BELLE MEADE. This elegant antebellum mansion rests on 30 acres of land just south of Nashville, and its columns still bear bullet scars from the Civil War. In earlier days, Belle Meade was one of North America's largest thoroughbred breeding farms. The plantation includes eight listed buildings, including the original dwelling, Dunham Station's cabin, which dates from 1790. The Victorian-style manor home, completed in 1853, is now a museum dedicated to preserving the Harding family's rich legacy. Every year, Belle Meade hosts the Iroquois Steeplechase.

HILLSBORO VILLAGE. When Adelia Acklen built this beautiful Italian-style villa in the 1850s, she assured herself a place in Nashville history. Located on the campus of Belmont University, the home boasts a splendid Grand Salon, which many historians consider a masterpiece of antebellum architecture. The home is decorated with myriad antiques, chandeliers, mirrors, original furnishings, and sculptures. After you visit the mansion, take a leisurely stroll around the impressive grounds of the university.

DOWNTOWN. The Downtown Presbyterian Church, which dates the mid-19th century, has survived everything from the Civil War to the tornado that hit Middle Tennessee in 1998. Located on the corner of 5th Avenue and Church Street, the church boasts an interior that is as breathtaking as its exterior ­ including an Egyptian-style motif complete with symbolic paintings and ornate columns.

HERMITAGE. Home of Old Hickory (President Andrew Jackson), the Greek Revival-style Hermitage offers a glimpse of plantation life in the 19th century. A visit will include a film, museum displays, a tour of the mansion and even a trip to Jackson's tomb. The main tour is complemented by changing special exhibits. There is a restaurant and store as well.

DOWNTOWN. A veritable history lesson in stone, this public cemetery dates from 1822. Located near Civil War-era Fort Negley, the cemetery is the final resting place of many of Nashville's earliest settlers, including founder James Robertson. Over the course of its nearly 200 years of existence, the graveyard has truly played the part of the "city's cemetery" by accommodating folks from all walks of life, including slaves and Confederate officers.