Great Things to Do in Nashville
From live music to the city’s best cultural
destinations to fun for families, Nashville is a wonderful place
to explore.
Frist
Center for the Visual Arts
The Frist Center opened in April
2001, and since that time has
hosted a spectacular array of
art from the region, the country
and around the world as well as
become a magnet for Nashville’s
rapidly expanding visual arts
scene. With an exhibitions
schedule that has new art
flowing through the magnificent
Art Deco building every six to
eight weeks, no matter how often
you visit, there is always
something new and exciting to
see in the spacious galleries.
Schermerhorn Symphony Center
The highly anticipated
Schermerhorn Symphony Center is
home to the critically acclaimed
Nashville Symphony and is
located on a full city block in
downtown Nashville.
Country Music Hall of Fame
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has been the home of
America’s music since 1967. In keeping with the cultural
significance of the music and the heroic achievements of those
who form its membership, the museum opened in a $37 million
landmark new building in May 2001. Located on the west bank of
the Cumberland River, the Hall of Fame is just a few steps from
the historic Ryman Auditorium, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center
and the honky-tonks of Lower Broadway.
Tennessee
State Capitol (615) 741-2692 or
(615) 741-1621
The majestic Tennessee State Capitol, completed in 1859, is
located on a high hill in downtown Nashville near the
Bicentennial Mall and the Farmers’ Market. The distinctive tower
is designed after the monument of Lysicrates in Athens, Greece.
The Capitol, still in use by state government, features numerous
works of art, historical murals and frescos, portraits, massive
chandeliers, the House and Senate chambers and library, and the
Governor’s Office. The grounds also include the tomb of
President and Mrs. James K. Polk.
Ryman Auditorium
Known as Nashville’s premier performance hall, the Ryman
Auditorium was the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974.
During that period, the building gained nationwide recognition
as the “Mother Church of Country Music” featuring pioneering
performers such as Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, and Patsy Cline
who helped shape the future of country and bluegrass music.
Today the renovated space still features wooden church pews and
music that can’t be beat.
Nashville Public Library – Main
Library
On June 9, 2001, the new 300,000-square-foot Main Library
building opened to the public in the heart of downtown
Nashville. From its historic Nashville Room to the public art
galleries to the café to the fountain-filled center courtyard,
the main branch of Davidson County’s 21-branch public library
system is a perennial favorite.
Tennessee State
Museum
The Tennessee State Museum is one of the largest state museums
in the nation with more than 60,000 square feet of permanent
exhibits and a 10,000-square-foot changing exhibition hall.
Downtown
Presbyterian Church
One of only three surviving Egyptian Revival churches in the
U.S., this spectacular building was designed by Philadelphia
architect William Strickland. According to the church, “the
public is welcome to enjoy self-guided tours of our beautiful
and historic church during regular business hours. Guided tours
are available for groups of five or more if arranged in
advance.”
Cheekwood
Botanical Garden and Museum of Art
Within its 55 acres, Cheekwood features a botanical garden and a
museum of art, which is recognized as a center for contemporary
art in the Southeast. The Cheekwood mansion, with the original
boxwood gardens, has been named to the National Register of
Historic Places.
Nashville
Zoo at Grassmere
Located just six miles south of downtown Nashville, the
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is open every day except Thanksgiving
Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. In addition to its
exhibits, crowd favorites include the Grassmere Historic Farm,
the Jungle Gym (the largest community-built playground of its
kind in the country), and the Wild Animal Carousel, which
provides guests with the opportunity to ride one of 39
hand-painted, wood-carved animals.
The Grand Ole
Opry
The six-foot circle of dark, oak wood in the Opry House stage is
shiny but clearly well worn. Cut from the stage of the Opry’s
famous former home, the Ryman Auditorium, this circle gives
newcomers and veterans alike the opportunity to sing on the same
spot that once supported Uncle Dave Macon, Ernest Tubb, Patsy
Cline, and others. As that wooden circle is the heart of the
stage, the Opry’s heart is its music and its members — a broad
scope of styles by a wide range of artists.
The Parthenon
Located just a few blocks from the heart of Vanderbilt
University, the Parthenon stands proudly as the centerpiece of
Centennial Park, Nashville’s premier urban park. The re-creation
of the 42-foot statue Athena is the focus of the Parthenon just
as the original was in ancient Greece. The building and the
Athena statue are both full-scale replicas of the Athenian
originals. Built for Tennessee’s 1897 Centennial Exposition,
this replica of the original Parthenon in Athens serves as a
monument to what is considered the pinnacle of classical
architecture. The Parthenon also serves as the city of
Nashville’s art museum.
The Belcourt
Nashville’s nonprofit venue for
theatre, music and events, the
Belcourt offers two theatres,
one of which is the original
1930s movie house. Located in
Hillsboro Village, the venue
features music, film, events and
forums on a daily basis.
Bluebird Café
Among musicians, the Bluebird is world-famous and the place to
see and hear well-known songwriters and musicians as well as
those just starting out. This treasure is but a hole in the
wall, tucked into a strip mall in the middle of the Green Hills
area of Nashville. Be forewarned: Go to hear music, not for
conversation. Customers who talk during performances are
commonly shushed.
The Station
Inn
Located in The Gulch long before that area was one of
Nashville’s hottest night-spots, the Station Inn has hosted
virtually every significant name in bluegrass music. Amazing
music and pretty good pizza, too.
The Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau offers more
information.
