I will be running a marathon in Nashville in April 2006. I would like recommendations for restaurants and things to do. Since I will only be there for a few days, I would like to do the "must see" things.

Make sure to go through the Opryland Hotel. This really shouldn't be missed.
They even have a boat ride in the hotel! My daughter is a marathon runner, so you hold a special place in my heart. Good luck!

Good luck with the race - I ran it in 2000 - its first year.

My favorite place to eat in downtown is Demos. Great food, very reasonable prices, great service. It is near the 2nd Avenue district, but not directly in it. (300 Commerce).

I know it sounds strange, but the Nashville Public Library is one of my favorite downtown spots - beautiful building!

I enjoy Centennial Park - huge reproduction of the Parthenon.

Tootsie's Orchid Lounge - go for a "holler and swaller" - heck, just walking around the area (2nd Ave. or Printers' Alley) is intersting, to say the least!

The Opryland Hotel, as noted above, is a love/hate place. Most people love looking around in it. I dislike it because despite attending many conferences there, I STILL get completely lost - even with the map you receive at check-in.

Again, good luck in the race - hope your training goes well.

We liked the restaurant F. Scotts, and also the famous barbecue place on Broadway (I can't think of its name but it's very well known).

As far as things to do, you could take a walking tour. We did a horse drawn tour which was nice and provided a history of the downtown region.

Definitely go to Ryman Auditorium and Country Music Musuem. There are also many good live music venues downtown. Just wander in and stay as long as you'd like.

We liked a day trip we did through Grayline to Belle Mead and the Hermitage, Andrew Jackson's home.

There is also a really neat guitar shop downtown that has supplied guitars for many rock and country icons. They had so many guitars and my husband was in heaven as he plays guitar as a hobby.

Is Cheekwood still open? We used to love wandering around there on weekends. And, Sunday brunch at the Loveless Motel.

For a casual meal check out Jack's for BBQ. You can't miss it as it has pink neon flying pigs in front. A lot of the runners go there after the race.

Definitely, get tickets for the Grand Ole Opry before you go. (You can order them on their website and pick them up before the show).

Also go to the Opry Hotel, Country Music Hall of Fame and Studio B (where Elvis recorded), and Ryman Hall. There is plenty to do.

Just got back from Nashville and enjoyed all of my meals:

Dinner at Basante at Green Hills (after going to a show at Bluebird) and Sunset Grill
Breakfast at Germantown Cafe and Pancake Pantry

They were recommended on Chowhound and Citysearch.

Pancake Pantry, yes, definitely, my mouth is watering!! If you are going to the West Side, check out the Loveless Motel restaurant for either breakfast or fried chicken dinner.

Monell's homestyle southern cooking is not to be missed.

I think that, as far as downtown goes, Tootsie's & the general lower Broadway area is a must see. But you should go to Tootsie's for sure. It's a really neat place, especially in the back of the building. The Ryman is a must too. I really enjoyed The Hermitage, it's about 20 minutes outside of downtown but worth the drive.

You can't go wrong with a visit to the Ryman Auditorium. And I also love Centennial Park and the Parthenon. And MMMMM LOVELESS CAFE ..... just discovered the place last year and I can't wait to go back! HUGE enormous pancakes with slices of bananas between each layer .... biscuits ... hashbrown casserole .... grits .... MMMMMMMMMMMM

They are also "famous" for fried chicken.