Accessibility at the Nashville Parthenon
Accessibility at the Nashville Parthenon
The Nashville Parthenon is committed to making the museum as accessible as possible. Museum staff consult with experts to develop inclusive resources to help all visitors learn and explore. However, due to the historic nature of the building, some external areas may present challenges to individuals who use wheelchairs or who have difficulty walking or climbing.
Visitors with special needs are welcome to call Metro Parks at 615-862-8400 for ADA information, or email info@parthenon.org to learn more about museum accessibility at the Nashville Parthenon.
Accessibility TIPS & RULES
Museum Parking & Entrance
There is a drop off lane at the end of the parking lot closest to our entrance. Vehicles may drop off and pick up passengers in this area.
There are four accessible parking spaces in the parking lot outside the Parthenon, and 96 other parking spaces available. Parking is free. Accessible paved sidewalks lead to the museum entrance, which is located at sidewalk level on the east side of the building (closest to Lake Watauga).
Do not park on the grass nor in the the drop off lane; vehicles parked on grass are subject to towing at the owner’s expense.
Museum Pathways
Stair-free pathways inside the museum include ramps and an elevator, allowing access to all exhibits on Level 1 and Level 2. There are no automatic handicap-access buttons to open doors.
Restrooms
Men’s and women’s restroom are located inside the Museum Lobby near the entrance of the Nashville Parthenon.
The women’s restroom features one wheelchair accessible stall.
Changing tables are located inside the men’s and women’s restrooms.
Service Animals
Service animals that are trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability are welcome inside the museum. Pets who provide comfort or emotional support but are not trained to perform a specific job or task do not qualify as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are not permitted inside the museum. Emotional support animals and pets are welcome to visit Centennial Park and see the Parthenon from outside.
Food & Drink
No food or drink, including water, is allowed in the museum. Beverage containers, even if empty, are not allowed inside the museum. A limited number of lockers (storage cubbies) are available free of charge to store drinks or bottles.
The Museum Store sells cold beverages including water, tea, and soft drinks. Ask Museum Store staff for room temperature drinks if preferred. Drinking fountains are available near the restrooms. Drinks may only be consumed outside the Parthenon.
The Museum Store does not sell food. However, occasional Store products include Parthenon-branded candies or mints. The nearest permanent food options are on West End Avenue. Food trucks or smaller food stands in Centennial Park may also be present. Food may only be consumed outside the Parthenon.
Sports Equipment
Sports equipment is not allowed inside the museum. This includes balls, frisbees, bikes, recreational scooters, and more. Small sports items can be stored in the lockers (storage cubbies). There is no space to store large sports equipment— please plan to leave these items at home.
Lockers (storage cubbies)
A limited number of lockers are available free of charge to store drinks or bottles, food. Ticket Counter staff can direct you to the location of the lockers. Please note the lockers do not lock; visitors may use them as storage cubbies at their own risk.
Luggage
Luggage and large bags are not allowed inside the museum. There is no space to store luggage nor large bags— please plan to leave these items at home..
Wheelchairs
The Nashville Parthenon provides a manually operated standard-size wheelchair as a courtesy to our visitors. It is available to borrow at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. Staff at the Ticket Counter can direct you to the location of the wheelchair.
Strollers
Strollers are welcome inside the museum.
Bottle Feeding & Breastfeeding
Families are welcome to feed their baby at the Parthenon in designated spaces. Visitors are invited to ask staff at the Ticket Counter about the use of a private museum space for a feeding session.
Museum Re-entry
Visitors are welcome to leave the museum to eat, drink, or take a break; simply keep your admission receipt for re-entry into the museum. Visitors are permitted to exit and enter as many times as needed during one day. Recommended lunch or snack break locations include: benches on the Parthenon plaza, the base of the Parthenon facing the Great Lawn, picnic benches near Lake Watauga or the Event Shelter, a picnic in the Sunken Garden, the Centennial Art Center courtyard, or various seating around the park at Cockrill Springs and the 27th Avenue playground. Please dispose of all trash in trash cans located throughout Centennial Park.
Accessibility & Inclusive Resources
Plan & Prepare for your Nashville Parthenon Visit
The Nashville Parthenon is a proud member of the All-Access Inclusion Network (AAIN). The AAIN is led by Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) and is a collaborative effort to create opportunities to increase access and inclusion of neurodivergent individuals across the lifespan. The Nashville Parthenon consults with AAIN & TRIAD experts to create, develop, and implement inclusive resources to help all families prepare for and enjoy their visit. For more information about the All-Access Inclusion Network, please visit their website.
Preparing for Your Visit
Download the Nashville Parthenon’s list of Visitation Tips before your visit for recommendations for museum visitors of all abilities and ages, including families with individuals on the autism spectrum. We hope this advice prepare you for a smooth and enjoyable visit.
Nashville Parthenon Visual Rules
Review the Nashville Parthenon’s Visual Rules before your visit to the museum. The visual rules offer advice for visitors of all ages and abilities, including families with individuals on the autism spectrum. We hope these tips prepare you for a smooth and enjoyable visit. Need to review our visual rules while at the museum? Ask a staff member to have the education team print a copy for you.
“My Visit to the Nashville Parthenon” Social Narratives
Plan your visit to the Nashville Parthenon by reading stories about what you might see, hear, touch, or explore while at the museum. These resources help all visitors prepare for a trip to the Nashville Parthenon. Need to review a social narrative while at the museum? Ask a staff member to have the education team print a copy for you.
How to Use a Social Narrative
Download and print the social narrative at home and read it to preview your trip to the Nashville Parthenon.
My Visit to the Nashville Parthenon Social Narrative - Illustrated
My Visit to the Nashville Parthenon Social Narrative - Detailed
My Visit to the Nashville Parthenon Social Narrative - Brief
Visual Schedule
Plan your visit to the Nashville Parthenon with this template to sequence stops, activities, and breaks throughout your visit. Print the visual schedule below and place the pictures in the order you will explore the museum. Bring your personalized visual schedule to the Nashville Parthenon! Need to review a visual schedule while at the museum? Ask a staff member to have the education team print a copy for you.
How to Use a Visual Schedule
Download and print the visual schedule at home. Follow the instructions to create a template for your trip to the Nashville Parthenon.
NEW — Inclusive Resource Kit
Ask staff at the Ticket Counter to borrow an inclusive resource kit while you explore the museum. The kit for on-site use is a blue tote bag with gold lettering, and includes an illustrated social narrative, visual schedule, and an olive wood fidget spinner. Inclusive resource kits are for museum use only, and must be returned at the end of your visit.
Additional Resources
More educational resources are available! Visit the Programs page for information about daily programs in the museum galleries, public programs, and virtual programs. Visit the K-12 Education page for information about field trips, group visits, and classroom resources such as lesson plans.