Nashville at Christmas?

Old Oct 21st, 2009, 06:23 AM
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Nashville at Christmas?

My son and I are thinking of spending Christmas in Nashville. Can you tell me if there's anything open during that time (Christmas Eve through the 27th) or places to see or do?

My son is 20 and not sure if he can get into bars. He really loves music and I thought this would be a good place to go. If not, can you recommend a trip we could take?

Thanks in advance for the help.
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Old Oct 21st, 2009, 06:47 AM
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The Opryland Hotel does an over the top Christmas season. The hotel is open Christmas Day. The city should be open all the other days.

The Grand Old Opry should be business as usual on the evening of the 26th. Probably none to soon to get tickets now. Age is no issue on attending. Check out the Ryman Auditorium for show schedule at that time. Same story, no age restrictions.

You'll have to ask at other venues. Likely with a parent attending that he is welcome everywhere.

Look at the Bluebird Cafe's schedule for the nights you are in town and book a show. Every evening I have attended is enjoyable. You can't miss and the price is always a baragain.
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Old Oct 21st, 2009, 08:29 AM
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Thanks for the info. I'll get started on booking. Are there any places open on Christmas Day to eat? I'm assuming the hotels will be serving but just wanted to see what else is available.
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Old Oct 21st, 2009, 09:09 AM
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I think your son will probably be able to get into the honky-tonks, but you might call to see. The most well-known ones on Lower Broadway are Tootsie's, Robert's Western World and The Stage. If honky-tonking isn't his thing, there are tons of other venues in town. Sometimes age limit depends on who's playing (some shows are 18+, some are 21+). Places to check out might be 3rd & Lindsley, Mercy Lounge/Cannery Ballroom, and Exit/In; those are the most well-known bar/club venues other than stumpworks's comments. There are also a bunch of smaller places. I'm not sure how affected any of their schedules would be by the holidays (and they won't have late December schedules posted for awhile anyway). If he's interested, there's also the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Musicians' Hall of Fame.

The Opryland is indeed incredible at Christmas (the decorations are up for a couple of months, so you'll have time to see them). It's basically a city in itself anyway, and there are conservatories that really get the full Christmas treatment. Cheekwood (botanical gardens/art museum) is open except on Christmas, and Belle Meade Plantation has Christmas festivities through New Year's, if either of those floats your boat.

I honestly doubt there will be many restaurants open on Christmas Day other than maybe some fast food, but you might find something. Other than that, though, you shouldn't have any problems.

The Titans actually play the Chargers on Christmas Day. The way the season's going, you may be able to find some tickets for cheap!
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Old Oct 21st, 2009, 09:26 AM
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Stay at the Opryland hotel.
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Old Oct 21st, 2009, 10:24 AM
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I actually disagree with starrs on this one. The Opryland is amazing, and if you want to stay there for a couple of days and do things there, great. But it's not very convenient to anything else you'd want to do.
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Old Oct 21st, 2009, 11:31 AM
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My son is not much of a C&W person (although I am)..he's into jazz and light rock. I think he would enjoy any of the music though, might be my chance to win him over to country!

I noticed there is a Radisson Opryland Hotel associated with the Gaylord (I believe)...think that's worth it?

It looks like my free airline tickets will only work for the 24th through the 29th so that gives us more time to explore. And since everything is closed on Christmas Day then an extra day or two will let us do more sightseeing.

I'll check out the venues you mentioned, thanks so much for the help. I do appreciate it.
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Old Oct 21st, 2009, 12:00 PM
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The full name of the spectacular hotel is the Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center (that's right, it's so big there's a convention center inside). The Radisson is NOT the same thing; it's just nearby. Here's the web site for the Opryland itself:

http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-opryland/

The Opryland Hotel is next to the Grand Ole Opry House, and also next to Opry Mills Mall (lots of stores, including some outlets, plus an IMAX, regular movie theater, restaurants galore...). That's about it in that area as far as tourist attractions.

Your son might have some trouble finding jazz and light rock, but it does sound like the Bluebird might be more his vibe than honky-tonks! The other venues I mentioned usually have more rock acts than anything, but you might find a singer-songwriter show that you'd both like. I've seen everything at those venues from a Southern rock show to an 11-piece folk orchestra to a man singing "Shooby Kalikimaka" inside a plastic bubble, wrapped in Christmas lights and a grass skirt. (That one was special.)
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Old Oct 21st, 2009, 12:50 PM
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On Christmas Day, Chinese restaurants are usually an option if you don't want to eat at a hotel restaurant.

Opryland does Christmas up right, so you'll have options on Christmas Day there. It's a personal preference but I'd rather be there than downtown over Christmas.
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Old Oct 22nd, 2009, 08:33 AM
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I don't particularly want to spend the money to stay at the Gaylord, can't we just stay nearby and still go to the stuff they have there? Or do you have to stay there to get the perks?

I'll have a rental so I don't mind driving, just want to be somewhere where we can enjoy Christmas. I read where there is the Louise Mandrell Joy to the World Christmas, is that available to everyone and I need to see if that's on Christmas Day. I don't think it goes past that day.

Thanks everyone for your help. It's nice to get good information from this forum for trips. I appreciate it!
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Old Oct 22nd, 2009, 08:51 AM
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If you aren't staying at the Gaylord Opryland (and I agree w/PP's that you should NOT; been there, done that, won't do it again) then I would avoid staying in that area at all--it's boring. Just do a day trip out that way. If your son doesn't like country music, he won't like the Opry, by the way. Best hint for seeing Opryland: park at the far side of the Oprymills mall (as far away to the east as you can), walk across the street to the Opryland Hotel; parking at the hotel is $18!!!! Parking at the mall is free!

Instead, stay near Vanderbilt/Centennial Park--lots of great restaurants and college student vibes; I got a good rate at the Loews Vanderbilt through Priceline last spring. There is also a large Marriott, a couple Hampton Inns and Courtyards around there. If you want to stay downtown, the Hampton Inn downtown is great...I was just there last week. You can walk anywhere downtown, free breakfast (always good with a boy that age!) and FREE PARKING! Only downtown hotel that has it, as far as I know. The bed was super comfy too.

As for someone under-21 getting in to the lower Broadway clubs, as far as I know, he will be able to, but only until 9pm, then after that, it's 21-over only. But they all have live music pretty much all day long so you can always go during the day...and no cover charges ever! And definitely see if anyone is playing the Ryman while you are there. Also, the Station Inn might be a possibility. Other venue suggestions you've received have been good ones too.
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Old Oct 22nd, 2009, 09:48 AM
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Oh, yeah, Station Inn could be fun. It's a pretty well-known bluegrass joint. It looks completely out of place - it's a one-story building that looks a little worn down, amidst all the new development in the Gulch (condos, upscale restaurants, etc). Their web site says you must be 21+ OR accompanied by a parent/guardian to enter, so you should be OK.

I definitely agree with musicfan about Opryland - if you're not staying there, don't stay anywhere near there. There's just no point. Stay downtown or near Vandy, where there are more interesting things to do/places to eat, and you're closer to everything else you'll want to do. Use one of your days to go see the hotel and shop if you want to.

(And YES, definitely use the Opry Mills parking! Basically, find the IMAX and keep going even further to the very back of the parking lot. Last year around Christmas they had the ICE building set up back there, so that was a good landmark; I assume it'll be there again. [ICE is an attraction where they have a place full of ice sculptures/slides/whatever, and you pay $18 or so to go through it in a parka. Last year it was a Grinch theme; I don't remember this year's.] Anyway, from that area it's just a walk down a paved pathway to the hotel. Hotel parking is included if you're staying there, but it's ridiculously expensive if you're not.)
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Old Oct 22nd, 2009, 10:04 AM
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(just to clarify, parking at the Opryland Hotel is NOT included if you stay there...I've never stayed anywhere with more fees, taxes and other costs! I'm still a little bitter...) : )
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Old Oct 22nd, 2009, 10:23 AM
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Oh, really? Sorry about the misinformation - I thought it was included. Either way, if you're not staying there, don't park there.
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Old Oct 22nd, 2009, 10:58 AM
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No worries, jent103...between the cost of parking and the two drinks we had in one of the bars that ended up costing $28 (including tip), and the "resort fee" and the taxes, etc. I just try to warn people away when I can. It was the most expensive $99 room I ever had!
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Old Oct 23rd, 2009, 12:16 PM
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Wow, great advice. I've always known the Gaylord to be expensive (we have one in Grapevine, TX), I will definitely park at Opry Mills.

I'll check for hotels around Vanderbilt/Centennial area. My son told me he didn't mind sitting through Country Music with me so that's a good thing!

So I'm assuming Vanderbilt/Centennial is closer to the downtown area? I'll do some more checking.

Thanks everyone.
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Old Oct 23rd, 2009, 12:24 PM
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Yes, the Centennial Park/Vanderbilt area is MUCH closer to downtown than Opryland, if that's what you mean, but it's not walking distance or anything (even though Priceline lumps them all into one "downtown" zone).
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Old Oct 23rd, 2009, 12:25 PM
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Vanderbilt/West End is the area immediately to the west of downtown. Basically if you look at downtown on a map, look at Broadway and then go west. It turns into West End. Centennial Park is to the north, Vanderbilt to the south. I'd stay either in that area or downtown.

For what it's worth, I don't love country music but I really enjoyed the Opry, if only for the history of it. Not every non-country fan will, of course, but I thought it was a fun night.
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Old Oct 23rd, 2009, 01:13 PM
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Okay, need your help again. I found a Super 8 on Dickerson Pike. It's only $38.22 a night. Anyone have any input on this one? Where? That's a great rate so I'm sure there's something wrong with it!

We are not picky regarding hotels as long as they are clean and not a roach motel. And saving on hotels would give us more to spend somewhere else.
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Old Oct 23rd, 2009, 03:47 PM
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Nononononono. No. "That's a great rate so I'm sure there's something wrong with it" - exactly.

East Nashville in general is a hard place to stay if you're visiting - the area is undergoing a lot of change for the good, and it's developed a great community feeling (my favorite brunch spot, Marche, is there!). But it's coming out of a period of crime/etc and is street-by-street as far as where I'd feel OK, especially at night; it's not an area I'd want you to get lost in. Dickerson Pike has a reputation for prostitution and is not great. In all likelihood nothing bad would happen to you, but that motel wouldn't be all that pleasant a place to stay.

If you need to look in suburbs because prices closer in wouldn't fit your budget, personally I'd be OK with most places west of downtown and south of Charlotte, over to around I-65. (Bellevue, Belle Meade/West Meade and Brentwood would all be fine.) And those areas have pretty good access to touristy things. Close to the airport would also be OK, I think, but I don't think there's as much there in terms of restaurants, etc as there would be in the other places. Not to say that other areas aren't totally fine, but in terms of giving blanket recommendations to someone not familiar with the area, that's my input. The immediate downtown area or Vandy/West End would be best, but those are some good options otherwise.
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