Nashville

Let’s start big. No sense avoiding what got Nashville going in the first place. The Museum is open daily, generally 9am to 7pm, and you definitely could spend an entire day covering all the permanent and special exhibits. Displays are always changing, so even if you’ve been here before, head on back. 

The core exhibit, “Sing Me Back Home: Folk Roots to the Present,” is a multi-faceted, walk-through historical experience highlighting over 2.5 million country music artifacts, many original recordings and archival videos, plus touch screen interactive media. There’s also the historic RCA Studio B, moved over several years ago, where just about anybody who ever sang with a twang held a microphone.

You’ll see lots of Gold records, too, but don’t miss Elvis’s solid-gold 1960 Cadillac.

Home since 1974, when it moved from the Ryman Auditorium (also worth a visit), the Grand Ole Opry is really part of entire complex known as the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. It’s a lot more than a 2,700-room hotel. There are three different atriums, under nearly 9 acres of skylights, with even a floating river and boat ride. All inside.

Opry shows feature a wide range of entertainment—country, Cajun, bluegrass, comedy, and more—and special guests always seem to show up. Well worth the ticket price. You can schedule back stage tours, which include the artist’s entrance, where superstar hosts like Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood have stood. This was the former home of Hee Haw, so get ready to be entertained.

Starting around Fifth and Broadway, running northeast to Second, sits the heart, soul and beat of Nashville. Part of what’s called The District, there’s not any style of music you won’t hear. And you’ll hear them all just walking up and down the street. The guitar strums and drumbeats will change every 20 feet or so, since most places have wide-open windows and entrances calling you in.

As you look around, you’ll be amazed at how many Nashville singers must also be good chefs, lending their names to a host of live music and food venues. Take your pick between Jason Aldean’s Kitchen and Bar, Luke Bryan’s, Blake Shelton’s, John Rich’s, or Dierks Bentley’s, at last count. See who might be new this year.

Don’t spend all your time on Broadway though. There are plenty of places on the side streets, especially on Second Avenue for food and different music that brings in Nashvillians as well as tourists nightly. You’ll even find some Chicago Blues.

There are other areas in town that have live music most every night. Many Nashville recording artists like to try out new work with smaller audiences wherever they can find them. Up-and-comers, too. Nashville has some of the finest recording studios in the world. The amount of talented players roaming around town, keeping their skills top-notch, is amazing. Classical music, too, at the Schermerborn Symphony Center. For the latest music scene news and schedules, checking any cit websites is a must.

Not far from downtown sits the world’s only full-size replica of the ancient Greek Parthenon. It serves as an exhibition center, including three quality arts and crafts shows every year. The park itself offers a pleasant stroll covering acres of green lawn and pathways, far from the sounds of the District. Recently added is the first statue of Women’s Rights Pioneers Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth and Elizabeth Cady Stanton gathered around a table drafting a document.

Nashville has over 20 annual events, including three car races. You’ll get the latest roster from www.nashville.gov as well any current travel restrictions, if any.

If it’s the Greek Classics you’re interested in, you’re right next door to the campus of Vanderbilt University. It’s a private university, but you never know what public or sporting events are going on.

There’s another side to Nashville. Located seven miles west of downtown was one of Nashville’s first attractions. Originally, it was one of the largest and wealthiest private estates in town, and also home to some of the finest thoroughbred racehorses in the state. It was Nashville’s first winery, too. Today, the beautiful estate offers guided tours, Segway tours, bourbon tastings and an on-site restaurant. Sit back and enjoy some ole Southern hospitality.

Check out the bathtub that President William Howard Taft got stuck in during a stay, necessitating the installation of a stand-up shower for the rest of his visit.

– The Johnny Cash Museum

– The Patsy Cline Museum

– The Frist Art Museum

– Standard Candy Company (home of the Goo Goo)

– The Tennessee State Capitol 

– MUSICA Statue – largest bronze group sculpture in the world

– Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

– Various sports arenas (Titans, NFL; Predators; NHL; Sounds, Triple A-MLB)