Nashville

'Honor Thy Music' is the catchphrase of this monumental museum, reflecting the near-biblical importance of country music to Nashville's soul. — Lonely Planet

The museum, in a carefully restored neo-Georgian mansion once home to the Cheek family of Maxwell House coffee fame, has a permanent collection of American art. — Fodor's

It holds works of art from the region and from around the world...the museum also promotes learning through creating art in its Martin ArtQuest Gallery, with 30 interactive stations. — U.S. News & World Report

The single most historic site in the world of country music. — Frommer's

designed by noted Philadelphia architect William Strickland who was so impressed with his Greek Revival creation that he requested—and received—entombment behind one of the building's walls. — Fodor's

These exhibits are tributes to the performers who have appeared on the famous radio show over the years. — Frommer's

The 1853 mansion is open to visitors, as are various interesting outbuildings, including a model slave cabin, and wine tasting. — Lonely Planet

The new museum dedicated to 'The Man in Black' is smallish but houses the most comprehensive collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia in the world, officially endorsed by the Cash family. — Lonely Planet

The full-size reproduction of the Athens Parthenon is the world’s only exact replica. — Frommer's

The life and times of Andrew Jackson, known as Old Hickory, are reflected with great care at this house and museum. — Fodor's

The legendary Man in Black now has a dedicated space in Nashville. — Fodor's

This 80-acre zoo just south of downtown has it all, from giraffes, elephants, and alligators to meerkats, rainbow-colored lorikeets, and African wild hogs. — Frommer's

An educational and playful trip for kids and adults alike. — Afar Magazine

This 1850s Italian-style villa was the home of Adelicia Acklen, Nashville's answer to Scarlett O'Hara, who married "once for money, once for love, and once for the hell of it. — Fodor's

Located on world-famous Music Row, Studio B is the oldest surviving recording studio in Nashville where more than 35,000 songs were recorded—over 1,000 of which became Top 10 hits. — Where

History buffs can journey through Tennessee’s own history at the Bicentennial Mall, a 19-acre state park in the shadow of the Capitol building in downtown. — Condé Nast Traveler

Fronted by six majestic pillars, this grand neo-classic concert hall was completed in 2006 at a cost of $123.5 million. — Lonely Planet

One's man passion for automobiles led to this collection of mostly European vehicles of all shapes and sizes, from mini cars to an amphibious car—one vehicle for almost every letter of the alphabet. — Fodor's

This university gallery is very much worth a visit. It houses photographer Alfred Stieglitz’s personal collection of art spanning from Cézanne, to Toulouse-Lautrec, to Picasso. — goop