|
words and photos: Rachel L. Miller
 |
|
Although
country music reigns supreme in Nashville, you
don't have to live and breathe it to enjoy the
city's many attractions.
|
So
you say you don't know any country music. You think
Faith Hill is some sort of religious landmark, that
Garth Brooks is a creek twisting through your grandma's
backyard. That's fine; Nashville doesn't care.
You
don't have to be the world's biggest country fan to enjoy Music
City USA - hell, you don't even have to know the difference
between Toby Keith and Keith Richards (although you really,
really should). If you've ever caught yourself tapping
your foot along with any type of music, whether Mozart or Metallica,
you'll enjoy yourself in Nashville. If you love rolling green
meadows and old plantations; if you've ever wanted to take a
trip on a paddlewheel riverboat; if you like acres of beautifully
groomed gardens; if you appreciate art in any of its forms,
Nashville is a destination you should seriously consider. And
by the time you leave, it's more than likely you'll be humming
a country tune.
Although
best known for being home to country music, Nashville is a city
of many monikers. As "The Buckle of the Bible Belt,"
Nashville boasts 800 houses of worship; and with most area residents
practicing Protestant religions, it's also been termed "the
Protestant Vatican." A strong commitment to higher education
(16 colleges and universities call Nashville home) paired with
a steadfast love for the arts helped Nashville earn the nickname
of the "Athens of the South" in the 1800s. The city
celebrated that title by constructing a full replica of the ancient
Greek Parthenon in 1897, something that definitely needs to be
seen to be believed. A 41-foot sculpture of Athena - the largest
piece of indoor sculpture in the Western World - has been housed
inside the Parthenon since 1990. Also acting as the city of Nashville's
art museum with 63 paintings by American artists, The Parthenon
is the centerpiece of Centennial Park, a stunning urban park just
west of downtown.
Centennial
Park, a green respite from city life, is just one
of many parks in Nashville, which leads us to yet another
nickname: "City of Parks". There are 101 metroparks
and two state parks in greater Nashville, offering numerous
chances to bond with Mother Nature while not straying
too far from the city. (CONTINUED...)
|
