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4.0
2,915 votes

The Parthenon

Centennial Park, West End Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37203 USA

$
Budget
Closed Now
Opens Tue 9a
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Public
    Restrooms
  • Outdoor
    Seating
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Local Favorite

Our Take

You know that scene in the Disney cartoon “Hercules” when Herc walks into the temple to talk to Zeus? That's how going inside Nashville’s Parthenon feels, except it’s a giant statue of Athena and not Zeus. While it’s gorgeous and ornate, it’s also kind of empty beyond the statue, because it’s one of those weird things that was built specifically as a tourist attraction. It’s kitschy, yet epic, and that makes it well worth visiting.

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“A full-scale replica of the Athenian original”

This is the world's only full-size replica of the ancient Greek temple. It houses the tallest indoor sculpture in the western world, a statue of Athena, ancient goddess of wisdom and learning, the deity for whom the original Parthenon was erected.  Originally built for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897, the building became unsafe and was rebuilt in 1929. It is an exact replica of the Greek temple, its architecture including not a single straight line; no two columns are the same size, nor are they placed the same distance apart. No two steps are the same size and the floor is not square or level. A proud symbol of Tennessee’s Capitol city, the “Athens of the South,” the Parthenon houses the city’s permanent art collection, plaster casts of the Elgin Marbles, a gift shop, and visitors center.

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Reviewed by
Austin Coop

  • 485 Reviews
  • 505 Helpful
June 19, 2014
Rated

As others have said this place is way more impressive than you'd imagine. Perfect place to visit on a nice sunny day. Close to music row and several other tourist spots in Nashville. This should be on your Nashville bucket list.

13 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
shhswimmer

  • 16 Reviews
  • 28 Helpful
June 17, 2014
Rated

Kind of unbelievable and not entirely sure why it's there. Admission inside was $8, which we didn't think was worth it since we felt that the most impressive photos were from the outside.

8 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Tikoko

  • 3 Reviews
  • 5 Helpful
February 24, 2015
Rated 4.0

Absolutely HUGE! Super impressive exterior & worth the drive to see it. I would love to come on a warm, sunny day & have a picnic on the vast grounds. I showed up on an extremely cold Monday though - so it was closed & we didn't want to stay out too long. I hear the Athena statue inside is amazing too.

3 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
LeEMS

  • 8 Reviews
  • 13 Helpful
August 12, 2014
Rated 5.0

As a history nut, I could not pass this up and it is truly impressive. I thought the admission cost was worth it, the collection of paintings inside is wonderful and the statue of Athena is astounding!

3 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
mel.rose984

  • 1 Review
  • 2 Helpful
July 08, 2018
Rated 5.0

Definitely worth the stop! you will be awestruck by this monumental monument lol. Super easy to find and park as well. There's many more sculptures and monuments as well right outside it. The whole thing is gorgeous!

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Brandon

  • 24 Reviews
  • 9 Helpful
June 04, 2018
Rated 4.0

This was a fun stop on our way through Nashville. The grounds were very nice and well kept. We enjoyed a picnic lunch outside after.

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
dare2drvfast

  • 19 Reviews
  • 9 Helpful
April 15, 2018
Rated 5.0

This was impressive and met our expectations. It is part of a larger park, with great trails. They were restoring an old train engine at the park while we were there. If you are just driving through and needing a break, give yourself an hour, if not 90 minutes. You can spend half a day here easy.

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
lauradelaine

  • 11 Reviews
  • 3 Helpful
July 08, 2017
Rated 5.0

My son and I loved it. The giant Athena statue inside is CRAZY cool. It doesn't make sense that this place is in Tennessee, but then, that's what makes it so crazy cool. Wonderful path around the lake outside, and just an all-round nifty place to visit.

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
roadtrip777

  • 4 Reviews
  • 1 Helpful
September 07, 2014
Rated 4.0

It was a fun stop for the family.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Katrina W.

  • 12 Reviews
  • 12 Helpful
August 26, 2014
Rated

When we visited the Parthenon, it wasn't open yet, which was disappointing. None the less, we walked the dog up the stairs and took pictures. The plaque with the hours and tour information did say no dogs allowed, so I'm assuming it's underneath where the tours start, or something. Who knows.

1 person found this review helpful

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The Parthenon

Centennial Park, West End Avenue
Nashville, Tennessee
37203 USA
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Hours

Closed Now
  • Sun: 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
  • Tue - Sat: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

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Good for Cultural travelers.

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