we are two people from norway, who are going to nashville in august, we will stay there for 5 nights, need to know where to stay, is downtown the best place??, we are going to just listen to music,have a few beer, and see the town..are there some area that we should avoid?? how is the temperature there in august??, should we rent a car and see some other places around nashville??, have been many times to us, most of the times nyc, and up the coast to canada, never been south, like country music a lot, any good places we should go?? is it possible to smoke cigaretts at pubs/bars??we start the trip in nyc where we stay 5 days, then fly down to new orleans, take 4 days there, and rent a car and drive up to nashville, and a car from there and up to nyc where we take 2 days before we go home to norway.thanks for all the help.

please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jannik -- I also responded to your Memphis post. I see that you are doing a tour of the musical south -- good for you.

Nashville is a great town. It is a little more upscale than Memphis, but I think Memphis has a little more soul -- that's just me.

For a tourist, I'd recommend staying downtown in Nashville. Do a search on this site and you'll find info about hotels. There are several bars, restaurants and country music institutions downtown (guitar stores, stores selling country music costumes, etc).

Another good place for music is the Bluebird Cafe. It is located a ways from downtown in the Green Hills area. It's where up and coming singers and songwriters try out their material. Real music stuff.

You should definitely rent a car to get around. You'll want to see the Parthenon in Centennial park (a model of the real one), Vanderbilt University (pretty), the Hermitage (Andrew Jackson's home) and some other sites.

I think 5 days might be a little long in Nashville. It's a great place to live and to visit, but it doesn't have lots to see unless you get outside of town. You might think of a day trip to Lynchburg where the Jack Daniels distillery is located.

As for the weather in August -- it will be HOT. You can count on 90 degree (F) weather and high humidity.

Good luck and have a great time!!

Hi Jannik! I went to college in Nashville (Vandy) and you will love it there. I agree with the prior poster that it will be very, very warm in August. Bluebird Cafe is great. Also try Tootsies' lounge, which is right near downtown. I prefer to stay up by Vandy, but that's a personal choice. The Vanderbilt Plaza is wonderful but can be pricey. There is also Union Station and various other nice hotels. Up by Vandy there is some good shopping and restaurants. About a mile and a half downtown from Vandy is the central area where Second Avenue is booming with shops, restaurants, bars, etc. I really enjoy 12th and Porter and Granite Falls as far as restaurants go (not located on 2nd Ave), but again it's a personal choice. Also by Vandy is Music Row and I believe there are some country western bars along there. It's not that big of a city so a car is useful as cabs are not really whizzing by like in NYC. Try citysearch.com and plug in Nashville, and you will find a huge amount of information. Have a wonderful time and defintitely also check out the Parthenon.

thanks for the info. i have jack daniels distillery in lynchburg on my travel plans.i dont think the temperature will be a problem,(i was just wondering,but thanks anyway). i have been in south east asia many times and i never have problems down there.sounds that the bluebird cafe is an ok place,so i have to try that place.the plan is also to drive a bit around to see the landscape, stop in some small towns to eat etc.(and maybe stay for a night).i have been a lot on the net to find out things about the south, and some is printet out, but i think fodors is the best place to find out things, you meet people who live there, or been there for hollyday.we have about 14-16 days in the south, so we are still planing, but so far we have also alabama, georgia, and south carolina on our plans.think it will be a great trip. thanks again for all the info.

Jannik-if you have that much time and want to explore the south, if you can try to get along the Georgia/South Carolina coastline. Savannah is wonderful, and so is Hilton Head Island. I've also been told great things about Charleston and Beaufort, SC. You could then weave your way up to Wilmington, North Carolina. People in Nashville are so friendly, you won't have any problem. Have fun!

Welcome to Tennessee!
As noted it will indeed be hot and humid in the South in August. I would recommend staying downtown for downtown activities and out by the Grand Ole Opry ( Opryland) for visits to the regular Grand Ole Opry performances- you never know who may pop up to perform there. The Opryland complex is worth a visit even if you do not stay there. The Ryman is downtown and has performances that are relly good. The Tennessee Titans may be at home for preseason games in August. Music is everywhere and is simply best afforded to the ear of the listener. Plenty of talented singers and songwriters. Franklin and Murfreesboro have several War Between the States sites and the Natchez Trace Parkwark is just outside Nashville. The State Capitol is worth a visit as well as the Bicenntial Mall State Park in front of the Capitol. Food to fit your tastes but southern meat and threes are the best. For chains,I recommend Cracker Barrel for a quality taste of the South.
We are glad to have you visit.

I agree with a previous response, try the following website: www.nashville.citysearch.com
You'll find a lot of events listed for the specific dates you'll be here! I also recommend an afternoon in downtown Franklin (just South of Nashville). Lots of antique stores and a lovely historical main street! Have fun on your trip!

Opryland is a good place to visit but I thought the rooms were way overpriced. I paid $250 per night for a balcony and a so-so room....I will def stay downtown next time. Downtown seams to be where the action is.