Discover Davidson: Nature, Trails, and Music History

The destinations featured in Davidson range from natural areas and trails to sites of music history and art. If you’re planning a hotel stay, start by considering whether outdoor experiences or cultural visits will shape your stay most. The places below offer some concrete points to help you decide.

Natural Areas and Trails

Shelby Bottoms Greenway and Natural Area covers 960 acres and has about three miles of shoreline along the Cumberland River. Hardwood bottomland forests, open fields, wetlands, and streams provide habitat for birds, amphibians, and deer. More than five miles of paved, ADA-accessible trails invite visitors to hike, bike, run, skate, and watch wildlife. Its combination of riverfront, varied landscapes, and opportunities for different activities makes this a versatile place to spend time outdoors.

Bells Bend Park is in western Davidson County. Shaped by the Cumberland River, this 808-acre, agriculturally influenced park provides habitat for plants, migratory birds, and other wildlife. Its hiking trails have dirt and gravel surfaces, and there are also mountain bike trails. Bells Bend also has 4.8 to 5.0 miles of singletrack trails. Permits are required to use the basic campground, which has ten sites. The campground includes platforms, fire rings, and picnic tables.

Radnor Lake is a Class II protected natural area. The Lake Trail runs along the north side of the 85-acre lake and offers several viewpoints of the water and wildlife. Beaman Park Nature Center has a 300-foot-long, accessible boardwalk with a gradual grade; the Nature Center is in Nashville’s Western Highland Rim Forest. The size and trails differ significantly: Radnor Lake centers on lake views along a specific trail, while Bells Bend offers a variety of trail surfaces and singletrack trails.

Music History and Historic Sites

Ryman Auditorium was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2001. Music is also central to a visit: Ryman tours include the immersive theater experience “Soul of Nashville.” The venue’s history and the experience it offers visitors today each have their own connection to the building.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum displays instruments, stage costumes, rare recordings, and films about artists who have shaped country music. Its offerings range from tangible objects to audio and film materials. Visitors more interested in visual art and collections can find Nashville’s art museum at the Parthenon. Its permanent collection includes 63 paintings by American artists from the 19th and 20th centuries; the Parthenon and its Athena statue are full-scale replicas of the Athenian originals.

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage combines historical significance with other attractions on its grounds. This 1,120-acre National Historic Landmark is home to one of the best-preserved early presidential homes in the United States. The grounds also include a winery and tasting room, as well as dog-friendly walking paths and meadows. Plenty of free parking is available for visitors on site.

Gardens, Museums, and Getting Around

Cheekwood’s botanical garden and arboretum showcase the estate’s Southern landscape and native plants. Its collections include decorative arts, paintings, furniture, textiles, silver, and books. This makes it easy to distinguish a garden visit from a collections visit without limiting your stay to a single art form.

Centennial Park has a one-mile walking trail and was the site of the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition. For a museum visit, it’s also useful to know the Tennessee State Museum’s admission policy: admission to the exhibitions is free, though special temporary exhibitions may occasionally have an admission charge. Warner Parks offers free tours as well as private and group tours. Metro Parks and Recreation provides facilities and programs throughout Davidson County. Nashville Zoo is accessible via the Harding Place exits on I-65 or I-24.

Next, consider which attractions fit your plans when choosing the right accommodation for your stay.

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