Stamped!

Music City

Nashville architecture

Nashville is the undisputed heart of the country music industry, home to the historic Grand Ole Opry and the neon-lit 'Honky Tonk Highway.' Beyond music, it is a major healthcare hub and the birthplace of the famous, spicy 'Nashville Hot Chicken.'

  • 13Landmarks
  • 1853Oldest · Belmont Mansion
  • 188 mTallest · AT&T Building
  • 13Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoNashville Int'l (BNA)

    The airport's code, BNA, stands for Berry Field Nashville, named after the colonel who established the original airfield in 1937. True to its roots, the terminal stages feature live musical performances throughout the day, ensuring travelers are serenaded from the moment they land.

  • CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
  • LanguageEnglish

    The city speaks with a rhythmic Southern lilt often described as the 'Nashville Standard,' which is polished yet hospitable. Because of its status as a creative capital, you'll also find a high concentration of musical jargon and storytelling-focused conversation in everyday life.

  • Getting aroundWeGo

    The WeGo Central station serves as the primary hub for nearly all city bus routes. The Music City Star is Tennessee's only commuter rail, providing service between Lebanon and downtown Nashville. State-of-the-art regional buses offer express service for commuters coming from neighboring counties.

13 landmarks in Nashville

  1. The Parthenon
    Photo: White.alister.t, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    The Parthenon

    2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203

    The world's only full-scale replica of the ancient Greek Parthenon stands as the centerpiece of Centennial Park. Originally built in wood for the 1897 Centennial Exposition, it was so beloved by residents that the city eventually rebuilt it in permanent concrete. It houses a 13-meter statue of Athena, which remains the tallest indoor statue in the Western Hemisphere. The building also serves as Nashville's art museum, featuring a permanent collection of 19th and 20th-century American paintings. Its impressive Doric columns and intricate pediment sculptures offer a direct portal to classical antiquity in the heart of Tennessee.

    Built
    1897
    Architect
    William Crawford Smith
    Style
    Classical Greek
    Height
    20 m (66 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Art Museum
  2. Ryman Auditorium
    Photo: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Ryman Auditorium

    116 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219

    Known globally as the 'Mother Church of Country Music,' this red-brick structure was originally built as a gospel tabernacle. Its exceptional acoustics and curved oak pews made it the perfect home for the Grand Ole Opry for several decades. It remains one of the most revered and intimate concert venues in the world for artists of all genres. The exterior stands as a premier example of Late Victorian Gothic architecture in the American South. Visitors can take backstage tours to see the dressing rooms and the iconic stage where countless legends have performed.

    Built
    1892
    Architect
    Hugh Cathcart Thompson
    Style
    Victorian Gothic
    Height
    24 m (79 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Music Venue / Museum
  3. AT&T Building
    Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    AT&T Building

    333 Commerce St, Nashville, TN 37201

    The tallest building in Tennessee is famous for its two twin spires that resemble the pointed ears of the Batman mask. The design was intentionally crafted to create a unique silhouette for the Nashville skyline, breaking away from standard boxy skyscrapers. It occupies a full city block and serves as a major telecommunications hub for the Southeastern region. The glass and granite facade reflects the changing colors of the Tennessee sky throughout the day. At night, the spires are illuminated, making it the most recognizable landmark in the city’s nighttime profile.

    Built
    1994
    Architect
    Earl Swensson Associates
    Style
    Postmodern
    Height
    188 m (617 ft)
    Stories
    33
    Today
    Office Tower
  4. Union Station Hotel
    Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Union Station Hotel

    1001 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

    This former railroad terminal turned luxury hotel is a breathtaking example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. It features a massive 20-meter barrel-vaulted ceiling in the lobby adorned with gold-leaf medallions and rare stained glass. The exterior is constructed from local light-gray limestone and features heavy arches and a prominent clock tower. For nearly a century, it served as the primary gateway for travelers arriving in Nashville by train. Today, the building preserves its transit heritage through meticulously restored stonework and historic architectural details.

    Built
    1900
    Architect
    Richard Montfort
    Style
    Richardsonian Romanesque
    Height
    40 m (131 ft)
    Stories
    5
    Today
    Hotel
  5. Tennessee State Capitol
    Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Tennessee State Capitol

    600 Dr. M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Nashville, TN 37243

    This is one of the oldest working capitols in the United States, designed to resemble a magnificent Ionic Greek temple. The architect, William Strickland, considered this building his crowning achievement and is actually entombed within its north wall. It is strategically built atop the highest hill in downtown Nashville to symbolize the prominence of state law. The structure was built primarily by enslaved people and convict labor using limestone quarried just a few miles away. Today, it stands as a monument to Tennessee’s political history and offers stunning views of the surrounding city.

    Built
    1859
    Architect
    William Strickland
    Style
    Greek Revival
    Height
    63 m (207 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    State Capitol
  6. Country Music Hall of Fame
    Photo: Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Country Music Hall of Fame

    222 Rep. John Lewis Way S, Nashville, TN 37203

    The building's architecture is a complex web of musical metaphors, where the windows are spaced to resemble piano keys. Its soaring central rotunda is shaped like a classic record, paying homage to Nashville’s recording industry history. When viewed from above, the entire footprint of the building forms the shape of a giant bass clef. It serves as the world's largest repository of country music artifacts, including instruments, stage wear, and rare recordings. The glass-and-steel design successfully blends modern museum standards with the rustic soul of country music traditions.

    Built
    2001
    Architect
    Tuck-Hinton Architects
    Style
    Symbolic / Contemporary
    Height
    32 m (105 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Museum

  7. U.S. Customs House

    701 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

    This monumental stone building features dramatic lancet windows and a central clock tower that defines the local streetscape. Built during the peak of Victorian Gothic popularity, it originally served as Nashville’s first major federal building. Its intricate stone carvings and imposing presence make it a standout architectural landmark on the busy Broadway corridor. The interior spaces have been adapted over the years to move from postal services to judicial functions. It remains a testament to the post-Civil War federal presence and the growth of Nashville as a regional hub.

    Built
    1877
    Architect
    William Appleton Potter
    Style
    Victorian Gothic
    Height
    45 m (148 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Federal Courthouse
  8. Belmont Mansion
    Photo: Irishjames2909 at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Belmont Mansion

    1900 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212

    Constructed as a summer home for Adelecia Acklen, this villa is one of the most elaborate antebellum homes in the South. It was originally part of a massive 177-acre estate that included a private zoo, a bowling alley, and an art gallery. The Italianate design features grand cast-iron balconies and an impressive central tower that overlooks the campus. Inside, the rooms are filled with original artwork, statuary, and period furnishings that reflect the immense wealth of its owners. It now serves as a historic site and a key venue for the surrounding Belmont University community.

    Built
    1853
    Architect
    Adolphus Heiman
    Style
    Italianate
    Height
    18 m (59 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Museum / University Venue
  9. Frist Art Museum
    Photo: Ɱ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Frist Art Museum

    919 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

    Housed in Nashville's former main post office, this building is a spectacular example of Art Deco and PWA Moderne architecture. The exterior is clad in pristine white Georgia marble, while the interior features cast aluminum and intricately colored marble floors. It successfully transitioned from a bustling mail hub to a world-class non-collecting art center in 2001. The grand lobby maintains its high ceilings and original metalwork, creating a sense of 1930s industrial elegance. It hosts a rotating schedule of exhibitions from the world's most prestigious museums and collections.

    Built
    1934
    Architect
    Marr & Holman
    Style
    Art Deco / PWA Moderne
    Height
    22 m (72 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Art Museum
  10. Schermerhorn Symphony Center
    Photo: Ryan Kaldari, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Schermerhorn Symphony Center

    1 Symphony Pl, Nashville, TN 37201

    This modern building was meticulously designed in a classical style to ensure it met world-class acoustic standards. It features 30 large soundproof windows that can be completely blacked out for daytime performances. The main hall's floor can be lowered or raised automatically using a complex motorized system to switch between seating and a ballroom. The exterior’s limestone columns and rhythmic facade help it blend seamlessly into the historic district of downtown. It serves as the permanent home of the Nashville Symphony and is widely regarded as one of the best concert halls in the nation.

    Built
    2006
    Architect
    David M. Schwarz Architects
    Style
    Neoclassical
    Height
    30 m (98 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Concert Hall
  11. Pinnacle at Symphony Place
    Photo: Louis Chader, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Pinnacle at Symphony Place

    150 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201

    A landmark of sustainable architecture, this was the first skyscraper in Nashville to earn the prestigious LEED Gold certification. Its sleek glass exterior and distinctively lit 'crown' make it a central fixture of the modern city skyline. It features a massive one-acre green roof, the largest in the state, which manages stormwater and provides an urban habitat. The building’s design emphasizes natural light and energy efficiency for the high-end office spaces located within. It represents the rapid growth of 'New Nashville' and the city's commitment to modern, environmentally conscious development.

    Built
    2010
    Architect
    Pickard Chilton
    Style
    Contemporary / Sustainable
    Height
    127 m (417 ft)
    Stories
    29
    Today
    Office Tower
  12. John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
    Photo: 105th Observation Squadron, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

    Sparkman St & 1st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201

    One of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world, this structure is a marvel of early 20th-century steel truss engineering. Originally built for vehicular traffic as the Shelby Street Bridge, it was saved from demolition and repurposed as a park in the sky. It offers the most iconic panoramic view of the Nashville skyline and the famous Batman Building across the river. The bridge connects the bustling downtown area to the green spaces and residential neighborhoods of East Nashville. It is a favorite spot for photographers, fitness enthusiasts, and tourists looking for the perfect city selfie.

    Built
    1909
    Architect
    Howard M. Jones
    Style
    Truss Bridge
    Height
    24 m (79 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Pedestrian Bridge / Landmark

  13. Apple Green Hills

    2126 Abbott Martin Rd, Nashville, TN 37215

    Located in the upscale Green Hills district, this store was recently redesigned as a massive, light-filled glass pavilion. It features a signature cantilevered roof and floor-to-ceiling glass walls that blur the line between the showroom and the plaza. Inside, it houses a 'Genius Grove' with live trees that provides a calm, natural atmosphere for technical support. The store serves as a major community hub, hosting daily creative sessions for photography, music, and coding. Its minimalist and high-tech aesthetic reflects the modern design philosophy of both the brand and the surrounding high-end shopping district.

    Built
    2019
    Architect
    Foster + Partners
    Style
    Contemporary / High-Tech
    Height
    9 m (30 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Retail / Community Hub

More cities in North America

Stamp all 13 in Stamped!

Fly through Nashville in photoreal 3D, take its 10-question quiz, plan your days and earn a passport stamp at every landmark. Free on iPhone and iPad.

Download on theApp Store