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City Guide - Nashville - Key Attractions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Key Attractions Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum houses the story of country music from its very beginnings. This is where the personal memorabilia of the stars is housed, from Elvis Presley's gold Cadillac - and yes he was called a country singer before he became rock'n' roll - to Carl Perkins' blue suede shoes and handwritten lyrics from the likes of Roger Miller, as well as numerous guitars and stage costumes. A special large display is devoted to the greatest of them all, Hank Williams, who was dubbed 'the hillbilly Shakespeare'. Devotees of the genre will be in country heaven, while even those with just a passing interest should enjoy its lively displays. This attraction was located in Music Row, but is relocating to new downtown premises. The old premises have now shut (December 2000) and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will reopen in its new premises in May 2001. Fifth Avenue South and Demonbreun Street Tel: (615) 256 1639 or (800) 852 6437 (reservations, toll free USA and Canada). Fax: (615) 255 2245. Website: www.countrymusichalloffame.org Transport: Nashville Trolley to downtown. Opening hours: From May 2001 daily 0900-1700. Admission: US$14.95 (concessions available). The Hermitage The home of Andrew Jackson, America's seventh President, is Nashville's national treasure, attracting 250,000 visitors every year. Jackson first bought the property in 1804 and some of the original log cabins still survive. Rather more grand is the Greek Revival mansion he built in 1837, which has been fully restored, with almost all original period furnishings. The gardens are impressive too and there is a museum on the site as well as a restaurant and gift shop. 4580 Rachel's Lane, Hermitage Tel: (615) 889 2941. Website: www.thehermitage.com Transport: No public transport. Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700. Admission: US$9.50 (concessions available). Ryman Auditorium Downtown Nashville's prime attraction is the original home of the Grand Ole Opry and it still puts on all kinds of musical shows in the evening. By day, visitors can tour the auditorium, stand on the stage and hear anecdotes from the tour guides about the country stars who played here. These include Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and even a young Elvis Presley, when he was still regarded as a country singer. Memorabilia is on display, with some stage outfits and guitars. Ryman was a riverboat captain who built the theatre in 1892 as a venue for religious meetings. 116 Fifth Avenue Tel: (615) 254 1445 (information) or 889 3060 (ticket information). Website: www.ryman.com Transport: Nashville Trolley to downtown. Opening hours: Daily 0830-1600; evening shows vary. Admission: US$6 (concessions available). Cheekwood Known as Nashville's 'Home of Art and Gardens' and now also the Museum of Art after an 18-million-Dollar restoration, Cheekwood covers a site of 22 hectares (55 acres). The three-storey Georgian-style Cheek Mansion was built in the 1930s by Leslie and Mabel Cheek - Leslie Cheek being a successful local businessman. The art collection concentrates on local artists, such as the sculptor Will Edmondson. Edmondson was the first African-American whose work was displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York - in 1937. American art and fine art of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries are also covered. Other features include a Botanic Hall, Woodland Sculpture Trail, restaurant and gift shop. 1200 Forrest Park Drive Tel: (615) 356 8000. Website: www.cheekwood.org Transport: No public transport. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1300-1700. Admission: US$8 (concessions available). Tennessee State Museum This stimulating collection tells the story of the state from prehistoric times through to the early twentieth century. Special attention is paid to prominent characters, such as Andrew Jackson and Davy Crockett, as well as the Civil War. Historical arts and crafts items are displayed too and, in addition to the permanent collection, there are temporary exhibitions, for which there is usually a small admission charge. Fifth Avenue, between Union and Deaderick Streets Tel: (615) 741 2692. Transport: Nashville Trolley to downtown. Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1300-1700. Admission: Free. Tennessee State Capitol The State Capitol was built in 1859 and many parts of it, including the library and the Supreme Court chamber, have been restored to their original grandeur. Portraits of local dignitaries gaze down from the walls, and statues of famous Tennesseans, such as General Andrew Jackson and President James Polk, stand in the Capitol's grounds. Charlotte Avenue, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues Tel: (615) 741 2692 or 1621. Transport: Nashville Trolley to downtown. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600. Admission: Free. Belle Meade Plantation The Belle Meade Plantation, huge grounds known as 'The Queen of Tennessee Plantations', contains one of the oldest houses in Tennessee - a log cabin from 1790. The star attraction, however, is the 1853 Greek Revival mansion, which has been lovingly restored to its original elegance. Other original outbuildings survive on the 12-hectare (30-acre) site, including the stables and an 1890 carriage house. Tours are given by guides in period costume and there is also a visitor centre, tea room and gift shop. 5025 Harding Road Tel: (615) 356 0501. Fax: (615) 356 2336. E-mail: information@bellemeadeplantation.com Website: www.bellemeadeplantation.com Transport: MTA trolley bus 3 from Riverfront Park. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1100-1700. Admission: US$10 (concessions available). Cumberland Science Museum This was formerly the Nashville Children's Museum and it remains firmly aimed at younger visitors. There are numerous hands-on exhibits and daily displays on scientific subjects. A simulated flight over Nashville is one attraction. Touring exhibitions are also housed here - recent examples being on the subjects of signals and sharks. There are daily shows in the Planetarium too, including a live one explaining the 'Skies over Nashville'. 800 Fort Negley Blvd Tel: (615) 862 5160. Website: www.csmisfun.com Transport: Nashville Trolley from downtown. Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1230-1730; planetarium shows 1100, 1300 and 1500. Admission: US$6 (concessions available); planetarium extra US$1. Parthenon There is nowhere in the world quite like the Parthenon, except that there are two Parthenons! This is the only full-scale reproduction of the original Parthenon in Athens - one of the world's most beautiful buildings. In fact, Nashville goes one better and the museum has a copy of the 13m (42ft) statue of the goddess Athena, which no longer exists in Athens. The museum also contains the Cowan Collection of American paintings. There are casts of the Elgin Marbles from London's British Museum, other sculptures, temporary exhibitions and a gift shop. West End and 25th Avenues, Centennial Park Tel: (615) 862 8431. E-mail: info@parthenon.org Transport: Nashville Trolley from downtown. Opening hours: Tues-Sat 0900-1630; Apr-Sep also Sun pm. Admission: US$2.50 (concessions available). |
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