created by Luke Mager & OLivia Davidson
Dolly Parton: The Matron Saint of Tennessee
Dolly Parton was always so much more than a celebrity. She was woven into the fabric of Tennessee: a songwriter, storyteller, philanthropist, and reminder that kindness and ambition never had to cancel each other out.
Dolly once said, “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” She also reminded us not to get “so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” Her own was a life beautifully and purposefully lived, and one we will never forget.
Photo: Rob Hoffman
Dolly’s impact stretched far beyond her music. Through her songs, stories, advocacy, and unapologetic authenticity, she made millions of people feel seen and gave us countless reasons to always love her.
There is no single way to honor a life and legacy as big as Dolly’s. Whether you revisit the places that shaped her story, support the causes closest to her heart, or simply add a little more kindness and glitter to the world, here are a few ways to celebrate and remember her.
Dolly founded the Imagination Library in 1995 to provide free books to young children in Sevier County, where she grew up. What began as a local effort has since expanded to five countries, gifting well over 300 million books to children from birth to age five, regardless of family income. In place of flowers, Dolly’s family has asked those wishing to honor her legacy to consider donating to the program that was so dear to her. Donate in Dolly’s honor.
Photo: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Facebook
Dolly’s family created a space for fans to share their memories and express what she meant to them. Dolly held a special place in so many of our lives, and every personal story adds another piece to the beautiful picture of the life she lived and the people she touched.
Photo: Dolly Parton Website
Located at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, this exhibit offers a meaningful look back at Dolly Parton’s remarkable life and decades-long journey to superstardom, highlighting the milestones and turning points that shaped her enduring legacy. The exhibit remains open through September 2026, so pay a visit while you can.
Photo: Jason Kempin
Opening in just a few weeks, Dolly’s signature Nashville hotel will offer another way to experience the warmth, creativity, and storytelling she brought to everything she created. The hotel features uniquely designed rooms, two music venues, cocktails, and elevated Southern cuisine.
Photo: Dolly Parton Website
Located inside Dolly’s SongTeller Hotel, Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum will be the largest exhibit to date honoring her life and legacy. Spanning different eras of her career, the museum will take guests on the road, behind the scenes, and through some of her most iconic moments when it opens in September 2026.
Photo: Dolly's Life of many colors museum
Located in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, Dollywood celebrates the place Dolly called home and the Southern culture she held close throughout her life. Visit The Dolly Parton Experience for an immersive journey through her remarkable career and the stories, style, and spirit that made her so beloved. And no visit is complete without a loaf of cinnamon bread as a small, sweet way to celebrate her.
Located at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, this historic studio is where Dolly recorded some of her most beloved songs, including “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” Guided tours offer a chance to step inside the space where she made music history.
Photo: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Music City Walk of Fame Park honors the artists who helped shape Nashville, including the one and only Dolly Parton. Her star offers a place to leave flowers, pay your respects, and reflect on a legacy that reaches far beyond Music City.
Dolly became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1969 and remained one of its most beloved icons for more than five decades. A visit to the Opry House offers the chance to reflect on her lasting connection to the stage and the generations of country artists she inspired.
Photo: Grand Ole Opry, LLC & Chris Hollo
The Ryman Auditorium served as the home of the Grand Ole Opry until 1974 and holds an important place in Dolly’s story. At just 13 years old, she made her Opry debut on its stage and received three encores, which was an early glimpse of the icon she would become.
Photo: The Tennessean
Located behind the Ryman, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge was a favorite gathering spot for country artists, and Dolly was among its famous early customers. Opry performers were known to slip through the alley for a drink between sets, and today, visitors can enjoy live music while taking in the photos and memorabilia that line the walls; a connection to the Nashville era Dolly helped define.
Photo: Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.
Named after Dolly’s 1989 album, White Limozeen is a glamorous pink rooftop at Graduate Nashville inspired by her signature style. Raise a glass in her honor, take in the Nashville skyline, and visit the towering Dolly sculpture beside the pool; a fitting tribute to her colorful, joyful spirit.
Located on the back patio of beloved East Nashville dive Dino’s Bar & Grill, Dolly’s Lemonade Stand is a giant lemon-shaped bar crowned with a sculpture of its namesake. Dolly visited after it opened and left behind a signed photo reading, “Dino’s, I will always love you.” Stop by during the warmer months for a frozen lemonade, burger, and fries in her honor.
This one requires a mini road trip about an hour south of downtown Nashville, but Dolly is certainly worth the drive. One of her final ventures, Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop features live entertainment, a full-service Southern restaurant and bar, Dolly-themed merchandise, a community dog park, and plenty of amenities for travelers. Before heading home, pour yourself a Cup of Ambition and toast to a life spent dreaming big.
Photo: Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stops Facebook
It can be healing to do something meaningful in honor of someone we’ve lost, but you also don’t have to go anywhere to celebrate Dolly. Play the songs that mean the most to you, watch one of her movies, read a book with a child, offer someone a little kindness, or add a bit more color and sparkle to the world around you. Her legacy lives on in every way we carry her generosity and joy forward.
