Five stunning cultural attractions in Nashville

Wait, what? Yep, there’s a Parthenon in Nashville - who said Athens, Greece was the only place allowed to build massive, ancient temples? Sure, the Athens of the South version might not be quite as old, it only dates back to 1897, but it’s still a mighty grand, full-scale replica of one of the most iconic buildings on the planet. Oh, and the Athena is the largest indoor sculpture in the western hemisphere. Why? Why not. Built as part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, it’s now used primarily as an art gallery that is an essential stop in your trip to Nashville.

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One of the finest art galleries in the south, the Frist Art Museum is home to a constantly shifting schedule of exhibitions. Currently exhibiting is Farm to Table; Art, Food, and Identity in the Age of Impressionism, a glorious gastronomic dive into late 19th-century France, as well as its companion show Tennessee Harvest which looks at more local art from the 19th- and early 20th-century. There’s also a limited engagement exhibition on David C. Driskel and other prominent African American artists. 

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Nashville is home to the oldest registered distillery in the United States, which is also churning out some of the world’s most famous whiskey. The Jack Daniel's Distillery is among the most prestigious listed on the National Register of Historic Places, making it an essential experience for visitors. Sessions here include personally guided tours of the distillery, up-close observation of the whiskey-making process and insight into the man behind the malt. 

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Fourteen-time Grammy Award winners, Nashville Symphony are one of the most acclaimed orchestras in the US. With the mission statement to educate and entertain audiences while building a diverse community of music fans, reflective of the Middle Tennessee community, it’s got good intentions at its heart. The institution has been running since 1941, and plays around 150 concerts annually, spanning pop, jazz, country, and family shows, meaning there’s always something worth checking out. Make sure to catch them at the elegant Schermerhorn Symphony Center in the heart of Downtown.

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Get your fill of fresh air across 55 acres of glorious greenery at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. A 1930s estate, it’s not just immaculately tended gardens you’ll find here, but a permanent collection of incredible American art, as well as an al fresco Robert Indiana ‘Love’ pop art sculpture, and live music under the stars all throughout summer. But if you visit at any time of the year, you’ve got all kinds of things to keep you entertained, from the spring Cheekwood in Bloom to the fall harvest and holiday light installations. The woodland sculpture trail features pieces by some of the most acclaimed modern artists around, such as Jenny Holzer and James Turrell, so don’t miss it. 

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Explore Nashville’s arts and culture scene.