Spending time in central and west Tennessee and you’re not (may Hank Williams and Elvis forgive us) into rock, soul or country music? Never fear, because the area has plenty of unique and surprising attractions.
In Nashville, meet the original tough chick of Greek lore at the Parthenon (615.862.8431; www.parthenon.org), the only full-scale replica of this historic temple in the world. Inside is Athena Parthenos, a strapping goddess nearly 42 feet tall. A detailed copy of the original statue that once graced the Greek Parthenon, this armed goddess of wisdom is the tallest indoor statue in the western world. Sporting elaborate gilding just like her namesake, Athena’s size and presence will take your breath away; even the seemingly small statue in her hand is actually a six-foot-four representation of Nike, goddess of victory.
After seeing Athena, it’s easy to develop a taste for giant historical tributes, so head to Memphis and hold at least one meeting in the third-largest pyramid in the world at Pyramid Arena (901.521.9675; www.pyramidarena.com). While ultramodern in style, the 32-story structure still has that classic Egyptian vibe, as well as 90,000 square feet of event space and a host of meeting rooms for any size group. Unlike the wonders at Giza, however, in this pyramid you can also watch a concert, although you won’t see anyone walking like an Egyptian.
Want some history that’s a little more local? Drop by Casey Jones Village (731.668.1223; www.caseyjones.com) in Jackson. Star of song and railroad legend, Casey Jones was an engineer who sacrificed his own life to save others on the train. You can even tour the hero’s historic home and climb aboard a replica engine No. 382. The village comes complete with other accessories from 1900, including an old country store with an impressive antique display and an ice cream parlor. The site is one of the state’s top 10 most-visited attractions, and that’s quite an accomplishment when you’re competing with the Grand Ole Opry and Graceland.
Switch from railroad iron to metal art at the National Ornamental Metal Museum (901.774.6380; www.metalmuseum.org) in downtown Memphis. This facility is the only site in the country devoted to historic and contemporary metalwork. Guides take groups through both museum exhibits and a working blacksmith shop for demonstrations of the bold and graceful art.
Another hot spot for regional history is the famed Pink Palace Museum (901.320.6320; www.memphismuseums.org), located in Memphis’ Midtown district. The museum combines the history of a stunning 1920s mansion with a very modern IMAX theater and planetarium. Offbeat displays in the museum include a replica of the very first Piggly Wiggly grocery store, a hand-carved miniature circus and even a shrunken head, making this one of the top five museums in the South as voted by the readers of Southern Living magazine. Reservations are required for groups, and discounts are available.
