Dolly Parton’s Nashville

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Dolly Parton’s Nashville

As a kid, I watched Miss Dolly on “The Porter Wagoner Show” and, as years passed, I realized that her heart was bigger than those bouffant wigs she wore back then. I interviewed her once around 2003 and she was exactly who I’d hoped she’d be–personable, engaging, thoughtful, funny.

If you want to go around town to see places she visited and where she is commemorated, consider these options. (I won’t give the address of her Brentwood estate because there’s no place to safely park nearby.)

♥  Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum
♥  Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel
♥  Ryman Auditorium
♥  Music City Walk of Fame
♥  Country Music Hall of Fame
♥  RCA Studio B
♥  Museum of Christian and Gospel Music.  
♥  Dolly’s studio and offices
♥  Dolly’s bench in Centennial Park
♥  Dolly murals
♥  Dollywood
♥  Dolly statue
♥  Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop

Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum

An immerse experience that walks you from her childhood in the mountains of Locust Grove, TN, to Nashville, on to Hollywood, and back home to Nashville. Dolly conducts portions of the tour herself via video DollyGrams. Mini-theaters capture portions of her Las Vegas residency and her film work. A video celebrates the work of Imagination Library. Dozens of signature outfits, hundreds of photos, and every album she released are on display. Advance reservations highly recommended.

Dolly museum

Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel

At every turn–from the lobby to your room–there’s no question this is Dolly’s place. Pink, rhinestones, butterflies–all the icons that make you think of her shining presence. Visit Jolene’s, an intimate lounge for nibbles and drinks with live music nightly. (Hint: pay particular attention to the clever design of the chairs.) Parton’s Live on the second floor hosts songwriter rounds and up-and-coming artist showcases.

Ryman Auditorium

Only a block from the hotel and museum is the Ryman Auditorium, the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. In 1959 Johnny Cash introduced 13-year-old Dolly to an enthusiastic Ryman audience. Here she was inducted as an Opry member on January 4, 1969. Today the Opry frequently returns to the Mother Church of Country Music. You’ll find photos of Dolly among its displays.

Ryman Auditorium

Music City Walk of Fame

Directly across the street from the entrance to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum is the celebration of all sorts of people with ties to Nashville’s entertainment industry ranging from the early country stars to Ben Folds, Jimi Hendrix, and Jack White. Dolly’s plaque is near the center.

Music City Walk of Fame

Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Although their feature exhibit ends October 4, 2026, Dolly is still well-represented here with photos and her audio account of playing her freshly written song, “I Will Always Love You,” for Porter Wagoner. She was officially inducted into the Hall of Fame in January 2000; her plaque can be seen in the rotunda. A special exhibit, “Dolly Parton: The Journey of a Seeker” continues through October 4.

Rotunda in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

RCA Studio B

Maybe Nashville’s most legendary studio, countless classic songs have been recorded here by hundreds of artists. Stand where Dolly stood to sing such hits as “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Love Is Like a Butterfly,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “In My Tennessee Mountain Home.” The tour can be purchased as an add-on to the Country Music Hall of Fame admission.

RCA Studio B

Museum of Christian & Gospel Music

Just up the street from Dolly’s hotel, the C&G remembers Dolly along with Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley as the only “Triple Hall of Famers”–members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Included in the exhibit is Dolly’s only commercially released all-gospel album and a rarely seen 1967 church directory photo of Dolly and Carl when they were newlyweds. Relive her stirring performance of “He’s Alive” on the 1990 telecast of the Dove Awards in the Dove Theater.

Dolly’s studio and offices

Corner of 12th Avenue S. and Elmwood Avenue. Not particularly photogenic, but behind the innocuous stucco walls of this unmarked compound  is the home of Dolly’s publishing company, recording studio, and offices. It has been added to over the years but the original property was purchased with royalties Dolly received from Whitney Houston’s recording of “I Will Always Love You.” TIP: there are tons of places to shop and eat here in 12South.

Dolly’s bench in Centennial Park

In 1975, photographer Raeann Rubenstein shot a series of photos of Dolly lounging on this concrete bench in the Sunken Gardens near the park’s Croquet Café. A plaque reads: Turn a page/Sing a song/and Imagine. FYI, there’s also a Taylor Swift bench nearby.

Dolly bench at Centennial Park

Dolly murals

My friend Mark Hollingsworth has a passion for capturing public art around the city. There are probably dozens of Dolly murals. Here are some photos he’s taken along with the locations if you want to capture images for yourself.

Dolly mural
SEVIERVILLE

Dollywood

In addition to celebrating Dolly in a variety of ways, Dollywood is one of the nation’s top theme parks with fierce roller coasters, energetic live shows, kids’ activities, and good southern cooking. In warm months, cool down at Dolly’s Splash Country, her stand-alone water park. Lodging is available in Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort.

SEVIERVILLE

Dolly statue

Located on Sevierville’s courthouse lawn is this lifesize statue commemorating the the larger-than-life presence of the county’s most famous celebrity. Folklore says that Dolly’s father would come by when no one was around to clean off bird poop. Photo: Mickey Mikeworth

CORNERSVILLE

Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop

Just off I-65 between Nashville and the Alabama state line, this truckstop has gone 100% Dolly with a full-service restaurant, a coffee shop where they’ll serve you ice cream or “a cup of ambition,” and loads of things to purchase as souvenirs. The decor is heavy on photographs, guitars, and rhinestones. Pets can take a break in the Dolly Park.