With so much to do in Nashville, and it being such a highly sought destination for thousands every year, it may be hard to narrow down a couple of activities. We have found the perfect way to spend the day right in the capital city. Enjoy a visit to the Tennessee State Museum and then walk the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, for a fun and educational experience.
You don’t have to love history to enjoy the wonderful exhibits on display at the Tennessee State Museum, but you may learn a thing or two.
The museum itself is chock-full of everything that has shaped Tennessee into what it is today. You will find everything from ancient history to musical culture that has shaped our state and the world. The museum hosts fun events throughout the year and will have a revolving list of exhibits, so every time you go will be a little different. All of this is under one roof, and the best part is the free admission.
The ancient history will link interesting archeological finds like the red panda fossils.
On the eastern side of the state, there is a dig site in Gray that revealed, among many other things, bones of red pandas. This curious find has led to the theory that red pandas may have once lived in Tennessee. There are many other interesting artifacts on display as well as the history of the Native people of the area.
Tennessee saw its fair share of bloody battles during the Civil War, and the museum has plenty of exhibits on the conflict.
Walk through the war that split the state as well as the country, and learn about the people and stories that shifted the war. Then, as the smoke cleared, how newfound freedoms and reconstruction of our country's tattered past shaped how we live to this day.
Then as you continue through time, see how the state was affected by the social challenges of each time period.
The early 1900s had a lot of turmoil that the Greatest Generation had to endure. The Change and Challenge exhibit will take you from the 1870s all the way through to the end of World War II.
After you travel through the fascinating history of the Tennessee State Museum, you can walk to the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.
This tiny green space is actually the smallest state park in the Volunteer State. From the stunning amphitheater to the majestic view of the state capitol building, you will have plenty to see and do.
Everything in the park has a symbolic meaning relating to the great things found in our state.
Spending time walking around and reading all the signs will give you an even deeper appreciation for our state. Learn more about the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park before you go so you can enjoy it, even more, when you visit it yourself.
The Tennessee State Museum and Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park are within walking distance of each other and a great way to spend the day in Nashville. We should never stop learning and what better way to learn than to also cultivate a deeper appreciation for the state we already love so much? Make sure to visit the websites for the Tennessee State Museum and the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park for more information before you go.
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