Things to see in Nashville

This Italianate mansion was built in 1853 by Adelicia Acklen, who at the time was one of the wealthiest women in America - thanks in part to her cotton trading with both sides during the Civil War. There are 16 rooms that are open to the public, with guided tours showing the original furniture and artworks. The grounds, now part of Belmont University, also contain a gazebo and statuary.

Known as Nashville's ‘Home of Art and Gardens' and also the Museum of Art, Cheekwood covers a site of 22 hectares (55 acres). The three-storey Georgian-style Cheek Mansion was built in the 1930s, by Leslie and Mabel Cheek - Leslie Cheek being a successful local businessman. The art collection concentrates on local artists, such as the sculptor, Will Edmondson - the first African-American whose work was displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, in 1937. The gardens of the estate are magnificent and include a botanic hall and woodland sculpture trail.

This decadent hotel complex houses a collection on Nashville’s biggest draws. Aside from the hotel, it boasts the Grand Ole Opry music venue, the Music Valley Wax Museum, the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree, and the Willie Nelson and Friends Showcase Museum. It is a place of pilgrimage for music fans of all persuasions, and though a little out of town, still attracts visitors in their hordes. At the time of writing, the attraction had sustained flood damage and was temporarily closed (some exhibits rehoused in the Ryman), but is looking to reopen oln 15 November 2010.

This replica of Greece's most famous building was erected in 1897, to house the international art exhibition for the Centennial Exposition. It now serves as Nashville's art museum, but the real focus of the Parthenon is the gilded 13m (42ft) re-created statue of the goddess Athena. The statue took eight years to build, and while walking or driving around the Parthenon at night, you may be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse through rarely opened doors of an event gathered under the stunning golden Athena.