Are you planning a trip to Nashville? There are many attractions and activities to do in the city. Still, several locations are universally recognized as must-visit locations to truly understand the history, culture, and spirit of Music City. Check out these top Nashville landmarks to connect with Nashville’s history.
The Ryman Auditorium
Ryman Auditorium, one of the most well-known landmarks of Nashville, is known as the spirit and soul of the city. It is located right behind Broadway’s hopping honky-tonks. The Ryman was built in 1889 as a church and converted into the Grand Ole Opry’s home in 1943. Numerous country music icons performed on the Ryman stage during Opry’s more than 30 years of existence, including The Carter Family, Johnny Cash, Minnie Pearl, and Roy Acuff.
The Ryman’s famous stained-glass windows and old church make it different. The auditorium’s distinctive curves produce stunning acoustics, making it a unique performing space for musicians and art enthusiasts. Nowadays, Ryman Auditorium showcases concerts in a variety of genres; including hip-hop, rock, and country and tickets quickly sell out!
The Grand Ole Opry
A journey to Music City isn’t complete without visiting The Grand Ole Opry. It serves as the permanent home of the longest-running live radio broadcast in history, which helped spread the popularity of country music throughout US homes. A six-foot circle of the wooden platform was taken down and set in the middle of the Opry stage as a monument to the show’s former home when it moved from Ryman Auditorium in 1974. You can take pictures standing on that legendary circle when you visit the Opry today for a tour.
The Hermitage
The Hermitage, which is the former residence of President Andrew Jackson, is located not far from Nashville in Hermitage, TN. It’s one of the biggest and oldest site museums in the US, featuring more than 30 historic buildings, a museum, and a recreation of The Duel. Visitors can visit the Hermitage every week from Thursday through Monday for a tour.
The Parthenon
The Parthenon is a full replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, Greece. The Parthenon is a center of attraction in Centennial Park and was built in 1897 as a remark of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. A 42-foot statue of Athena is placed there, along with a museum with artwork on display. Tours of the Parthenon are available daily, and you can enjoy your visit to the Parthenon.
The General Jackson Showboat
From a showboat on the Cumberland River, observe Nashville’s expanding skyline. The General Jackson is one of the biggest showboats ever constructed; it sails at a top speed of 13 mph and provides daytime and night-time river cruises. Enjoy a delicious meal, live entertainment, and unrivaled views of Music City.
Belmont Mansion
One of the best-kept and largest house museums in the US, the historic Belmont Mansion was built in the middle of the 1800s and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Adelicia Acklen, the owner, was one of the wealthiest Southern women of her era and used it as her summer residence.
Throughout the 1800s, she raised her family there. After Acklen died in 1890, two women purchased the land and founded Belmont College for Young Women, which would later become Belmont University. Five days a week, tours of the mansion are still available.
RCA Studio B
Nashville’s RCA’s Studio B is well-known as a music recording studio built in 1956 that features crooning background vocals and strings. Numerous musical legends, including Elvis Presley, Chet Atkins, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson, have been recorded in Studio B. Every day of the week, the Studio is accessible for tours.
Belle Meade Plantation
A former plantation house constructed in the Greek revival style is called Belle Meade Plantation. The house of John Harding was built in 1819 and underwent numerous additions in the first few decades as the Harding family amassed wealth. Today, visitors can take tours of the mansion, the plantation grounds, the carriage house, and the slave quarters. On-site wine tastings are also available at the winery.
Tennessee State Capitol
Tennessee State Capitol was located in the heart of Nashville since 1859. The building was designed by renowned architect William Strickland, who referred to it as his greatest accomplishment.
As the seat of the Tennessee General Assembly, the governor’s office, and the final resting place of President and Mrs. James K. Polk, it is one of the nation’s oldest functioning capitals. Visitors are welcome on the capitol grounds every weekday from Monday through Friday.
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
The Bicentennial Mall is an urban state park in the heart of Nashville, located northwest of the Tennessee State Capitol building. The 11-acre mall was inaugurated in 1996 to mark the 200th anniversary of the state of Tennessee and is a well-liked location for walking, hiking, and monuments honoring significant events in Tennessee history.
Nashville offers a wide variety of activities. Visit Nashville Zoo, one of the famous zoos in the US and a popular tourist destination in Tennessee. The Frist Art Museum features top-notch exhibits, entertainment for all ages, and a family-friendly art studio where guests can make artwork.
Music lovers will enjoy learning about the history of country music at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum or honoring “the Man in Black’s” life and legend at the Johnny Cash Museum.
Key Takeaways
If you are planning out your holidays, Nashville is the place. It is a fantastic place to visit, as there are always things to do in Nashville. Not only for celebrity guest appearances but live music performances. One of the best bars downtown that showcases live music from local artists and even hosts celebrity appearances is Legends Corner. If you’re ever in the Nashville area, you most definitely want to check out all the historical landmarks the city has to offer but before you leave, you can’t forget to check out the Legend’s Corner. Stop by to get the most out of a Nashville experience!
