Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Nashville

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, commonly referred to as Bicentennial Mall, is a linear urban state park with landscaped features located in downtown Nashville. It is the most frequented among Tennessee's 56 state parks, attracting over 2.5 million visitors each year. This park was initially envisioned in 1989 by former Governor Ned McWherter as part of the preparations for the bicentennial celebration of the state of Tennessee. Construction began on June 27, 1994, and the park was officially opened to the public on June 1, 1996, coinciding with the 200th anniversary of Tennessee's statehood. Covering 19 acres (approximately 77,000 square meters), it is the smallest of Tennessee's state parks.

Bicentennial Mall draws inspiration from the design of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It incorporates various design elements aimed at educating visitors about Tennessee's history, natural features, attractions, landmarks, and musical heritage. The park's architecture incorporates elements from Classical Greek, Baroque, and Beaux-Arts styles. Its boundaries are defined by Jefferson Street to the north, James Robertson Parkway to the south, 6th Avenue North to the east, and 7th Avenue North to the west. Notably, it is located just north of the hill that houses the Tennessee State Capitol, which is easily visible from the park. Additionally, the Nashville Farmers' Market is situated immediately west of the park, while the Tennessee State Museum is located directly to the west of the park's northern end, and the Tennessee State Library and Archives are situated east of the northern end. Several state office buildings are also in close proximity to the park.

Why You Should Visit:
Awesome views of the Capitol building and downtown. Water features great for kids, a huge map of TN on the ground and fascinating history wall outlining the history of TN (and earth) running the park's full length.

Tip:
Plan at least 30 mins for a walk through the park. More time will be needed when reading the historical facts.
Try to stick around for when the clock strikes every hour to be serenaded by the bell towers at one end of the park.
Then walk over to the Farmers Market for great food, farm produce at great prices, local honey, and just a nice piece of rural TN in the middle of a busy city.