I'm considering a long overnight in Nashville to take advantage of some great hotel and airfare opportunities. I'd hope to stay at Marriott's Union Station.
If I arrive Saturday around 9:30 am, I think I would have time to make it to hotel and then high-tail it near Vanderbilt for Belmont Mansion and a walk through Vanderbilt to Parthenon to see inside before it closes at 4:30. Then I figured I could have a late afternoon wander and an evening exploring some of the downtown bars and restaurants.
Sunday I figured I could get up early to make the Ryman Auditorium and CMHOF Museums that open at 9. I could then go to Frist at opening at 1 pm and view until maybe 4 or 4:30, when it would be time to head back to the hotel and catch a 6:30 flight.
I'll be back in 2013 for a conference, where the hotel will probably be the Gaylord. Thinking therefore I could leave that and the Opry until then. If I had another day I would have loved to have visited Belle Meade and Cheekwood Garden, but it doesn't seem possible on so short a trip.
Does this itinerary make sense? Rushing things too much? Am I not having enough time in the hotel? Missing something major?
Overnight in Nashville
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I think your itinerary sounds reasonable. Belmont Mansion is gorgeous and well worth the visit, and the Ryman and CMHOF are also excellent. I found the Parthenon interesting and actually a bit of a hoot, myself, but don't get your hopes up about its very forgettable art collection downstairs.
The Frist has no permanent collection, so whether it's worth a visit or not will depend on what its temporary exhibits are. They were very good when I went, and reports suggest they are usually well worth taking in.
I'd save Belle Meade and The Hermitage (both excellent) and the Opryland area (a little corny for my taste, I best liked going through the Opryland Hotel's extensive indoor garden complex) for another time. Haven't been to Cheekwood, but reports are that it's well worth a visit. You likely won't have time to see either the state capitol building and adjoining Tennessee State Museum, both very worthy of their kind -- again, save them for a later visit.
Thanks and interesting about the Frist. I hadn't realized that. I should try to time for a good event.
The Union Station Hotel is gorgeous! We were in Nashville in April. Spent about 1/2 hour just gawking at the lovely Art Deco lobby!
We also visited Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame, Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and The Hermitage as well as taking in a show at the Grand Ole Opry. Parts of Cheekwood were lovely. If you are a big country music fan, then you will really enjoy the CMHoF and Ryman. You might also want to see who is performing at the Opry the night you are there. You can go to the 7 PM show and still have time for the downtown bars.
http://www.opry.com/index.html
Be sure to eat at Jack's Barbecue right down on Broadway. Expect it to be crowded but it's worth it. Great barbecue at a great price. We also had a wonderful lunch at the Wildhorse Saloon.
Any more thoughts? Thanks for the eatery tips.
Be sure to go to RCA Studio B -- which is included in your CMHoF admission. It requires a short shuttle ride, but it's incredible to stand in the spots where Elvis, Dolly, Patsy, and so many more iconic artists recorded.
Honestly, your schedule does seem rushed--but probably do-able because these attractions are close to each other.
If at all possible eat at either Monell's (on 6th--near the Bicentennial Mall) or at Sylvan Park for fantastic, authentic regional food.
Songdoc, there are two ticket levels for the CMHoF. It is $11 more per person (or $33) for the "Platinum" Tour that includes the RCA Studio B tour.
bettyk -- thanks for the info. That must be relatively new.