The tranquility of Nashville’s biggest urban park is the perfect contrast for the boisterous rock clubs and late-night bars of this lively neighbourhood.

West End is a popular nightlife and entertainment district of Nashville. It’s also a lively student area and the location of one of the city’s most-loved urban parks. Browse excellent art exhibitions, attend a college football game, sample the live music scene and dine on food from around the world when you visit West End.

Leafy Centennial Park is the heart of the neighbourhood’s daytime activities. Follow the Centennial Park Walking Trail, a 1-mile-long (1.6-kilometre) route that winds around the grassy lawns, sunken garden and willow-shaded lake. The Parthenon, a full-scale re-creation of its namesake Athenian temple, is a highlight of the park. See a copy of the Athena statue and admire a collection of works by national artists from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Visit the park’s Musicians Corner for free summertime concerts by both established and up-and-coming musicians. Live music productions take place at the Centennial Park Bandshell. Get acquainted with the work of local artists and take part in workshops at the Centennial Art Centre.

Head along Elliston Place to find concert venues that show why Nashville’s nickname is Music City. Exit/In and The End host everything from rock and roll to punk, metal and rap gigs. Feast on cuisine inspired by flavours from as far away as Brazil, Italy and Japan at laid-back restaurants. Church Street beckons with its alternative bars, cabaret nights and drag shows.

A stroll around the campus of Vanderbilt University offers an insight into college life in the city. Renaissance paintings by Andrea di Bartolo and Jacopo di Paolo are among the impressive collection held at the university’s Fine Arts Gallery. Join the 40,000-capacity crowd that meet at Vanderbilt Stadium to cheer on the Vanderbilt Commodores football team.

Find West End just west of Downtown Nashville. Public buses stop at intervals on West End Avenue. Centennial Park and Vanderbilt University are two of the 15 stops on the Old Town Trolley hop-on, hop-off city tour.