1. Explore Scarritt Bennett, camera in hand. This beautiful university turned chapel and conference center, and the adjacent library offer a great deal of scope for the imagination, fodder for the shutterbug, and quiet nooks for a picnic lunch with a friend. Be sure and visit the gnarled tree by the library. His name is Alfred.
2. Find a comfy corner and read away a rainy day at Bookman/Bookwoman books. Sure this used bookstore is pricey if you actually want to buy something, but it's positively bursting with unusual and interesting finds, it's got cozy places to read in, and the owners don't hover.
3. Spend the day at the main public library. There is enough to do and see to last the entire day at this magnificent building. Made of Tennessee white marble and decked out with its own rooftop garden, exquisite marionette theater, exhaustive book collections, French bakery and cafe, alcoves for musical performances, and a constantly changing array of events and art displays, the main library is perhaps the proudest achievement Nashville has ever accomplished.
4. Cool off in the Bicentennial Park Fountains on a hot summer day. You could always bring a little kid along as an excuse, if you're feeling grown-up, but when summer temperatures hit triple digits, you might find that you're not the only one losing their dignity to the refreshing synchronized water show.
5. Wander through the gardens at Opryland Hotel (yes, that is yours truly, severals years ago). With nine acres of indoor gardens, waterfalls, fountains, hidden gnomes, a river and even the occasional appearance of a walking vine, it's the perfect way to foil nature and escape from the cold of winter or the heat of summer into a magical little paradise. Definitely wander the other parts of the hotel as well. Stealing a waltz through the gigantic ballroom is most satisfying. At first glance this outing will appear not to be free, as parking at the hotel costs some ungodly sum. But never fear, this is easily avoided by parking at Opry Mills (which is reached by a different exit, so be alert) and circling the parking lot until you sight a singularly large manmade rock; the last sad vestige of the Opryland Themepark (the rock was part of a water ride). Park as close as you can to the rock, and you will find that behind it is the start of a path that leads to the hotel. Opryland does have a variety of overpriced cafes and the like, but I suggest that you pack a picnic and take advantage of one the many scenically situated benches.
6. Go dancing in Centennial Park. Every summer, starting around the second or third Saturday in May, there are free dance lessons, and big band dancing in the park under the bandstand on Saturday evenings. You can bring a partner, or find one when you get there. Just go early if you want a good spot to park your things. People often come an hour or so early to spread out a picnic and set up camp chairs with a good view of the dance floor. Check out the Facebook page for specifics.Fun factoid found while looking up Centennial Park website: Apparently the park is now rigged with free wi-fi. Sweet!
7. If you're a college student, make a visit to the Frist Art Museum on Thursday and Friday nights, from 5-9 pm for free. Of course, we know that the Frist used to always be free to us college students. :sigh: But such is life. Be sure and stop by the Art Quest center, which is so not just for kids, and get your hands a little messy painting, making a block print or sketching the life sized, poseable wooden model. Take a gander at the calender to see what's on display.
8. Go to a free concert at the Blair School of Music. If classical is your thing, you're in for a treat, as Blair has a regular calender of free concert events. Even if you're not so sure about classical music being your thing, this is a painless way to try out some fairly interesting and varied performances. Check out the calender here
9. Stroll through the state capitol building, and maybe drop in on your very own legislators while you're at it (their office will likely be located in the War Memorial building, which is attached via a super cool underground passageway). That building has a lot of great history, and you'll probably find someone willing to tell it to you, if you ask around. There are bullet holes in the marble staircase, from legislators trying to settle a dispute old school style! Meeting your representatives is always interesting and worthwhile too. Be sure and thank them for the job they do. No one does that very often!
10. Do art in the Dragon Park! Fannie May Dees park by the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital is a very inspiring place to delve into your artistic side. The huge mosaic dragon is full of interesting pictures, made of broken bits of pottery, for the most part. The little covered tables are perfect for gathering and creating, and the outdoor setting minimizes mess. I've met with friends at the park to do henna tattoos, but you could just grab paints, paper, charcoal, crayons, or whatever you have around, and will find the environment most satisfying for creating.
