Nashville Tn - some questions
 

We are planning to visit Nashville in September. It looks like there are heaps of things to do. Can anyone suggest some itineraries and how many days you think we should spend there. My husband loves the country music thing; I don't mind it. Would it be worthwhile to rent a car and drive to Memphis and see Gracelands? We have about 5 days.

Thanks for any help.

Go over a Saturday night so you can attend the Grand Ole Opry.
Be sure and spend an evening at the Bluebird Cafe.
If you can afford to stay at the Gaylord, it is a beautiful place.
The outlet mall near the Gaylord may be the biggest in the country.
Memphis is a four hour drive.

I would not stay at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. It is a huge sprawling megacomplex that is far from most of the sites in Nashville. Plus it sounds like you aren't renting a car and if you stay there you will definitely need a car. In fact, you'll probably need a car for nashville anyway.
Stay near Vanderbilt or downtown.
Not to miss
Country Music Hall of Fame
Performance at the Grand Ole Opry
Agree: do not miss the Bluebird Cafe. You can make reservations for this.
There are lots of other bars around town where you can find singer/songwriter types performing as well.

If you have any interest in Civil War history, Franklin, now a suburb of Nashville is a short drive away with a cute downtown and very interesting battlefields and homes.

Don't forget about the hermitage, Andrew Jackson's home and Bellemeade Mansion.

Memphis is a long 3 hour drive away and frankly I am not sure it is worth it for a day trip. I would save it for another separate trip and do a shorter day trip that is closer by.

I hope someone else will chime in with a more up to date list of things to do since it has been years since I was in Nashville.

I agree not to stay at Gaylord Opryland Hotel. The only interesting attraction in the vicinity is the Grand Ole Opry, which you can taxi to easily for a show. The mall isn't that great. It is super busy on the weekends and doesn't have that many outlets. It has a nice movie theatre, but everything else isn't that big of a deal.

I recommend staying downtown somewhere. Be sure to get tickets to the Grand Ole Opry one night. All shows there are good, so don't worry about figuring out who will be there. Since your husband likes country music, the Hall of Fame is a must see. If you stay downtown you will be within walking distance.

What kind of food do you like? Jack's BBQ downtown is one of my favorites. Loveless Cafe is good too, but it is a long drive from downtown. Only try that if you are renting a car.

I agree with everything Williamscb13 says. I'm trying to think of additional things to do. The Frist art museum is great. Check out what exhibits they have currently to see if they interest you.

Let us know more specifically what kind of things you like to do and what you eat and I'll try to come up with more suggestions.



If you want more upscale dining, there are plenty of options as well. Sunset Grill in Hillsboro Village is one of my favorites. That area has some cute shops also, but they are pretty expensive. Another one of my favorite nice restaurants is Park Cafe. They have the best creme brule I've ever had.

Thanks so much for the suggestions; you are all great! We are from Western Australia so probably won't be coming back to this area, so should we rent a car and drive to Memphis? We can fly out from Memphis rather than Nashville so that is not a problem - we can do a one way with the car. We are flying in on a Saturday so could do the Grand Ole Opry that night. We like the plantation houses so will definitely do that, also the Hall of Fame and the Bluebird Cafe sounds a must.

Driving to Memphis - I think with five days, you could take a day and a half and do an overnight to Memphis. I would NOT do a day trip - way too long (and boring) a drive.

Chalk me up as another "no" vote for staying at the Opryland Hotel. It's really impressive (conservatories and a canal running through the building), but it's far from everything except the Grand Ole Opry and Opry Mills shopping mall. I personally avoid that mall like the plague (I think it's crowded and I can shop at the same stores elsewhere, for the most part), but if you want to shop at some American mall stores, it'll have them. Anyway, I would definitely stay downtown or maybe by Vanderbilt. If you want to see Opryland, you could spend a half a day out there.

For plantation houses, Belle Meade and Cheekwood might appeal to you, and there's also Carnton Plantation in Franklin. (You'll need a car to get down there, but it's only about 20 minutes from downtown outside rush hour.) Actually, I would recommend renting a car for most of your stay - you can do the walkable stuff in a day or two and then rent one, to save on costs, but outside downtown, Nashville is hard to do by public transport.

Otherwise, everyone else has given you great suggestions. Hillsboro Village and the 12 South/Gulch area both have good restaurants - your typical meal budget would be really helpful for more specific recommendations.

In September you could try to get Titans (NFL football) tickets, if they're playing at home while you're here.

The Parthenon replica musuem is quite impressive. It's in the park across the street from Vanderbilt University (west edge of town). We went on a whim and came away highly impressed. I agree with the other posters about staying downtown. It's a very walkable city and quite charming.

I don't think it would be worth your time to go to Memphis unless you really wanted to see Graceland. Memphis is not the city it used to be. I was born in Memphis and lived their my first 25 years, now we are in the small town of Chapel Hill, TN, south of Nashville. Nashville in my opinion is a much better city to visit. I feel much safer in Nashville and surrounding areas than I do in most sections of Memphis. Beale Street in Memphis isn't the hoppin' music scene it once was either. I prefer the atmosphere of downtown Nashville's music row.

I agree with most all the information above, but I would add that if you want to go to the Bluebird Cafe (or anywhere else in Nashville, for that matter) especially on the weekends be sure to make reservations!!! If you are going somewhere that does not accept reservations, go early and prepare to stand in a looooooong line.

Speaking of looooooooong lines, the Pancake Pantry in Hillsboro Village is a very popular restaurant for breakfast, frequented by the famous, not-so-famous and everybody else. But again, prepare for a long line.

Ditto the Gaylor Opryland Hotel...too big and sprawling for me, but if you find yourself in that area it is worth seeing if you have time. It is grand, and the atriums are beautiful.

If you'd like some offbeat comedy (with a 'unique' tour of Nashville to boot) check out the Nash Trash Tours: This is a big pink tour bus that gives you a tour of the hot spots of downtown Nashville along with a rollicking good time. The tour guides are a couple of commedians that give you the 'down and dirty' about Nashville and its 'stars'. (Don't go if you are offended by a little off-color humor). I found it very funny and entertaining - along with a tour of the downtown area and a lot of gossip and jokes thrown in. (They'll have fun with you with your Aussie accent - and if you have a sense of humor you'll really enjoy it). Check out their web site at www.nashtrash.com. Again, reservations have to be made WELL in advance as this is very popular and busses only run once a day with 2 on Saturday and none on Sunday and Monday.

I was going to ditto the "don't go to Memphis, its too far" statements until I found out you were from Australia - where 200 miles is NOT far. If you want to see Graceland, I would save it for the end of the trip, rent a car and drive there then fly back home from there if you can.

Ditto on the Franklin idea. Franklin is 20 miles from Nashville and a very quaint little town. Lots of beautiful antebellum homes, etc. and you can tour the Carnton Mansion and Carter House if you're into that.

By the way, I visited Western Australia (Perth, Fremantle, Kalamunda, Denmark, Augusta and points in between in a van, then flew to Adelaide and Sydney). That is how I learned that 200 miles is not far in Australia. Beautiful country... wonderful, friendly people. I dream for the day I can return there.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

I'd just add that it's worth going to RCA Studio B in conjunction with your visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame:

http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/site/studiob.aspx

The line for the Pancake Pantry is long on the weekends, but not bad at all on weekdays.

cots, when you say "prepare to stand in a looooong line," are you referring to restaurants or music venues? I'm not sure I've ever stood in line at music venues in town, unless you're referring to places like BB King's or elsewhere on Second. (The Bluebird, of course, is an exception. I definitely agree to make reservations there.)

Both

I concur about NOT staying at the Opryland Hotel...we stayed one night there on our recent trip because we had tickets to the Grand Ole Opry and because we got a good deal, but I wouldn't stay there again. It is cool to see the public areas though so allow some time when you go to the Opry and wander around. Stay downtown (there are lots of good choices) and visit all the music clubs on Lower Broadway...no cover charges and live music everywhere, even during the daytime at some of them!

NashTrash tours was not in business while we were there (Spring Break), but we had fun doing "Tommy's Tour."

We included Memphis on our trip too...it's worth the drive if you are dying to see Graceland and Beale Street, but Nashville is much more desirable as a city. Also, I found the drive from Nashville to Memphis (a weekday morning) rather harrowing...hundreds of semi-trucks to deal with. I am not an inexperienced driver, but it was just a little too much for me.

As others have said:

DO - Stay downtown (Hilton, Courtyard by Marriott, Doubletree, Reniassance, Sheraton) or
Vanderbilt (Marriott, Holiday Inn)
Both offer restaurants within walking distance and the Vanderbilt hotels are directly across the street from Centennial Park, you will need a car or cab to downtown

See: Centennial Park and the replica of the Parthenon (the museum inside is not worth it in my opinion), the park is a nice place to hang out for a bit with a small lake and walking trail
Belle Mead mansion - Very cool antebellum home
Carnton Plantation - The Battle of Franklin (in the Civil War) partly took place on its land
Bicentennial Mall - no shopping but a park to commemorate the 200th anniversary of statehood with some cool state history, the farmers market is next door and another place to check out
The Hermitage - home of President Andrew Jackson
Country Music Hall of Fame - your husband will love this
Grand Ole Opry - a must see, they also have shows on Tuesdays I believe
Walking downtown - 2nd Ave has lots of clubs, Broadway has several honky tonks including the famous Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, Tin Pan Alley, historic buildings, etc
Nash Trash tour - I have never laughed so much, definitely fun if you can handle it

Try the BBQ and a country breakfast.

Have a wonderful time.

Thanks again everyone for the input; we so appreciate it, and no, Cots, you are right 200 miles is not far at all! We live in North Beach, a suburb of Perth just north of Scarborough.

Wow, these are great suggestions. If you're a music fan, I'd definitely make reservations for the Bluebird Cafe. We saw Justin Townes Earle (Steve Earle's son) play there two summers ago. It was amazing--not a bad seat in the house. It seems a little anti-climatic once you finally find it in a strip mall, but it was still very worth it. I'd also recommend the Station Inn (www.stationinn.com/) which no one has suggested yet. We heard a really great bluegrass band and you gotta love a bar that serves popcorn. I'd get there early for a really popular band. Have fun!

Oh, if you like good indie used bookstores, check out Bookman/BookWoman (www.bookmanbookwoman.com) in Hillsboro Village. If I remember correctly, the Pancake Pantry was right across the street (we didn't eat there---too long a line and great breakfast at our B&B).

Yep, Bookman/BookWoman is directly across the street from the Pancake Pantry, and consistently gets "best of" awards in town. If you're into indie record shops as well, Grimey's gets my vote - on 8th Avenue north of Wedgewood. Great place to get great local music.

bookmarking. great suggestions. thanks!

bookmark. Thanks!

I was just in Nashville last week, for the second visit. Nashville resembles Brisbane in size, topography, and humid climate, if that is helpful. It was too hot for much strolling last week, so that could happen to you in September.

Cheekwood is definitely not a plantation, it was built in the 1930s as a mansion. I found the neighborhood more interesting than the house and grounds. Belle Mead I think is overrated, if you want to see a plantation go to The Hermitage which is historic as Andrew Jackson’s home as well as a being a former plantation. I haven’t been to Franklin but will visit there next trip.

The Gaylord is I think worth a walk through, but you should park at the huge shopping mall nearby for free— the Gaylord charges a flat $20/day for parking! The huge mall had little appeal for me, sorry I even set foot in it.

I did not go downtown this trip, but 2 years ago I did and exhaustively tried to find country music and there was none to be found. Every single bar (and I tried them all) was playing 70s rock covers (Sweet Home Alabama, Brown Sugar, etc, the same songs in every bar). We even asked at the Orchid Lounge and the guy working there said he didn’t like it but that there was no country music to be had on week nights, we’d have to come back on the weekend. Not sure that it is still that way, but something to keep in mind. The Grand Old Opry has shows some week nights— again, park at the mall if you go there, it’s right next to the Gaylord Hotel.

When I said I tried all the bars looking for country music, I meant the ones on 2nd and then those on Broadway, the main tourist area. I didn't try the Bluebird which is elsewhere, or other parts of the city.

The Parthenon is quite good, also.

The Courtyard downtown is a terrific location if you want to BE downtown. and be sure to go to 417 Union for breakfast (every day, all day) or lunch. This is the site of one of Nashville's most historic old restaurants, updated with a great menu and more-than-reasonable prices. And a full bar -- you'll see ppl there at 8 a.m. having a beer with breakfast . . . I grew up in Nashville and now live two hours away and find something new and fun to do every time I'm there. Hope you love it too! When you have your dates, be sure to check the concert schedule at the Ryman -- fantastic not-too-big venue with major names (mostly not country!) all the time.

Having lived in Middle TN my entire life (one year in Nashville), here are a few things to do. These are just personal suggestions and may not fit everyone's taste. Check out The Parthanon (the grounds are free but it does have a museum that isn't...still really cool!). Gaylod would be a great stop, but as the other readers mentioned, park at the mall and walk to avoid the charges. Great photography chances in there. The Ryman is great- see who is playing. Park downtown and just walk around. September should have nice weather. If you want to eat at places that have national recognition check out the Loveless cafe and Pandcake Pantry. The Hermatige is great as well if you like historic sites. You will need a car in Nashville if you plan on seeing the entire city & outskirts. Cheekwood is a great place to visit! My fiance had a buy 1 get one free coupon so we only paid $10. If you can find coupons, it is worth it! The Frist Art Museum is cool as well. Check them out online and see what exhibits are there. The Country Music Hall of Fame is neat to visit as are some of the bars on Broadway. The General Jackson Showboat is right there at Gaylord/OpryMills. Check it out if you want to cruise down the Cumberland River. The Capitol Bldg is really cool for history buffs- one of the designers of the building is burried in it! The materials used to make the bldg are all from TN, and it took 15 years to complete! The shops in Hilsboro Village near Vandy are pretty neat. Also, check out Percy Warner or Edwin Warner Park-(Percy Warner is bigger I think), for a nice picnic. Radnor Lake is nice too. The Bicentennial Mall is cool (another freebie). Not sure why types of meals you all like, but there are yummy spots downtown and around the Vanderbilt area. If you are Vegan/Vegetarian you MUST check out The Wild Cow on Eastland. So YUMMY! If they have their chocolate heaven cake- GET IT! Fiddlecakes on 8th (I believe) has yummies for those who are glueten free. Their vegan choc chip cookies are to die for!!! Search for passes like a Music City Events Pass. You may be able to do a few things for one price, saving you $10+ overall. Franklin is not that far (maybe 25 min.) They have a cool historic district you might want to check out. I would wait on Memphis and do it as a sepreate trip. It is a 3.5 hour drive. I hope this review helped. Just a few things that you might want to check out while you are here. Have fun during your stay!!! I think you'll really enjoy it!

I almost forgot- if you live vineyards- check out Arrington Vineyards. It's owned by Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn! The scenery is stunning & the tastings are free! Rasberry dessert wine with their dark choc truffles..YUM!!! A nice spot to relax and unwind. I think they still have live music there too. http://www.arringtonvineyards.com/

@Pittsburgher: thanks for the tip on 417 Union for breakfast! I am staying at downtown Courtyard in a couple of weeks and was hoping to find a fun place for breakfast since it is not included with the room.

we stayed at the Hutton lat year and loved it. upscale, intimate and has a very nice restaurant. the Gaylord is loud, has terrible restaurants, is so far away from the city that when we have stayed there in the past, really didn't feel like we were in Nashville. on the other hand, it is a do not miss experience. so either stay there one night or at least spend half a day wondering around it. it's huge, colorful, and quite incredible. downtown Nashville is one of the rare walk around cities in the U.S. Museums, good restaurants, nice people,etc. By the way, the Wyndham hotel in downtown Nashville is the old union station. we have never stayed there but like to wander thru there. i would also recommend going to Central Market. it;s a grocery store but a wonderful one. great place for lunch and near a nice shopping center. tour the Vanderbilt campus and of course the nightclubs have very good music.

My guess is that the OP's trip is already past. I'm posting here to rebut the idea that a tourist must have a car in Nashville. As long as you stay downtown, you're fine. Many of the city's attractions are within walking distance from the downtown hotels. And you're not too far from the city bus hub terminal, which is about two blocks from the capitol building -- several attractions in the city but not downtown (including the Opryland area) can be reached via city bus. I spent four days sightseeing in the city without a car successfully.

The only exceptions to this are some of the outlying historic houses, though one can take a Gray Line tour that stops at both The Hermitage and Belle Meade in one trip. Cheekwood is only reachable by car, though.

By the way, I did not at all like the collection of paintings at The Parthenon, though the building itself is kind of fun in a kitschy way.

Sorry to ask, but would you also find the Parthenon in Athens 'kitschy?'
The one in Nashville is an exact replica . . . Don't know what exhibit was up but they change on a regular basis. The builidng always stays the same -- just like the one in Athens . . .

Pittsburgher -- no, the Parthenon in Athens is the original and I don't see a basis for calling it kitsch. The Parthenon in Nashville is in essence a spruced up knock-off, which could potentially qualify it as kitsch. In the same way, one could also consider a contemporary artist's painted copy of the "Mona Lisa" to potentially be kitsch.

Regardless, I didn't at all care for the collection of paintings I saw in the lower gallery of the place. Upstairs, there were copies of the Elgin Marbles and a huge, showy statue of Athena. The last of these contributed to the kitschy feeling of the place, at least for me.

Memphis is very much worth a visit for Graceland, the Civil Rights Museum, and, especially, Beale Street.

Curious about the Wildhorse Saloon downtown. It was a hoot :) Somewhat touristy and wondering if it IS just touristy, and how many of us there are tourists! Having said that, it looked like there was a bachelorette party there. So is it popular with locals too?

travelinjo - I wouldn't say it's extremely popular with locals (the people I know who honky-tonk usually go to Tootsie's, Robert's or the Stage), but there were probably some locals in there. I've seen several posts on Fodor's from people coming to Nashville specifically for a bachelorette party, so that group may or may not have been Nashville residents, but downtown in general (honky-tonks, Big Bang) is a pretty popular spot for that sort of thing.