Ask any Tennessean the identify of their patron saint, and they’re going to all give the identical reply: Dolly Parton, Queen of Glitz and Goodwill.
Whereas she’s revered the world over for her genius songwriting and musical expertise, she holds a particular place in locals’ hearts due to her lifelong dedication to supporting schooling and healthcare within the Volunteer State. Parton is greater than a star to us – she’s a beacon of creativity, group and hope.
A visit to Tennessee wouldn’t be full with no few stops that pay homage to this one-of-a-kind artist who has impressed so many – right here’s our record of one of the best locations to honor Parton’s rhinestone-spangled legacy.
Take a peek contained in the Nashville bar impressed by Dolly Parton
Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park
Parton hails from Sevierville – a small city in foothills outdoors of the Nice Smoky Mountains – and this setting strongly influenced her life and work. Expertise the magic of the Appalachian ecosystem the way in which Parton did with a go to to the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, 800 sq. miles of protected forests that blanket the nation’s oldest mountain vary. Hikers are spoiled for selection with 850 miles of hikeable trails (together with 70 miles of the famed Appalachian Path), and wildlife lovers will spot all the pieces from black bears and bald eagles to the endangered hellbender salamander and the glowing flamed tiger snail.
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Dollywood, Pigeon Forge
Situated simply up the highway from the Smokies in Pigeon Forge, Dollywood is a must-visit spot for any fan. The Appalachian-themed park is house to adrenaline-inducing rides and its personal waterpark, sufficient to maintain even probably the most energetic households busy for a couple of days. However maybe probably the most culturally important components of the park are the reproduction Dolly’s childhood house – the one-room cabin that impressed her hit “My Tennessee Mountain House” – and the Chasing Rainbows Museum, which homes a spectacular assortment of Parton’s iridescent robes, platinum data, film costumes and different profession memorabilia.
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Nation Music Corridor of Fame, Nashville
The day after she graduated highschool in 1964, Parton packed her baggage and moved to Nashville to pursue her nation music dream. To be taught extra about her trajectory to fame and her impression on the nation and pop music genres, head to the Nation Music Corridor of Fame, situated in downtown Music Metropolis. Along with its exhibitions, the museum features as a music venue, internet hosting common stay music performances – songwriter periods, an Artist-in-Residence sequence and extra.
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Historic RCA Studio B, Nashville
Thought-about one of the vital music studios to ever exist in Nashville, RCA Studio B sits on town’s famed Music Row. Among the nation’s largest artists recorded right here: the Everly Brothers, Elvis Presley, Waylon Jennings and naturally, Dolly Parton. And you may say that Queen Dolly has at all times recognized how you can make an entrance – she as soon as crashed her automotive into the facet of the studio as she rushed to her recording session. Now part of the Nation Music Corridor of Fame, you possibly can go to the studio the place she recorded “I Will At all times Love You” and “Jolene,” and expertise an important piece of Nashville music historical past firsthand.
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Grand Ole Opry, Nashville
The present that launched a number of the largest nation careers within the biz – Grand Ole Opry – sits on the basis of Nashville’s music scene, and Parton made her first look on the tender age of 13. She was launched by none apart from the Man in Black himself, Johnny Money, and acquired a whopping three encores; by 1969 she was inducted as a member. Whereas the Opry has modified venues all through its lengthy tenure, you possibly can nonetheless attend a present on the present location in Opry Mills – snag a ticket and take heed to the subsequent massive factor in Parton’s honor.
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The Ryman
If there’s one venue in Nashville you shouldn’t skip, it’s the Ryman Auditorium. Dubbed the “Mom Church of Nation Music,” the Ryman has fielded stars of each style because it constructed its first stage in 1901: Sarah Bernhart, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Charlie Chaplin, Harry Houdini, Johnny Money, Louis Armstrong, Patsy Cline, and extra. Parton made her Grand Ole Opry debut right here, and he or she has revisited the stage a number of occasions all through her profession. Examine the efficiency calendar and seize a ticket to this surprisingly intimate venue and benefit from the unimaginable acoustics from the corridor’s unique oak pews.
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White Limozeen
An architectural ode to Parton and her boisterous private type, this rooftop bar situated on the highest of the Graduate Resort is an explosion of caprice and Parton’s private model of southern sass. Sip cocktails poolside beneath sizzling pink umbrellas that appear to be cake toppers, lounge on velvet furnishings with touches of gilded glamor or snap a selfie with the large sculpture of Dolly herself. For apparent causes, this place is very fashionable, so a reservation is a should, and we suggest timing your go to in the course of the week.
Dolly Parton desires to learn you a bedtime story
Dolly Parton murals
Parton’s signature type and bubbly persona have impressed many inventive dedications, and Tennessee is house to some spectacular road artwork that may encourage you to embrace your internal icon.
Nashville
Parton has left her mark on Music Metropolis figuratively and actually – head to east Nashville to take a look at the technicolor mural on the facet of The 5 Spot, a storied native venue recognized for its eclectic efficiency calendar. Painted by Kim Radford in the summertime of 2020, the art work options Parton framed by vivid blooms, along with her personal phrases floating overhead: “After all Black Lives Matter. Do we predict our lily-white a**es are the one ones that matter?”
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Knoxville
Knoxville sits a stone’s throw from Parton’s hometown, so it’s solely becoming that town has a couple of artwork tributes to her as nicely. Head to the Central Filling Station to take a look at a portrait of our favourite bedazzled bombshell made solely out of recycled beer containers by artist Dave Bowers, or head downtown to Market Sq. Alley to pose with a not too long ago refurbished mural by Megan Lingerfelt and Colton Valentine.
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