Nashville offers attractions for all: VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members will discover a mecca of culture and historic traditions in the "Country Music Capital of the World."

VFW Magazine, August, 2002 by Janie Blankenship

VFW's 103rd National Convention is only a few weeks away. For those of you planning to head to Nashville, here's a glimpse at the variety of tourist sites awaiting your arrival. (Also, see the May and June/July issues of VFW for other exciting sites.)

* Legislative Plaza is home to the Korean War and Vietnam War memorials, as well as Victory, a WWI memorial. Situated between 6th Ave. and Charlotte and 8th Ave. and Union. (Monuments to Gold Star Mothers and Sgt. Alvin York also are downtown.)

* Ryman Auditorium is the former home of the Grand Ole Opry and is now a National Historic Landmark and museum. Built as a church in 1892, the Ryman stood vacant from 1974-1994. Today, it serves as a window to the past by day, and a music venue by night. 116 Fifth Ave. N., www.ryman.com.

* Belle Meade Plantation is known as the "Queen of the Tennessee Plantations." Seven historic outbuildings, an antique carriage collection, a museum and restaurant make this a "must-see" site during your trip to Nashville. Be sure to tour this 1853 Greek revival mansion. 5025 Harding Rd., www.bellemeadeplantation.com.

* Nashville's Parthenon is the only full-scale replica of the Greek temple. Presented on a small scale in 1897 for Tennessee's Centennial, this historic site features a 42-ft.-tall statue of the goddess Athena. 2600 West End Ave., www.parthenon.org.

* The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson, has been meticulously restored and receives tourists daily. Built for Jackson's wife Rachel, the Hermitage features almost all original furnishings, as well as the original cab ins and the Hermitage church. 4580 Rachel's Ln., www.thehermitage.com.

* Music Valley Car Museum features Elvis Presley's limousine, Dolly Parton's Cadillac, street rods and other cars owned by country music stars. 2611 McGavock Pike.

* Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art is housed in the original Cheek mansion. The 55-acre property includes an interactive learning center, 10 botanical gardens and the Woodland Sculpture Trail. 1200 Forrest Park Dr., www. cheekwood, org.

* Frist Center for the Visual Arts is located in the former historic downtown Nashville Post Office. Its focus is art education. Renowned artists' works are on loan from galleries around the world. 919 Broadway, www.fristcenter.org.

For information on hotel reservations, call the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, (615) 883-2211, or fax (615) 871-5728. For more convention information, go to www.vfw.org, or contact VFW's Manager of Meetings and Events, Vanessa Kane, CMP, at (816) 968-1198; e-mail her at vkane@vfw.org.