America the Beautiful: National Parks & Landmarks by Rail

Cheekwood's summer train exhibition takes families on a cross-country adventure without leaving Nashville. "America the Beautiful: National Parks & Landmarks by Rail" features ten operating trains traveling over 850 feet of track, showcasing 25 iconic American landmarks—from the Statue of Liberty to the Golden Gate Bridge to the Great Smoky Mountains. Each miniature structure is hand-crafted from natural materials like willow branches, cedar, moss, and pinecones, creating intricate botanical artwork that celebrates America's 250th birthday. This is Cheekwood's largest train display to date, set up in the Bradford Robertson Color Garden for a limited run. Kids can explore at their own pace and discover all the carefully detailed landmarks throughout the exhibition. Special programming runs on select Tuesdays in May, including art activities and scavenger hunts to deepen the experience. Families visiting should also check out Cheekwood's permanent TRAINS! exhibit, which is open year-round, so you can enjoy double the train fun during your visit.