If you’re planning to vacation or visit relatives in Tennessee, be certain to add art and museums in Nashville to your wish list. Since Nashville is best known as Music City, USA, let’s start with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.Situated on the bank of the beautiful Cumberland River, a few steps from the stretch of Lower Broad famed for live entertainment, the Hall of Fame Museum opened in May 2001.

The museum houses a cache of invaluable artifacts that tell the history of country music through video, country music and awesome displays. Additionally, the venue features live country music and special programs.

Dedicated to the preservation of Nashville artists’ memories and to their fans, the mission is to inspire future generations of creators. Don’t miss the Rotunda’s awesome display of bronze plaques, which feature facial images and biographies of the Hall of Fame Members.

Before departing, you’ll want to pop-in the Museum Store for take-home souvenirs.

The Parthenon

The Parthenon in Nashville, located in Centennial Park, is the world’s only reproduction of the Greek Parthenon. Athena Parthenos, a 42-foot high statue is the tallest indoor sculpture in the Western World, constructed for the 1897 Centennial Exposition in Tennessee.

Upon entering the awesome structure, you’ll find the Nashville Art Museum. Foremost are the paintings given to the city by James M. Cowan. There are 63 pieces of art by American artists of the 19^th-20^th centuries.

Collections, private showings and temporary exhibits are held in various galleries.

Frist Center

Since 2001, The Frist Center, is an untraditional museum of the arts. With an unorthodox vision to inspire people to envision the world in different ways through art, the center has exhibited art from around the globe.

The Martin ArtQuest Gallery features interactive learning, including watercolor, sculpture and print. The idea is to see, communicate and create art to heighten awareness of the visual arts.

For hungry tourists, the Frist Center Café serves homemade sandwiches, salads and soups, along with succulent sweets. Stop in the gift shop for art books, supplies, pottery and handmade jewelry crafted by local artisans.

Tennessee State Museum

The museum holds the history and culture of Tennessee. It features exhibits of: the frontier, antebellum Tennessee, the Civil War and Indian culture. Audio-visual programs provide a historical portrait of Tennessee.

Artifacts such as: Davy Crockett’s rifle, Daniel Boone’s pocketknife and Andrew Jackson’s felt inaugural hat are housed in the museum.