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In the USA, there are countless places shaped by remarkable individuals and the lasting legacies they have left behind. These icons whose stories continue to influence the character, culture and spirit of the destinations connected to them, have created a lasting sense of goodwill that visitors can experience today.
From the enduring legacy of Dolly Parton in Tennessee’s Dollywood, to Malcolm X’s formative years in Boston, and Jim Henson’s connection to Mississippi through the beloved world of the Muppets. These iconic figures have each left an indelible mark. Their stories offer visitors the chance to trace and step into moments of American history and creativity while celebrating the individuals who have worked to inspire, uplift and create positive change.
Summary of Icons
- Dolly Parton
- Malcolm X
- Jim Henson
- B. King
- Leah Chase
- Louis Armstrong
- Clementine Hunter
- Kate Chopin
- Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
- Elvis Presley
- Lucy Stone
- Stephen King
- Calvin Coolidge
- Niall Hanley
- Cheetie Kumar
- Linda Pace
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Ray Bradbury
- Maria Urquides
Visit Mississippi
Greenville, Mississippi is considered the place that inspired Jim Henson’s creation of Kermit the Frog. Having spent his early years in the area, it seems only fitting that the beloved creator of Sesame Street and the Muppets should have The Birthplace of the Frog: An Exhibit of Jim Henson’s Delta Boyhood here. The exhibition was gifted by the Jim Henson Company, which celebrates its 71st anniversary this year, to “the people of Leland” and invites visitors to dive deeper into Muppet history, including the story of Kermit’s Mississippi roots. Henson revolutionised puppetry forever, creating characters that have entertained and inspired generations globally while sharing messages of kindness, humour and morality.
Indianola, Mississippi is home to the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Centre, which celebrates the life and times of the iconic Mississippi native. Known globally for being the King of the Blues, the centre helps visitors to understand how B.B. King shaped music and wider American culture. The museum illustrates a deeper understanding of Mississippi Delta history and the literature, legends and cultural achievements of those who defined Mississippi’s rich musical heritage. King’s birthplace in Berclair makes up part of the Mississippi Blues Trail which visitors can explore throughout the state.
New Orleans & Company
In New Orleans, Louisiana, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant has been a landmark of Creole cuisine and community since 1941. Led by Leah Chase affectionately known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine, the restaurant became a vital gathering place during the Civil Rights Movement. During segregation, Dooky Chase’s was one of the few fine dining restaurants serving the local African American community, while also allowing black and white diners to sit together around the same table. The restaurant made progressive leaps and has since served US presidents. Leah Chase is regarded as the inspiration behind Disney’s first Black princess, in The Princess and The Frog, which was set in New Orleans. Today visitors can still enjoy Dooky Chase’s Creole flavours and marvel at its iconic legacy.
Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans and went on to shape jazz music forever. Celebrated for his unmistakable voice and phenomenal trumpet playing, Armstrong began playing in the clubs of New Orleans before shooting to international stardom. The city continues to honour his legacy in many ways, including festivals such as Satchmo Summer Fest, which takes place in August. Visitors can also explore the New Orleans Jazz Museum, which allows visitors to learn more about both Armstrong’s lasting influence, as well as the history, evolution and cultural significance of jazz itself.
Explore Louisiana
In Natchitoches, Louisiana visitors can discover the artwork of Clementine Hunter at the Melrose Plantation, as well as several museums that help tell the wider story of Louisiana’s history. Hunter is celebrated for the unique perspective she brings to her art. Having spent much of her life as a domestic servant, she began painting after a visitor to Melrose left behind art supplies, which she used to create her first piece. Hunter’s work captures the scenes of plantation life, preserving the stories, landscape and everyday experience of the people who lived and worked there. Her legacy is powerful as she was the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition. Hunter had to view her work by sneaking through the back door.
Founded in 1822, Cloutierville, Louisiana was once home to writer Kate Chopin, whose world-renowned novel The Awakening scrutinised the position of women, motherhood and polite society in the late 19th century. The text has gone on to influence generations of readers, becoming an important work in discussions of women’s independence, identity and social expectation. Cloutierville would help inspire Chopin’s Creole short stories, with the village retaining much of its character of the world she knew. Whilst visitors can no longer visit the French cottage Chopin called home, they can still step back in time and experience a powerful sense of the place, history and culture that shaped her writing.
https://www.explorelouisiana.com/
Tennessee Vacation
Sevierville, Tennessee, is where internationally acclaimed Dolly Parton grew up, surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. From performing as a child at local venues that still stand today, to writing more than 3,000 songs, countless awards and over 100 million records sold, Dolly has become one of the world’s most celebrated artists. Her legacy can be experienced in its full glory at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, the family theme park which opened in 1986. Dollywood continues to grow in popularity and with new rides, shows and attractions being developed constantly. Known not only for her music but also her philanthropy, Dolly’s impact continues across various communities and charities close to her heart and Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop is scheduled to open on 24th June, a travel centre which blends her signature welcoming spirit for those on the open road in Cornersville.
In Memphis, Tennessee, the Lorraine Motel, where Dr Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968 has become a powerful historic landmark that visitors can visit today. Luther King was known for his work during the Civil Rights movement and his speeches which pointed out inequality during segregation. Now home to the National Civil Rights Museum, the site explores King’s life and legacy, alongside the stories of many courageous activists who fought for equality during a segregated South. This year, the museum celebrates its 35th anniversary with immersive exhibits and experiences in its newly opened Legacy building. And for those on the road, the Civil Rights Trail spreads across Tennessee with stops that tell a wider story about the struggle and accomplishments of those who fought for civil rights.
Tupelo CVB
Tupelo, Mississippi is the birthplace of Elvis Presley, the international music sensation and King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Inspired by the gospel and blues sounds of the African American communities around him, those influences have lived on through his music today and helped him shape rock history. Today, Tupelo is a must-visit for music lovers with sites that explore his childhood, inspirations and early life, including the house where he was born at the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum. Presley later returned to perform benefit concerts, with proceeds helping to preserve his birthplace as the attraction visitors can experience today.
Whilst not a person as such, Tupelo is the starting point for exploring the Natchez Trace Parkway, which is one of America’s most unique national parks. With over 10,000 years of history over a 444-mile stretch, it has been shaped by settler history, prehistoric beginnings and indigenous history. The Natchez Trace Parkway Headquarters and Visitor Center offer an ideal introduction into the route’s substantial past. With its scenic beauty, cultural significance and deep connection to American history, the Parkway is a must for any Mississippi itinerary.
Meet Boston
A leading suffragist and abolitionist, Lucy Stone dedicated her life to battling inequality on all fronts. Boston is home to the Women’s Heritage Trail, where visitors can explore the remarkable stories of women whose legacy shaped conversations on equality. Stone was the first Massachusetts woman to earn a college degree, and she defied gender norms when she famously wrote marriage vows to reflect her egalitarian beliefs refusing to take her husband’s last name.
Malcolm X moved to the neighbourhood of Roxbury in Boston as a young boy and became its most famous son. X was a founding member of the Nation of Islam, a charismatic leader and incredible orator. X became a figurehead for the anger and frustration of African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. X is largely credited with providing the intellectual foundations behind Black consciousness movements in the United States. The neighbourhood has continued to thrive and today visitors can retrace its roots at the Cultural District and Museum of the National Centre of Afro-American Artists.
Discover New England
Genre-defining American author and Maine native, Stephen King is known as ‘The King of Horror’ and has received countless awards for his writing. Today fans of both his books and movie adaptations can take special tours that explore sites related to his works. King’s accolades include the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters and the 2014 National Medal of Arts. The gates of his Bangor home are a ‘must-visit’ and make the perfect Instagram opportunity for literary tourists with the spooky bat motif.
Calvin Coolidge was born in Plymouth, Vermont and was the 30th President of the US. Today travellers to Vermont can visit the Calvin Coolidge Historic Site which has preserved his birthplace and childhood home in Plymouth. Coolidge served first as vice president before becoming president in 1923 and was popular for his decisive nature and ‘hands-off’ governing approach. He was known for having a pro-business stance during the Roaring Twenties, as well as for his promotion of women’s suffrage, and signing into law the recognition of all Native Americans as citizens of the US. Historical items are kept in the on-site museum and allow visitors to follow his story from the beginning.
https://discovernewengland.org/
Visit Raleigh
In Raleigh, North Carolina, Niall Hanley brought his passion for beer to the city, and the Raleigh Beer Garden has since become a staple in beer tourism. The Beer Garden holds the Guinness World Record for having the most beers on tap. Inspired by his Irish roots and passion for authentic Irish pub culture, Hanley created a must-visit spot which celebrates local breweries by showcasing the best of North Carolinian beer through the selection on tap. With its vibrant nightlife scene and inviting culture, Raleigh is the perfect place to raise a glass and celebrate the incredible local produce it has to offer.
Cheetie Kumar, chef and owner of Ajja in Raleigh and one of the operators behind the upcoming Big Cat restaurant, has become a leading voice in the city’s food scene. Kumar is known for menus that blend South Asian flavours with the best of North Carolina produce. Kumar’s cooking celebrates both her multicultural influences and the region’s growers, adding bold flavour to the already booming food scene in Raleigh. Kumar’s creativity, inclusive approach and unique direction have contributed to her ongoing success.
Visit San Antonio
In San Antonio Texas, artist Linda Pace was a philanthropist who founded Artpace and Ruby City. Linda was driven by the belief that art is a vital social force, and as an artist she revealed the symbolic potency of everyday images and objects in her drawings and assemblages. Today, visitors can enjoy the many exhibitions which are on view at Ruby City. With weekly events including meditation sessions, hands-on art workshops and much more, her legacy has continued to make space for visitors to get creative and connect with the power of art.
Shaquille O’Neal spent his formative years in San Antonio, Texas, where his passion for basketball began to take shape. San Antonio is known for its sporting spirit and helped set the stage for the remarkable career that followed. The 7’1” four-time NBA Champion is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time and is a hugely popular sports personality, presenter and pundit, known for his entrepreneurship and philanthropy. NBA 2026 finalists, The San Antonio Spurs are the city’s beloved basketball team, and there is no better place to be than San Antonio on game day. Visitors can take in the city’s enthusiasm for the sport first hand, with tickets to local games during the season.
https://www.visitsanantonio.com/
Visit Tucson
Maria Urquides, celebrated as the mother of bilingual education, was a pioneering American educator from a Tucson family of Mexican descent. Inducted into the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame, Urquides grew up in the multicultural hub of Tucson and dedicated her career to supporting underrepresented Mexican American and immigrant communities. Urquides understood the importance of language, identity and opportunity and her legacy is still remembered for its impact. Today, Tucson’s Mexican influence continues to pulse through its cuisine, music and traditions, reflecting the same cultural pride and connection that contributed to the passion and work of Maria Urquides.
Tucson, Arizona, was once home to acclaimed writer Ray Bradbury, who lived there as a child. It’s said that the Sonoran Desert and its vast landscape helped inspire his imagination and later work. The author and screenwriter best known for dystopian sci-fi novel Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury became one of the most celebrated writers of the 20th century. Bradbury even has an asteroid named in his honour, 9766 Bradbury. Today, Tucson is known as the gateway to the stars, with minimal light pollution and an exceptional Astro Trail. Visitors can follow the trail and look up at the night sky, experiencing the same sense of wonder that may once have inspired Bradbury.
https://www.visittucson.org/events/festivals-and-annual-events/
Maverick Helicopters
Maverick Helicopters has found its home among some of America’s most iconic landmarks. Departing from Santa Monica Airport, the Hollywood and Beyond tour offers passengers an unforgettable aerial experience over Los Angeles. The 30-minute experience showcases the best of the city, from the glistening Pacific coastline to celebrity residences in Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Along the way, visitors can take in iconic sights including Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Bowl, Universal Studios and, of course, the world-famous Hollywood Sign.
Las Vegas has a rich history and has continued to grow in the past century; its bright lights have only become more dazzling. The Las Vegas Strip Helicopter Flight offers unique views of the city, soaring high above the neon lights and world-famous landmarks including the Bellagio and Caesars Palace. The award-winning adventure is a must-do experience for anyone visiting Sin City.
https://www.maverickhelicopter.com/
ENDS
For more information on the above destinations, please visit www.ttmworld.co.uk
For media enquiries, more information, hi-res images or video, please contact:
Caroline Donaldson-Sinclair, PR Account Director: caroline@ttmworld.co.uk
For Meet Boston, Discover New England, and Visit San Antonio
Jennie Jordan, Senior PR Account Manager: jennie@ttmworld.co.uk
For Visit Mississippi and Tupelo CVB
Adam Aspinall, PR Account Manager: adam@ttmworld.co.uk
For New Orleans & Company, Explore Louisiana, Maverick Aviation and Tennessee Tourism
Anisha Hegde, PR Account Executive: anisha@ttmworld.co.uk
For Visit Tucson and Visit Raleigh
Maxine Hanson, PR Executive: maxine@ttmworld.co.uk
Kirsty Dillury, Chief Communications Officer: kirsty@ttmworld.co.uk
For any other enquiries, please visit www.ttmworld.co.uk, email ttmoffice@ttmworld.co.uk or
call +44 (0)208 313 1717