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These Are a Few of My Favorite (Nashville) Things…

PART ONE

Centennial Park – Right across the street from Vanderbilt is Nashville’s best urban park. It centers around a replica of the Parthenon (with a huge statue of Athena inside, as well as rotating art exhibits) There is a great mile loop around trees and duck ponds for avid runners, and lots of green space if you don’t want to study or picnic on campus. People can be spotted playing Frisbee or soccer, flying kites, and there are often aspiring musicians out with their guitars. This past fall there was a Shakespeare performance series held on a temporary stage, and I had friends attending dancing lessons in the park on Thursday nights. Every winter there is a popular ice skating rink. From spots in the park you can see the Parthenon, Vanderbilt’s Kirkland tower, as well as the tops of downtown skyscrapers – a unique view.

Green Hills Mall – This does not require much explanation. This mall isn’t necessarily something that makes Nashville unique but as a college student it is something to appreciate. The mall is a short ride away, and it is a great spot to get your shopping fix or grab food. It is also the best place to go see a movie, mostly because its close proximity to campus. However, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill as well as Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman have been spotted there at the movies – proof that it is a quality location!

Church on Sundays – For me, this is a Sunday event, but not for all Vanderbilt students. It’s nice not to be restricted to our Benton Chapel here on campus. While it is a great place for ministry here on campus it is nice to have an endless variety of accessible churches. Some are within walking distance, and for the ones a bit farther – if you are without a car, students carpool from the BCM every week.

Concert Venues (Especially the Exit/In) – Between the Rites of Spring musical festival, Commodore Quake homecoming show, and various other performances (such as Sister Hazel two years ago, and Girl talk and Jay-Z this past fall) the Vanderbilt Music Group brings in enough music to satisfy any student. However, for concert lovers such as myself, I’ve also been to countless shows off campus. This past year was the first Live on the Green concert series. Over six weeks there were free concerts Thursday nights on the Public Square Plaza in front of the Nashville Courthouse.