This is a cool piece of art and great for photo ops…read more We came here to get on our cruise and came across this gem Ghost Ballet, is a public art installation and modern sculpture at the east bank of the Cumberland River between Nissan Stadium and the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge in Nashville, Tennessee. It was designed by Alice Aycock

When I virtually walked Nashville, Tennessee through the live streams that would connect me to…read moreMusic City U.S.A., before our vacation there, I would see this very unique landmark at the easternmost fringes of Broadway. It is unique in that it looks like towering fragments of twisted red roller coaster tracks towering above a historic strip of honkey tonk. Throughout my pre-Nashville virtual walks through live streams, I would see "Ghost Ballet" when walking virtually East on Broadway and at the start of a virtual walk along the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Eighteen years after this Alice Aycock work of art was completed in 2007, we got to see it when we vacationed in Nashville from June 23 to June 29, 2025. In similar fashion to the live streams that I virtually walked, my eyes took it in when they looked east on Broadway. In actuality, "Ghost Ballet" is on the East bank of the Cumberland River horizontal to Broadway. Broadway concludes at the Riverfront Park which fronts the Cumberland River in Downtown Nashville. This is where I spent several minutes looking across the Cumberland River at a vista where "Ghost Ballet" visually dances between Nissan Stadium and the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. When I write "visually dances," I describe some of the meaning of the artwork that looks like twisted roller coaster tracks. According to Wikipedia, Alice Aycock,who created it was attentive to the way it changes shapes the way the person moves around it from the numerous viewing points in Downtown. This movement reminded her of dance movements, hence the name of "Ghost Ballet." When I looked across the Cumberland River at "Ghost Ballet,"was I looking at the remnants of a riverside theme park?" In actuality the red twisted metal is actually railroad-like red twisted twisted that pay tribute to the railroad heritage along the Cumberland River. The Cumberland River with "Ghost Ballet" as the centerpiece made for some camera candy. The vintage point from Riverfront Park is a prime Nashville photo spot. I also took in a higher elevation view of the"Ghost Ballet " from the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Standing at 100 feet tall and 100 feet wide, from viewing it on the higher elevation of the bridge, it appeared that I was looking straight at it instead of below. Come to think of it, this might of made for a Four Star roller coaster. In conclusion, I rate "Ghost Ballet" Four Stars for being a very visually appealing work of public art and a landmark.

We visited The Parthenon in Nashville over Labor Day weekend while we were in town with some…read morefriends for a football game. We wanted to do some sightseeing while we were there, and this was definitely one of the coolest landmarks we checked out during the trip. The size of this place is what really stands out when you first see it. It is an exact size replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, Greece, and seeing it sitting right in Centennial Park was pretty impressive. We spent some time walking around, taking pictures, and checking out the architecture. It is one of those places that is even more impressive in person than it is in pictures. We also enjoyed learning about the history behind it and how Nashville originally built it for the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition. The fact that it was supposed to be temporary but eventually became a permanent Nashville landmark makes it even more interesting. The inside is also home to the massive Athena statue and several art exhibits. It was a great change of pace from the football game and everything else we had planned for the weekend. Getting out with my friends and seeing some of the history and landmarks around Nashville made the trip that much more memorable. Definitely glad we made the stop at The Parthenon. It is a beautiful and unique Nashville landmark, and I would recommend checking it out if you are visiting the city. The Parthenon

This place is weird…read more You pay $15 to walk inside a full-size replica of the Parthenon, where the main attraction is an enormous white statue of Athena covered in gold leaf. And then... well, that's pretty much it. Athena herself is certainly impressive, although to my completely untrained eye she looked less like a Greek goddess and more like a giant Buddhist statue that had wandered into the wrong religion. I honestly wasn't sure what I was supposed to do. Bow? Pray? Light some incense? Take a selfie? I settled on staring at her for a few minutes and wondering where my $15 went. There was a little room showing how the sculptor made Athena, but I kept thinking there must be something more. Another exhibit. A secret passage. Something. Nope. Big Athena. Gold leaf. Thank you for coming. And perhaps my biggest question: Why is there a full-size replica of the Parthenon in Nashville in the first place? I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable historical explanation, but I almost prefer not knowing. Nashville is the Athens of the South?! Seriously, what were they thinking?!! Worth seeing? Maybe once, just because it's so bizarre. Worth $15? That's between you and Athena. Nashville has hot chicken, country music, honky-tonks... and, for reasons I still don't fully understand, the Parthenon. It's weird.

We stopped by the Customs House in downtown Nashville over Labor Day weekend while I was in town…read morewith some friends for a football game. We had some free time to explore the city between everything we had planned, and this was one of the landmarks we made a point to check out. The Customs House is a really impressive building. The Victorian Gothic architecture immediately catches your attention, especially the huge central clock tower, the detailed stonework, and the large arched entrance. It has a completely different look from a lot of the buildings you see around downtown Nashville, which made it a cool place to stop and take a closer look. I thought the history behind it was really interesting too. Construction started in the 1870s, and President Rutherford B. Hayes actually came to Nashville in 1877 to lay the cornerstone. The building originally served as a post office, customs house, and federal courthouse, so it played a pretty important role in Nashville's history. We were already downtown enjoying the weekend with friends and getting ready for the football game, so stopping at places like this made the trip more than just a football weekend. It was fun getting out and seeing some of the history and architecture that makes Nashville such an interesting city. Definitely glad we took the time to stop and see the Customs House. It is a beautiful historic building and a great reminder that there is a lot more to Nashville than Broadway and the music scene. Five stars from me for being such a unique and interesting piece of Nashville history.

Great building with tons of history and character.... also where I had to go to court.....This…read morebuilding is AMAZING...I had to go here today for court..so I was so excited to able to enter the building. There is a historical market: The cornerstone was laid Sept. 19, 1877, by President Rutherford B. Hayes on the first visit of a president to the South since the Civil War. Opened in 1882 at 701 Broadway, it originally housed the city's post office on the ground floor. The federal Treasury Department offices were on the second, and Justice Department and courtrooms on the third I went a little early so I could walk around the building and take some really nice photos of this building..The character of the Architecture reminds me of Victorian Artistry.. Additional Historical information I found on the internet about this building: A beautiful, stately, ornate building that served the Nashville area for almost a century before being cast aside, the Customs House is a reminder of what government can do right with architecture. It is one of the finest pieces of Victorian architecture in Tennessee and was abuzz with activity until the late 20th century when the United States government decided it didn't want the building anymore. Fortunately, the Nashville Metropolitan Government did, and took possession of the building for redevelopment. 1877 - The cornerstone of this building is laid by President Hayes. 1882 - The clock tower is completed. 1903 - The rear portion of the building is completed. 1916 - The wings of the building are completed. 1972 - The building is added to the National Register of Historic Places. 1979 - Ownership is transferred from the federal government to the local government. When President Rutherford B. Hayes laid the cornerstone of the Customs House on September 19, 1877, it symbolized the end of Southern Reconstruction after the Civil War. Approval for a federal building dates to 1856, but construction delays and the Civil War caused Nashville to wait for more than twenty years for a facility to house federal courts, customs, and post office. Treasury architect William Appleton Potter designed this grand example of the Victorian Gothic style. From its massive yet ornate stone block a central clock tower soars. The many rich details, such as the Gothic lancet windows and a deeply inset triple-arch entrance, make this an exceptional example of Victorian Gothic architecture. In the 1990s the Customs House was declared surplus property by the federal government and was turned over to Metro Nashville government which worked toward its renovation and reuse. The building is now leased from the city by a private firm which renovated its interior and leases the space to office tenants - a significant milestone in historic preservation in Nashville. I am not sure if everyone is interested in the historical aspect of the building, this surplus Federal Property is now owned by Nashville Metro. I hope it is NEVER DESTROYED...

The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, which spans across the Cumberland River in downtown…read moreNashville, opened on July 5, 1909 and was called the Shelby Street Bridge. In 1998, the bridge was closed to vehicles due to its poor condition and was slated to be demolished; instead, it was converted to a pedestrian only bridge. It was renamed the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge in April 2014 to honour journalist and civil rights advocate John Seigenthaler, who died of colon cancer in July 2014. The bridge is apparently an iconic Nashville landmark, and several country music videos have been filmed on the bridge. However, I didn't find the bridge that interesting. It took about ten minutes to walk over the bridge, one way (and I was taking my time), and there was construction blocking areas of the bridge. Also, there were so many assholes on bikes and scooters zooming by, nearly hitting pedestrians, despite signs to dismount. I walked across the bridge since I was in the area and I had some time to kill, but I wouldn't go out of my way to walk across the bridge. The bridge definitely does not compare to the Big Four Bridge in Louisville. [Yelp collections: Nashville, TN 2026; Bridges and Castles]

The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge in Nashville is one of the world's longest pedestrian-only…read morebridges, stretching 3,150 feet across the Cumberland River to connect downtown with the East Bank. Gayle and I walked this bridge (round trip) a couple times and appreciated the river view and that of the present football stadium and the new one being built. The folks we met included a few homeless, a Jehovah's Witness stand, and various pedestrians and scooters. On one of our walks, we continued on to the Edgewood neighborhood, but otherwise folks might walk along the river on the East Side or take a look at all the construction and turn around.

Great experience. The grounds are well kept, the tour was wonderful and the guide was educational…read moreand insightful. The history was incredible. Wine tasting was awesome, and decided to purchase two bottles. This is a great tour that easily fits in while visiting. If you enjoy learning about American history, then you must make it as part of your itinerary.

This mansion tour was fascinating. Our guide was engaging with the family stories and brought…read moreeverything to life. It took about 45 minutes and then we got a 4 wine tasting (included) all 4 were great! We got to meander through all the plantation grounds and saw the stables, winery and pastures where horses were raised but most interesting were the slave cabins which honored the many slaves the family had. Plaques, photos with stories attached and the history of slavery in the South were presented with great care. More than half the slaves stayed on the plantation after the Emancipation as employees rather than slaves. Belle Mead Mansion and grounds are well worth seeing. No photos or videos allowed inside the mansion though to help preserve the many original furnishings and furniture. The store you walk through to go into to start your tour is amazingly decorated with plenty of things you might want to purchase when you leave.

If you have ever driven down Briley Parkway, there is a good chance you have seen the Cumberland…read moreRiver Pedestrian Bridge, which is situated just beyond or before Opry Mills, depending on which way you are headed. The bridge connects Two Rivers Park to the Nashville Greenway, and offers gorgeous views of the Cumberland River no matter the season. The bridge also provides a great backdrop for photo ops of all kinds. Every time I am on the bridge, there is some sort of photo shoot going on whether it be amateur or professional, and I bet the photos turn out amazing! Getting to the bridge can seem tricky, but best bet is Two Rivers Park, which leads you right to the bridge from their main lot just off of Briley Parkway. It's a landmark of the start and end of all my walks from Two Rivers onto the Greenway, and I enjoy crossing it any chance I get!

We went Walking the Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge and it was one of the most memorable parts…read moreof my Nashville trip. From the moment you step onto it, the view of the river and skyline is breathtaking especially at sunset when the lights start to dance off the water. The bridge itself feels open and welcoming, perfect for a leisurely stroll, a thoughtful moment, or an iconic photo op. It's peaceful yet energized, a great way to experience the city from a fresh perspective and soak in those Nashville vibes. Whether you're there in the early morning calm or with the city lights aglow at night, this bridge is a must see and absolutely earns five stars. Take your family and go get some fun photos and memories.

Piano Man is a public art sculpture located in nashville Tennessee. My buddy and I were in town…read moreduring the summer of 2022 and decided discover the downtown, music row, and east Nashville portions of the city for public art when we came across this piece. This cool sculpture which is always highly Photographed sits as the centerpiece of Owen Bradley park and is actually a rendering of Owen Bradley playing the piano himself. Overall one of the cooler and more memorable public art pieces in the city we came across and one we knew existed from seeing multiple photos over the years.

This is a fitting tribute to a great songwriter. This is the piano man statue that sits right next…read moreto the park that shares his name. It's a jolly looking statue that you can sit next to a take a picture with.

We visited Belmont Mansion over Labor Day weekend while I was in Nashville with some of my friends…read morefor a football game. We had a great weekend planned around the game, but we also wanted to get out and see some of Nashville beyond the usual downtown spots. Belmont Mansion ended up being one of my favorite historical stops of the trip. The mansion itself is absolutely beautiful. It was built in the 1850s as the summer home of Joseph and Adelicia Acklen and was one of the largest homes in Nashville before the Civil War. The Italian villa style architecture and the details throughout the property really make it stand out. It is hard to believe you are standing in the middle of modern Nashville when you are looking at a house with this much history. I also really enjoyed learning about the history of the people who lived and worked there and how the property changed over the years. The mansion eventually became part of the educational history that led to what is now Belmont University. Seeing the restored rooms and learning about life during that time period made the visit much more interesting than simply walking around an old building. It was a great change of pace from the football weekend and gave us a chance to slow down and appreciate some of Nashville's history. Going around with my friends and checking out these different landmarks was one of the things that made the trip so memorable. Definitely a five star stop for me. Belmont Mansion is beautiful, full of history, and a really interesting place to visit if you are in Nashville. I am glad we made the time to check it out while we were there.

This was absolutely the highlight from our Nashville trip. Beautifully preserved and/or restored…read morehistorical site. Our tour guide was the best! His name escapes my mind, but he was an older gentleman(I believe a retired teacher) and was so knowledgeable and engaging. Never felt rushed. So much to see and learn. We toured another mansion on our trip but this Belmont tour was far superior!!! A MUST SEE if you love history and interesting stories from the past. They also have a really cute gift shop to visit as well.

Sept 16 2026 Jessica was our tour guide and she did a FANTASTIC job. Very knowlegeable. We did the…read moreVIP so we cold go through the house etc. The best part of course was going through the house looking at Andrew's decor and more. I highly recommend doing the VIP my husband and I felt that it was well work it. Thank you Jessica!!

Came here on June 5, 2026 to visit Andrew Jackson's home. It was a gorgeous sunny day, and we…read moreenjoyed the tour of his estate! It was hard for the youngest kiddo to remain behind the line while inside the house, but we managed to get through it without causing too much trouble! :) The older lady guide downstairs was very strict, and the young one upstairs was so chill. We enjoyed the lush garden outside in the backyard; that's also where the President was buried. The video introduction at the museum when you first enter was very interesting, and good preview of his life and legacy. Stopped by the gift shop to get some souvenirs and toys for the kids. Everyone walked away happy!

4.5 Stars On our…read morelast day in Nashville, my brother and I spent time on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol. It was incorporated in a walk that took us from the Downtown Embassy Suites across from Music City Center to Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. It was my second time seeing the Tennessee State Capitol Building on my vacation. The first was from the Gray Line Tour. The Tennessee State Capitol Building with the Capitol District added a different dimension to the Nashville vacation. Once we got to Union Street, even though we were less than a mile from Broadway, Music City USA seemed miles away. It felt like we were now in a city celebrating the state of Tennessee. We entered from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and 6th Avenue. The first thing I noticed is how high up it is. We climbed steps to enter the grounds. The Tennessee State Capitol Building is at the highest elevation in Downtown Nashville. It is remarkably noticeable from the Northside view along US 31/41, where it looks like it is on top of a small green mountain where a trail of steps carry people up. Not to be political (pardon the pun) the best spots to see The Tennessee State Capitol Building up close was from the east side. The second best spot to see it is from the north side either from US 31/41 or Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park where you get the awesome hill view. The Supreme Court Building blocks the west side. And during our visit, the reconstruction at Legislative Plaza prevented us from taking prime views at the south side. With that said we spent quality time on the east side. Being up on the higher elevation with mature trees, the weather felt better. When we ascended the southeast corner steps I took in the Alvin York statue. When we got to the top of the hill I took in the statue of President Andrew Jackson on his horse Cincinnati with the State Capitol behind it. Walking along the shaded walking paths, I took in the Tennessee Capitol Bell which is a replica of the Liberty Bell. Rising above Downtown Tennessee, my eyes took in a distant east view and past the Capitol an impressive view of Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park where we were headed next. I stopped to take in the pond. In the shadow of the State Capitol, my brother and I spent time on a bench overlooking the Tomb of President James Knox Polk and his wife Sarah. The majority of my attention was on the State Capitol Building. Designed by William Strickland, it was completed in 1859 when Tennessee decided that Nashville was going to be the state capitol. The architecture is Greek Revival. William Strickland based it on a Greek Iconic Temple. It stands 206.6 feet tall. It is one of twelve state capitols without a dome. While I was looking at it and taking pictures I was aware that the Tennessee State Senate and Governor could be behind the wall. I was certain that it was the second state capitol building that I spent time outside of (I also reviewed the Colorado State Capitol). Deciding to walk to the Tennessee State Capitol Building and ultimately Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park was a very good move. They added another dimension to the Nashville, Tennessee vacation where we got to celebrate the State of Tennessee. Being that this review focuses on the Tennessee State Capitol Building, I feel that my experience on its grounds admiring the beautiful Greek Revival architecture with the statues, mature trees, views, and burial spot of President James Knox Polk and his wife Sarah minus an inside tour makes it worthy of 4.5 stars

I liked the grounds, although I didn't go inside, as a visitor from out of state, I enjoyed…read morewandering around the green spaces here and at the attached WW2 memorial and Bicentennial Park. It was the perfect size for a quick morning walk. The grounds are well maintained and no signs of homeless encampments or litter like most cities tend to have, at least not on these grounds. Overall I enjoyed the tour of the Tennessee capitol building.