Dear Dolly Parton passed away Aug. 25, 2026 (yesterday as I’m writing this). Tributes are flooding in talking about her songwriting, singing, performances, movies, businesses and her philanthropy. One consistent thing I keep hearing is how universally she was loved. I mean, how could you not feel a sweet spot (at the very least) for Dolly Parton? And heaven knows we can all greatly benefit from being unified in loving feelings! Here at Real Food Traveler, we had our own sweet spot for Dolly, having run a few articles related to her amusement park, Dollywood. On this occasion, I thought it only fitting to salute Dolly the best way we can here at our culinary travel magazine, by putting together those articles for our readers’ convenience. Maybe put on some Dolly Parton music while you read them. 

Save this roundup of articles to Pinterest to help you channel a little Dolly Parton anytime. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

A Real Food Traveler Salute to Dolly Parton

Our site is devoted to travel and having authentic culinary experiences along the way. So, it has always made perfect sense to talk about Dolly Parton, her amusement park in her hometown of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Dollywood. We’ve covered what it’s like to visit and also served up some recipes from Dollywood that were graciously shared with us for our readers.

Here’s an article written by travel writer Kathy Witt, right out of the pandemic in 2020 when we all really needed to feel the spirit of Christmas.

A Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood

One of the most popular recipes on RealFoodTraveler.com, year after year, is this one for the famous Dollywood Cinnamon Bread. At Dollywood, people willingly get in a typically long line at the Grist Mill to get some of this delicious bread.

The Famous Dollywood Cinnamon Bread Recipe

At Dollywood, visitors love to dine at the Front Porch Cafe. A popular item is the Glazed Ham Steak topped with this Pineapple Chutney served with potatoes and grilled asparagus. Dolly

Pineapple Chutney Recipe for Ham

Parton loved how colorful autumn was in the Smoky Mountains. This recipe’s warm flavors harken to the season but the recipe is delicious anytime.

Dollywood’s Center-Cut Pork Chops with Jalapeño Bacon Jam

Dolly Parton moved to Nashville when she was 18 to pursue a career in music. It was on her first day there that she met her future husband, Carl, outside a laundromat. When I visited Nashville a few years ago, I was immersed in music – it’s the fiber of the place appropriately nicknamed “Music City.” I don’t know if it’s true but I was told multiple times that Dolly liked to disguise herself as an ordinary person and go to Walmart to shop, riding one of those motorized carts. I’d have loved to have seen how Dolly got “ordinary”! To get a feel for what Nashville is like, here’s the article I wrote from that visit.

Nashville by the Numbers

Lastly, for some insight into Dolly Parton’s early life, and the spark of her amazing talent, I recommend watching the movie “Coat of Many Colors” from 2015 which was narrated by Dolly. She was also an Executive Producer.  Here’s our Amazon link to multiple ways to watch it.

Dolly Parton provides us all with the knowledge that, no matter what your lot in life may be, kindness and care for others is the most valuable thing. What a wonderful lesson in times like these.

Use our affiliate link for your favorite booking site to visit Nashville and feel a little closer to Dolly and where she called home.

-Article and graphics by Courtney Drake-McDonough, Publisher & Managing Editor of RealFoodTraveler.com 

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