Groups Can Now Walk ‘In Dolly’s Footsteps’ in Sevierville

Attention Dolly Parton fans! The highly anticipated In Dolly’s Footsteps walking tour has officially launched in historic downtown Sevierville. The tour is a self-guided experience designed to share important moments from Dolly’s early years as told through the places and people of her hometown.

Groups could visit the former theater where she played her first paying gig, hear Dolly recall her first visit to Red’s Café via video, and learn exactly what the Dolly statue means to a community that will always love her. Along the way, groups will discover the people, experiences, and hometown connections behind her extraordinary journey from Sevierville to stages around the world. 

ABOUT THE TOUR

In Dolly’s Footsteps is a free, self-guided experience connecting nine downtown Sevierville locations to Dolly’s early life. At every stop, a granite-and-bronze marker reveals another part of the story. Guests will begin near the Dolly statue with a complimentary tour brochure, which will highlight each stop of In Dolly’s Footsteps. Guests may also use their mobile devices to scan QR codes along the route and unlock more photos, videos, and stories.

With the help of Sevier County Historian, Carroll McMahan, the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce began developing this project in 2023 and worked closely with Dollywood to ensure Dolly herself approved the locations and gave the project her blessing.

“We are honored to share Dolly’s hometown story with the world,” said Amanda Marr, Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Director of Marketing and Communications. “Not everything looks just as it did all those years ago, but our hope is to share what downtown Sevierville was like for Dolly as faithfully as possible by highlighting the locations with stories, videos, and images to bring those memories to life.” 

Locations on the tour include:

Red’s Café (circa 1964) - 119 Court Ave. 

Dolly Statue – 125 Court Ave. 

Carr Dry Goods Co. – 140 Court Ave. 

Temple Milling Company – 106 W. Bruce St. 

Raymond’s Shoe Store – 110 Bruce St. 

Easy Way Five and Dime – 137 Bruce St. 

Kilpatrick’s Drug Store – 139 Bruce St. 

Old Post Office – 167 Bruce St. 

The Pines Theater – 230 Court Ave.

To learn more, visit InDollysFootsteps.com. For additional Dolly-inspired activities, go to VisitSevierville.com.

Courtesy of Groups Today.

Photos by Chad Branton, courtesy of Sevierville Chamber of Commerce.