September 1, 2026, 1:29 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Dolly Parton is considered the quintessential music and country icon. Songs like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” continue to shape the music scene today. On August 26, 2026, Dolly Parton passed away at the age of 80. What many don’t know is that the singer left her mark not only in Hollywood. With her theme park “Dollywood” in Tennessee, she will always hold great significance for tourism in her home region.
Dolly Parton’s Roots Are in Tennessee
Dolly Parton was born on January 19, 1946, in Pittman Center, Tennessee, and grew up in a small community near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
She was the daughter of a farmer and one of 12 children. Despite living in poverty, young Dolly managed to record her first album, “Puppy Love,” at the age of 13, thus beginning her career as a country singer.
In the 1970s, there was concern that Dolly Parton would leave her home and country music behind due to her rising international fame. However, in an interview with PEOPLE magazine, she explained: “I will not leave Nashville. Roots are important to me, and my roots are here.”
With “Dollywood,” Dolly Parton Says “Thank You”
The idea behind the “Dollywood” theme park was to improve the economic conditions in the state. Parton’s family didn’t have much money, and her father had to take on multiple jobs to keep the family afloat. The country singer knew how difficult the job situation was in her hometown. The theme park eventually provided a solution to create more jobs for the residents.
Moreover, it was a big dream of Dolly Parton to give back to her community and the state of Tennessee after her success. After all, it was the area where she discovered her love for music and was able to make it her profession. The construction of “Dollywood” was primarily intended to boost tourism in Tennessee. Parton placed great importance on ensuring that the local government could invest more in schools and educational institutions with the increased tax revenue.
“I’ve Ridden Nearly 500 Roller Coasters—Here Are My Top 10 in Europe”
Admission to Popular U.S. National Parks to Become Significantly More Expensive for Tourists
What Does the Theme Park Offer?
Originally, the theme park was named “Silver Dollar City,” but in 1986, Parton renamed it “Dollywood.” Since the area around the theme park was not designed for many tourists, the singer ensured additional investments from the city and the state of Tennessee during its development. She owned 50 percent of the facility.
The park covers a total of 165 hectares with over 50 rides and attractions, including the 1,220-meter-long “Big Bear Mountain Roller Coaster” and “Wild Eagle,” the first wing coaster to open in America.
In addition to the popular historic steam train that travels through the Smoky Mountains, visitors can also enjoy numerous shows and live performances that bring Dolly Parton’s story closer to them.
Visitors can also watch craftsmen at work and indulge in typical Tennessee specialties like cinnamon bread loaves and barbecue dishes.
“Dollywood” Among the Most Popular Theme Parks
Dollywood attracts millions of visitors annually and ranked among the top 20 most-visited theme parks in North America in 2024, with 3.14 million guests. Dolly Parton’s legacy is, of course, meant to live on after her death. As recently as May 2026, she said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal: “I hope they keep building, even after I’m gone.”