The One Thing Dolly Parton Packs No Matter Where She's Going
The music icon shares her travel musts, her favorite place in the world, and where her next dinner theater might set sail
Dolly Parton doesn’t half-do anything. She’s won Grammys (10 to be exact), topped charts, launched a theme park, and inspired generations. Now, she’s steering her rhinestone-studded boots deeper into the dinner theater game with the expansion of her Pirate Voyage show to Panama City Beach, Florida.
Yes, that Panama City Beach. The Spring Break mecca, the Emerald Coast icon, and now, the latest stop on Dolly’s theatrical conquest of the South. With salty sea lions, high-flying pirates, and hearty Southern fare, the dinner show is a dash of Broadway, a splash of dazzling acrobatics, and all Dolly.
Dolly’s reign over theater doesn’t stop with her dinner show. On July 18, DOLLY: A True Original Musical, a musical retelling of the icon’s life and career, will begin a limited run in Nashville before moving to Broadway in 2026.
Thrillist caught up with the entertainment legend to talk about how she got into the supper show biz, what she always packs in her suitcase, and why the Smoky Mountains still have her full heart.
Thrillist: How did you get into the dinner show space?
Dolly Parton: Growing up in the Smoky Mountains, everything we did seemed to revolve around great food, great music, and stories around the table. So, it just made sense to put all that together in a way that families could enjoy. When I opened my first dinner show, my dream was to give people an experience they’d never forget—a big show full of music, laughter, and delicious food you can dig right into. It’s really all about having fun and making memories together.
Your newest spot is opening in Panama City Beach, Florida. What made you ultimately select this destination and what do you love about it?
I’ve always loved the Panama City Beach area. That white sand and beautiful emerald water just draws you in. It’s a place where families go to have fun, so bringing one of my dinner shows there felt right and it’s perfect for Pirates Voyage. I wanted to give folks something special to do after a day at the beach and I think they will love this show and the amazing food.
Where do you see your dinner show going next? Are there any additional markets on your radar and why?
I’m always dreaming. We’re always looking for places where families love to gather and celebrate. If there’s a spot where people are hungry for a good meal and a good show, you never know, you might see one of my dinner shows pop up there. I’m always charting new waters, but a good pirate never gives away all of her treasure maps.
So, you’ve traveled a ton over the years. If you had to pick a favorite destination, what would it be?
That’s a tough one, because I’ve loved so many places. Plus, if I’ve got my friends and family with me, that turns anywhere in the world into my favorite destination. I’m a gypsy at heart, but my favorite place in the world will always be the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. That’s home, it’s where my heart is and there will never be any place like it for me.
What are your travel essentials and must-packs?
Oh, I’ve always got my wigs, my makeup, and a good book or two. Mostly, I try to carry my sense of humor with me wherever I go. You sure need that on the road.
What destination remains on your bucket list?
The truth is, there’s a whole lot of places I’d love to see, but I like to think the adventure is just as much about the people you get to meet as the place you land. I believe if you keep your heart and your mind open, the whole world’s one big bucket list. Every new place gives me a new story or song, and every stop along the way keeps me inspired to dream up what’s next.
Reflecting on your career—across music, hospitality and entertainment—what has traveling meant to you and how has it shaped that unique worldview of yours?
I think traveling has shown me that people are more alike than we are different. No matter where I go, folks want to feel loved, to laugh, to belong. Travel has reminded me that sharing a song, a story, or a meal can bring people together in the sweetest ways. I’m grateful for every place I’ve been because it’s given me more perspective and a deeper sense of how connected we all are.