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SPECIAL EVENTS Statehood Day on June 1
Help us celebrate Tennessee's 216th year as a state. June 1, 1796 was Tennessee's date of statehood and June 1, 1996 was Tennessee's Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park dedication day. Details TBA. For more information call 615-741-5800. 
Photo Galleries Plan Your Visit  Park Brochure Park Map Events and Programs DirectionsLocated at the foot of the State Capitol between James Robertson Parkway and Jefferson Street, 6th and 7th Avenues. Exits from the Interstates are marked Bicentennial Mall. Hours of OperationThe park closes at dark |
Bicentennial Capitol Mall
State Park
600 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243-3081
Office: 615-741-5280
Fountains under construction. Learn more.
Park Manager Mike Cole receives the American Planning Association’s recognition of Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park as one of the United States’ Top 10 Great Public Spaces for 2011 from APA representative Lisa Milligan on Oct. 18 during a celebration at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Learn more.
New Civil War Exhibit in Visitor Center
A new Civil War exhibit, Tennessee - Struggle for the Heartland 1861-1865, is now open to the public at Bicentennial Mall’s Visitor Center as part of Tennessee’s Sesquicentennial Celebration. The exhibit is free and open to the public during normal Visitor Center operating hours.For more information on Tennessee’s Sesquicentennial Celebration, please visit www.tnvacation.com/civil-war/events.
The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park is located in the shadow of the State Capitol in downtown Nashville. The 19-acre park is designed to complement the Tennessee Capitol Building, give visitors a taste of Tennessee's history and natural wonders, and to serve as a lasting monument to Tennessee's Bicentennial celebration.
The May 2010 floods caused quite a bit of damage to the park, including to the fountains, park office and other structures. The first order of business was to restore the basic functions of the park -- namely, the park office. In addition to repairing the damage to the fountains following the flood, we learned that the fountains must also be redesigned to incorporate new health code standards. The construction process is currently underway, and we expect them to be open in late August 2012. We appreciate your patience during the park's ongoing flood recovery and repairs. We will continue to update the website as we receive new information.Special Events for 2012 at Bicentennial Capitol Mall
May 12 - Vision Walk
The Foundation Fighting Blindness will be walking the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in their annual VISIONWALK, to raise funds for critical retinal degenerative disease research. Come walk for a great cause! There will be plenty of fun and activities for kids of all ages! For more information, please contact cara.alexander@tn.gov, or 741-5771.
May 19 - 5th annual Walk Me Home 5K
This event raises awareness and helps promote Foster Care for children. Sponsored by the Tennessee Foster Adoptive Care Association, Tennessee Resources Patrent Advocacy program and the National Foster Parent Association. Slated to perform are renowned country stars Emmylou Harris and local celebrity Jaime Fox! View Flyer. View Brochure. For more information visit the Walk website, email cara.alexander@tn.gov or call 615-741-5280.
June 1 - Statehood Day
Help us celebrate Tennessee's 216th year as a state. June 1, 1796 was Tennessee's date of statehood and June 1, 1996 was Tennessee's Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park dedication day. Details TBA. For more information call 615-741-5771.
June 2 - Walk Like MADD 5k
Come out to the Bicentennial Capitol Mall to walk for a great cause: raising awareness and funds for the Mothers Against Drunk Driving! Please contact Cara Alexander at cara.alexander@tn.gov, or 615-741-5771 for more details.
Hey Kids! Want to become a Jr. Ranger? Sign up for the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park’s FIRST EVER Jr. Ranger day camp! Camp will be held June 25th-28th, from 8:00a.m. – 12:00 noon! Attendees should be age 9-12. Cost is $30 per camper. Activities will include live animal demonstrations, living history re-enactors, water safety activities, and much more! Participants must sign up through the park office located under the train trestle on 6th Avenue. For more information, please contact Cara Alexander @ cara.alexander@tn.gov, or (615)741-5771.
October 19 & 20 - Tennessee History Festival
The 9th Annual Tennessee History Festival and one of Tennessee State Parks 75th Anniversary Events. Come enjoy 200 years of living history and learn of Tennessee's past. The event blends education and entertainment, allowing school groups and families to experience day-to-day soldier life in history. The two-day festival features multiple displays and demonstrations by re-enactors and living history interpreters. The festival is free and open to the public. Activities will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT each day. School groups are encouraged to plan their visits for Friday, Oct. 19 and must register in advance. Educators may arrange for bus parking and special informational packets for their visits. School group reservations may be made by contacting Park Manager Mike Cole at 615-741-5800.
Park Programs
Park Rangers provide interpretive tours of the park, historical presentations in period dress and off-site programs by reservation. Topics illustrate Tennessee’s rich history from early settlement days to present time. To schedule an interpretive tour, presentation or off-site program, please call 615-741-5771.Meeting Rooms
Adjacent to the park, Nashville Farmers' Market has a meeting room that is available for booking, capable of seating up to 25 people. For reservations, pricing, and information please email info@nashvillefarmersmarket.org or call 615-880-2001.Picnic Pavilions
Picnic tables located under the train trestle are on a first-come first-serve basis.Restaurants
Nashville Farmers' Market is located next to the park and houses a selection of locally owned and operated restaurants and shops inside its Market House, open year-round. Also, food & beverages are available from a variety of local merchants in outdoor sheds, particularly during May-November peak growing season.Restrooms
Restrooms are available under the train trestle. The center section of the park features a 2,000-seat amphitheater, composed of terraced lawns providing dramatic views of the State Capitol building. Its design is patterned after Greek amphitheaters, such as the one at Epidaurus. This location is used for many special events, ceremonies and concerts. Groups may reserve the amphitheater for a fee.Historical Significance
With the urban building boom in downtown Nashville during the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Tennessee State Capitol disappeared from sight on the east, west and south sides. The northern side of the Capitol was not conducive to the construction of skyscrapers due to the swampy conditions that existed in many areas between the Capitol and the Cumberland River. Ironically, the historic French Lick that attracted wildlife, Indians, trappers and settlers to what would become Nashville also preserved the remaining view of the Capitol and became the home of the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. In order to save the one remaining view of the Capitol and to commemorate Tennessee's 200th birthday, the concept of a mall similar to the one in Washington, DC, took shape.Here are some historical features to look for when you visit Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park:
Tour Buses
Tour buses are welcome at the park.Honors
The Nashville Business Journal 2006 Book of Lists ranks Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park as Nashville's #1 Tourist Attraction.On Oct. 3, 2011, Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park was designated as one of the Top 10 Great Public Spaces in the U.S. for the American Planning Association’s 2011 Great American Places Program. Learn more.
