Nashville may be known as the capital of country music, but its roots run deeper than the twang of a steel guitar. The city, highly regarded for its vibrant music scene and legendary performers, also holds a compelling tapestry of history that’s waiting to be explored.
If you’ve ever walked the streets downtown and wondered what stories linger in the bricks and beams of historic buildings, this guide is for you. Whether you’re planning a visit or simply curious about the city's past, you’ll find plenty of unforgettable experiences that take you beyond the sound of guitars and into the layers of time that shaped this iconic city.
Strolling Through Printers Alley
Begin your journey in Printers Alley, a narrow stretch of downtown that once thrived as the publishing hub of the Southeast. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, this alley was alive with the rhythm of printing presses and the clatter of typewriters. Newspapers, magazines, and trade journals poured from the buildings that still line the alley today.
As you walk through this storied corridor, you’ll notice remnants of its heyday; the architecture still echoes a time when publishing giants ran the show. Today, the area’s literary legacy quietly coexists with its modern reputation for nightlife. You can grab a drink in a building that once housed a newspaper pressroom, giving your evening out a sense of layered significance.
As you walk through this storied corridor, you’ll notice remnants of its heyday; the architecture still echoes a time when publishing giants ran the show. Today, the area’s literary legacy quietly coexists with its modern reputation for nightlife. You can grab a drink in a building that once housed a newspaper pressroom, giving your evening out a sense of layered significance.
Touring The Hermitage Hotel
Step into the 5-star opulence of the early 20th century with a visit to The Hermitage Hotel, a jewel of Beaux-Arts architecture completed in 1910. This luxurious landmark has long been a backdrop for high-society events, notable guests, and historic decisions. The lobby is a visual treat. With its marble columns, stained-glass skylights, and intricate tile work, it transports you into a time when grandeur wasn’t optional; it was expected.
A walk through The Hermitage Hotel is more than a visual delight — it’s a peek into Nashville’s social past. Many pivotal meetings, extravagant parties, and headline-making gatherings took place behind its doors. For history enthusiasts, even a short visit offers a brush with a different era of civic life and elegance.
A walk through The Hermitage Hotel is more than a visual delight — it’s a peek into Nashville’s social past. Many pivotal meetings, extravagant parties, and headline-making gatherings took place behind its doors. For history enthusiasts, even a short visit offers a brush with a different era of civic life and elegance.
Tour the Tennessee State Capitol
No history tour of Nashville would be complete without a visit to the Tennessee State Capitol. Perched atop Capitol Hill, this impressive structure has been the center of the state’s legislative activity since the mid-1800s. Designed by acclaimed architect William Strickland, it is one of the oldest working state capitol buildings in the nation still being used for its original purpose.
Guided tours take you through chambers and hallways that have witnessed more than a century of pivotal debates and decisions. Statues and plaques honor some of the state's most influential figures, offering perspective on the political currents that have shaped Tennessee over time. The building’s exterior, surrounded by monuments and expansive lawns, invites visitors to slow down and take in both the structure and its symbolism.
Guided tours take you through chambers and hallways that have witnessed more than a century of pivotal debates and decisions. Statues and plaques honor some of the state's most influential figures, offering perspective on the political currents that have shaped Tennessee over time. The building’s exterior, surrounded by monuments and expansive lawns, invites visitors to slow down and take in both the structure and its symbolism.
Explore the Legends at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
More than just a celebration of sound, this iconic institution tells the story of how country music evolved, shaped the city’s identity, and influenced art across generations. Located in the heart of downtown, the museum stands as both a landmark and a treasure trove for history fans who want to trace the journey of a distinctly American art form.
As you walk through the exhibits, you’ll uncover the roots of country music — from Appalachian folk traditions to honky-tonk hits — and discover how Nashville became known as Music City. The museum houses an unparalleled collection of artifacts, including stage costumes, handwritten lyrics, vintage instruments, and recording equipment that once defined entire eras.
As you walk through the exhibits, you’ll uncover the roots of country music — from Appalachian folk traditions to honky-tonk hits — and discover how Nashville became known as Music City. The museum houses an unparalleled collection of artifacts, including stage costumes, handwritten lyrics, vintage instruments, and recording equipment that once defined entire eras.
Visit The Parthenon in Centennial Park
It may seem unusual to find a full-scale replica of an ancient Greek temple in the middle of Tennessee, but the Parthenon in Centennial Park tells an important story about Nashville’s identity. Built in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, the Parthenon reflects the city’s long-standing nickname — “Athens of the South” — due to its early investment in higher education and civic architecture.
While the structure is visually striking on the outside, it’s the interior that truly captivates visitors. Inside, you’ll find a towering statue of Athena Parthenos and a museum featuring 19th- and 20th-century American art. The building serves as both a nod to classical ideals and a showcase of how Nashville sought to position itself as a city of intellect in a rapidly changing world.
While the structure is visually striking on the outside, it’s the interior that truly captivates visitors. Inside, you’ll find a towering statue of Athena Parthenos and a museum featuring 19th- and 20th-century American art. The building serves as both a nod to classical ideals and a showcase of how Nashville sought to position itself as a city of intellect in a rapidly changing world.
Explore Music City’s Roots at Historic RCA Studio B
Though Nashville is known globally for its music scene, it’s not just about modern hits or country classics. At Historic RCA Studio B, you step into a space where groundbreaking recordings forever changed American music. Built in 1957, this studio played a vital role in the development of the “Nashville Sound,” a genre-blending style that brought country music to a broader audience.
Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and Roy Orbison are just a few of the iconic artists who recorded within these walls. Today, guided tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at the equipment, stories, and musical innovations that emerged from this humble building. Standing in the same room where legends once recorded provides a moment of awe that any history enthusiast — especially one fascinated by pop culture — will appreciate.
Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and Roy Orbison are just a few of the iconic artists who recorded within these walls. Today, guided tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at the equipment, stories, and musical innovations that emerged from this humble building. Standing in the same room where legends once recorded provides a moment of awe that any history enthusiast — especially one fascinated by pop culture — will appreciate.
Exploring Downtown’s Historic Arcade
Built in 1902, The Arcade is one of Nashville’s earliest shopping destinations, modeled after the covered arcades of Europe. With its elegant glass roof and two-story gallery of storefronts, it provides a charming glimpse into early commercial life in the city. The structure itself has stood the test of time, and while modern shops and galleries now occupy its space, the architectural integrity has been carefully preserved.
As you explore the winding corridor, you can imagine the bustling crowds of over a century ago. Shoppers browsed fine clothing, tailors practiced their craft, and merchants promoted their wares.
As you explore the winding corridor, you can imagine the bustling crowds of over a century ago. Shoppers browsed fine clothing, tailors practiced their craft, and merchants promoted their wares.
Admiring The Architecture Of Union Station
Once the bustling center of rail travel in the region, this 19th-century terminal is a true architectural showpiece. Originally opened in 1900, it now operates as a luxury hotel, but the soaring stained-glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and stone exterior have all been preserved to celebrate its dramatic origins.
Walking into the grand lobby feels like stepping into a storybook. The station once welcomed thousands of travelers, and its elegant design gave visitors a stunning first impression of the city. Even today, its Romanesque style makes it one of the most photogenic buildings in Nashville.
Walking into the grand lobby feels like stepping into a storybook. The station once welcomed thousands of travelers, and its elegant design gave visitors a stunning first impression of the city. Even today, its Romanesque style makes it one of the most photogenic buildings in Nashville.
Appreciating The Ryman Auditorium
No guide to Nashville is complete without a nod to the Ryman Auditorium — but don’t let its ties to music distract you from its architectural and historical importance. Originally built as a tabernacle in 1892, the building has stood through decades of reinvention while keeping its original structure intact.
The wooden pews, arched windows, and stained-glass accents tell the story of a city that took great care with its public spaces. A self-guided tour will give you access to behind-the-scenes stories and architectural insights that bring the building’s past to life.
The wooden pews, arched windows, and stained-glass accents tell the story of a city that took great care with its public spaces. A self-guided tour will give you access to behind-the-scenes stories and architectural insights that bring the building’s past to life.
Capturing The Spirit Of Nashville’s Past Today
Exploring Nashville’s historical sites is about more than just checking off a list of landmarks. It’s about immersing yourself in the texture of the city’s past and understanding how buildings, neighborhoods, and institutions reflect deeper changes over time.
Each structure and street tells a story — not only of what came before but of what still endures. For those who love history, the city offers a living archive. So, the next time you visit, go beyond the stage and into the story.
Explore your real estate options in Nashville today with Onward Real Estate.
Each structure and street tells a story — not only of what came before but of what still endures. For those who love history, the city offers a living archive. So, the next time you visit, go beyond the stage and into the story.
Explore your real estate options in Nashville today with Onward Real Estate.
