Top Rated Attracties in Nashville

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 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.

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. Radnor Lake State Natural Area is open to the public everyday starting at 6am.

A part of the huge, heritage Cheekwood Estate, the Cheekwood Botanical Gardens lay spread in patches all over the estate, some located along the path leading to the Cheekwood mansion, and some placed surrounding the majestic building. Visitors will be enchanted by the beautifully landscaped gardens, like the Martin Boxwood Gardens, Robertson Ellis Color Garden, Japanese Garden and the Wills Perennial Garden. One of the best ways to discover these gardens is by hiking along the Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail. The gardens are also home to the Botanic Hall, which plays host to a range of events.

The city of Nashville boasts a unique and singular character that sets it apart from the other cities and towns in the United States. One of the reasons for this distinction is that the city's neighborhoods and areas are rooted deep in history and heritage. The Hillsboro Village, located a few miles southwest of the downtown area, is one such neighborhood that contributes immensely to the city's charm. The neighborhood started as a streetcar suburb, and gradually establishments like theaters, shops, restaurants, bars and more started sprouting up, increasing its popularity as an entertainment spot in the city. The attractions here are best discovered by foot, as the neighborhood is one of the most pedestrian-friendly areas in the city. The Hillsboro Village is also the venue for a plethora of community events, so plan a trip here when visiting Nashville.

The exterior of the Cumberland Park can deceive you to believe that it is just another local park; but its several unique features makes the Cumberland Park nothing less than a popular tourist attraction. When the weather is hot, this is a place where locals come to cool off at the on-site sprayground. Children can be seen frolicking in the water while adults take time to unwind and relax. In addition to the sprayground, the Cumberland Park also has a wonderful green maze where amid all the fun rides children become oblivious to time. A climbing wall and an explorer trail also form a part of the Cumberland Park.