You probably know the home of the Smart Tan Nashville trade show and educational conference as The Music City, but as of the mid-1800s Nashville was referred to as The Athens of the South for its reputation as one of the most educated and cultured cities in the U.S. To this day, few cities can match the unique cultural experience that Nashville provides.

If you’ve visited before, chances are you’ve seen or heard about the Country Music Hall of Fame, The Grand Ole Opry, Broadway St., and more, but Nashville isn’t just about music and entertainment. One unique cultural attraction many have overlooked, the Parthenon in Centennial Park, is a tribute to the city’s earlier moniker.

Built for the World’s Fair in 1897, the Parthenon in Nashville is the world’s only exact replica of the famous ancient temple in Athens, Greece. Millions of tourists visit the ancient Parthenon yearly, but if you can’t make it to Europe, Nashville is your best bet for an architectural experience like this. Located inside is Athena Parthenos, the largest indoor sculpture in the western world. An art museum is located inside the Parthenon as well, featuring 63 paintings by 19th and 20th century American artists and various temporary exhibits throughout the year.

A less than 10-minute cab ride from the Music City Center, Centennial Park also offers a one-mile walking trail, Lake Watauga, the Centennial Art Center, historical monuments, an arts activity center, and a beautiful sunken garden.

While Smart Tan Nashville provides a full slate of education and entertainment in itself, the trip is also a great opportunity to take some time to explore an incredible city with attractions for any style. There’s so much to see in the city, even those who have been going since our first convention there haven’t seen it all.

Better start planning now — we’ll see you in Nashville!

Click here to register for Smart Tan Nashville, the world’s largest indoor tanning conference and trade show, Oct. 7-9, 2016.