stop is The Pines Downtown, a family-friendly entertainment spot where 10-year-old Dolly performed her first paid gig back when it was The Pines Theatre.

There are also several photo opportunities around town, including the "Wings of Wander" mural on Bruce Street and the gorgeous bronze Dolly Parton Statue on the Sevier County Courthouse lawn.

Though not open to visitors, The Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library headquarters are also located in town. As you sense the palpable legacy of Dolly's generosity throughout Sevierville, check out the Imagination Library website for ways to donate and get involved.

Dolly said one of her most prized achievements was her Sevierville statue. Image: Visit Sevierville

The Great Smoky Mountains were every bit as integral to Dolly's upbringing as Sevierville. In honor of the Smoky Mountain songbird, get out and explore the breathtaking landscapes that inspired some of Dolly's most iconic songs. Take a drive out to rural Locust Ridge, Dolly's "Tennessee Mountain Home," and experience for yourself that "life is as peaceful as a baby's sigh."

Explore the Smokies and make your own "Smoky Mountain Memories." Image: Visit Sevierville

Location: Cornersville, TNMore Info: dollystravelstops.com

Need to stop and fuel up during your Dolly pilgrimage? Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop makes the perfect pit stop, and in true Dolly fashion, it's a fabulous destination in and of itself. Enjoy a cup of joe from Cup of Ambition Coffee, grab some DLY BBQ, and take a load off on the patio, in the lounge or at the full-service Southern restaurant.

Even your pup can get some reprieve out at the Doggy Parton dog park. There's also a main stage and event space with a calendar of events and entertainment lined up, and don't forget to snap a photo in front of the mural and the Dolly-inspired tour bus out back.

Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop is located right off I-65 in Cornersville, Tennessee.

Share what Dolly meant to you with a personal note on the memorial at Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop. Image: Facebook

Location: Touring this fall in Missouri, Tennessee, Washington, Texas, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.More Info: dollysymphony.com

Want to experience Dolly's music like never before? Threads: My Songs in Symphony combines orchestrations of Dolly's hits with incredible vocalists to celebrate her life and musical legacy. Dolly also makes video appearances throughout the show, guiding the audience through her catalog and sharing stories along the way.

The show has a few more tour dates scheduled this fall, with more (we hope!) to follow. You can check out the schedule of upcoming shows here.

Threads invites you to a night of symphonic storytelling honoring the Queen of Country. Image: Facebook

However you choose to celebrate Dolly, take a little of her advice with you: "Don't get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life."