Nashville Best Of 2026 · Best Park
Centennial Park
A full-scale replica of the Parthenon, a peaceful lake, sunken gardens, and live music under the trees, all in the middle of the city. Nashville’s central park is our pick for the best park in Nashville.
The Verdict
Why Centennial Park Earns the Title
No other city park in America has anything quite like it. At the heart of Centennial Park stands the world’s only full-scale replica of the Athenian Parthenon, home to an art museum and a towering 42-foot statue of Athena. Around it, 132 acres of lawns, trails, and gardens make it Nashville’s favorite place to walk, picnic, and people-watch.
It’s also the city’s cultural backyard. Musicians Corner brings live music to the lawn, the Bandshell and Great Lawn host festivals and craft fairs, and Lake Watauga’s weeping willows and ducks offer a peaceful escape. More than 3 million people visit every year, and on a sunny afternoon, it feels like all of Nashville is here.
132
Acres in the Heart of the City
1897
Tennessee Centennial Exposition
42 ft
Statue of Athena Inside the Parthenon
3M+
Visitors Every Year
Things to Do
Explore Nashville’s Central Park
There’s something for everyone, from history buffs and art lovers to runners and dog owners.
Tour the Parthenon
Step inside the world’s only full-scale replica of the Athenian original to see the towering statue of Athena and the museum’s art collection. The gift shop even sells honey from the park’s own bees.
Walk Around Lake Watauga
The one-mile walking trail loops past Lake Watauga, the sunken gardens, and shady lawns. Watch for ducks, weeping willows, and the park’s beehives along the way.
Music, Festivals & More
Musicians Corner, the Bandshell, and the Great Lawn host concerts, festivals, and craft fairs throughout the year. There’s also a dog park, sand volleyball courts, and an art center.
The Story
The Athens of the South
Before it was a park, this land served as farmland, a fairground, and a racetrack. In 1897, it hosted the Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition, a world’s fair celebrating 100 years of statehood that drew 1.8 million visitors. The Parthenon replica was built as its Fine Arts building, a nod to Nashville’s nickname, the Athens of the South.
When the fair ended, most buildings came down, but the Parthenon stayed. In 1902, Percy Warner and the Nashville Railway and Light Company bought the first 72 acres and donated them to the city, sparking Nashville’s public parks movement. Centennial Park opened in 1903, the Parthenon was rebuilt in concrete in the 1920s, and today the park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“Nashville’s central and cultural park.”
Centennial Park Conservancy
Plan Your Visit
Head to West End
Centennial Park sits on West End Avenue at 25th Avenue North, just west of downtown. The park itself is free to enter.
Location
Hours
Park: Dawn to 11 pm daily
Parthenon:
Mon–Sat 9 am – 4:30 pm
Sun 12:30 – 4:30 pm
Good to Know
The park is free, while the Parthenon museum charges admission. Bring the dog to the dog park, pack a picnic for the Great Lawn, and check the Conservancy calendar for concerts and festivals.
Spend a Day in the Park
Walk the trail, tour the Parthenon, and catch a show on the lawn at Nashville’s most iconic green space.