5. The Parthenon
Located in Centennial Park in Nashville’s West End, the Parthenon is the only exact replica in the world of the ancient temple in Athens, Greece. Regarded as the park’s centerpiece, the Parthenon was constructed to celebrate 100 years of Tennessee statehood at the 1897 Centennial Exposition and originally viewed as a temporary structure. In 1920, after Nashville had been known for years as the “Athens of the South,” the Parthenon was rebuilt with the help of a local architect and an architectural historian.
6. World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest
The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is one of the beloved events that takes place during the Memphis in May International Festival. The contest dates back to 1978, when it began in the Orpheum Theatre parking lot with just 20 teams and a $1,000 prize for the best barbecue. In 2022, the four-day event brought more than 200 competition cooking teams from 24 states and four foreign countries to compete for $147,000 in total prize money. Before COVID-19, attendance at the event topped out at nearly 30,000 people a day. So, if you’re craving all things pork and want to see unique themed team tents and live entertainment while having a bit of over-the-top fun, then head to Tom Lee Park along the banks of the Mississippi River in mid-May for all the festivities.