We had a slower start to the day today, which was a welcome change after a string of early mornings. Once everyone was fed and ready, we set off to visit the Parthenon—yes, you read that correctly! Nashville is home to a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, originally built for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897. The current permanent structure was constructed between 1925 and 1931, and it’s both impressive and a little surreal to see something so classically Greek right in the middle of a city park.
Inside, we explored the museum, which includes a grand hall housing an absolutely enormous 42-foot-tall statue of Athena. She was constructed between 1982 and 1990, and is striking in every sense—especially considering that she’s holding Nike, the goddess of victory, who is a towering 6 foot 4 and somehow looks tiny in comparison!
On the way back, we stopped at Hattie B’s for their famous hot chicken, and it absolutely lived up to the hype—delicious! A quick stop at Publix for TJ’s dinner, then we dropped him back at the Airbnb while the rest of us made our way to Opry Mills Outlet Mall for a bit of shopping.
Later that evening, the four of us headed out to The Grand Ole Opry for a live show. TJ opted out, deciding a night in was more his speed, but the rest of us thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Even though we didn’t know any of the artists or songs beforehand, the talent and energy were undeniable. The whole experience was a slice of Nashville tradition, and I’d highly recommend catching a show if you’re ever in town—it’s a great taste of the city’s deep musical roots.
