Built in 1897 to celebrate the state of Tennessee's centenary, Nashville's Parthenon is a full-scale replica of the Ancient Greece original, with a jaw-dropping huge statue of the goddess Athena draped in gold as its centerpiece. Other exhibits include casts of the pediments' sculptures, and galleries displaying paintings by 19th- and 20th-century American artists.

DRL Photography / 500px
Parthenon
Nashville
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
2.14 MILES
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Historic RCA Studio B
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Nashville Public Library – Downtown
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Nearby Nashville attractions
1. Centennial Park
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An easy 1-mile trail loops around a lake in this lovely 132-acre park, with the Parthenon anchoring the western horizon. Vast lawns beg for picnics while…
2. Vanderbilt University
0.58 MILES
This prestigious university was founded in 1833 by railway magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt. The 330-acre campus buzzes with about 12,000 students on lush and…
3. Fannie Mae Dees Park
0.92 MILES
A colorful dragon sculpture lurks in the heart of this busy park, luring hordes of small children eager to scramble over its serpentine back. There's also…
4. Cohen Memorial Hall Gallery
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5. Historic RCA Studio B
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6. Music Row
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7. Jefferson Street Sound
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8. Belmont Mansion
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