Tennessee's National Parks
Known as the heart of country music, Tennessee is home to iconic spaces like the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Elvis Presley's Graceland, The Johnny Cash Museum, honky-tonks, dance halls, recording studios, and so many other star's starts. Tennessee is also known for Southern hospitality ranging from their barbeque to historic locations creating a their own unique culture. This land locked state is trisected by the Tennessee River and the Blue Ridge Mountains on the eastern edge. Tennessee is also home for three major rivers, the Tennessee River, the Cumberland River, and the Mississippi River. The West Tennessee Highlands level out to the west and flatten out in the Mississippi Bottoms which features lowlands, floodplains, and swamps.

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area | Oneida, Tennessee
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area- commonly known as Big South Fork, preserves the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries in northeastern Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky. Within it are reminders of the time when the area was subjected to logging and mining expansion. Sitting on 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and the tributaries that offer a variety of whitewater paddling opportunities. This paddling location offers varying difficulty levels for beginner whitewater paddlers all the way to expert. Big South Fork National Park has hundreds of miles of natural rock-climbing potential and most notably at the 250-foot-tall O&W Bridge which is sometimes cited as the tallest vertical wall in Tennessee. Equestrians can take in the natural beauty of Big South Fork on over 212 miles of trails ranging from short and easy to long and strenuous here. With all of the natural beauty here, it's no surprise that hiking is one of the most popular ways to get outside at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Borders North Carolina and Tennessee
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which borders North Carolina and Tennessee, sits on 522,419 acres and features waterfalls along the hiking trails. World renowned for the sheer diversity of the native plants and wildlife. At America's most visited national park, The Great Smoky Mountains are inviting year-round with open vistas along trails that depict year's past with stone walls, foundations and other old remnants of past residents, springtime wildflowers and flowering trees, summer spruce-fir forests, mountain flowing streams in the winter, and autumn-colored trees. One of the most popular hikes here is Rainbow Falls where hikers can take in rosebay rhododendron, teaberry, mountain pepperbush, and occasionally pink lady's slippers. Tucked away past two bridges the falls appear. Besides hiking, this National Park is world renowned for featuring over 1,500 kinds of flowering plants like Ephemerals, that can be found here at the "Wildflower National Park."

Stones River National Battlefield | Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Stones River National Battlefield is a 570-acre park on the Stones River that memorializes the Battle of Stones. The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and is best known as one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War and is viewed as one of the most important political and militaristic gains of the war. Currently, Stones River National Battlefield includes nearly seven miles of trails within the park. It also connects to Murfreesboro's Greenways which features four and a half miles of trails that follow the Stones River and Lytle Creek. Geographically, the Battlefield is located in the Central Basin of Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro. This area is also known for the unique cedar glade ecosystem and for the recovery of the federally endangered Pyne's ground plum (Astragalus bibullatus) and the Tennessee purple coneflower (Echinacea tennesseenis) which was removed from the list in 2011.

Obed | Wartburg, Tennessee
Obed stretches along the Cumberland Plateau and was settled in the late 1700s, this scenic area looks much like it did back then. Featuring 45 miles of river system, the Obed is a great space for kayaking, canoeing, and rafting as well as bass, bluegill, catfish, and muskie fishing. Camping, climbing, and hiking trails are also available. Apart of the greater southern Appalachian region, the Obed area is widely known as one of the most diverse temperate forestry in the world. The Clear Creek and Obed gorges, that were created through the Cumberland Plateau is an ecological process that helped form these gorges and create the area's unique plantings. There are about 800 different plant species in the park and includes hundreds of types of trees, shrubs, wetland species, and booth woody and non-woody vines. Some of the plantings that can be found are Cumberland rosemary (Conradina verticillata) and Virginia spiraea (Spiraea virginiana), which are both listed as Endangered Species.

Harpeth River State Par | Kingston Springs, Tennessee
Harpeth River State Park encompasses nine river access sites along 40 river miles. The park is popular for kayaking, canoeing, fishing and hiking. At the Narrows of the Harpeth, three trails link together at the common trailhead that is accessed near the park entrance. A half-mile bluff trail overlook features a steep ascent which leads to a panoramic view of the valley, the half-mile trail along the bluff leads to Montgomery Bell's Pattison Forge where hikers find a small waterfall. The waterfall is all that remains from the iron forge operation. The park features over six miles of trails that include, bluffs, Newsom's Mill, and a hidden lake as well as the remains of an old marble dance floor from a 1940s resort. As with all Tennessee State Parks, Harpeth boasts native wildflowers as well as mixed hardwood forests.

Art in Public Spaces | "I Believe in Nashville" Murals by Adrien Saporiti

 
Created in 2012 by Nashville native, Adrien Saporiti, the I Believe in Nashville Mural began in one location and has since been replicated throughout the city. After the floods in 2010, the mural is believed to show just how resilient Nashville is in the most trying of times. The mural was designed simply by using three colors, red, white, and blue, with the simple idea, to connect people. While the original mural is located in the 12 South neighborhood, the second is outside Marathon Music Works, and lastly on the exterior wall of the Basement East venue. The original mural still stood after the tornado that hit the city in 2020, seemingly showing that, "I Believe in Nashville."
https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/tennessee/articles/the-best-public-art-in-nashville/

https://www.yelp.com/biz/public-art-clarksville

Public Art Collection
The public art collection of Nashville, Tennessee is made up of 178 permanent public art work found throughout the area. Since 2009, Metro Arts commissioned local artists to design the functional bike racks to promote green and healthy living. There are 21 bike racks of this type in surrounding areas with the first of them installed in 2010, a second round of ten racks in 2013-14, and a final round in 2015. Bike rack designs range from the Tomato that is located at the Bicentennial Mall on the east side of the Farmers' Market to the Lotus that utilizes recycled bike frames to create the colorful design.

https://www.metroartsnashville.com/staff

Nashville Must Visit Places | Music Row
Developed in the 1950s, Music Row was dubbed the hub of the entertainment industry in the area. After WSM announcer David Cobb referred to Nashville as "Music City" in a 1950 broadcast, the area saw a music industry boom that is now world-renowned. Tucked away in historic Nashville, Music Row is made up of historic sites like RCA's Studio B and Studio A, where hundreds of famous Country music stars, like Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton, first recorded, where the original Country Music Hall of Fame once sat (1967 through 2000), and now is home to numerous radio stations, recording studios, and recording executive offices.

The recording industry is such an important part of the city's heritage and livelihood; parks even take the namesake of recording executives. Rockabilly of the 1950s and 60s gives Music City its name. Music architects like Chet Atkins, Bill Porter, and Owen Bradley were pioneers of the sound and have since become icons of the genre and area. Nashville music is more than just a genre; it is a lifestyle that has filtered into every facet of life in this region including, public parks and recreation. For example, the Owen Bradley Park, which sits on a small piece of land, is found at the entrance of Music Row. The park features a life-sized bronze sculpture of Bradley, sitting at a piano to commemorate the icon's work in the industry.

Lower Broadway
This historic area is the hub of live entertainment and numerous restaurants and bars. In the section of Broadway known as Lower Broadway, country music fans rejoice for plentiful honky-tonk bars where world-renowned live music fills the air.
Originally named Broad Street, the eastern end of Broadway ended at the shipping docks of the Cumberland River and was one of the first streets to run east to west in Nashville. The street was once home to hardware stores and had a section known as 'Auto Row' because of dealerships and tire shops that were in the various storefronts. Quickly the street began to be a performing hot spot for budding artists. In the 1930s, Jimmie Rodgers 'The Father of Country Music' began performing in the bars near the river. Unfortunately, when the Grand Ole Opry left Ryman Auditorium in 1974, Broadway began to decline in popularity until the 90s when the Grand Ole Opry brought a few shows back to Ryman. Lower Broadway is now affectionately known as 'Honky Tonk Highway' where stars like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson got their start.

Now the honky-tonks sit in a row and give Music Row executives a hot spot of where to find the next big star. As for tourists and locals, this historic street is the prime location for entertainment and restaurants any time of the night. Typically, these spots are open from 10 p.m. through 3 a.m.

In 1980, the Lower Broadway district was added to the National Register of Historic Places, yet there are several other registered landmarks including, the Union Station Hotel, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Humme-Fogg High School, The Customs House Federal Office Building, and Christ Church. Each of the above-listed landmarks features ornate architecture and is still in use today.

Bars and Restaurants to Visit in Lower Broadway
Where else would you go for live music and a great drink? Bootleggers Inn is the only moonshine bar with southern-inspired flavors and two levels of live music where diners can take in the prohibition-style. Meanwhile, the Hard Rock Caf???(C) overlooks the Cumberland River and downtown. It is a must-visit restaurant and music chain nestled in the heart of Music City. If you are looking for a typical honky-tonk, look no further than Nashville Underground. Sitting on 40,000 square feet, Nashville Underground offers bar-goers a typical Nashville experience. This honky-tonk is located near the end of Broadway and close to the Cumberland River. It features four levels of bars, southern bar food, live music, and a mechanical bull.

Since so much of Nashville is a shrine to country music, numerous country music stars have opened bars as a way to pay homage. Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row is the first of its kind outside of Bentley's home state of Arizona. The gastropub features a brunch, lunch, and dinner menu. Meanwhile, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville features American Classics and tropical-inspired dishes to enjoy with live music or interactive shows. Luke's 32 Bridge boasts 30,000 square feet with six floors, eight bars, four stages of live music, and two restaurants. The super bar and restaurant also includes one of the largest rooftop bars in the area. Lastly, the latest addition of star-owned restaurants and bars in Nashville is Casa Rosa. Owned by Miranda Lambert, the four-story restaurant opened in May 2021 and is the first on Broadway to be owned by a female artist. The venue includes three floors of live entertainment, a rooftop bar, and memorabilia from Lambert's career.

Must-See Destinations | Music City Walk of Fame
Between 4th Avenue and Rep. John Lewis Way visitors can take in the sheer impact that Music City has a pulse on. Walk down The Music City Walk of Fame to take in legends' stars across genres like Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, and Jimi Hendrix. Music icons are celebrated at this walk with a large stainless steel and terrazzo star that is embedded in the sidewalk between the Country Music Hall of Fame, Bridgestone Arena, and Schermerhorn Symphony Center. When here, in true Music City fashion, you will hear live music as well.

Cooter's Place: Dukes of Hazzard Museum
Operated by Ben Jones, who played Cooter in the 'Dukes of Hazzard' movie, Cooter's Place is a themed store and museum that features icons like the 1969 Dodge Charger, 'General Lee', Cooter's Tow Truck, Daisy's Jeep, to name a few. If you're looking for some American Nostalgia, this is the place to be.

The Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is the most well-known, world-renowned, and most visited attraction in Nashville, due in part to a one-of-a-kind experience for audiences at the Opry House and the WSM Radio broadcast. In 1925, a Nashville radio announcer introduced a fiddle player, Uncle Jimmy Thompson, on a show known as "The WSM Barn Dance," and the rest is history.

The Grand Ole Opry was born and is still going strong 95 years later. Originally residing at the Ryman Auditorium, the Opry moved in 1974 to the newly built Grand Ole Opry House shortly thereafter. Icons like Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton performed at the Grand Ole Opry when it resided at the Ryman Auditorium. When the world's longest running broadcast moved from its original home, traditions weren't lost at the new site and a 6-foot circle of hardwood was moved to the stage of the Opry House.

Now, country music enthusiasts across the global come to the Opry to take in live performances and backstage tours. Offered tours include a daytime backstage tour that features a custom-built theater, special effects, 3D films, and archival footage that tells the history of the longest running radio broadcast. This tour also stops at Studio A. The Opry also offers a post-show backstage tour that allows visitors the opportunity to walk across the wooden circle, see the 18 unique dressing rooms, and stop at Studio A. Whatever you decide to do, Nashville's prized radio broadcast is sure to be a hit.