My husband and I are planning a first ever trip to Nashville in late February.
We are huge country and western fans.
Any suggestions re hotels in the heart of the action?
We don't want to rent a car but hopefully walk and UBER to all the spots.
Any tips re ticketing info for the big shows?
Is the Grand Olde Opray worth seeing? Should we see a show there or just take a tour?
Any and all suggestions appreciated.
Thanks.

We were in Nashville over Thanksgiving. We very much enjoyed the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (and do not miss the addition of the Studio B tour) (we spent way more time at the Hall of Fame and Museum than expected - went first, then took our tour of Studio B, then we went back to the museum because we weren't done), the tour of the Ryman Auditorium, a walking tour of a civil war battlefield in Franklin (but we had a car that day), and a night at the Bluebird Cafe (for that you have to make reservations online the day they go on sale for the show you want - I had to get up at 6 a.m. California time to do that, it sells out FAST - do your research about seating and configuration in advance, but it's so tiny, it doesn't really matter where you sit). We also liked our downtown walking tour with Really Entertaining Tours. And then there's music, music and more music, much (maybe most) of it free. You go in and out of bars - some country, some not. Nobody even bugs you to buy a drink if you're just standing around the edges.

Hope that helps.

Good suggestions from SF7307. We stayed in the Courtyard Marriott, across from the Ryman Auditorium, a couple of blocks from the main street where the music is quite alive. Totally agree about the addition of Studio B to your ticket at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. In three days, there is so much to enjoy. We included a few ideas in our trip report of a couple of years back, listed under our screen name. And other reports, no doubt, have suggestions. Enjoy Nashville!

Oh, we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn a couple of blocks from the main street in the other direction from the Courtyard. We had good meals at Emmy Squared (in the Gulch neighborhood), The Southern (downtown), and Del Frisco's (that was Thanksgiving dinner).

Several threads on Nashville here. Examples:

Nashville Transportation?

Short Time in Nashville

Restaurants - Nashville & Memphis

Nashville

Nashville things to do - opinion on best in list

Fantastic thread for me so thanks for asking, caesar! We hope to do a driving trip in the fall -- Asheville, Nashville and Memphis, so I'm posting here so that I can find this again. Great suggestions here!

Just to help out a little, here are my trip reports on Asheville and Memphis:

Trip report -- Asheville, NC

Memphis food experience
Note that Neely’s has now closed.

Possible Memphis itinerary
Scroll down later in the thread to find what I actually did.

And another good Nashville/Memphis thread:

NASHVILLE AND MEMPHIS..A FEW QUESTIONS

Thanks so much, bachslunch. I don't want to divert caesar's thread but will definitely be keeping my eye on this one and the ones you've just posted!

That is a big help.
Thanks very much'

Thanks. I will look for your trip report.

Thanks!

Glad to share.
Thanks so much for the info.

We have been to the Grand Ole Opry several times and enjoyed every visit. The show has so much variety that every country fan will love part of the show with a chance that you could catch a favorite superstar. I think it is important to get good seats and recommend buying as soon as you know your dates rather than worry about who is appearing.

i have taken Uber from downtown to and from the Opry with no problem.

if the Opry or another concert is at the Ryman, that is a small house with no as seats. Good historic place to se a show.

THE bluebird is worth the effort to get seats as well. You have to be on line the Monday morning before your date at the opening bell and get lucky to find seats. Likewise, the Bluebird is a very small venue with no bad seats and easy Uber distance.

I like J. Alexander restaurant out near Vanderbilt for steaks or prime rib. Puckett’s in downtown is a fun, casual restaurant. There is a popular mall across from Bluebird with all the usual mid-price chain restaurants including Chees cake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen the Old Hickory Steakhouse in the Gaylord next to the Opry is very good.

Kep your eye eye on shows at the barn at the Loveless cafe, Vince Gill frequently plays at 3rd and Lindsley on Monday nights. Also a good destination most nights.


Lots of on on line information about destinations and schedule.