The hub of Nashville events can be found in Centennial Park. Most weekends when the weather is pleasant, there’s usually an event going on somewhere in the park. There’s a huge amount of open space that makes it perfect for festivals and large events that attract many people. If there’s not a specific event on a nice weekend, the park is usually filled with people playing frisbee, walking or just enjoying the scenery.
In the middle of the park is The Parthenon replica, which was built in 1897 as part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition to celebrate Tennessee’s 100th anniversary. Tennessee was added as a state of the union in 1796. If you’re figuring the math, the exposition was a year late. History seems to indicate that they decided to build a replica of the Parthenon in Greece because Nashville is nicknamed The Athens of the South.
My favorite memories of Centennial Park are of the gardens on the northwest side near the pond (aka Lake Watauga). There are photos of me when I was very young, playing among the flowers, and I still enjoy being in that area when I go to the park today. Also nearby is a train and airplane that have been parked there for as long as I can remember.
When you decide to visit Centennial Park, it’s well worth the $6 admission to see the massive Athena Parthenos reproduction statue, standing 42 feet tall. It’s quite an experience to be in the open hall with her standing on the other end in all her golden beauty. The park is also really close to Cori’s DogHouse that I wrote about yesterday!
Athena
Centennial Park
2500 West End Ave
Nashville TN 37203
This post is part of a series I am writing, 31 Days of Nashville, where I am introducing several awesome places that make Nashville a great place to live and visit. Each day of the week has a different theme, and I am trying to focus on those hidden gems that aren’t as well known but just as worthy.
Read other 31 Days of Nashville posts
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