*Allison's Picks*

My friend Mary is coming to Nashville and asked what I would recommend she see or do.
Here were my top 6 suggestions in no paticular order:

1. Parthenon/ Centennial Park
2. (Tie) Loveless Café or Pancake Pantry
4. Sudekum Planetarium
5. The Frist
5. Hit up Broadway (honkytonk bars – no in-depth description necessary, just a bunch of neon and country music, the heart of Nashville)

About the Parthenon
The Parthenon stands proudly as the centerpiece of Centennial Park, Nashville's premier urban park. The re-creation of the 42-foot statue Athena is the focus of the Parthenon just as it was in ancient Greece. The building and the Athena statue are both full-scale replicas of the Athenian originals. Originally built for Tennessee's 1897 Centennial Exposition, this replica of the original Parthenon in Athens serves as a monument to what is considered the pinnacle of classical architecture. The plaster replicas of the Parthenon Marbles found in the Naos are direct casts of the original sculptures which adorned the pediments of the Athenian Parthenon, dating back to 438 B.C. The originals of these powerful fragments are housed in the British Museum in London. The Parthenon also serves as the city of Nashville's art museum. The focus of the Parthenon's permanent collection is a group of 63 paintings by 19th and 20th century American artists donated by James M. Cowan.

Loveless Cafe
Located on Highway 100 in Nashville Tennessee at the Northern Terminus of the Natchez Trace Parkway, the Loveless Cafe remains unchanged in the quaint country charm and good cooking that has made it a landmark in the South since its doors opened over half a century ago.
Nationally acclaimed and frequented by celebrities, world travelers and local appetites alike, the Loveless Cafe serves up award-winning country ham and red eye gravy, real Southern-fried chicken, and Nashville's favorite scratch biscuits with homemade preserves cooked right in the kitchen. The Loveless story has been told the world over, from Gourmet Magazine and Bon Appetit to U.S. News and World Report, CBS Television, and People Magazine. Come discover Loveless for yourself, and experience Southern dining and hospitality at their best.

Pancake Pantry
A Nashville staple located on 21st Ave in Hillsboro Village, a neat little strip I really like with unique shops (Pangea & Posh), cafes (Fidos), & restaurants (Jacksons).

The new Sudekum Planetarium
At the center of the new Sudekum Planetarium is the GOTO Chiron optical star projector that fills the dome with more than 6.5 million stars (the previous star ball projected 2,500). This breathtakingly realistic night sky is combined with a Digistar 3, high-definition, full-dome system that projects images and animations of the wonders of the universe from horizon to horizon. No other planetarium in the country offers the seamless integration of these two technologies. The gently sloping seating and powerful 5.1 surround sound system give the visitors to the Sudekum a unique, immersive and exhilarating experience. Learn more about the new planetarium technology here.The Sudekum Planetarium's inaugural show is called STARS. STARS is an original production narrated by actor Mark Hamill. Adventure Science Center has been working with National Space Centre in Leicester, England, to create this stunning 26-minute show exploring the powerhouses of the universe and man’s relationship with the night sky throughout history. Part of the “STARS” soundtrack is performed by The Nashville Symphony, conducted by Albert-George Schram, Resident conductor. “STARS” is made possible, in part, by a gift from SunTrust Bank, Inc.

Frist Center for the Visual Arts
Saw an exhibit on Picasso & Dali earlier this summer and will be attending "Frist Fridays" later this month: Frist Fridays has become one of Nashville’s most popular summertime activities, and it’s back for another year with the inaugural event scheduled on May 30. Make plans to join your friends and fellow Frist Center members in the Turner Courtyard for live entertainment, great art, cash bars, and complimentary hors d’oeuvres under the stars. The festivities start at 6:00 p.m. and conclude at 9:00 p.m. It’s the best way to start the weekend.