Sights and landmarks in Nashville

Sights and landmarks in Nashville

1. See

   AT&T Building

   An instantly recognizable downtown Nashville landmark, the AT&T Building, built in 1994 at 333 Commerce Street, is the tallest building in the state of Tennessee and can be seen from quite some distance if the hills aren't in your way. Its two tall spires on the building have earned it the nickname, "The Batman Building."

2. See

   Belle Meade Plantation

   Featuring the mansion built in 1853 and restored, as well as the carriage house from 1890 and one of the oldest log cabins in Tennessee, built in 1790. There is a great deal of history associated with the plantation starting from before the American Civil War. Excellent, highly interesting guided tours of the plantation mansion are offered by the local heritage society.

   9AM–5PM. Closed Easter Sun, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.·$24, Seniors $20, children 6–12 $13, children under 6 free

3. See

   Belmont Mansion

   An approximately one-hour guided tour of 16 rooms in the mansion. Also walk the grounds to examine the marble statues and cast iron ornaments in the gardens.

   Mon–Sat 10AM–4PM, Sun 11AM–4PM. Closed Memorial Day·$16, seniors $15, youth 13-18 $7, children 6–12 $5

4. See

   Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

   A fascinating state park stretched out in front of the state capital building. Features a giant map of the state, monuments recounting the history of the state since prehistoric times, a carillon, and more. In the summer, the fountains are often filled with splashing kids. The park is next to the farmers market, which includes a food court, fish market, nursery, as well as the expected vendors hawking fruits and vegetables. The Nashville Business Journal's Book of Lists ranks Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park as Nashville's #1 Tourist Attraction.

   Free

5. See

   Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

   Regularly changing exhibits and live performances make this Nashville landmark someplace to visit often. The Hall of Fame moved here in 2000. Ticket packages for guided or audio tours also available, and can be combined with a tour with the RCA Studio B and the Ryman Auditorium.

   Sat-Thu 9AM–5PM, Fri 9AM-6PM (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day)·Adult $27.95, youth (6-12) $17.95, child under 5 free

6. See

   Fort Negley

   A Civil War-era fort partially reconstructed by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. Taken by Union forces early in the war, Nashville quickly became the second most fortified city in the U.S. during the Civil War because it was seen as crucial to supplying troops engaged on the war's western front. The 1864 Battle of Nashville — a failed attempt by the Confederate army to retake the city — raged throughout what are now the residential and commercial districts on the fringes of the city. Much of the work on the fort was done by slaves and freed blacks who were rounded up and forced to work on the structure. The fort was closed for years (allegedly because it reminded many Nashvillians of the Union occupation), but reopened in 2004 with new boardwalks and interpretive signs.

   Sep-May: Tue-Fri noon-4PM, Sat 9AM-4PM; Jun-Aug: Tue-Thu noon-4PM, Fri-Sat 9AM-4PM·Free

7. See

   Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center

   This hotel is worth seeing even if you are not staying there. It is the largest non-casino hotel in the world, and is built around three enormous atria, the largest of which has an artificial river with boat rides around an island.

8. See

   John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

   Built between 1907 and 1909, the bridge was used for automobile traffic between East Nashville and Downtown. The bridge has been converted to a pedestrian bridge, and offers a spectacular view of the riverfront and downtown skyline. It is a very popular and convenient route to the Titans' football stadium.

9. See

   Musica

   Revealed in 2003, Musica is a tall sculpture featuring 9 nude dancing figures created by Alan Lequire and is in a roundabout in the heart of Music Row.

10. See

    Nashville's Second Avenue

    Provides entertainment for many different styles of people. The street includes bars such as Hooters and the famous Wildhorse Saloon, dining destinations including the Old Spaghetti Factory, the Melting Pot and B.B. King's Restaurant and Blues Club, and locations for family-friendly fun such as Laser Quest.

11. See

    Parthenon

    Created for Tennessee's Centennial Exposition, this monument was such a well-received attraction that a permanent form was constructed. It maintains the dimensions of the original Athens Parthenon to within a quarter of an inch (at 2/3 the scale), though constructed mainly of concrete as opposed to marble. Inside stands a replica of the statue of the goddess Athena thought to have existed in the original Parthenon.

    Tue-Thu 9AM-7PM, Fri Sat 9AM-4:30PM, Sun 12:30PM-4:30PM (closed Mon)·$15

12. See

    Tennessee State Capitol

    Union Fort Johnson

    Guided tours of the Capitol are provided free of charge by staff of the Tennessee State Museum. Enter the Capitol using the West entrance. Visitors are required to pass through metal detectors and show photo identification.

    Mon–Fri 8AM–4PM. Closed all holidays·Free

13. See

    The Hermitage

    The former home of U.S. President Andrew Jackson is full of his family's personal possessions, and is adorned with much of the furniture that they personally purchased. It was one of the first historic preservation projects in the state of Tennessee. This was accomplished by the Ladies' Hermitage Association which was modeled after the Mount Vernon Ladies Association that had restored George Washington's home. Plan for a two-hour tour with a moderate amount of walking. No cameras, video cameras, food, or drink are allowed within the Hermitage or the exhibit gallery. Security precautions are taken and the Hermitage asks that all backpacks or large bags be left in your vehicle.

    Nov–Feb: 9AM–5PM; Mar–Oct: 8:30AM–6PM. Closed Thanksgiving and 25 Dec.·$27 adult, $24 seniors, $17 youth (13–18), $12 children (6–12), free children 5 and under. Family pass for 2 adults and 2 children, $62

14. See

    The Johnny Cash Museum & Cafe

    A museum featuring pictures and memorabilia of icon Johnny Cash.

15. See

    Vanderbilt University

    Commonly referred to as the "Harvard of the South", Vanderbilt is one of the country's most prestigious universities. It is widely regarded as one of the most selective universities in the world, which means it is next to impossible to get admitted into Vanderbilt.

16. See Not mapped

    Tennessee State Museum

    With over 70,000 square feet (6500 m²) of exhibit space, this is one of the nation's largest state museums. Its permanent exhibits are split into several categories, including: Prehistoric, Frontier, Age of Jackson, Antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction.

    Tue-Fri 10AM–5PM, Sat Noon-5PM, Sun 1–5PM. Closed 1 Jan, Easter, Thanksgiving, and 25 Dec·Free (temporary exhibits may have an admission charge)

17. See

    Lane Motor Museum

    150 cars and motorcycles from the 1920s up to modern day.

    Thu-Mon 10AM-5PM·Adult $12, senior $8, youth (6-17) $3

18. See

    Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum

    401 Gay St

19. See

    National Museum of African American Music

    510 Broadway

    Sun Mon noon-5PM, Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM·Adult $24.95, senior (65+) $19.95, youth (7-17) $13.50, child (under 7) free

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Nashville (CC BY-SA 4.0).