Dollywood, Pigeon Forge

BBC TravelSep 5

'Everything about her was East Tennessee': The places that shaped Dolly Parton

From her Appalachian childhood to Nashville and Dollywood, a journey through the Tennessee she loved – and transformed in return.

Theme park journey through the singer's roots and memorabilia

10 things in this story

DollywoodTheme parkTheme park journey through the singer's roots and memorabilia
Elsewhere
Ryman AuditoriumTheatreNashville, United StatesWhere a 13-year-old Parton made her Grand Ole Opry debut
Country Music Hall of FameMuseumNashville, United StatesChronicles country music history through artifacts and exhibits
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkPlaceGatlinburg, United States522,000-acre expanse with hiking trails and scenic overlooks
Tennessean Travel StopSightCornersville, United StatesCountry star's last public appearance before her death
The PinesRestaurantSevierville, United StatesWhere Dolly Parton performed for the first time at 10
RCA Studio BMuseumNashville, United StatesLegendary recording studio where Parton and Elvis recorded hits
Wings of Wander muralMuseumSevierville, United StatesMural inspired by Dolly Parton's hit song Love Is Like a Butterfly
Red's Cafe muralSightSevierville, United StatesDepicts Dolly Parton as a child getting a cheeseburger
Music City Walk of FameSightNashville, United StatesFans left flowers on Dolly Parton's star after her passing

Read the full piece at BBC Travel →

Lonely PlanetAug 20

8 best amusement parks in the USA

The USA

Combines coasters with bluegrass and crafts.

24 things in this story

DollywoodTheme parkCombines coasters with bluegrass and crafts.
NightFlight ExpeditionPlaceIndoor adventure coaster.
Elsewhere
Walt Disney WorldSightOrlando, United StatesUndisputed heavyweight theme park.
Magic KingdomSightOrlando, United StatesDelivers nostalgia.
EpcotSightOrlando, United StatesFood-and-culture wandering.
Hollywood StudiosSightOrlando, United StatesMovie magic.
Animal KingdomSightOrlando, United StatesFusion of theme park and zoo.
Wizarding World of Harry PotterSightOrlando, United StatesEmotional centerpiece for many visitors.
Universal Epic UniverseTheme parkOrlando, United StatesHighly immersive worlds.
Cedar Point Amusement ParkSightSandusky, United StatesRoller Coaster Capital of the World.
Pandora – The World of AvatarSightOrlando, United StatesSet generations into the future after the events of the Avatar films, the area is based upon the…
Silver Dollar CityTheme parkBranson, United StatesOld-timey Ozarks village with thrill rides.
American PlungePlaceBranson, United StatesChildhood favorite log flume ride.
Buckshot's Skillet CookeryRestaurantBranson, United StatesHome-cooked meal.
Busch Gardens WilliamsburgTheme parkWilliamsburg, United StatesThemed around European countries, unusually pretty.
Verbolten: Forbidden TurnPlaceWilliamsburg, United StatesMajor coaster with a 210ft drop.
Colonial WilliamsburgMuseumWilliamsburg, United StatesHistoric area.
KnoebelsTheme parkElysburg, United StatesFamily-owned park with no admission fee.
PhoenixAttractionElysburg, United StatesLegendary wooden coaster.
HersheyparkTheme parkHershey, United StatesAmusement park in a chocolate town.
CometAttractionHershey, United StatesBeloved wooden coaster.
Chocolate WorldSightHershey, United StatesHershey's Chocolate World is the name of five visitor centers that started in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States.
ZooAmericaZooHershey, United StatesIt was founded in 1910 by Milton S.
Kilimanjaro SafarisSightOrlando, United States

Read the full piece at Lonely Planet →

National GeographicApr 6, 2022

What Dolly Parton wants us to know about the Smoky Mountains

From her Tennessee mountain home, the nature-loving singer says mistreating Earth is like ‘being ugly to your mama.’ Dolly Parton’s music is inspired by the easygoing charm of the Smokies and her ...

amusement park celebrating Smokies landscape and culture

9 things in this story

DollywoodTheme parkamusement park celebrating Smokies landscape and culture
HeartSong LodgeHotelnew hospitality offering in Pigeon Forge
Dollywood FoundationPlaceawards college scholarships and supports book gifting
Imagination LibraryPlacebook gifting program for children, now international
Pink Adventure ToursPlaceoffers guided tours in a pink jeep
American Eagle FoundationPlacerescues and rehabilitates birds of prey at Dollywood
Elsewhere
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkPlaceGatlinburg, United Statesmost biodiverse park in the U.S. national park system
My Tennessee Mountain HomePlaceSevierville, United StatesDolly Parton's 1972 homage, now an official state song
Clingman's DomeSightGatlinburg, United Stateshighest point in the park

Read the full piece at National Geographic →

Dollywood

In the coverage3 stories

'Everything about her was East Tennessee': The places that shaped Dolly Parton

8 best amusement parks in the USA

What Dolly Parton wants us to know about the Smoky Mountains