Meg_R

Hi!

I'm traveling down to Nashville with a friend for the first time in mid-August for a wedding, but are staying 2.5 extra days to explore the city. We're new york city-ers so we're very used to public transportation, and not used to driving cars in unfamiliar cities...but can easily do it.

We're staying at the Courtyard Marriott right next to Vanderbilt but don't know if we should rent a car for the entire trip, just a day, or if we can possibly get away with not renting one at all. Being used to NYC, we're fine with walking long distances..but don't want to be walking along major roads and such to see the sights.

Do most people rent a car? Are we going to miss out on major sights if we don't?

stumpworks73

Nashville isn't a great taxi city, like most mid-size towns.

The West End has a good selection of restaurants that are walking distance. You might call the Courtyard and ask if they are generous with their shuttle for nearby destinations. Possible they would drop you at Ryman or Music Row.

You need wheels to get to Grand Ole Opry (if it's re-opned). The Blue Bird is a taxi ride. Depends on what else you are planning on doing.

bachslunch

I spent several days in Nashville as a tourist and did fine without a car. But there are a couple things to keep in mind if you want to go this route:

--stay downtown, and for two reasons. First, many attractions are located in this part of the city. Second, the central bus terminal for the city is located a couple blocks away from the state capitol building.

--there is a Gray Line tour that goes to a couple of the major outlying plantations that can't be reached via public transportation, specifically The Hermitage and Belle Meade.

--you can reach most in-city-limits attractions by using the city bus, including The Parthenon, the Opryland area (yes, you can take the 34 bus there from downtown), Belmont Mansion, and the Lane Motor Museum. They're all on different bus lines, though, so you'll need to plan things out a little.

--some attractions well outside the city, such as Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Art Museum, Carnton Plantation, and Stones River Battlefield Site, are indeed not reachable via public transportation as far as I know. You'll need a car for these.

Staying near Vanderbilt without a car will complicate things a little more for some attractions, as you'll have to take a bus into the downtown hub and transfer. The Parthenon should be within easy walking distance from Vanderbilt, and Belmont Mansion will be a bit further walk away but still manageable enough. And the downtown attractions are a single bus ride away, without having to do a transfer.

musicfan

Lots of good info from bachslunch above.

Of my three most recent trips to Nashville, I only had a car for one of them, and it was fine. BUT I stayed downtown (Vanderbilt isn't downtown) so that helped a lot. And you probably won't be heading over to the Opryland area anyway as I don't think anything there has re-opened. I was there the weekend of the flood and followed the aftermath from home.

I also used the Grayline Airport Shuttle for my trip into town and back to the airport. It's $20 for the round-trip if you buy both ways at the same time and is very cost-effective if you are traveling alone.

Hope you have a wonderful time! I love Nashville!

bachslunch

Should note that the bus that goes from downtown to the Opry area I originally took on my visit was the 34X (the Opryland Express), and that route may still be suspended for the time being since there likely is still flood damage to the Opryland complex.

See this link:

http://www.unitedwaynashville.org/co...ce_5-19-10.pdf

It looks like the 34 bus does go close by, though.

Might be a good idea to call and see what's open in the Opryland area before visiting.

Meg_R

Thanks everyone!

I just came back from the trip (had a fantastic time!). I ended up renting a car for two days, but probably could have just done a one day rental to save the most.

THe Courtyard Marriot by Vanderbilt IS a a little too far to walk downtown (a mile in new york city is much easier than a mile walked in the blistering heat of Nashville's August). But it does offer complimentary shuttle service so no need for a cab (you just call a phone number and they come and pick you up...great way to hit up some bars without having to worry about a designated driver).

While there are greyline shuttles to take you to the further out attractions (we went to the hermitage), they cost the same as renting a car for the day. Everything else we did was either walkable (Vanderbilt and the Parthenon) or in the succint downtown area (we did the Country Music Hall of Fame, Cheekwood, the Ryman and the multiple bars/shops on music row).

Thanks to everyone for their recommendations!

jent103

Meg, I'm glad you had a good time! It's been hotter than usual all summer... you have to laugh when they say we're hitting a cool spell in only the low nineties!

Just in case anyone comes across this in research, the Opryland complex is not yet reopened. The Opry House is scheduled to reopen in October, and Opryland Hotel is planning to reopen in mid-November (in time for Christmas visitors). The Opry is being held at the Ryman or other venues until October. No real word on Opry Mills mall - the paper had an article the other day wondering when things would be back there. Sounds like no time soon.