The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is a wonderful place for art lovers. The center educates visitors on art and hopes it will bring about an interest in the community on the subject. The architecture is beautiful and the interiors and decor lend the space a very upscale elite ambiance and it frequently hosts art exhibitions. At the Frist Center, there is also a fabulous gift shop, where one can purchase memorabilia and other items and an excellent cafe where one can savor some delightful dishes and sip on coffee. Admission is free for students who are 18 and below.

Discover the stories behind the music as you view over 3,000 stage costumes, original song manuscripts and musical instruments at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Many of the personal items of music legends are on display including Elvis' solid gold Cadillac. Tour packages include a visit to the historic RCA Studio B and the Music Row walking tour. Allow at least two hours for exhibits and the tour. Housing one of the most eclectic musical collections in the world, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a must-visit for any music connoisseur.

Having the largest and most comprehensive collection of memorabilia and artifacts from the late legend, the Johnny Cash Museum is a true gem of the downtown Nashville area. The legendary country superstar and entertainer's life can be seen through the many photos, handwritten song lyrics, costumes, awards and musical instruments lovingly displayed throughout the building's raw brick and motor space. Catch his booming voice as he croons out "Folsom Prison Blues" in one of the many interactive displays. Whether you're a country music fan or not, a visit to this museum will leave you with a newfound respect for one of the music industry's greatest legends.

The thrill of scientific discovery awaits you at Adventure Science Center. This fascinating museum explores hundreds of interactive exhibits and programs for children and adults. View the heavens from the 63-foot (19.3 meters) dome of Sudekum Planetarium. Climb the interactive levels to the top of the Adventure Tower, and experience BodyQuest, an exciting tour through the human body. Defy gravity on a unique adventure at the Max Flight Motion Simulator. Special programs are offered for high school students on weekend nights.

This exquisite collection of African American art is housed on the third floor of the library at Fisk University, which is one of America's oldest universities founded for African Americans. The collection includes paintings, watercolors, sculptures and prints by such artists as Henry Ossawa Tanner, Malvin Gray Johnson, Aaron Douglas and James Lesesne Wells. Elsewhere in the library, visitors may view abstract paintings and copper repousse sculpture by Gregory Ridley, pastel portraits by Winold Reiss (1881-1953) and drawings by Cyrus Baldridge (1889-1975). Baldridge was an illustrator who traveled along the east and west coasts of Africa and parts of Ethiopia. His art served as a visual diary of his trip. Telephone in advance if you need disabled access.

Travel back in time in a fully restored 1950's passenger train. The passenger cars feature large picture windows, air conditioning and reclining seats. Themes like train robbery or murder mystery are a surprising part of the excursion. The museum houses a one-of-a-kind library of books on railroads and one of the largest collections of railroad artifacts in the world.

It is fitting that the "Athens of the South" is home to the world's only full-size replica of the ancient Parthenon. Forty-six Doric columns encircle the building. The largest bronze doors in the world, weighing 7.5 tons each, stand at the East and West entrances. Featured is Athena Parthenos, the tallest indoor sculpture in the Western world. Sculptures and friezes are modeled from Elgin Marbles at the British Museum in London. There are also four art galleries. While the prices are reasonable, you can avail discounts for groups of ten or more with a reservation.

Established in 2002, the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville began with the donation of 70 vehicles from avid car enthusiast, Jeff Lane. Since its inception, the LMM has come to acquire over 300 unique and rare automobiles to the delight of visitors. Housed in the former Sunbeam Bakery, this large, 40,000 foot warehouse perfectly showcases one-of-a-kind vehicles like a 1975 Maserati Bora which can go 0-60mph within six and a half seconds and tops out at 165mph. The indoor kid's play area is a great distraction for the little ones while parents enjoy looking around.

Housed inside Cheekwood, the Cheekwood's Museum of Art is a 30,000-square foot (2,787-square meter) room, which is dedicated to American and British contemporary art. The building is built in a Gregorian-styled mansion with a large collection of paintings by American and British artists. The collections also include silver and one of the most noteworthy collections of Worcester porcelain in America. Cheekwood's Museum of Art has also been selected to house the Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation Collections. A number of exhibitions take place here on a regular basis.