There’s more to Nashville than what meets the ear.

We know all about the sounds – namely the live music and roar of the crowded streets of the Honky Tonk Highway – but what do you need to stop and see on your trip to Nashville? We’ve got a busy schedule for you at Smart Tan Nashville, but you may want to think about building an extra day into your trip to see what the city offers outside of world-renowned music and nightlife.

Nashville’s reputation as a cultural and educational hub dates back to the 1800s, so there’s plenty if history see and learn, for those who want to stray from the downtown scene. The city’s modern, bustling business district is littered with historic plantations, architecture, museums and settlement sites, along with 21 college campuses. Not many cities can match the variety of that experience.

Here are a few of the can’t miss destinations:

The Tennessee State Capitol

The Capitol building remains essentially the same as it was when it was constructed starting in 1845. It features statues honoring Sam Davis, Sgt. Alvin York and Presidents Andrew Jackson and Andrew Johnson. Tours are available Monday through Friday.

Educational Institutions

The area features 21 accredited four-year and postgraduate institutions that help define the economic and cultural identity of Nashville. There’s plenty of sites to see at Vanderbilt, Belmont (don’t miss the Belmont Mansion!), Bethel, Austin Peay and others.

Fort Nashborough

The revamped Fort Nashborough reopened earlier this year. The stockade, established in 1779, was the original settlement that would become what we know as Nashville today. Self-guided tours are open daily.

The Belle Meade Plantation

The plantation, used primarily for horse training in the 1800s, is famous for its architecture and history. Tours are available daily.

Downtown Presbyterian Church

Located on Fifth and Church street, the Downtown Presbyterian Church originally opened in 1816 and was known as First Presbyterian Church. It’s known to site-seers for its Egyptian Revival architecture with lotus columns, a winged sun disk, stained glass windows, Egyptian style woodwork and perspective renderings of Egyptian scenes on the sanctuary walls.

The Hermitage

The former home of President Andrew Jackson, you can experience the historic mansion, museum and grounds of The Hermitage. It’s a National Historic Monument known as one of the largest and most visited Presidential home.

Smart Tan Nashville, Oct. 7-9, 2016, provides a full slate of education and entertainment in itself, but 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!

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