Nashville is known either as Music City USA or Athens of the South. Nashville knows that true quality of life is found in a balance of neon lights and hushed chapels, busy streets and quiet wooded paths, museums, high-rise offices and quirky boutiques.A Nashville welcome is so warm, the culture so diverse, and the living so easy that it’s hard to leave her embrace.
PLACES TO SEE
1.THE JOHNNY CASH MUSEUM
The museum opened in April 2013 and boasts the world's largest collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia, including films, handwritten notes and letters penned by Cash himself along with more than 25 costumes made famous during the music legend's career.
2.THE NASHVILLE PARTHENON
The impressively accurate full-scale replica of the original Greek temple was originally built in 1897 of wood to commemorate the state's centenary and later rebuilt in cement on the same site. On exhibit is a permanent art collection of 63 works by19th and 20th century American painters, as well as a 42-foot-high replica of the statue of the goddess Athena Parthenon covered with gold leaf and replicas of the famed 5th century BC Parthenon Marbles.
3.THE TENNESSEE STATE CAPITOL
Built on Nashville most prominent hill this simple Neoclassical style capped with a temple-like lantern was started in 1845 and built mostly of limestone is the anchor of the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park linking the legislature with the downtown core. The Tennessee State Museum with exhibits spanning the prehistoric to Civil War periods, along with displays of furniture, weapons, and paintings is also housed in the building. A huge granite map is imbedded in the concrete plaza along with numerous fountains.
4.COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM
The building with its tall windows resembling the keys of a piano can be found in the heart of downtown Nashville. On exhibit is a multi-media display of historical performances, costumes, instruments, gold records, and memorabilia. Other highlights include a Cadillac that once belonged to Elvis, a massive 40 foot guitar, a tour bus, and a recording booth.
5.ADVENTURE SCIENCE CENTRE
Interactive displays allow little ones to learn about science, from what goes on inside the human body to what goes on thousands of light-years above our heads. Kids can get behind the controls of a flight simulator; learn what it takes to become an astronaut and step inside a face-altering photo booth to get a peek at what their future selves will look like. Show in the planetarium is entertaining for the whole family.
6.NASVILLE ZOO
Animals from Africa, the rainforests of South America and Asia is on display at the Nashville Zoo, such as the rare clouded leopards, Baird tapirs, toucans, and Bengal tigers in habitats that represent their natural environments. Be surrounded by more than 50 Australian parrots when you enter an aviary at Lorikeet Landing. Kids will love the Wild Animal Carousel, Wilderness Express Train, and the large Jungle Gym where they can slide, swing, climb, crawl, and explore.
7.FORT NASHBOROUGH
Established by pioneers in 1780 you will find a reconstruction of Fort Nashborough on the banks of the Cumberland River. The original fort lasted until 1792, and the modern day reconstruction on the site of the original provides a fascinating insight into the life and times of these early settlers.
8.RYMAN AUDITORIUM
Originally opened in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, the Ryman has been restored and features regular classical concert series, bluegrass shows, musical theater, and television tapings. A variety of exhibits relating to its rich past can be seen in the Museum and be sure to try your hand at cutting a record of your own in the Ryman's Recording Studio.
OTHER PLACES TO SEE
- Grand Ole Opry
- Belle Meade Plantation
- Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum of Art
- The Hermitage
- Belmond Mansion
- The Upper Room Chapel and Christian Art Museum
- Travellers Rest Planation
- Ernest Tubb Record Shop
- Chet Atkins Statue
- Downtown Presbyterian Church
- RCA Studio B
- Lane Motor MuseumS
- chermerhorn Symphony Centre
- Marathon Village
- Natchez Trace Parkway
- Fort Negley Park and Visitors Centre
- Battle of Nashville Monument Park
- Kelley’s Point Battlefield
- The District
- Printer’s Alley
- Rhinestone Wedding Chapel
- President James K Polk Tomb
By car is the only way to efficiently move to and from Nashville's spread-out sites. Other transport is buses and taxis.
The best time to visit Nashville is from April through October, when the warm weather brings this music city to life. Although December is quite charming with Christmas decorations at the Opryland Hotel and the Belle Meade Plantation, winter is low season.
