Nashville is the state capital of Tennessee and home to Vanderbilt University. Nashville boasts a rich history in country music.
Philadelphia became the inaugural state capital, with William Strickland of Philadelphia–an apprentice to Benjamin Latrobe–designing its current Capitol building in Greek Revival style.
Nashville
Nashville is known for its multi-genre music scene, vibrant street art displays, delicious indigenous cuisine, and unique attractions. Nashville also has an extensive culture and history: one of its first sit-in protests was held during African-American civil rights movements. Furthermore, Vanderbilt University, Meharry Medical College, and Tennessee State University can all be found here.
Nashville is best known for country music, yet other genres make up its vibrant musical landscape. Nashville boasts a modern and diverse music scene filled with young talent that continues to thrive today. Nashville also houses America’s longest-running live country radio show – The Grand Ole Opry has introduced many country megastars like Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash into stardom while remaining the backbone of Nashville’s contemporary musical landscape.
Visitors to Charlotte can discover world-class restaurants, historic homes, museums, shops, and an active arts community encompassing numerous galleries and studios. The Frist Center for the Visual Arts occupies an exquisitely restored art deco post office. At the same time, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and the Museum of Art have sprawling galleries and gardens to offer visitors an immersive art experience.
Nashville stands out for its abundance of parks and green spaces. Home to over 20 parks that provide recreational amenities such as walking and biking trails, Nashville also features cultural and historical landmarks like its full-scale replica of the Parthenon built for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897.
Nashville is also the home of the National Hockey League’s Nashville Predators, who play at Bridgestone Arena. Sports enthusiasts will also appreciate this city, which also hosts NFL Titans and WNBA Aces from Nashville – not to mention numerous lakes, including Old Hickory in the northwest and J Percy Priest in the east for fishing, boating, and golf – not forgetting several golf courses nearby! Nashville’s downtown shopping district includes over 100 retailers and 50 department stores, not to mention numerous boutiques and antique stores for unique shopping opportunities!
Knoxville
Knoxville is a major industrial city that features an economy diversified between manufacturing (prebuilt homes, medical products, and boats), services (especially health care and education), and agriculture (livestock and tobacco). Knoxville’s large flagship campus of the University of Tennessee attracts students, adding another layer to its cultural diversity. Furthermore, theaters, museums, and cultural events bring in visitors.
Knoxville, located near the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, provides residents access to outdoor recreational opportunities. Knoxville boasts a downtown riverfront, various parks, and one of the world’s largest zoos – Knoxville Zoo hosts over 1,800 animals, including endangered species such as giraffes, pandas, and elephants.
City residents enjoy a high quality of life with reasonable housing and utility costs, an average income that slightly surpasses the national average, a low unemployment rate, and crime rates lower than in many other metropolitan areas across the U.S.
Two significant events occurred during the 20th century that had an immense effect on Knoxville: the creation of Tennessee Valley Authority in the 1930s and Oak Ridge’s establishment two miles (30 km) west of Knoxville in 1944 helped diversify Knoxville’s economy; TVA’s electrical power attracted industries while river navigation programs enhanced transportation possibilities in Knoxville.
Downtown Knoxville boasts an eclectic range of architectural styles, from the 1886 James White House built from logs to the modern Knoxville Museum of Art created in 1990. Market Square contains buildings in Greek Revival style; Victorian, Gothic, and Neoclassical are also represented here. Other historical structures in Knoxville include Blount Mansion (1853), 1792 Ramsey House (1792), and Confederate Memorial Hall (Bleak House). Knoxville has three major interstates and two Class I railroads: CSX and Norfolk Southern operate Class I railways throughout Knoxville. In contrast, Discovery operates several cable television networks from Knoxville, HGTV Cooking Channel, and Jewelry TV channels.
Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro offers an exciting blend of Civil War history and 21st-century urban living, from its battlefield ruins to bustling Main Street retail trade – something for everyone! Explore the Battle of Stones River National Battlefield Park, where over 6,000 Union soldiers are interred; Oaklands Mansion features a restored plantation house with gardens, while Cannonsburgh Village showcases regional history from the 1830s-1930s with buildings such as a schoolhouse and general store.
After the war, Nashville expanded rapidly. In the early 1800s, it became home to multiple colleges and academies that earned it the nickname of “Athens of Tennessee.” Later, in 1824, Nashville also served as a regional political center, hosting a Democratic Party convention that nominated Andrew Jackson as president.
In the 19th century, Nashville saw its economy diversify into agriculture and manufacturing industries and become home to the state’s first consolidated city government. Furthermore, city leaders promoted public education and supported a local academy called Bradley Academy, later absorbed into Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU); this institution graduated many future presidents and prominent politicians such as Winston Churchill.
Murfreesboro played an essential role during the American Civil War as both a military and supply hub and witnessed one of its most significant battles between Union forces led by General William Rosecrans and Confederates under General Braxton Bragg at Stones River on December 1862 – lasting for three days and leaving thousands dead or wounded on both sides. The Battle of Stones River saw many casualties.
Today, Nashville has become a vibrant hub of music and technology. Nissan North America resides here, while annual festivals draw large crowds nationwide. Plus, there’s always plenty to shop and dine at restaurants and boutiques!
Public transport in the city is modern and efficient, with bright green Rover buses capable of holding sixteen people running along six city corridors. There are also extensive bicycle paths and greenways.
Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee, boasts a world-class art museum, a breathtaking riverfront, and many other enticing features that attract tourists and residents. Attractions such as the Tennessee Aquarium and Chattanooga National Military Park make Chattanooga an attractive tourist destination. In contrast, its vibrant music scene and unique festivals, such as Riverbend Festival and Nightfall concerts, make it a memorable destination.
Chattanooga lies along the Tennessee River and borders Georgia and Alabama. As Tennessee’s fourth-largest city, Chattanooga serves as an anchor of its metropolitan area covering Southeast Tennessee, parts of Northwest Georgia, and Northeast Alabama. Thanks to its rich cultural and natural resources, livability initiatives, civic vitality partnerships, fiscal integrity measures, and strategic location, it has quickly become one of the country’s most desired mid-size cities.
The Chattanooga metropolitan area boasts a varied economy with an active manufacturing sector that produces aircraft and automobiles while serving as an essential transportation hub with four interstate highways that link it with other parts of the country. Furthermore, Chattanooga serves as a center of higher education, with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as its flagship institution and several acclaimed colleges.
Chattanooga has been recognized nationally for its scenic beauty, stable population and economy, livability initiatives, cross-sector solid partnerships, and high rate of innovation and entrepreneurship; leading sustainability measures; boasting one of the highest rates for innovation/entrepreneurship/leadership as well as being recognized as the #1 US city for small business/economic opportunity.
Chattanooga boasts both an active arts and cultural scene and numerous historic sites. During the American Civil War, Chattanooga served as an essential supply base for Union forces; decisive battles occurred here at Chickamauga Creek and Chattanooga. Today its historic environs have been preserved through Chattanooga National Military Park, which covers 13 square miles in Tennessee and Georgia and features major battlefields on Lookout Mountain, Orchard Knob, and Missionary Ridge.
Chattanooga boasts an enviable culinary heritage, encompassing classic Southern fare and contemporary influences. The city’s restaurants showcase this diversity through various dishes that showcase Chattanooga’s diverse culture; many also use locally produced ingredients for creative menu items. Furthermore, the city features several breweries and distilleries.
