Nashville at Christmas?

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.

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.

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!

Stay at the Opryland hotel.

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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!

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.

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.)

(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...) : )

Oh, really? Sorry about the misinformation - I thought it was included. Either way, if you're not staying there, don't park there.

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!

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

I will be harsher than jent's nononononono and say if you are on vacation, don't stay in that neighborhood and don't stay at a Super 8. You aren't close to anything you want to do.

The Vanderbilt-West End area is pricey. You are in a destination city, the preferred area, safe, pleasant, and family friendly hotels. The hotels are less than the Gaylord but will still make for a great visit.

jeni - you can get the Hampton Inn Vanderbilt (on West End) for $88.40/night (probably plus taxes), if you pay in advance. If you don't want to pay in advance, it's $104. That location is right between the Vandy area and downtown, across the street from a good Italian restaurant and near a lot of others. Five-minute drive to either downtown, Centennial Park or Hillsboro Village (add parking time for downtown).

The downtown one would be somewhat more convenient to some things, but it's $159/night. There are other options, I'm sure, but that's one possibility that won't completely break the bank. If Hampton Inns are representative of the other chains, I'm honestly not sure staying in the suburbs would save you much - the Bellevue location starts at $101 and Brentwood is still $75. The Antioch one is $67 but I wouldn't recommend that location.

(hoping this link works)
https://secure.hilton.com/en/hp/res/choose_rates.jhtml;jsessionid=QK5NX1YSCX0DACSGBJNM22Q?_requestid=225899

Not sure what kinds of bargains you might get that time of year, but you could always check and see what people have been getting on Priceline by going to biddingfortravel.com and/or betterbidding.com Of my four trips to Nashville, I've used Priceline for two of them. You also might look at Travelzoo, enter Nashville as your destination and see if anything pops up (got a great rate at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis by using Travelzoo so I am a fan!). Staying in suburbs would save you a little $, but not enough, in my opinion, to be worth it; suburbs all look the same these days and I like to feel like I have left home when I travel (I live in a suburb).

I am not familiar with the Super 8 you mentioned, but on a tour last spring we picked up some people at a Ramada Inn that was in that area and it was...icky. I'd rather stay home than have to stay somewhere like that.

Also, if you aren't a AAA member, consider joining if you can. A single basic membership is pretty reasonable, and members usually get 10-15% off room rates, as well as free maps, discounts on admissions to some attractions (Country Music Hall of Fame is one, I think) and hotel specials that can be found in the area travel guides you can request for your destination.

My Mom and I are going to Nashville the first week in December. We are going to stay at the Hutton Hotel near Belmont University. They are having a fall special where if you spend at least 3 nights it is $111 a night. You can go to their website and go under the specials icon and it is a Fall getaway special. That is a great price for a hotel that close to downtown. I have never stayed there but the reviews are all great. I have also stayed at the Opryland hotel and think it is way overated and overpriced. The gardens are beautiful but all I can really afford to do is walk and look because EVERYTHING including a bottle of water is way overpriced. We are also going to be taking a "NashTrash" tour and going to see the stars homes on "Tommy's Tours"(these can also be found on the internet. On Sat night we are going to Chaffins Dinner Theatre....hope you have a great trip!

We did "Tommy's Tour" in March and it was big fun and a great deal. We wanted to do the "NashTrash" tour too, but they were taking that week off for Spring Break...maybe another time.

Yep, the Hutton would be in a great location for your purposes, jeni4515, if it fits in your budget. It's a new hotel right on West End, close to the Hampton Inn I mentioned earlier.

For hotels around the airport check out Elm Hill Pike area. Marriott, Embassy Suites, La Quinta, Springhill Suites are all represented. You'll only be a few minutes from both downtown and Opryland.

Nash Trash tours are a hoot. I highly recommend them! For Christmas just do what we Jews alway do: Chinese takeout and a movie. The theatre at Opry Mills will be open (the rest of the mall closed). Lots of other historical things to do during the day like The Hermitage, Belle Mead Mansion or a day trip to the Jack Daniels distillery.

Also wanted to say that this years ICE is A Charlie Brown Christmas. I've done the Grinch one and I think it's a little too much money to spend freezing by tuchas off. I think we went through in about 10 minutes because we couldn't take the cold.

Thanks so much for all the posts. I will definitely check out the Hutton Hotel (jaclynone) and their Fall specials. And this is the first I've heard of the NashTrash and Tommy tours so they are on my list to look into.

I was able to get flights on the 24th, returning the 29th so we should have plenty of time after Christmas to add this to our list of to dos.

We have the ICE thing here as well only Grapevine is having the Grinch (I think you all had that last year). I just want to find stuff to do out there that we wouldn't get to do here.

I'll keep you posted on what I find.

Jaclynone...have a great trip and post on how it was. THanks again everyone for all the advice and help. I sooooo appreciate it!

Just wanted to add that I checked out the Hutton Hotel on TripAdvisor and wow--they are really impressing people so if that deal fits your budget, it sounds almost perfect! Good find!

As I recall, it had JUST opened as I was planning my Spring 2009 visit so it wasn't coming up on any searches yet, but it sure looks and sounds terrific! Now I wish I was going back...I'd stay there, especially for $111/night!

We stayed at the Gaylord and it was fun and different. I think on Christmas morning it will be a nice place to be. I can see where people would say it is pricey and over the top, but it was a unique place and I think for Christmas, it would be where i would stay.
My DH used to stay at the Vanderbilt Marriott on business trips.
We took our kids who were about 11/12 at the time to the Wild Horse Saloon and they got up and line danced. I am sure if the place has food served, your son will be allowed in with you. Not sure of course since we weren't there late at night.