How to see Dolly Parton's 'rags to rhinestones' Tennessee, from the Smokies to Nashville - and America's coolest service station

Dolly Parton may have spent seven decades plucking guitars on stages all over the world but the late country singer's heart never left Tennessee. 

The Grammy-winning musician, actress and philanthropist, who died of cancer aged 80 in August, became a superstar cheerleader for the corner of Southern Appalachia she grew up in, investing millions in tourist attractions in East Tennessee and beyond right up until her death. 

A new hotel and museum in Nashville dedicated to the wisecracking country queen's life and career launches at the end of this month - and June saw her very own service station, complete with southern hospitality and plenty of yee-ha merchandise, also open its doors. 

Dolly's Tennessee has always been the best of Americana road-tripping; the chance to don a western hat, find some rhinestones and make a pilgrimage through the landscapes that shaped her. It's a different trip now of course, so buckle up and watch out for the lump in your throat. 

You can jet into Nashville - or Atlanta, which has cheaper flights, hire a car and put the following destinations on your routefinder, stopping in the characterful towns and cities that Dolly loved en-route.  

Good golly Miss Dolly: A road-trip inspired by the late country legend sees some of Tennessee's most beautiful scenery - and fun destinations - showcased 

Where it began: A shack in East Tennessee  

Born into poverty in a two-room cabin in Locust Ridge, close to the city of Sevierville and Tennessee's Smoky Mountains, Dolly shared the shack, which had no running water or electricity, with six brothers and five sisters, plus her parents, Avie and Robert Lee.

While the cabin still stands, it's not open to the public. Dolly bought the land and preserved her childhood home away from tourist eyes. 

It is possible to see a perfect replica though - by heading to Dollywood, the late icon's theme park, just up the road in the Smoky Mountain town of Pigeon Forge. 

Housed in the Rivertown Junction area of the park, it was first unveiled by Dolly in 1986 and recreates what life was like for the Parton family in Locust Ridge. 

Built by her brothers and decorated by Dolly's mother, tourists can see walls decorated in old newspapers and magazines, as the singer's original home was. 

There's also a handful of ornaments and photos from the Parton family home, and a 1946 calendar ringed on Dolly's birthdate - January 19th. 

The shack Dolly shared with 13 family members, including 11 brothers and sisters, and her parents in Locust Ridge. The original shack remains off limits for tourists but you can see a close replica at Dollywood in nearby Pigeon Forge

A bronze statue showing Dolly and her guitar is one of many landmarks in Sevierville, the East Tennessee city closest to the star's childhood home

The city closest to Locust Ridge, Sevierville, is also firmly on the Dolly trail, with six major landmarks dedicated to Sevier County's most famous star. 

It's also the place where Dolly's flamboyant look was born - the singer frequently told the story of being inspired by a particularly glamorous local prostitute she saw streetwalking as a child in Sevierville.

The bronze Dolly Parton Statue on the Sevier County Courthouse lawn - at 125 Court Ave - has become a shrine for flowers and cards in the weeks since the country idol's death. In place for more than 30 years, the sculpture, made by local artist Jim Gray, sees Dolly strumming a guitar. 

Other stops include places inspired by haunts the future star frequented as a child, including a mural depicting 'Red's Cafe', a popular Parton pit-stop. Order a milk float or a rootbeer at Red’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream, again inspired by the cafe Dolly loved.

Ride 'em cowboy: Don't miss Dollywood 

A theme park with a heart as big as Dolly's - after it opened in 1986, this country and coasters attraction - where tickets start from around £70 a day for adults and £62 for children - became the biggest employer in East Tennessee

Big Bear Mountain is the longest coaster at Dollywood, reaching a speed of 48mph. Right: The newest ride is NightFlight Expedition, an immersive indoor adventure coaster

After her own Hollywood career took off - including her role in 9 to 5, which earned her two Grammys after she penned the title song, Dolly was inspired to open a theme park with cinematic rides.

Revamping the former Silver Dollar City attraction, she turned it into Dollywood in 1986 - and promptly became the biggest employer in her home area.

Park what you think you know about theme parks; Dollywood is different. While there's plenty of high-octane rides - from Big Bear Mountain to Wild Eagle and Thunderhead, Dollywood is also a love letter to rural Tennessee life. 

There's Southern homestyle cooking aplenty including ham, hand-breaded fried chicken and cornbread at the likes of Aunt Granny's Restaurant and Granny Ogle's Ham 'n' Beans. 

Alongside the theme park, there's also a seasonal waterpark and dinner shows, including western show, Dolly Parton's Stampede. 

Theme park tickets cost $94.99 (£70) for adults and $84.99 (£62) for children for a one-day pass. 

A cup of ambition at Dolly's service station

Cinnamon bread, a cup of ambition and plenty of Dolly merch is on the menu at the late star's Cornersville service station, which opened earlier this year

At what would be her final public appearance in June, Dolly launched her very own service station serving up classics such as cinnamon bread, brisket and peach cobbler - and gallons of fuel - to weary travellers. 

Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop sits on the Pulaski Highway in Cornersville and features a Southern-style restaurant, a BBQ-cafe, live country music and the chance to enjoy a 'cup of ambition' coffee. 

The themed venue also features photos, merchandise, favourite recipes, rhinestones and guitars. 

Dolly told those attending the launch: 'Who better to own a travel stop than someone that spent their entire life on the road? I've been traveling since 1967 just to make my living. And I know every travel stop from coast to coast.'

Already a truckers' favourite, the Travel Stop has more than 6,000 reviews on Google, with a score 4.3. One fan penned recently: 'The hype is real! The cinnamon bread was the same as in Dollywood, the biscuits were delicious, and the coffee frappe was marvellous! With exclusive merch you can only get at this one place makes it a MUST! Super friendly staff!'

The new Nashville museum dedicated to Dolly

It had been hoped that Dolly would launch her newest tourism landmark...but on September 29th the SongTeller hotel and 20,000-square-foot Life of Many Colours museum, housed in the same property in downtown Nashville, will officially open without the country icon to cut the ribbon.

The hotel has 245 rooms including 31 signature suites - with Acoustic Suites and Six Sisters Suites amongst them. 

On September 29th, the newest Dolly attraction - a hotel and 20,000 square foot museum, will open in Nashville

Dolly first trod the hallowed boards of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in 1959 and appeared more than 100 times over seven decades

Aspiring stars in Music City will take the stage in Parton's Lounge, and guests can sink a drink or two in Jolene's, a bar with skyline and Cumberland River views. Rooms start from around £308 per night. 

Elsewhere, the other major zip code in Dolly's career was the Grand Ole Opry, the historical music venue that helped make the singer's name. She first got on stage at the Nashville venue in 1959 at the age of 13, introduced by Johnny Cash.

Today, you can book tickets from around £45 to see a line-up of established country stars and newcomers - with country royalty such as Lainey Wilson and Luke Combs also making appearances. 

Make for the mist: The Great Smoky Mountains 

The Great Smokey Mountains cover more than 520,000 acres and are home to some great tourists stops, including the gateway town of Gatlinburg (pictured)

Wildlife abounds in the Smokies, with black bears, groundhogs and white-tailed deers among the species visitors might encounter

Nashville may be honky tonk heaven but there is perhaps nowhere more authentically linked to Dolly than the Great Smoky Mountain Range, which provided a backdrop for the singer's early life and later became a refuge from global fame. 

A chance to take a breather from the kitsch and see the landscapes - including misty mountains, thundering waterfalls and verdant forest - that inspired the first country music singers. 

The Smokies stretch more than 520,000 acres with a handful of cute tourist towns including Gatlinburg, the gateway to the mountains, to explore. 

Alongside a host of outdoorsy activities, from kayaking to rafting and hiking, the 18th century town has art galleries, shopping and wineries to while away time in. 

Take the 11-mile Cove-Cades road trip loop and you might encounter a few local residents of the furry kind, with groundhogs, black bears and white-tailed deer all common sights.