Opened as a silent film house in 1925, the Belcourt Theatre has had many reincarnations over the years, even as a temporary home for the Grand Ole Opry in the 1930s. When the movie business turned away from neighborhood cinemas and toward corporate megaplexes, every local independent theater closed, save the venerable Belcourt. Today’s Belcourt Theatre isn’t just a place to see the latest foreign film or low-budget indie flick; it also hosts top-notch concerts and live performances by theater troupes such as the People’s Branch Theatre and local comedian Chris Crofton. The former stage for the Nashville Children’s Theatre, the modern Belcourt now hosts the Kids Court film series, playing the likes of classic Peanuts movies and Wiggles productions on Saturdays. The musical acts mesh with the theater’s independent vibe. Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins, jazz legend Lonnie Smith, Emmylou Harris and Nellie McKay have all played there recently, and this year’s lineup looks even more enticing. The concerts are held on the same stage as the theater productions, and the seated audience gives the performances an attentive, intimate vibe rarely found in traditional music venues. Despite the Belcourt’s accomplishments in music, comedy and live theater, its primary focus remains film. In 2006, the Sundance Institute Art House Project included the Belcourt Theatre among 14 art house cinemas across the country selected to screen films and shorts from the Sundance Film Festival. The Belcourt also hosts the Nashville Jewish Film Festival, the Nashville Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and the Nashville Black Pride Film Festival. The Late Show film series features a different cult film every week. (Goonies, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pee Wee’s Big Adventure have been big hits.) And of course, there are the classics. The Belcourt is the only place in town where you can still watch Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant on the big screen week after week. Belcourt Theatre, 2101 Belcourt Ave., 846-3150. If you choose to move on to the Green Hills/Belle Meade area, click here. If you choose to get your movie to go, keep reading. Arts & Entertainment Art Galleries The Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission serves as an umbrella organization for the arts in Nashville, providing information about nonprofit and commercial art galleries. Below follows a list of selected nonprofit and private galleries. Call the MNAC at 862-6720 or visit artsnashville.org for more info. ADAMS GALLERY Cumberland University, 1 Cumberland Sq., Lebanon 444-2562 Cumberland University’s art gallery featuring a rotating series of exhibitions by local, national and international artists. AMERICAN ARTISAN 4231 Harding Road 298-4691 A commercial store and gallery, showing unique, fine crafts; it’s also the host of the crafts festival in Centennial Park each June. ARADANI STUDIOS aradani.com 469-1326 Online-based studio specializing in fantasy illustration and fine art, custom fantasy prosthetics (masks, horns, fangs) and costumes. THE ARTFUL DOG 1201 Villa Place, Ste. 101, 320-6595 Edgehill Village gallery focusing on “four-footed art” and folk art. THE ART HOUSE 2306 12th Ave. S. 238-5309 A gallery and wine bar associated with Rumours Wine & Art Bar in the 12South neighborhood. ART & INVENTION GALLERY AT THE GARAGE MAHAL 1106 Woodland St. 226-2070 East Nashville space that has earned attention and a hungry following with its summer “Tomato Art” show. ART ROGUE 77 Arcade (888) 566-1730 artrogue.com A studio/gallery hybrid featuring the photography, mixed media and paintings of Matt Mikulla. THE ARTS COMPANY 215 Fifth Ave. N. 254-2040 theartscompany.com Large downtown gallery featuring original art of all kinds in a contemporary setting. ARTRAGEOUS The flamboyant art gallery crawl doubles as the annual fundraiser for Nashville CARES, which offers support services to people living with AIDS in Middle Tennessee. Since its founding in 1987, Artrageous has raised more than $2 million while becoming a premier art event, attracting both the punked-out, pierced art-types and the cashmere-clad patrons who love them. The 2006 event, entitled “0019: Shaken, Not Stirred,” featured a four-hour tour through nine galleries, each of which assumed the identity of a Bond adventure setting. The Arts Company was a Las Vegas casino; Finer Things Gallery dressed as classic London. The event’s late-night party ended at City Hall, a 12,000-square-foot music venue in The Gulch. Tickets are a bit steep, usually around $85, but just remember the cause. There are 5,000 men, women and children in Middle Tennessee living with AIDS, and last year, Nashville CARES provided services such as meal preparation, rent and utility payments, transportation and counseling to about 1,400 of them. Artrageous, P. O. Box 128436, artrageous.org BALDWIN PHOTOGRAPHIC GALLERY Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro 898-2085 MTSU’s art gallery features exhibits by student, teacher and visiting artists. BATEY GALLERY The Yellow House, 5109 Alabama Ave. 298-2332 Features rotating exhibits of local and regional art. CALDWELL COLLECTION 2205 Bandywood Drive 298-5800 caldwellcollection.com Green Hills gallery and gift store specializing in imported Italian crafts. CENTENNIAL ART CENTER Centennial Park, 25th Ave. N. and Park Plaza 862-8442 Hosting a variety of shows and exhibits featuring local artists. Art classes are also offered here through Metro Parks’ cultural arts program. CHEEKWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN AND MUSEUM OF ART 1200 Forrest Park Dr. 356-8000 cheekwood.org One of the city’s largest art institutions, with expansive gardens, an outdoor sculpture trail and several galleries showing a range of art, from fine craft to photography to contemporary video, painting and mixed-media works. ED CLARK GALLERY Nashville State Community College, 120 White Bridge Road 353-3224 Nashville State’s art gallery features artwork by students. CRYSTALWOOD GALLERY 516 Houston St., 498-9036 crystalwoodstudio.com Featuring fine art and decorative furniture. CUMBERLAND GALLERY 4107 Hillsboro Circle 297-0296 Long-running gallery focusing on paintings, prints and drawings by artists including Vanderbilt faculty members Marilyn Murphy and Mark Hosford, along with popular Nashville painters John Baeder and Kit Reuther. MARGARET CUNINGGIM WOMEN’S CENTER Franklin Bldg., 316 West Side Row, Vanderbilt University 322-4843 Vanderbilt University’s women’s center, featuring art exhibits, lecture series, book groups and other programs focused on the female experience. CUSTOMS HOUSE MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER Commerce and S. Second St., Clarksville (931) 648-5780 Clarksville institution showing a range of local and regional art that also houses historic and vintage toys, posters, model trains, books and rotating cultural exhibits. DANGENART GALLERY 83 Arcade 251-1616 dangenart.com Highly contemporary works by local, national and international artists. DIFFERENT STROKES ART GALLERY 2798 Bransford Ave. 279-0025 dstrokes.com Retail outlet for Paul C. Buff Publishing, housing limited edition giclée renderings. AARON DOUGLAS GALLERY Fisk University, 1000 17th Ave. N. 329-8720 Fisk University gallery housing permanent collection of classical and contemporary African and African American art. FAMILY PEACE GALLERY Metro Police Domestic Violence Division 811 Second Ave. S. 880-3000 A permanent collection of works by local artists Carlton Wilkinson, Barbara Yontz, Jairo Prado, Greg Ridley and others, all conveying themes of healing, hope and comfort, hung on the walls of the Metro building and not in a gallery space. FINER THINGS 1898 Nolensville Road 244-3003 finerthingsgallery.com Noted for its outdoor sculpture garden and mix of crafts and fine art by local and national artists. FRIST CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS 919 Broadway 244-3340 fristcenter.org Housed in a refurbished downtown post office, the Frist Center is the closest thing Nashville has to an art museum—though it has no permanent collection. Instead, visitors can see a broad range of traveling exhibits that have included everything from Rembrandt to Richter. The Gordon CAP Gallery shows work by contemporary artists. GALLERY AT THE BELCOURT 2102 Belcourt Ave. 846-3150 The lobby of the Belcourt movie theater hosts work by local artists. HANGING AROUND ECLECTIC ARTS & FRAMING 113 17th Ave. S. 254-4850 Specializing in contemporary art and custom framing. HIRAM VAN GORDON GALLERY Elliot Hall, Tennessee State University, 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd., 963-7509 Tennessee State’s art gallery features exhibits by student, teacher and visiting artists. INTERNATIONAL ART GALLERY 800 Broadway 254-0235 Shows and sells a broad range of international and African art IN THE GALLERY 624-A Jefferson St. 383-1619 Owned by local photographer Carlton Wilkinson, this North Nashville gallery focuses on work by African American artists. LARSON GALLERY Austin Peay State University, Clarksville (931) 221-7333 Houses the university’s permanent art collection. LEQUIRE GALLERY 4304 Charlotte Ave. 298-4611 lequiregallery.com Sculptor Alan LeQuire, known for his “Musica” sculpture in the Music Row Roundabout, shows more of his work (albeit smaller pieces), along with work by colleagues with similar aesthetic sensibilities. LEU GALLERY Belmont University, 1900 Belmont Blvd. 460-6770 Showing work by Belmont students, faculty and local artists. LOCAL COLOR GALLERY 1912 Broadway 321-3141 localcolornashville.com Showing regional artwork by over 60 artists in a variety of media and styles. MADISON ART CENTER 403 Gallatin Road S., Madison 868-8000 madison-art-center.com 16,000 square feet of classrooms, a café and galleries showcasing fine art and crafts from all over the world. MIDTOWN GALLERY & FRAMES 1912 Broadway 322-9966 midtowngallery.com Custom frame shop with gallery space featuring works by local and regional artists MURFREESBORO/RUTHERFORD COUNTY CENTER FOR THE ARTS 110 W. College St., Murfreesboro 904-ARTS Community-oriented arts venue features visual art, theater and music programs for children and adults. ODYSSEY’S END 5 Arcade Bldg. 256-4522 Decorative artwork and custom gifts. THE PARTHENON Centennial Park 862-8431 Houses Alan LeQuire’s massive Athena sculpture, as well as galleries showing paintings and more. PLOWHAUS ARTISTS’ COOPERATIVE 211 S. 17th St. 262-2224 plowhaus.org Cooperatively owned and operated East Nashville gallery showing a broad variety of work by local artists, with a prevailing sense of fun and can-do spirit. RUBY GREEN CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER 514 Fifth Ave. S. 244-7179 rubygreen.org A gallery committed exclusively to showing contemporary art, Ruby Green also hosts an interesting mix of musical and spoken-word performances in its cleanly appointed space just south of downtown. SARRATT GALLERY Sarratt Student Center, Vanderbilt University 322-2471 This campus student center gallery has long been known for showing thoughtful, adventurous work by national, regional and local artists. STANFORD FINE ART 6608A Hwy. 100 352-5050 stanfordfineart.com A gallery specializing in 19th and 20th century American and European impressionism. TAG ART GALLERY 237 Fifth Ave. N. 255-7816 or (877) 3TAG-ART After spending a few years on the second floor of The Arts Company, TAG has moved to its own street-level gallery space just a few doors down from the old location. The gallery still focuses on affordable folk and outsider art by local and national artists. TENNESSEE ARTS COMMISSION GALLERY 401 Charlotte Ave. 741-1701 Showing work by recipients of Tennessee Arts Commission grants. TENNESSEE ART LEAGUE GALLERIES 808 Broadway 736-5000 Nonprofit organization founded in 1954 with the mission of assisting local visual artists TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM 505 Deaderick St. 741-2692 Showing work of local interest; permanent collection includes paintings, quilts and displays on the history of Tennessee from the prehistoric era through the early 20th century. TRAHERN GALLERY Austin Peay State University, Clarksville (931) 221-7334 Rotating exhibits of work by local, regional, national and international artists as well as Austin Peay faculty and students. TWIST GALLERY 73 Arcade Bldg. 255-6530 twistartgallery.com Twist is just one of many galleries to pop up in the Arcade this year, bringing new legitimacy to the moniker Fifth Avenue of the Arts. Arts consultant Caroline Carlisle and Watkins College of Art & Design graduate Beth Gilmore teamed up last August to open their new exhibit space, which features free wi-fi, a friendly atmosphere and contemporary works by artists such as Todd Greene, Sara La and former Watkins professor Terry Glispin. With a regular series of rotating exhibits by individual and group artists, Gilmore and Carlisle have added momentum to the visual arts boom in Nashville’s historically business-oriented downtown district. Twist is only a few months old, but we can’t wait to see where the next year takes them. Twist Art Gallery, 73 Arcade, 255-6530, twistartgallery.com. UNTITLED ARTISTS’ GROUP untitlednashville.org Maverick local artist group known for putting on one-night-only exhibits packed with art that ranges from consummately professional to astoundingly amateur. Always fun. VANDERBILT KENNEDY CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Room 241, MRL Bldg., Vanderbilt Univ. 322-8240 Showing works by artists with disabilities. VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY FINE ARTS GALLERY 23rd and West End aves. 322-0605 Vandy campus gallery shows work by fine artists both contemporary and long-gone, encompassing paintings, sculpture, prints and photography. CARL VAN VECHTEN GALLERY Fisk University, D.B. Todd Blvd. and Jackson St. 329-8720 The permanent exhibition includes the Alfred Stieglitz Collection of Modern Art, feat. works by Picasso, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, O’Keeffe and others—in other words, some of the most important art you’re likely to see in a Nashville gallery. WATKINS COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN 2298 MetroCenter Blvd. 383-4848 watkins.edu Art school gallery showing work by faculty and students who represent the city’s next generation of forward-thinking artists. ZEITGEIST GALLERY 1819 21st Ave. S. 256-4805 zeitgeist-art.com Long-running Hillsboro Village gallery showing contemporary work in a bright, welcoming space. Dance BLUE MOVES DANCE CO. 865-0408 bluemoves.org A Murfreesboro modern dance company featuring progressive choreography. CHINESE ARTS ALLIANCE OF NASHVILLE chineseartsalliance.org Promoting the Chinese culture through visual and performing arts. MOMENTUM DANCE GROUP 207 Sarratt Student Center, Vanderbilt University 322-2471 Vanderbilt student dance group. NASHVILLE BALLET 3630 Redmond St. 297-2966, ext. 20 500 Wilson Pike Circle, Ste. 119, Brentwood nashvilleballet.com As Middle Tennessee’s professional ballet company, Nashville Ballet reaches more than 50,000 adults and children annually with its performances, affiliated School of Nashville Ballet and outreach programs. The Ballet has expanded classes into Williamson County with an additional Brentwood location, but many programs are still held at Redmond Street. THE VILLAGE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER 340 West Trinity Lane 228-9553 villageculturalartscenter.com The Village members study, teach and perform drum, dance and story presentations with emphasis on African and Caribbean culture as they seek to enhance the community’s knowledge of African-American culture. Film BELCOURT THEATRE 2102 Belcourt Ave. 383-9140 (box office) 846-3150 (main office) belcourt.org FILM NASHVILLE 150 Fourth Ave. N., Ste. G-250 filmnashville.org Organization for creators of features films, documentaries, television movies, television series, short and experimental works to find professional personnel, products, services, locations and everything else related to the creation of motion picture works of any type and length. NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL Regal Green Hills 16 3815 Green Hills Village Drive April 19-26 nashvillefilmfestival.org The city’s annual film festival, with features and shorts by local, regional and nationally known filmmakers. SPUN MUSIC AND MOVIES 1701 Portland Ave. 386-4994 The sign isn’t neon, and the location—the top floor of a converted house—isn’t obvious, but Spun Music and Movies has attracted a steady stream of customers to its Belmont neighborhood storefront for years. A video rental store with a used CD section in the back, Spun offers an alternative to the big-business tastes of Blockbuster, Netflix or Hollywood Video. OK, so it doesn’t have 25 copies of the latest Will Ferrell movie, but it does have at least one of every classic, cult and B-grade film you can think of (and a couple Will Ferrell flicks, too). The used CD/vinyl section of Spun is not the place to search for a specific album; it’s much better suited to lazy weekend-afternoon browsing sessions. The store is owned and operated by a man who goes by the name Tim the Country Guy, who keeps unconventional business hours to accommodate the nocturnal schedules of his college-aged clientele. Spun Music and Movies, 1701 Portland Ave., 386-4994. Opera NASHVILLE OPERA 3628 Trousdale Drive, Ste. D, 832-5242 nashvilleopera.org A first-rate organization whose growing popularity with younger concertgoers bears witness to artistic director John Hoomes’ accomplished, smart-minded programming and deft outreach skills. Theater ACT I (ARTISTS’ COOPERATIVE THEATER) 1411 Eastland Ave. 726-2281 act1online.com A nonprofit theater organization specializing in the classics. ACTORS BRIDGE ENSEMBLE 1312 Adams St. 341-0300 actorsbridge.org actors_bridge@mindspring.com Presents classics of the theater as well as edgy contemporary pieces and other new works. The ensemble offers acting classes and The New Works Lab, a project offering opportunities for writers to develop new plays. AMERICAN NEGRO PLAYWRIGHT THEATRE Tennessee State University Performing Arts Center 3500 Albion St. 403-5635 Performs professional African American works under the artistic direction of Barry Scott. AMUN RA THEATRE 506-5988 info@theamunratheatre.org theamunratheatre.org Local actor jeff obafemi carr’s company gives voice to African American playwrights, actors, poets and musicians. ARTS CENTER OF CANNON COUNTY 1424 John Bragg Hwy., Woodbury 563-ARTS or (800) 235-9073 artscenterofcc.com Community theater group in Cannon County. BELMONT UNIVERSITY LITTLE THEATER Belmont University, 1900 Belmont Blvd. 460-6669 Offers a slate of comedies, classics and musicals. BOILER ROOM THEATRE The Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Road, Bldg. 6, Franklin 794-7744 boilerroomtheatre.com Performs an eclectic selection of plays, including shows and classic works, with an emphasis on musicals. BONGO AFTER HOURS THEATRE Bongo Java, 2007 Belmont Blvd. 385-1188 upstairs@bongojava.com Offers performances of dramatic works, music, poetry readings and dance. CHAFFIN’S BARN DINNER THEATRE 8204 Hwy. 100 646-9977 or (800) 282-BARN dinnertheatre.com Chaffin’s offers dinner theater favorites and original works on two stages. CIRCLE PLAYERS 332-PLAY info@circleplayers.net circleplayers.net Nashville’s oldest nonprofit volunteer arts organization, the Circle Players perform musicals, comedies and contemporary drama. CUMBERLAND COUNTY PLAYHOUSE 221 Tennessee Ave., Crossville (931) 484-5000 ccplayhouse.com Lavish productions of musicals and classics. DARKHORSE THEATER 4610 Charlotte Ave. 297-7113 darkhorsetheater.com An alternative theater with new works, classical theater, live music, dance, multimedia shows and film. DREAM 7 THEATRE PRODUCTIONS myspace.com/dream7theatre dream7productions@yahoo.com An African American theater company founded by poet/playwright Michael L. Walker. Most performances take place at Darkhorse Theater. GROUNDWORKS THEATRE 262-5485 Local actors Sean and Robert O’Connell’s newly formed theater group, performing at Darkhorse Theater. JOHN HOLLEMAN AND COMPANY johnhollemanco.com A local ensemble of performers specializing in masked theater, both comic and classical. IDEAPROV 423-2171 ideaprov.com contact@ideaprov.com Paul Bellos’ group hosts improv performances around town and also holds classes and training sessions. IMPROV NASHVILLE 418-0905 improvnashville.com Founded in 2005, Improv Nashville boasts a heavy schedule of improvisational shows around town. Classes for adults and children are available at all levels of experience. LAKEWOOD THEATRE COMPANY 2211 Old Hickory Blvd., Old Hickory 847-0934 Lakewood Theatre produces well-known musicals, comedies and dramas with occasional works by local playwrights. Five productions annually. LAMPLIGHTER’S THEATRE Smyrna Assembly of God, 14119 Old Nashville Hwy., Smyrna 459-3421 A Christian theater troupe associated with the Smyrna Assembly of God. LAUGHING CORPSE PRODUCTIONS 1914 Bransford Ave. 361-8836 Presents cleverly titled interactive murder-mystery dinner theater at The White Trash Cafe and also at private parties. LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY THEATRE 3901 Granny White Pike 269-1000 or (800) 333-4358 theater.lipscomb.edu Produces a wide variety of student-produced drama, frequently Christian-themed. Free to public. MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY THEATER AND DANCE Middle Tennessee State University, 1500 Greenland Drive, Murfreesboro 898-2640 Productions feature MTSU students and faculty. MONTGOMERY BELL ACADEMY THEATER 4001 Harding Road 298-5514 Student group; performs in the 350-capacity Paschall Theater on the campus. MURFREESBORO/RUTHERFORD COUNTY CENTER FOR THE ARTS 110 W. College St., Murfreesboro 904-ARTS Hosting a variety of performing arts groups and events. MYSTERY.COMEDY DINNER PLAYHOUSE 391-2345 mysterycomedy.com Presenting shows at Ellendale’s Restaurant. NASHVILLE CHILDREN’S THEATRE 724 Second Ave. S. 254-9103 nashvillechildrenstheatre.org Nonprofit, Actors’ Equity theater founded in 1931 by the Junior League of Nashville, and the oldest children’s theater in the country. Strives to make theater a vital part of the childhood experience for young people in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. NASHVILLE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL 1604 Eighth Ave. S. 255-2273 nashvilleshakes.org Stages high-quality Shakespeare productions for thousands of theatergoers every summer in Centennial Park. Also produces original works and conducts a significant outreach program that takes Shakespeare to schools throughout the state. NASHVILLE STANDUP nashvillestandup.com Local comedy organization that hosts open mic nights and other comedy performances all around town, including The Native Engine Comedy Show, a monthly stand-up show at the End, featuring local comedians. PEOPLE’S BRANCH THEATRE 254-0008 peoplesbranch.org Established in 2000, PBT has become Nashville’s most progressive professional theater company, with unexpected, mind-stretching theater. PULL-TIGHT THEATRE 112 Second Ave. S., Franklin 791-5007 pull-tight.com Community playhouse presenting family fare. REAL LIFE PLAYERS 298-3592 reallifeplayers.com Nashville’s only teen-owned and operated theater troupe, Real Life Players mount one production a year and donate the proceeds to a Nashville nonprofit organization that impacts youth. THE RENAISSANCE CENTER 855 Hwy. 46 S., Dickson 740-5600 or (888) 700-2300 rcenter.org Dickson’s multifaceted arts/science center offers original theatrical productions through its drama and theater department. RHUBARB THEATRE COMPANY 386-3551 One of several new homegrown theater groups to spring up in recent years. ROXY REGIONAL THEATRE 100 Franklin St., Clarksville (931) 645-7699 roxyregionaltheatre.org Known for original musicals and regional premieres. SHINING LIGHT PRODUCTIONS shininglightprod.net shininglightproductions@yahoo.com A nonprofit theater organization focused on the marriage of new talent with seasoned professionals. SISTASTYLE PRODUCTIONS 781-3904 sistastyle.net Founded in 2001, SistaStyle provides opportunities for hidden talents in the African American community. Performances held at the Darkhorse Theater. STEEPLE PLAYERS COMMUNITY THEATRE City Square Shopping Center, 260 W. Main St., Ste. 204, Hendersonville 826-6037 steepleplayers.org A performing arts outreach ministry sponsored by the First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville. TENNESSEE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 505 Deaderick St. 782-4000 tpac.org The place to see touring Broadway and off-Broadway shows as well as local companies. TENNESSEE REPERTORY THEATRE 161 Rains Ave. 244-4878 tnrep.org The Rep is the state’s largest producer of professional theater. A nonprofit organization, the Rep produces and constructs its productions locally in collaboration with world-class actors, designers and theater-craft people. TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY THEATER 963-7491 tnstate.edu TSU presents plays in its state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center through its communications department, under the resident professional training program. VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY THEATRE 322-2404 vanderbilt.edu/theatre An invigorating mix including works by some of today’s most celebrated playwrights. Performances held in Vanderbilt’s Neely Auditorium. Museums and Sites The Convention and Visitors Bureau is the overriding agency for Nashville-area historic sites, museums and visitor/tourist information. The following is a list of key museums and sites to seek out while in Nashville, but for more information, contact the bureau at 259-4700 or visit musiccityusa.com. ADVENTURE SCIENCE CENTER 800 Fort Negley Blvd. 862-5160 adventuresci.com Formerly the Cumberland Science Museum, the Adventure Science Center and Sudekum Planetarium offer interactive science exhibits (some permanent, some changing) and programs for the whole family. $9 for adults, $7 children ages 3 to 12 and seniors over 65; free for children 2 and under. Active duty military families have free admission every Sunday (IDs required). Planetarium shows are an extra $2 with center admission ($3.50 without). BELLE MEADE PLANTATION 5025 Harding Road 356-0501 bellemeadeplantation.com The 1853-built Greek Revival mansion was once part of a 5,400-acre thoroughbred horse farm. Hosts historical-themed exhibits at various times of the year. $11 adults, $10 seniors, $5 ages 6 to 12, ages 5 and under free. BELMONT MANSION 1900 Belmont Blvd. 460-5459 belmontmansion.com It’s hard to imagine the area near Music Row as an ideal spot to build a vacation home. Back in 1850, however, the area was decidedly different when the very wealthy Adelicia Acklen and her husband Joseph began building their summer home. Today the home, which was built in the style of an Italian villa, is part of Belmont University and features original and period Victorian furniture and artwork. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $3 ages 6 to 12, ages 5 and under admitted free. $1 off admission with Internet coupon available on the website. CARNTON PLANTATION 1345 Carnton Lane, Franklin 794-0903 carnton.org A national historic landmark featuring Randal McGavock’s mansion, used as a field hospital during the Battle of Franklin; a Confederate cemetery; and an 1847-styled garden. $10 adults, $9 seniors, $3 ages 6 to 12, ages 5 and under free. Self-guided tours $3. $1 off admission with Internet coupon available on the website. THE CARTER HOUSE 1140 Columbia Ave., Franklin 791-1861 carter-house.org An interpretive center for the 1864 Battle of Franklin feat. the 1830s home of Capt. Tod Carter, who was mortally wounded during the battle; the battlefield; and a museum, film and tour. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $4 ages 6 to 12. CHEEKWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN AND MUSEUM OF ART 1200 Forrest Park Dr. 356-8000 cheekwood.org The 55-acre estate built by the family of the Maxwell House Coffee Fortune. The Museum of Art, in a 30,000-square-foot Georgian-style mansion, includes permanent and traveling exhibitions. Gourmet restaurant. Gift shops. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 ages 6 to 17 and college students with IDs, Cheekwood members and children 5 and under are free. Gate fee is half-price after 3 p.m. Family cap $30. Active military personnel and their families pay half price admission. COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM 222 Fifth Ave. S. 416-2001 countrymusichalloffame.com Even if you couldn’t care less about country music, this museum is still a fascinating place. The museum features manuscripts, instruments, personal items of stars and more. $18.95 adults, $11.95 ages 6 to 17, ages 5 and under free. CUSTOMS HOUSE MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTER Commerce and S. Second St. Clarksville (931) 648-5780 customshousemuseum.org Located in historic downtown Clarksville, the Customs House is the state’s second largest general museum. Explore an entire city block featuring large gallery spaces filled with fine art, science and history. The Explorer’s Floor features various hands-on activities and learning opportunities for children. $5 adults; $4 seniors 55 and up; $2 college students w/ID; $1 ages 6 to 18; children under 6 free. Every Sunday is free admission day. SAM DAVIS HOME 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna 459-2341 samdavishome.org A visit to the Greek Revival home on its 169-acre site will reveal the details of how young Sam Davis died refusing to betray the Confederacy. Admission: $8.50 adults, $6.50 seniors, $3 ages 6 to 12. FRIST CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS 919 Broadway 244-3340 fristcenter.org In addition to hosting a wide range of traveling and rotating exhibits, Nashville’s flagship art institution also offers film screenings, lectures, a hands-on activity center for children, a cafe, a gift shop and a schedule of educational programs for children and adults. $8.50 adults; $7.50 sr. citizens and military; $6.50 college students; Frist members and children 18 and under are admitted free. GRAND OLE OPRY MUSEUM 2401 Music Valley Dr. 889-3060 grandoleopry.com Exhibits dedicated to Opry stars of the past and present, including Patsy Cline, Little Jimmy Dickens, George Jones, Jim Reeves and Tex Ritter. The museum is located in the Opry Plaza. Free. THE HERMITAGE 4580 Rachel’s Lane 889-2941 thehermitage.com Guided tours of the 1836 mansion, home of our nation’s seventh president, Andrew Jackson. Explore several other buildings, including slave cabins and Jackson’s tomb. $14 adults, $12 seniors (62+), $10 students (ages 13-18), $6 children 6 to 12, and free under 5 years. LANE MOTOR MUSEUM 702 Murfreesboro Pike 742-7445 lanemotormuseum.org A unique collection of mostly European automobiles. Approximately 100 cars and motorcycles not typically seen in the U.S. are on display, including the largest Tatra collection outside Europe, a substantial micro car collection, amphibious vehicles, competition cars, alternative fuel vehicles, military vehicles and motorcycles. $5 adults, $3 seniors (55 and over), under 18 free. MANKSERS STATION 705 Caldwell Dr., Goodlettsville 859-3678 A living-history museum depicting life as it was for settlers in 1779 Middle Tennessee. The site features the 1896 reconstructed log station originally built by Kasper Mansker in 1779 and the restored Bowen Plantation house built in 1787. Together, the historic sites illustrate the transition from forted life to estate living. Manskers Station hosts living-history festivals throughout the year. $5 adults, $3 students ages 6 to 12. Group rates and senior discounts. MONTHAVEN 109 Monthaven Blvd., Hendersonville 822-0789 A circa-1860 Greek Revival house, now home to the Hendersonville Arts Council Center and featuring original art exhibits and handmade crafts. NASHVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY 615 Church St. 862-5800 library.nashville.org Nashville’s main public library in the heart of downtown, featuring book signings, lectures, children’s activities, performances and visiting speaker series. NASHVILLE TOY MUSEUM 162 Eighth Ave. N. Owner Ted Lannom started collecting toys in the fifth grade, and in the 40 years since he has amassed one of the world’s foremost collections of antique toys and models. This is Lannom’s private collection and while it is open to the public, it is open to the whims of the owner. The Toy Museum doesn’t have set business hours; call 742-5678 to schedule a tour. NASHVILLE ZOO AT GRASSMERE 3777 Nolensville Road 833-1534 nashvillezoo.org The Nashville Zoo exhibits a great variety of wildlife that can be seen from a trail through the zoo. Get up close and personal at Critter Encounters and see what life was like in the 19th century at the Historic Home and Working Farm. You can also catch educational shows and play on the 66,000-square-foot, community-built playground. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $6 children ages 3-12, zoo members and children under 2 are admitted free. THE PARTHENON Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave. 862-8431 parthenon.org Built as part of Tennessee’s 1897 Centennial Exposition, the full-scale replica of the ancient Greek temple contains a 42-foot replica of the Athena statue and changing art exhibits. $5 adults, $2.50 seniors and children ages 4-17, children under 4 are admitted free. THE RENAISSANCE CENTER 855 Hwy. 46 S., Dickson 740-5600 rcenter.org An arts and technology education center as well as a performing arts center. The center also includes the CyberSphere Digital Theatre, Visual Arts Gallery, Gaslight Dinner Theatre, Faraday Science Theatre, Renaissance Players community theater, the Virtually Unlimited Bookstore and Faraday Cafe. Planetarium shows are $5 adults, $3 seniors and children 12 and younger. All laser show tickets are $6. RYMAN AUDITORIUM 116 Fifth Ave. N. 889-3060 ryman.com Built as a church in 1892, the Ryman Auditorium housed the Grand Ole Opry from 1943-1974. Experience entertainment with a daytime tour of the Ryman including a short film hosted by Trisha Yearwood featuring the people and events that shaped the Rymans’ past and present. Step onto the historic stage, have your picture taken and then stroll through the halls filled with memorabilia. Ryman Auditorium tours are $8.50 adults (backstage tour option $12.25); $4.25 children ages 4-11 (backstage tour option $8). SCARRITT-BENNETT CENTER 1008 19th Ave. S. 340-7470 The Scarritt-Bennett Center’s Collection of Ethnographic Artifacts consists of several thousand objects from around the world, including textiles, pottery, masks and other artifacts pertaining to different ethnicities and cultures. Small exhibits of parts of the collection are presented year-round and may be viewed in the Laskey Building on the first and second floors. Free. STONES RIVER NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD 3501 Old Nashville Hwy., Murfreesboro 893-9501 The 600-acre site includes a Civil War battlefield along the Stones River, a museum, the Stones River National Cemetery, the Hazen Brigade Monument, Fortress Rosecrans, an earthen Civil War fort and offers numerous lectures and living-history programs throughout the year. TENNESSEE AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM Ellington Agricultural Center 837-5197 tnagmuseum.org Features exhibits exploring the state’s rural history, including kitchen and dairy items, wagons, machinery, heirloom vegetables and more. The site also includes log cabins, a turn-of-the-century farmhouse, a one-room school and a nature trail. TENNESSEE BICENTENNIAL CAPITOL MALL STATE PARK 600 James Robertson Pkwy. 741-5280 A 19-acre park and outdoor history museum featuring an amphitheater, a 200-ft. granite map depicting every city in the state, 31 fountains representing each of Tennessee’s rivers, a botanical garden, a 1,400-foot wall engraved with Tennessee’s historic events and a World War II Memorial. Free. TENNESSEE CENTRAL RAILWAY MUSEUM 220 Willow St. 244-9001 tcry.org The all-volunteer organization restores, operates and exhibits railroad equipment and excursion trains. TENNESSEE SPORTS HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM Gaylord Entertainment Center, 501 Broadway 242-4750 A state-of-the-art interactive facility featuring exhibits on amateur and professional sports teams and individuals in Tennessee history. The museum’s interactive virtual-reality room features a one-on-one basketball game, kayaking on the Ocoee River and more. TENNESSEE STATE LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES 403 Seventh Ave. N. 741-2764 Contains manuscript collections dating from 1780, photographic collections, genealogical and census data, microfilm of county records, archival collections, literary works, equipment for the blind and physically handicapped and more. TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM 505 Deaderick St. 741-2692 tnmuseum.org Located in the bottom of TPAC, the Tennessee State Museum houses a permanent collection includes paintings, quilts and displays on the history of Tennessee from the prehistoric era through the early 20th century. The museum also hosts temporary and traveling exhibitions. Free admission. TRAVELLERS REST PLANTATION AND MUSEUM 636 Farrell Pkwy. 832-8197 travellersrestplantation.org The home of Judge John Overton is one of Nashville’s oldest historic homes open to the public. The museum features a large collection of Tennessee made furniture. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $3 children ages 6 to 12, children under 6 are free. THE UPPER ROOM CHAPEL AND MUSEUM 1908 Grand Ave. 340-7200 upperroom.org A wood carving based on Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” religious paintings from the 1300s to 1900s, illuminated manuscripts, a 9,000-piece stained-glass window and other religious-themed objects. A presentation on the carving is given on the hour and half-hour, last presentation 4 p.m. Free but donations are appreciated.