We’ve all been there: Someone’s trying to give you directions by describing 10 lefts, 20 rights, and a jumble of cardinal directions. Isn’t it easier to just point out a landmark?

That’s exactly what we’re doing. We have 12 of the most recognizable Nashville landmarks — from replica structures dotting the skyline to refurbished historical properties telling our city’s history. Not only are these local icons easy to remember, but they’ll also get you where you need to go in a jiffy.

Ryman Auditorium

Address: 116 Rep. John Lewis Way

Nearby: Assembly Food Hall, National Museum of African American Music, Truist Plaza

Ryman Auditorium, also known as the “Mother Church,” was built 130+ years ago as the Union Gospel Tabernacle and became the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. It has been named “Venue of the Year” by Pollstar 13 (and counting) times.

Grand Ole Opry

Address: 600 Opry Mills Dr.

Nearby: Opry Mills, The Nashville Palace, Two Rivers Park

As mentioned above, the Grand Ole Opry was formerly housed at Ryman Auditorium and a piece of that legacy lives on at center stage today (read: the history of the wooden circle). Each show features performances by 8+ artists without repetition — so you’ll always see something new.

Now that's Bruce Wayne money. | Photo by @sumsnet

AT&T Building

Address: 333 Commerce St.

Nearby: Ole Red, Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer

This iconic structure, better known as the Batman Building, stands high at 617 ft and 33 stories. It has held the title as the tallest building in the state for years, though new developments on the rise are expected to take that spot.

The Parthenon

Address: 2500 West End Ave.

Nearby: Vanderbilt University, oneC1TY Nashville, TriStar Centennial Medical Center

The Parthenon is the world’s only exact size and detail replica of the original structure in Athens, Greece. The Nashville Parthenon was originally built to be temporary when Tennessee celebrated its 100th year of statehood, but due to its popularity, its exterior was rebuilt with a more permanent design in 1925.

The Tennessee State Capitol building at sunset. | Photo by @andrewnotar

Tennessee State Capitol

Address: 600 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd.

Nearby: Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Tennessee Performing Arts Center

Our capitol building is the only one in the US to have not one but two people buried inside — capitol architect William Strickland in the north wall and Samuel Morgan, the first chairman of the Capitol Commission, in the south wall. The building is one of only 12 state capitols without a dome.

John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

Address: Symphony Place and 3rd Ave. S.

Nearby: Nashville Symphony Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Cumberland Park, Nissan Stadium

The walking bridge, which was closed to vehicle traffic in 1998 and restored, spans 3,150 feet and connects downtown Nashville to East Nashville over the Cumberland River. The bridge was originally named the Sparkman Street Bridge.

Belmont Mansion

Address: Belmont University campus, Belmont Boulevard and Acklen Avenue

Nearby: The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, Proper Bagel

The Acklen family commissioned Belmont Mansion before its eventual sale to a land development company and then, later, two women who opened a school for women called Belmont College. The final phase of the mansion was modeled after an Italian villa set against lush gardens and the final phase was completed in 1860.

Start your history lesson at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, where the Tennessee State Museum is located. | Photo by NASHtoday

Tennessee State Museum

Address: 1000 Rosa L. Parks Blvd.

Nearby: Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Nashville Farmers Market

A state museum was first created in 1937 by the Tennessee General Assembly as a way to house World War I artifacts and other Tennessee collections. The museum that stands today took $120 million to build and opened in 2018, encompassing 137,000 sqft of gallery and administration space.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Address: 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S.

Nearby: Walk of Fame Park, Omni Nashville, Music City Center

As a nonprofit, CMHOF’s mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret country music and its traditions — a pretty big job for Music City. The museum first opened in 1967 on Music Row before launching its downtown location in 2001. You’ll find 350,000 sqft of exhibition galleries, archival storage, retail stores, and event space — plus, performance space at two theaters and the Taylor Swift Education Center for students and teachers.

Get ready to see your favorite Broadway production up on TPAC's marquee. | Photo by NASHtoday

Tennessee Performing Arts Center

Address: 505 Deaderick St.

Nearby: Tennessee State Capitol, War Memorial Plaza

The Nashville staple comprises four performance venues, which offer a variety of arts across dance, theater, and family programming. Performances include the Broadway at TPAC series and three resident artistic companies — Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera, and Nashville Repertory Theatre.

Bridgestone Arena

Address: 501 Broadway

Nearby: Fifth + Broadway, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Music City Center

Home to two Nashville professional teams, the Nashville Predators and Nashville Stampede, Bridgestone Arena seats up to 20,000 guests for concerts and games — fun fact: the attendance record was shattered in 2023 at Old Hickory native Nate Bargatze's hometown show.

Nissan Stadium

Address: 1 Titans Way

Nearby: Cumberland Park, John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

Nissan Stadium, situated in downtown Nashville on the banks of the Cumberland River and home to professional football team the Tennessee Titans, was completed in 1999 and houses 69,000+ fans. A new, $2.1 billion enclosed stadium was approved in April 2023 and is expected to open to fans in 2027 just east of Nissan Stadium.