Although the history of a city is typically defined as a chronological record of significant events that explains how it came to be, the intricacies in between that timeline run deeper, encompassing geography, culture, education, music, art, industry, politics, cuisine and so much more.

And in Nashville, Tenn., all of these attributes are intertwined into a vibrant, colorful, multifaceted landscape that has earned it nods from numerous travel and other publications as a top tourist destination.

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME…

Like many cities, Nashville, approximately a three-hour drive from both Memphis, Tenn., and Louisville, Ky., a four-hour drive from Atlanta, a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Indianapolis and a five-hour drive from St. Louis, has earned many monikers over the years.

The first was “the Athens of the South,” a nod given to it within a few decades after its founding as Fort Nashborough in 1779 for its vast number of educational institutions, which earned it a reputation as a sort of uppercrust, sister city to Athens, Greece, exuding sophistication, wealth and culture at every turn.

Today, as the capital of Tennessee, it is equally known as Music City, a nickname that most people believe is because it is also the country music capital of the world. And although true, historical accounts also show that in the 1800s, Queen Elizabeth, who was being entertained by the now world-renowned, African-American Fisk Jubilee Singers from the city’s Fisk University, remarked that the group was so good they must have come from, yes, “Music City.”

Well, the name has stuck and is an apt representation of this southern gem, whose music roots infuse every area of the landscape here.

ABOUT TOWN

One of the best ways to explore and learn about the history of Nashville is to embark on the Music City Trolley Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour. The one-hour tour will not only help you get the lay of the land but also give you insights into the many sites and attractions along the way. And because the tour pass is good for two days, you have plenty of time to take in as little or as much as you want, at your own pace.

The 17 stops along the way include the historic Riverfront Train Station, Bridgestone Arena Visitors Center, Music Row, the Johnny Cash Museum, the Country Music Hall of Famer and Museum, 5th Avenue of the Arts, Ryman Auditorium, Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, the Gulch District and the Nashville Farmers Market.

I highly recommend purchasing a Music City Total Access Attraction Pass, a great value at only $75, which gives you not only a discount on the Trolley Tour but also free entrance to any four attractions of your choosing (there are 22 from which to choose), plus free admittance to the Parthenon and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

To fully grasp the depth of the music history in Nashville, country music and all genres of music, be sure to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. This flagship Nashville attraction is an absolutely amazing collection of exhibits of the influential performers, songwriters and sound technicians who made music history. The exhibits include social history, photographs, artifacts, radio and television clips, sound recordings and a great deal more that not only made Nashville music what it is today but also had profound influences across the country and around the world. A handful of special exhibits delve further into the lives, music and other aspects of music personalities.

Two of the Hall of Fame’s properties include historic RCA Studio B, where famous hitmakers have included Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, Waylon Jennings, Eddy Arnold and Willie Nelson, and Hatch Show Print, the letterpress poster shop that produced some of the most iconic posters for many of the world’s most famous entertainers.

Another of the most popular attractions in town is the Ryman Auditorium, a national historic landmark and home of the Grand Ole Opry from its inception until 1974.

IN THE BEGINNING

The Tennessee State Capitol is a must for any history buff, where you can wander the many public galleries and pop your head into the Senate and House chambers on your own, or via a guided tour. From Capitol’s position atop one of the highest points in the city, you will get a spectacular view of Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, just down the hill. This 19-acre park is full of fascinating attributes relative to the history of the state, including an amazing 100-year state timeline, a 200-foot granite state map, the Walkway of Counties with native plant species, the 95-Bell Carillon, a 2,000-seat amphitheater, the World War II Memorial and other attractions.

More in-depth exploration of the state’s history can be found at the Tennessee State Museum, featuring permanent, changing and temporary exhibits encompassing African-American soldiers in the Civil War, 18th century artifacts, presidential history, Victorian paintings and, across the street in the entity’s Military Museum, artifacts from overseas conflicts over the decades.

This offering is just the tip of the iceberg of all there is to see, do and explore in Nashville!

Lysa Allman-Baldwin is a freelance writer and the publisher and editor of Amazing Escapades: Adventures for the mind, bod and belly (amazingescapades.com). She can be reached at editor@amazingescapades.com.