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Although many of the attractions in Nashville are tied to the country music industry, there are more to Nashville than tacky country music bars and cheap memorabilia shops.

Tennessee State Capitol

Tennessee Liberty Bell

Nashville is capital of the state of Tennessee. Thus, it is where the State Capitol is located. There is a Liberty Bell replica owned by the state government on the lawns of the Capitol Building.

Centennial Park

The Parthenon

Nashville was founded in 1779 and subsequently incorporated in 1806, making this city more than 200 years old. There are two city parks built to celebrate both the centennial and bi-centennial of Nashville. Of the two, the Centennial Park is more impressive with its replica of the Greek Parthenon.

Impressive marble columns

The Parthenon at dusk

With its tall marble columns and classical architecture style, the Parthenon stands as the centerpiece of the park. It is a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens and was built as part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897.

The Nashville Rat Patrol

Tall bike

A group of bicyclists was converging besides the Parthenon for a gathering of some sort. I found out they were the Nashville Rat Patrol, an anarchist bicycle gang that rides on modified bikes of all sorts. The group members dressed in a trashy fashion and their rides were modified with salvaged bicycle parts. The emphasis seems to be on the basic functionality of the bike and weirdness of the design. This was an effort by the group to make an anti-consumerist, pro-environmental statement.

Ready…

Tug O’ War!

The group showed off their bikes and continued to carry out some crazy stunts. They tied two bikes together with a long bungee cord and started a bicycle tug of war.

After a few sessions the bungee cord broke and they switched to ‘jousting’ on their bikes instead. I’m not sure what was the point of all that but they sure seemed to be having a lot of fun.

Bunch of crazy Americans.

Hard Rock Cafe, Nashville

Known as Music City USA, Nashville has long been known as a major music recording and production center. It is also becoming an important cultural hub and academic center for the American South.

Bellsouth Building a.k.a The Batman Building

There was a lot to see in the city. I wish I had more time but I was only able to stay for half a day.

Nashville is famous for its country music heritage so a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame is a must.

History of Country Music

Ladies and Gents, Elvis Presley…

The Hall of Fame had an elaborate exhibitions of the history and heritage of country music. From its early inception, up to its current modern form.

Elvis Presley’s Cadillac

Ray Charles’s Saxophone

Also on display was the artifacts of many of the country music legends.

One interesting thing I found during the visit was a Braille version of the Playboy Magazine. Playboy for the visually impaired, how cool is that?

The best of country music

Wall of Gold Records

Hundreds of country music records were displayed on the walls of the museum.

Circular wing of the Hall of Fame

Surprise surprise… Elvis Presley is an inductee

The tour would not be complete without a visit to the ‘Hall of Fame’ wing of the museum. All the inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame have their own bronze plaque displayed there, including the legendary Elvis Presley.

Continued on Part II