The quiet city of Nashville loves the tranquil aura that radiates from its Centennial Park. A perfect retreat for avid nature lovers, the park offers a wide range of entertainment and relaxation options for one and all. Take a calming walk in the park, attend cultural events and local fairs, picnic with family and friends or simply lounge around the sprawling green land. Admire the beauty of Lake Watauga or simply enjoy the splendor of the rose arbor. The Parthenon replicates the structure of the ancient citadel right in the heart of the park. The park is famous for its TACA Fall Crafts Fair, which is a fantastic outdoor event that showcases and sells the work of American fine craft artists at the park. You can also buy souvenirs for your loved ones at the park as you discover unusual visual treasures.
This 200-acre walk-through zoological park is home to the rare and beautiful. You'll encounter cougars, black bears, Bengal tigers, zebras, cheetahs and playful river otters. Kids can even go a bit wild on the Jungle Gym playground. The Croft Center, named for the sisters who left the estate to Grassmere, houses the Unseen New World exhibit and a variety of reptiles. There is also a working farm exhibit and a petting zoo.
The Historic Edgefield district, known for its Victorian houses and artists' bungalows, is home to one of the city's oldest parks. Sloping terrain, tiny Lake Sevier, and old trees provide peaceful seclusion at the Shelby Park and Golf Course. Come in the daytime for a picnic or to feed the ducks. Trails are available for rollerblading and cycling in addition to softball, tennis court and playground facilities to keep you entertained. The park is also home to two sprawling golf courses and a community center for gatherings.
The Natchez Trace Parkway provides a scenic and historic drive for visitors to the Middle Tennessee area. Stretching over 400 miles (643.73 kilometers) between an area just southwest of Nashville to Natchez, Mississippi, the Natchez Trace Parkway winds through such cities as Jackson and Tupelo, Mississippi and Cherokee, Alabama. Significant stops along the parkway include a variety of Native American mounds in the Middle Tennessee and northern Mississippi areas, a number of historic Confederate grave sites, and a variety of natural vistas. Visitors to the Natchez Trace Parkway may wish to camp along the way or cycle through parts of the parkway and surrounding areas.
Tucked away in the Belle Meade neighborhood of the city, about 9 miles (14.48 kilometers) from Downtown, the Percy Warner Park offers an expansive area of green respite for the residents of the city. Together with the Edwin Warner Park, these two are known as the Warner Parks and cover an area of 2,664 acres (1,078 hectares). One of the most visited parks in the state, the Percy Warner Park has picnic areas, walking trails, an equestrian center, horse trails, golf courses, and more. Plus, the park has earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places because of the rich heritage it preserves.
Set in the luscious hills of Davidson County, this tourist hot spot is as close as you can get to natural wilderness. Go on a hiking trail in the forest area or catch the wildlife in its most natural form. If you're lucky, you may be able to observe some of the rarest species of wild birds here. Don't forget to see some of the most exotic floral wonders the park features. The sprawling 85-acre (34.398-hectare) lake provides the perfect centerpiece for this tourist haven, which is at its best in autumn. They have a strict no-dogs, no-jogging and no-biking policy, though it is allowed on Otter Creek Road.
Identified as a linear park, the Harpeth River State Park connects several landmarks and attractions along the lower Harpeth River for about 40 miles (64.3 kilometers). Most of these riverside sites can be accessed by canoeing along the river, one of the many activities that you can enjoy at the park. Other activities include fishing, kayaking and hiking. Some of the sites along the river that are worth exploring are the Gossett Tract State Natural Area, Newsom's Mill Historic Site, and Mound Bottom.
Tucked away in the Belle Meade neighborhood of the city, about 9 miles (14.48 kilometers) from Downtown, the Percy Warner Park offers an expansive area of green respite for the residents of the city. Together with the Edwin Warner Park, these two are known as the Warner Parks and cover an area of 2,664 acres (1,078 hectares). One of the most visited parks in the state, the Percy Warner Park has picnic areas, walking trails, an equestrian center, horse trails, golf courses, and more. Plus, the park has earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places because of the rich heritage it preserves.
From softball fields where young children can play to football fields, basketball courts and a lot more, Drakes Creek Park is the place to be for sports enthusiasts. If playing a game with your friends is not your thing, you can always enjoy a delightful picnic at one of the many shelters within this park, which also comes equipped with a barbecue pit for a nice cookout. All in all, this park attracts local patrons during nice weather and can be a great stopover for travelers too.
Set in the luscious hills of Davidson County, this tourist hot spot is as close as you can get to natural wilderness. Go on a hiking trail in the forest area or catch the wildlife in its most natural form. If you're lucky, you may be able to observe some of the rarest species of wild birds here. Don't forget to see some of the most exotic floral wonders the park features. The sprawling 85-acre (34.398-hectare) lake provides the perfect centerpiece for this tourist haven, which is at its best in autumn. They have a strict no-dogs, no-jogging and no-biking policy, though it is allowed on Otter Creek Road.