Area all malls the same? Going to Nashville.
 

It doesn't seem to matter where I go, malls basically seem to have mostly the same stores.

I'll be in Nashville for a day of shopping. Is there a mall a bit different there? Is there a mall I should go to.

Will you have a car? Did you plan on serious shopping or more like window shopping? The only store I remember from the mall next to Opryland was the John Deere store (needed a souvenier for DH). The first time I went to Nashville, DH was with me and we went to Franklin. I can't remember how long a drive it was and this was more than a few years ago but I still remember it as a lovely downtown with a charming place for lunch.

The mall next to the Opryland Hotel is an outlet mall. A very, very large outlet mall. If you are so inclined, there are few with so many stores.

The mall next to Opryland is huge. My daughter and I browsed through it one year and I know we went to lots of the stores you see everywhere. There are also several restaurants and a movie complex.

That should be ARE all malls the same?

Thanks for the info. Yes, I'll have a car. I don't want to do serious shopping, but would like to see some different stores.
Where I'm staying in Alabama there is a huge outlet mall.. and I'm thinking the one by Opryland would have exactly the same stores.

Perhaps going to Franklin is the answer.

Opry Mills is the one by Opryland. It is gigantic and has all the stores you would expect, plus an IMAX, restaurants, etc. It doesn't sound like that's what you're looking for. The Mall at Green Hills is more high-end; there's been a Tiffany, Louis Vitton, Burberry, etc all added in the last few years. It's the nicest mall around. The Cool Springs Galleria is a pretty typically suburban mall. I would not recommend going to the Bellevue or Hickory Hollow malls - both are losing stores.

If you're looking for unique shopping that isn't necessarily in a mall, downtown Franklin does have a few shops; you might also try Hillsboro Village, near Vanderbilt, or the 12 South area (less populated than HV). Green Hills also has the Hill Center, which is one of the outdoor shopping areas - several fun stores and restaurants there.

Jent , thank you. That's exactly the information I was looking for. I'm not interested in going to Opry Mall to see the same old stores.

On my way south, I stopped at Trader Joe's.. I went a biy out of my way, but it was worth it.
So that's what I mean. stores I don't see in my area.

Maybe I'll stop in Franklin and also stop by the Mall at Green Hills.

Thanks again.

The Mall at Green Hills has great shops. My friend lives in Franklin and loves it there. What is serious shopping?

I agree with the previous poster:

downtown Franklin does have a few shops; you might also try Hillsboro Village, near Vanderbilt ...

FYI, Nashville recently got its first Trader Joe's. If you're not familiar with Cracker Barrel restaurant & store, you might want to check that out. (They're everywhere.)

My friend from Australia loved Cracker Barrel and also the shops next to the famed Loveless Cafe -- although I wouldn't go there unless you're going to have one of their awesome breakfasts.

The gift shop at the Ryman Auditorium (original home of the Grand Ole Opry) has some nice "Nashville" items -- and the tacky souvenir shops along Lower Broadway and the shops on 2nd Avenue would be interesting.

Opry Mills is for the serious shopper -- but the stores will all be familiar.

PS. If you want a real Nashville experience eat at Monell's on 6th Avenue or the one in Franklin. It's a highlight of everybody's trip when I have guests.

kodi, the Nashville Trader Joe's is very close to the Green Hills mall ifyou need another fix! :) (No Two-Buck Chuck, though, just so you're forewarned.) Happy to help.

I do have to point out that the outlet stores in Opry Mills are much higher end than any outlet stores in Alabama outlets--especially with the Saks outlet and all the other things to do there. It is just a great entertainment mall. However, I agree that Green Hills is a better mall for a variety of choices.

Here is a list of places at Opry Mills--keep in mind it is enormous: http://www.simon.com/mall/directory.aspx?ID=1259

and at Green Hills, much higher end stores: http://www.themallatgreenhills.com/p...rectory/32.php


Have fun! Nashville is so much fun for shopping!

I only had an afternoon to spare on my way south, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy Nashville. So on the way home, I want to spend a full day. I love stopping at Cracker Barrel.

Is there a Macy's at Green Hills? I saw a Macy's in a mall near Trader Joe's. I wanted to go to Cheesecake Factory, because I've never been, but it was far too crowded., and I gave up.
I'm definately going to Trader Joe's before I head for home.

I haven't been to Nashville since Opryland closed. ...so it's been awhile.

I will stop by Franklin. Perhaps have a meal at Monell's.Is it right in Franklin?

Loveless?? owned by Patty? I'm not familiar with it.

Thanks for all the great advice.
I might have to try and fit in Opry mall too if it isn't the same old stores.

Haha, maybe I need more time in Nashville.

Oh, Opryland... RIP, Opryland. We used to go every summer!

There is indeed a Macy's at Green Hills - I guarantee it's the one you saw. The Macy's is facing the main street (Hillsboro), next to that parking garage. Cheesecake Factory is pretty much always crowded, but if all you want is cheesecake, you could get a piece to go. There's an area just to your right as you walk in (from the parking lot) for to-go items.

I don't think the Loveless has any connection with Patty. It is famous for the Biscuit Lady, though! It's pretty good, although to be quite honest, I prefer Cracker Barrel's food. It's fun if you have the time, though. It's relatively far west of downtown (near the Natchez Trace Parkway), so if you're going north-south it's hard to just swing by.

I think Opry Mills is a matter of personal taste. Personally, I hate it and avoid it as much as possible. But the crowds are the main reason I hate it, so obviously not everyone shares my opinion. :)

kodi, if you are a Hank Williams fan, you may want to stay in Nashville a bit longer and go to The Country Music Hall of Fame. Their current exhibit is "A Family Tradition". I went a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it.

Oh very tempting Ice. But as it is, I've stretched my time to allow for a full day in Nashville. I've got to get back to work.

Jent I'll definately be going to Green Hills then. I want to stop at Trader Joes to pick up some stuff to take home.

Looking at my maps, Franklin doesn't look too far out of my way. Sounds like I should stay in the south end of Nashville.

I LOVE biscuits, and do get my fill at Cracker Barrel. but it's a good thing I don't live in the south!

Why a mall?
I'd stroll this little town -
http://www.bellbucklechamber.com/

Are you going to see Jack (as in Daniels)?
http://www.jackdaniels.com/age.aspx

There's a great little county place to eat between Bell Buckle and Nashville. I'll see if I can remember the name.

Or, you could do malls I guess :-)

Hi iceeu2 - by serious shopping I meant does kodi have a list of things she needs and plans to buy or maybe looking for a good sale. I like a place like Franklin because I could shop for something different. I'm not a big shopper but I found a small, inexpensive statue of my father's favorite civil war general. He loved it. I don't even go to the malls in my home state unless I have a list of things I need to buy. If I can buy it at home, there's no sense in wasting good travel time at a mall plus I'm a fan of downtowns.

Thats why I asked about serious shopping! To me serious shopping is checking out Crate & Barrel and Williams Sonoma!!!!!!

Kodi, be sure to pick up some Goo Goos at Cracker Barrel. That's what I always have to take to my Canadian friends!

I note from some replies that they stated that Opryland had closed down, do you mean the massive hotel called Opryland? we called in there on our recent trip from the UK and were very impressed with the hotel, I hope its not that one.

coldplay, the hotel has not closed. Opry Mills (the mall) is where the Opryland Amusement Park(closed for many years now) was. I was just at the hotel in January and it is still just as beautiful as ever.