Encircle Tennessee: Nashville is the capital city of The Volunteer State and the home of the Grand Ole Opry House. The largest city is Memphis, also the Birthplace of Rock and Roll and the famous Beale Street. They are only 200 miles apart. This gives you plenty of time to play your favorite tunes.
Since 1985, the Rum Boogie Cafe on Beale Street has served rum with delicious catfish, ribs, gumbo and red beans while their toe-tapping patrons listen to live blues bands. Their motto is, “Eat, drink, boogie and repeat.” When you go, check out this Rum Boogie Cafe mural in the alley. Then, go inside to see their collection of 150 guitars.
182 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103
If you want to see what the Athens’ Parthenon looked like in 447 BC, then visit the full-sized replica in Nashville, Tennessee. Located in Centennial Park, this 1897 version of the Greek temple shows all the missing parts of the original, including a 42 foot statue of Athena. She is helmeted, carries a shield, is covered by gold leaf and is as intimidating as she is garish.
Parman Pl & 28th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203
This equestrian statue of President Andrew Jackson by Clark Mills is on the Tennessee State Capitol grounds. The 7th president was in office from 1829 through 1837. Old Hickory died in Nashville in 1845. A similar Jackson sculpture is located in Florida, New Orleans and next to the White House. Another Tennessean to become president was James Polk. The 11th president (1845 – 1849) is buried beside his wife on the capitol grounds.
600 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37243
The Tennessee State Capitol Building in Nashville patterns a Greek Ionic temple. On top of the limestone façade is a tower instead of a traditional dome. Before the building was finished in 1859, architect William Strickland died and was buried in a crypt above the cornerstone. He is credited with initiating the Greek Revival movement in Nashville. Some people claim his ghost haunts the building. Tennessee became the 16th state on June 1, 1796.
600 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37243
Three photos of Nashville, Tennessee are all located in the Ryman Auditorium. This was the original Grand Ole Opry House from 1943 until 1974. The historical entertainment center is called “The Mother Church of Country Music.” It was built in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle. These photos include: 1) The Ryman Auditorium’s exterior; 2) The original wooden pews in the balcony and the stage costumes from famous performers; and 3) The bronze statue of Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff sitting on a bench in the lobby.
Ryman Auditorium, 116 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219