Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

We rang in 2025 here and it was easily the highlight of our trip. The annual NYE celebration is top-tier. Seeing the iconic Music Note Drop with the Nashville skyline and the State Capitol in the background is something everyone should experience at least once. Despite the massive crowds for the "Big Bash," the park felt well-organized, and the energy from the live music was electric. It’s the perfect open space for a celebration of this scale. We will be back for 2026! If you’re looking for the heart of the party in Nashville, this is it.

This is the place where the OctoberFest is currently located. There are lots of food vendors and a market place where you can buy something for souvenir. Of course the day will never complete with no big mug of beer 🍺 as this is the typical celebration on how German people during this kind of event. We had great fun even by just few hours being here. Stages are set for music while grabbing your beers to cheers. So come have enjoy the Ride OctoberFest2025.

Attended the awesome New Years Eve bash here! Free and great lineup of artists. Well organized and nice space!

We had a singing tour guide which gave us to history of Tennessee using the map. I enjoyed that experience. The only thing I didn't like is there was a guy on his phone underneath the train tracks where the picnic tables were yelling that somebody better bring him his money. That was scary to me. I'm sure that doesn't happen all the time. But I'm glad I was with a large group . There was a public public restroom welcome center right there to the left that was clean.

Loved the park here and the walking trail. It is right behind the farmers maeket in downtown. It also has WWII memorial and lots of pilllars which tells about the history. They also have a goft shop where you can buy souvenirs. A good area to have a short run.

This is a beautiful rectangular shaped green space with a trail and an amphitheater and some memorial stones and a WW2 memorial section. The vast views sweep from the Capitol atop a big green hill with connecting paved trails that you can explore. Trees planted for suicide survivors and various historical group have placards to tell the stories. The grounds are well kept and it’s not too crowded this Friday morning.

There is so much to see and read about the history of Nashville at the park. Absolutely loved the WWII memorial they have and the State Museum is free and a must see. We ran out of time, so I know I'll be back. Don't forget about the Farmer's Market that's also located right there for some delicious food and drinks.

Park is the perfect spot to relax and unwind. Whether you're here to spend quality time with friends, go for a peaceful walk with your pet, or simply enjoy the calm and scenic view, this park has it all. You’ll often see people doing exercise, yoga, or just relaxing under the trees. It’s kid-friendly, clean, and a great place for families to hang out. A beautiful escape in the city — peaceful, refreshing, and full of life. Highly recommended if you're looking to relax, recharge, and connect with nature. 🌿☀️

Bicentennial Park is right next to the Nashville Farmers' Market. My daughter has talked about the beautiful landscaping, easy pathways, thoughtful layout and historical structures, but it really is something to be experienced. I honestly don't think I can do it justice in this review. The pride in the rich history of Tennessee is very apparent at every aspect of this amazing space -- the story walls, memorials, amphitheater, 200 ft. concrete engraved map and incredible views. It's also an arboretum which makes it even more interesting for me. My only disappointment was not experiencing the Carillon bells. I hope they'll be working at my next visit.

Quality/Quantity - 11 acres and 11 planters displaying the native plants. 200 ft granite map of TN. Limestone columns. 2000 seat amphitheater. World War 2 Memorial. 95 Bell Carillon. Short easy trails. Atmosphere - See above. Visitor center is open from 8am to 4pm. I did not see restrooms??? Service - Guided tours available from Rangers, see website. Events, see website. Price - Free. Owner Comment - Thanks TN for this park.

Bicentennial Park is located at the end of the downtown Nashville. Its beautiful and green with a walking path but my favorite is the amphitheater. The park has parking, although not sufficient enough. One can visit the Tennessee State capitol and then check out the farmers market too which is very close to the park. The Park is also pet friendly. I would definitely recommend a visit to this park!

I met here with a friend who lives in the area when I visited Nashville. Aesthetically, it is a nice park. There is a lot of green grass area and there's sort of thing to see - like the building, some monuments, and an intereseting structure at the other end of the park from the capitol building. My friend and I laid out a picnic blanket and just talked. Other people did the same or were either playing games on the grass or playing with their pets. As I'm not from the area, I think it was an interesting place to check out and hang out at. Unless I hang out there again to meet with people, I don't think I'd go out of the way to visit again even though it is a nice park.

Great experience and a nice walk. Historical facts surrounding the park. A lot of things I didn't know coming from the Eastern part of America

I decided to walk this state park to kill time before heading back to the airport and it was a great decision. It was early on a Monday morning so the park was not crowded, there was some construction going on in the front and I believe there was a spot that was closed off, but for parts I got to see it was lovely and well thought out. The park was clean, lots of benches to sit along the way and the World War II Memorial was pretty breathtaking. I'm sure this park is much bigger and had more to see than I had time to spare but I'd definitely visit again. The globe floating & spinning on water is everything.

Almost every tour in Nashville goes through Bicentennial. Last time I did a bike tour and Voila it ended here. Very clever design: Love the Tennessee walk with each county represented, clever topography representation of the state too. Love the chimes. Sit inside the middle of the circle and you can hear yourself speak. Great concerts and events here on the green.

Nice spot to walk around, and hang out / chat, benches scattered around the park, nice grassy area, also has an amphitheater. Plenty of parking, not very crowded, sometimes has events. Carillons at one end of the park is super cool, plays different music!

After visiting the state capitol on a hot day, I decided to hop in my rental car and cruise around the area. I found this park and did a drive around it. I saw flags and the fountains. It has an urban feel to it. It was so hot that there weren't too many folks out, other than folks keeping cool by the fountains. There is a car dropoff area behind the fountains. Parking is free. I flagged dropping by during my recent trip. However, it was excessively hot that I chose air-conditioned places instead! There is a contrast between the park's greenery and concrete structures. The latter showcases Tennessee's history, people, and more. I love doing self-guided walking tours and learning about where I am visiting. I'll need to return when it's not scorching hot outside, and both my phone and I don't overheat. There is also an amphitheatre, which is a nice venue for live music. I liked the roundabouts in front of this park that I probably indulged driving in circles more than most would have liked... haha! It was cool doing a car tour, but I'd love to walk through it next time under cooler conditions. I look forward to returning to check out this park in more detail the next time I'm in the city. (247)

This is a Fun bicentennial, Capitol Mall statue park. It has all kinds of things in here to check out and visit and take pictures with and just have a really good time. I would definitely recommend exploring and check it out.

A great addition to downtown, lots to learn about TN and it's history. They offer a TN passport you can take around the the Museum and State library to be stamped. A cute little gift shop to get some stickers or more if you'd like. Right next door is the Farmers Market which is a must see for the local produce and products. Not a lot of parking and what is available is pay to park, better to walk of take the bus.

During our visit to Nashville in late November, after eating at a famous restaurant in the Germantown area, R and I decided to leave the car parked in Germantown and walk to Downtown Nashville. Within a few minutes of walking, we found ourselves walking along the confines of Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Lots of greenspace, and I saw it after noticing many individuals running along the greenspace. I didn't realize what that area was until we got to a grouping of Tennessee state flags. There was a large concrete and grass outdoor amphitheater and walls with timeline of facts, info and quotes regarding everything Tennessee. I would've liked to spend more time here and see what else was around, but we had to get going since we were walking. I will be back.

Outside of the Nashville farmers market memorializes a bit of history. If you are a history person, I recommend taking the time to come out and read some of the plaques. Not only are the beautiful, but they are rich with so much knowledge and information. The walk is very easy and simple. Really great for a short break!

Great place to walk or rent a bike . So much history you can read throughout the park. I love the trees and the beautiful views. There's street parking, but if you go to the farmers market, there's parking on the other side. The hop on/off trolley tour also makes a stop at the farmers market. Great place to get your steps in.

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Every park deserves 5* for the concept, execution, and delivery of a public space for all to enjoy. Despite my positive bias, objectivity is key. This park is itself basic aside from a sweeping outdoor amphitheater. Maybe an outdoor event holds the last star? Large open grassy areas with paved walking paths and plazas are adorned by larger rock features and mature trees. Imagine the large amount of pavement (and even grass) get especially hot during the summer, so this park is probably a scorcher to enjoy then sadly. The larger rocks and tree features offered an excellent opportunity to sit and sun a la lizard for a rejuvenating break in the spring however. Engraved quotes (albiet in Times New Roman) sprinkle the walls and were quite interesting. A plaque for each county in TN surrounds the perimeter of the park's paved walking path, a nice touch and homage to all the components of this great state! Add this park to your to-see list, you won't be disappointed!

On a very hot summer Saturday we wandered up and down this great expanse of green space in downtown Nashville as we waited for the nearby State Museum to open. Fortunately there are many shady trees. Starting just below the state capitol and heading north for at least a half mile you will come across all kinds of information on the history, geography and culture of the state. There are many well done monuments along the way. Definitely worth the time though it would be better enjoyed in the cooler seasons....

It is an urban environment, but a very well-used space. The park is embedded between numerous government buildings, the museum, a food hall, and a bunch of free parking. It is pretty easy to walk from here to the downtown area. The park space has a variety of art pieces and memorials dedicated to the entire state, and plenty of places to sit. While I don't think it has a ton of dedicated facilities, the neighboring museum and farmers market provide a refuge when open. With the train rumbling by, the state capitol in sight, and the hoi polloi of the city meandering through, it is definitely one of the first places you'd want to be as a visitor to get a sense of the area.

This park is amazing and just a short jaunt away from the Nashville Farmer's market. There's a walking area with the entire history of Tennessee and Nashville along with a WW2 memorial right in the middle of the pathway. The lawn here is lush, gorgeous and the perfect spot for a quick cat nap. You can basically walk all the way to the Capitol building and you'll only have to cross one major street. Whether you're a local or just visiting this place it's definitely worth a visit. I highly suggest visiting this park with a snack from the Farmers Market.

What an amazingly peaceful and picturesque park. I don't live in the area, but whenever I come back into the Nashville area I will most definitely be coming back. Peep the photo of the model I shot here while in town.

A nice park, not large, but relaxing and definitely connected to the city of Nashville. If you need a respite on the city of Nashville, especially by the downtown area, seek this place out. You will be glad you did.

Tennessee Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is located in downtown Nashville, right in the heart of the city. It is a beautifully manicured park filled with history lessons and interesting monuments. So much to see if one takes the time to enjoy. My find of the park was purely by accident while I tried to find the Nashville Farmer's Market. Google directions brought me to the park instead. So glad it did. Not only is the park adjoining the market with a quick walk through from Rosa Parks Boulevard, it has tons of free parking all along the internal roadway, and made for a fabulous place to meander. If I lived in the area, would sure to be back to sit on a bench and read a book, have a picnic on the lawn, or just walk. On one end is an amphitheatre which seems to have a lot of life surrounding it. There is a dancing fountain, history stones up and down the park, a railcar, and lots of other interesting displays. Have I mentioned how beautiful and inviting the park is? And as you look up from inside the park you will see the State Capitol perfectly framed about 1/4 up the road. I know I'm going to date myself with this comment but this beautiful park kind of reminds me of the park Forrest Gump sits on a bench on with his box of chocolates...tho this park is bigger. A medium sized, easy to walk park with so much to offer. A must see when in the city of Nashville!

I don't think you can visit the city of Nashville without driving through this beautiful park and if you don't take a few minutes to stop and take it all in you are really doing yourself an injustice. Hopefully you'll find yourself here when it's mostly peaceful and only a few souls are wondering around, you could be so lucky to find this place as I did, if it weren't for the construction next door I think I could of heard the grass grow, this place has a way of drowning out all the city noise. It's a beautiful place to chill you can roll on the beautiful lawn, read a book, eat a sandwich or close your eyes and clear your mind. It's no mistake this place exist, I'm sure each experience here is unique and every memory here belongs to someone. This is the kind of place that makes the best of days even better, it may be one of the few places in the city that allows you to totally reset your mind, who can say there are no do overs after visiting this place, I can only imagine what I would of missed if I had not stopped here, sometime it only takes a moment to make a connection that's the beautiful of nature...

Now it would be a dadgum shame if you don't take a stroll in this 19-acre patch of green and concrete if you're already at the Nashville Farmers' Market. They're right next to each other downtown in the shadow of the State Capitol building. The park itself was opened only in 1996 to celebrate, you guessed it, the bicentennial anniversary of Tennessee's statehood. It's an oasis of calm compared to the huulyburly activity of the market until you get nearly run over by a battalion of segways on a city tour. What I liked in particular was the relative subtlety of the memorials and historical markers festooned throughout the park, whether it was the wall-engraved Pathway of History (photo: http://bit.ly/2OgZ3AK), the water-suspended black granite globe in the World War II Memorial (photo: http://bit.ly/2OdIrtM), or the bells housed in the fifty Greek-style columns that make up the Carillon (photo: http://bit.ly/2OiDf81). Just in case you get confused like us, this is not the same as Centennial Park where the plaster replica of The Parthenon is. That would be due west. RELATED - Collection of Tennessee sights and eateries that I've tried and reviewed: bit.ly/2v22KmG

This is a unique park that celebrates the state of Tennessee and everything in the boundaries of this great state. I visited this park while grabbing a bite to eat at the Farmers Market nearby, which has a great food court with many dining options. There are lots of Ornate stone slabs with information on the State of Tennessee etched on them about its History, People, and Geography. Very clean and tranquil compared to the hustle and Bustle of Nashville streets. A worth while stop and smell the flowers moment. You could spend hours walking around and looking at everything or spend an hour taking it all in. Very nice.to take a walk and it's close to the State Capital which can be seen easily from the park.

The first time I visited Bicentennial Mall was on a third grade field trip in 1997, shortly after it opened. I remember the fountains, and that's about it. But unbeknownst to me, this park had quite the history already. Governor Ned McWherter casually mentioned to The Tennessean in July 24th, 1989 that he was "thinkin and dreamin" about building a bicentennial mall, mimicking the mall in Washington DC, providing a clear view of the state Capital, providing parking for state employees working in the surrounding buildings, and acting as a symbolic investment in the North Nashville neighborhood which had been devastated during the construction of 1-40 twenty years previously. But this was all hypothetical at this time. It's a beautiful monument sitting on 11 acres. There's a plaza with a 25 foot long granite map of the state. There is a wall of history, where you get to walk along the timeline of Tennessee history, complete with facts. There is a walkway of counties, honoring each of the 95 counties. There is a 2,000 seat amphitheater. Honoring Tennessee's music history is a court with 95 bells (for each of Tennessee's 95 counties) that plays music at the top of each hour. The aforementioned fountains are a representation of the 31 major rivers in the state. There's a state time capsule, buried with dirt from each of the state's counties, and a beautiful World War 2 Memorial. It's adjacent to the Nashville Sounds Stadium, the Farmers Market, and the Tennessee State Museum. There are also planters showing native plants to Tennessee, and tulip poplars, the state tree. Generally, this park hosts different festivals, like the Tennessee History Festival, the Italian Lights Festival, the Nashville Food and Wine Festival, and the Music City Irish Fest. The amphitheater has hosted many events, including the Nashville New Years Eve Music City Midnight concert, and free summer Symphony concerts. There's also some great tours that'll walk you through the park with specialized perspectives and reenactors, if you choose. You can explore those options on the Tennessee State Parks events page. For me, I spend about and hour and a half, and strolled around for about two miles to see everything.

I could have stayed here all day reading the wall of history. As a guy that's into historical events and places I loved being here. The place was so chill people were there enjoying the day relaxing walking and making the most of their time. The big bonus is the market right across the street so when you are done walking at chilling you can grab a bite to eat at the many eateries in a nice AC or heated building depending on the weather.

While visiting Nashville recently we had the pleasure of visiting the Bicentennial Park in downtown! This park was so cool, people were enjoying the fountains shooting up water to escape the nice Summer heat! My fiancé and I walked around this large park taking in the rich history of a beautiful state like Tennessee! From the indigenous Cherokee tribe to the all the way to the history of the Civil War, they break up certain decades by milestones relevant to the State history. It was so fun walking by and the greek amphitheater in the middle of the park and soaking up so much historical information. You will have a great time walking around this rather large park, and as you look up towards the center of the city you can see the State Capitol building! What a great way to walk off a few calories or work up an appetite to eat some great Southern food ^_^ Totally recommend this park to anyone visiting beautiful Nashville, what a fun state with nice people!

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is one of those must-see Nashville spots for any first-time visitors. If you are planning on going to the Nashville Farmer's Market the BCM is adjacent to the market so my favorite thing to do is to get Jeni's ice cream from the market then walk in the park. The timeline of Tennessee history located on a wall surrounding the West side of the park. At one side of the park the capitol building is in view then the opposite side you can view pillars which are situated around a mosaic walkway of the Tennessee flag. At the top of the hour you can hear various melodies being played from these pillars. There is an amphitheater on the end closest to the capitol building and several memorial tributes across the park. No matter what season this urban park is nice year round. Whether you are picnicking, walking around or attending one of the many festivals/events here there is usually something to see, learn or enjoy.

This is a neat park! It has a small ampitheater, beautiful views of the state capitol, located right next to the Nashville Farmer's Market, and is just a nice place to hang out!

Really cool park and museum. The history of Tennessee is fascinating. Loved hearing the 50 bells ringing on the hour.

Great outdoor space overlooking the capitol. It's beautiful, and there is a memorial on the other side. On certain days you can catch free yoga classes or king of pops here.

A neat park that we walked through on the way to the Farmer's Market. Lots of green, lots of space, lots of trees. What I found particularly interesting was the history of Tennessee going back to the Ice Age and continuing through early settlers, the Revolutionary War and the critical part that it played in the Civil War. Sorry! The War of Northern Aggression. It's a super neat timeline. There's a view of the Capitol, too!

Beautiful park right in the middle of town. Even a little place you can grab a drink / shop on the edge of the park. Drive through or park and stay a while (parking was free and plentiful)

Beautiful. Took the free music city bus which drop us straight between the capital building and the mall. Stopped by the order markets and inform food hall. So awesome!

Went to this park to stretch my legs after a 5 hour car ride to Nashville. The property was not well kept. The grass was over grown and there was a lot of trash around the monuments. It was a nice walk but it could be better kept.

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is hands down a go to spot wheather your a tourist or a local. Come down anytime during the week or weekend and you will always find free parking with an endless amount of activities. Want to spend the day arrive via Uber and you will not be bored. Its beautiful park with history in every corner, come in by during spring and see the blooms, summer the tress provide generous shade, autumn the changing of leaves and well winter enjoy a nice brisk walk with a cup of hot coffee/tea/whiskey. The farmers market is next door if you want to pop in for a delicious coffee or cold boba drink. At one end of the park you have the State museum on the other end a fun interactive fountain you can soak in to cool off on hot days. On the other side you have the First Tennessean baseball park you can catch a Nashville sounds game. There are fun events that pop up you can enjoy and get to know your fellow Nashvillians. During the Summer they had a fun adult only movie night that show classics and by that I mean movies like Mean Girls, Fight Club and many more. Pay attention to the sidewalk as each county in Tennessee is represented and placed by west, middle and east portions of the state. Did I mention the beautiful view of the state capitol? This place is as much for tourist as is for locals.

It was a beautiful park right next to the state capital! It was snowing lightly when we went so we didn't get to spend too much time there but it was definitely a great place for a walk!

I loved this park! So much history and beautiful walk ways. This is a great tourist spot! Beautiful trees, friendly people, arches with chimes, and a TON of areas to take great photos!! Take your time and take a stroll. Free entertainment is the best!

If you want a beautiful scenic park with history and a pretty view then look no further. It is smack dab in the middle of downtown Nashvegas where people walk their dogs, workout, and have a casual stroll. The location is ideal for checking out the farmer's market then walking over to enjoy this park since the farmer's market is literally right next to it. Think picnic from your freshly picked out goods from the market and stop by the park to have it there. It is prime for people watching. Be cautious at night. It is pretty at night and there is someone patrolling it, but use common sense when in the area.

Small but nice park with some good scenery and neat things to look at. It's a nice place to get a good walk in and it's right next door to a Farmer's Market, so if you need to pick up a few things, grab lunch, or just get a refreshment to cool off from your walk you can do so with ease.

This park is great for history lovers. The farmers market is near and has many great eating options. Nice place to bring your dog and learn little bit more about Tennessee's historical moments. The various buildings and monuments are great for photo ops too. Also, if you have time stop by the TN Museum, it is free. This park has lots to offer.

The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is a 19-acre park where you can experience different facets of Tennessee's history. There is a 200-foot granite map of the state, a World War II Memorial, a 95-Bell Carillon, a Path of History, the Rivers of Tennessee Fountains, a Walkway of Counties (of native plant species from different regions of the state), as well as a cool amphitheater on the other side with seating with grassy areas for a nice day for picnics. The park has events that you check out on their TN State Parks' website, where they offer things such as 5K walks, vintage baseball, and Statehood Day. A nice area for a walk, for picnics, to walk your pup, or to soak in some of TN's history. +amphitheater +ample amount of parking

This a must visit for this history Junkie folks. The area is quite calm and away from the bustling broadway st so it is very relaxing. Come at the right time and you can hear the bells toll.

Clean with plenty of open space to relax/play. Great for jogging, strollers or just a picnic in the park.

Nice are to walk around and learn history. Walked all the way up the steps to see the sunset. Be sure to check out their farmer's market. They have live music and great food.

What a beautiful park! So much to see, very spacious, and wonderful views. The capitol building is in clear view from any perspective, looking grand as ever sitting atop the hill in the distance. The park is laced with historical plaques and monuments detailing American history. Clean, and plenty of spots to eat. I feel as though I barely scratched the surface of things to see in my first visit. Looking forward to next time.

Saturday June 7, Tony and I went back to this lovely downtown park. This time we were accompanied by my lovely daughter Noel and her doggie Sammy. We enjoyed walking around the park for about 45 minutes enjoying the sunny afternoon...the weather was so lovely. We went early in the morning hoping to avoid any major crowds due to the CMA fest going on in downtown area not too far away. We walked around the park and Sammy enjoying the ability to run and play (within the curtails of her leash of course)...several others were there walking their dogs, jogging and pushing strollers..it was really lovely afternoon.. I love this park..I always learn something new about the state along the Bicentennial wall...if you haven't discovered this lovely Nashville JEWEL..you have to go down here..walk and enjoy...

Hello Park! This park is simply breathtaking and HUGE! When I mean huge it is a 19 acre park. While I was at the park I was able to explore the History of Tennessee. This is a great place to wind down and discover your inner relaxation peace, being surrounded by greenery is an incredible feeling.