Why Visit the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville, TN?
Between the Grand Ole Opry, the Parthenon, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, you can spend a lot of time in Nashville cooped up indoors. For a day of outdoor fun, you’ve heard good things about the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Should you plan a visit here when traveling through Nashville?
The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is a must-see Nashville destination for these reasons:
- One of the most popular state parks
- Features historical monuments
- Plenty of walking paths
- Home of the beloved Nashville bells
- Has guided tours and more events
If you want to learn more about the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, you’ve come to the right place. I’ll go into great detail about the park’s features, what you can do here, how kid-friendly the park is, and when you can visit.
Let’s get started!
What Is the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park?
Opening in 1996, the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, often referred to as the Bicentennial Mall, was built in honor of the 200th anniversary of Tennessee becoming a recognized part of the United States.
The name is due to the park’s adjacency to the Tennessee Capitol Building, which is northwest of the park. The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is 19 acres in total, and 11 of those acres are walkable.
Here is what the park features.
Memorials and Monuments
As a tribute to the history of Tennessee, the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park has an assortment of memorials and monuments.
World War II Memorial Plaza
One of these is the World War II Memorial Plaza. The plaza itself has a portion where all 5,731 state residents who participated in the war and died are listed.
Within the plaza, you will see 10 pillars, each of them with etchings that include descriptions and images of various war moments that involved Tennesseans.
The western pillars commemorate the Pacific War and the eastern pillars the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern theaters and European theaters.
The centerpiece of the plaza is a water-suspended globe made of granite. The globe weighs 18,000 pounds. Nearby is a bench honoring the Tennesseans who received the Medal of Honor.
Statehood Memorial
The Statehood Memorial is on a sulfur spring known as McNairy Spring. That spring was a water source for residents and settlers who lived in Tennessee between the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Statehood Memorial has a lovely fountain. Around the fountain is a rounded wall with sixteen stars, which is to represent Tennessee’s status as the 16th Union state.
Sulphur Springs Monument
In this vicinity is also the Sulphur Springs Monument, which has three fountains. The rich water that flows from the fountains ends in a beautiful rock garden. These features are representative of the state’s wildlife and wetlands.
Bell Carillon
One of the most popular parts of the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park by far is the multitude of bells, 95 in all. As a carillon, the bells are housed in towers. They’re often played automatically, but a keyboard can also control which ones chime and when.
Historic Pathways
The pathways at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park are a historic part of this park as well.
Pathway of History
Along the western side of the park is the Pathway of History. You’ll see a massive wall that’s 1,400 feet long on this pathway. The wall is a tribute to all the major historical events that occurred in Tennessee between 1796 and 1996.
The break you’ll spot in the wall is supposed to represent the strife and turmoil that the American Civil War caused.
Walkway of Counties
The Walkway of Counties is on the eastern side of the park. Here are time capsules that every county in the state delivered. None will be opened until 2096. However, you can read the capsule lids to learn more about the counties.
Plus, the Walkway of Counties features planters with various flora from the different regions of Tennessee. Granite obelisks provide further information on each region.
Path of Volunteers
The Path of Volunteers includes dual inner walkways that are 1,400 feet. The walkways feature 17,000 unique pavers with the names of organizations and people who worked on the park.
You can also see the Governor’s Time Capsule here, although it won’t be opened until 2094.
The Path of Volunteers is an homage to Tennessee’s nickname, which is the Volunteer State.
Picnic Area
Where a railroad trestle divides the park is the picnic area. Here, you’ll find picnic tables, restrooms, and plenty of natural sights all around you.
Amphitheater
The amphitheater at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park has a capacity of 2,200. The design of the theater is inspired by the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, a classic Greek theater.
Around the amphitheater is a plaza with 50 columns that houses the bell carillon. This plaza is the Court of 3 Stars, which includes patriotic granite in a tri-star design just like on the state flag.
Visitor Center and Gift Shop
The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park also features its own visitor center by the picnic area. Within the visitor center is a gift shop that sells water bottles, mugs, clothing, and other souvenirs.
What Is There to See and Do at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park?
Are you thinking of planning a trip to the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park? You can spend your day here in so many ways. Here’s what I personally recommend.
See the Monuments
If you’re from Tennessee but you’ve never had a chance to visit the park, then seeing the monuments at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park will make you proud to be a Tennessean. Even if you live in another state, you’ll still find the monuments utterly fascinating.
The monuments and memorials are an excellent chance to learn more about US history as it pertains to Tennessee.
Listen to the Bells
The 95-bell carillon is something that must be experienced rather than read about or watched on YouTube.
The best part is that no matter what time of day you visit the park, the bells will soon chime. From the hours of 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., the bells ring every quarter-hour. Then, at the start of a new hour, the bells will play a Tennessee song in full.
What a treat for the ears this is!
Take a Tour
During certain parts of the year, you can join in on a tour of the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park as led by some of Nashville’s most knowledgeable rangers. You can learn factoids that you never knew, even if you’ve been to the park before.
Check Out a Live Event
Live events occur throughout the year at the park, mostly in the 2,200-seat amphitheater. The events are regional and/or local and make the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park worth revisiting again and again.
Walk and Drink in Nature
This park is huge, and the walking paths are thousands of feet long in some cases. If you feel like stretching your legs after a long flight, you’ve chosen a good park to visit. You’ll get some exercise in and feel refreshed as you soak in the beautiful Nashville weather.
If you’re more athletically inclined and you’d like to hike across the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, that’s also allowed.
Enjoy the Picnic Area
When you feel like taking a breather, the picnic area is a good place to stop and recharge. You can pop into the adjacent visitor center if you need some shade from the sun and maybe browse the gift shop.
The picnic area is first-come, first-served, so make a beeline for it if you really need access to it.
Can I Take My Kids to the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park?
Are you traveling to Nashville as a family? I love bringing my kids and partner with me whenever I want to see new parts of the world, as it creates memories that bring you all closer together.
How kid-friendly is the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park? Plenty!
Although the park doesn’t have any play equipment for the kiddos, they will surely be intrigued by the monuments, statues, plazas, and memorials spread across this park.
Should the kids start complaining that you’ve been walking for too long if you’re on the Path of Volunteers or the Walkway of Counties, you can always stop off at the picnic area for a break.
The kids should be enchanted by the carillon bells. If that doesn’t do it, such as for very young kids, then you can always promise to buy them something at the gift shop.
Older kids and teens will certainly have more appreciation for the historical wonders on display at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, but even younger kids shouldn’t complain too much.
Is the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park Often Crowded?
Since it opened to the public in June 1996, the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park has become the most popular of all the 56 state parks throughout Tennessee. The park attracts 5.2 million visitors every year.
I’ll tell you then that yes, the park can certainly get crowded. Even spread across more than 11 acres, certain areas can feel cramped, like the walkways, monuments, and memorials.
You might want to stick to areas with fewer crowds for your trip. If you can’t see all the monuments that you want to on the day of your visit, you can always try to come back another day.
What Is There to Do Around the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park?
You checked off all the sights on your to-do list that you wanted to see at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. You still have some daylight hours, and you’re not all that tired yet either. What else can you do around the area?
Plenty! Here is what you can check out in the area, most of which is accessible by foot.
Nashville Farmers Market
If you worked up an appetite walking or hiking across the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, head on over to the Nashville Farmers Market, which is right west of the park.
This historic farmers’ market is outdoors and open-air. You can visit the booths of over 150 small businesses, artisans, and farmers.
Expect to see everything from flea merchants to crafters, farm-direct products, food artisans, bakers, cheese-makers, dairy farmers, and ranchers here.
The Nashville Farmers Market is open from Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the winter. In warmer weather, the sheds are open daily between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Tennessee State Museum
From the north end of the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, if you head west, you’ll quickly reach the Tennessee State Museum.
Reopened in 2018, the museum is 137,000 square feet. You can view exhibitions that include photographs, textiles, furniture, and art. Most of the exhibits showcase the colorful history of Tennessee.
For the kids, there’s even a hands-on children’s gallery that’s sure to get them excited.
Tennessee Capitol Building
Although you’ll be prohibited from entering, you can at least stroll past the Tennessee Capitol Building. Monuments adorn the grounds of the Capitol, including statues of former US Presidents Andrew Johnson and Andrew Jackson.
The former President James K. Polk is buried here in a tomb with his family. You can also see the Charles Waterfield Reliquary, which is damaged limestone fragments and columns from the 1950s.
The Memorial to Africans, the Sam Davis Memorial, the Tennessee Holocaust Commission Memorial, and the Sgt. Alvin C. York Memorial is on the grounds as well.
How to Get to the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
You probably have a mile-long itinerary when you get to Nashville. In case you feel like starting your trip at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, it’s easy enough to get there.
From the John C. Tune Airport, you can reach the park on 600 James Robertson Parkway in 13 minutes if you take I-40 E. The trip is 7.1 miles.
You will arrive at the park from the John C. Tune Airport if you go on Centennial Boulevard in approximately 17 minutes. That trip is 6.6 miles.
Perhaps you flew in from Nashville International Airport. Your trip will be slightly longer at 20 minutes if you get to the park via I-40 W. That’s a 10-mile journey exactly.
It’s 22 minutes to the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park from the Nashville International Airport if you take I-65N. You’ll drive 12.8 miles.
Another route is Terminal Drive to I-40 W, which is a 10.3 mile trip for 20 minutes.
Is Visiting the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park Expensive?
Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but let’s be real, it’s not cheap! If you’re anything like me, then you’re always eager for low-cost or no-cost entertainment.
A trip to the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park falls into the latter category. The park is free to enter, which is awesome!
Of course, attending certain events may not be free. Obviously, the gift shop in the visitor’s center is not free either.
Is the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park Open Year ‘Round?
Perhaps you planned your Nashville trip during the off-season to avoid the sweltering hot weather and the crowds. The good news is that the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is open all year long.
The visitor center hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The park itself is open from sunrise to sunset daily.
Final Thoughts
The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville opened in 1996. The 11-acre park has bells, historical monuments and memorials, and walking paths aplenty. It’s the most popular state park in Tennessee and attracts millions of visitors per year.
If you’re in this part of Nashville, I hope you take the time to visit the park as well!