Nashville

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Nashville, so much more than just country music

A travel journal to Nashville by Tideone

Ryman AuditoriumMore Photos

When most people think of Nashville, Tennessee, the first thing they probably think of is country music. While country music is a big part of the Nashville scene, especially with the Grand Ole Opry, there is so much more for a visitor to see and do, especially in the fall and winter now that Nashville has a National Hockey League team, the Predators. Nashville is one of my favorite places to visit because there is so much to see and do even though Opryland is now gone, which is really a sore spot with me because it was one of my favorite amusement parks. Gaylord Entertainment has replaced it with Opry Mills, a gigantic outlet mall and entertainment center but I am sorry it is just not the same.

  • 14 reviews
  • 2 stories/tips
  • 10 photos

Nashville, so much more than just country musicBest of IgoUgo

Overview

One of most memorable moments in Nashville was riding the Broadway Dinner Train, which unfortunately has gone out of business, although the Tennessee Central Railway is reportedly offering dinner trips on some of its trains. I am sorry the Broadway Dinner Train went out of business because it is one of most fun things my wife and I have ever done. After boarding the train in downtown Nashville, the train began winding its way through the suburbs of the city, while we were served a gourmet meal, complete from soup to nuts with beef wellington in between. After dinner there was entertainment in the lounge cars, although my wife and I and some other couples were rather amused by the couple in the dome car, who seemed oblivious to everyone else in the car. I just hope there hotel room was close when we got back.

Quick Tips:

One place I would suggest visiting while in Nashville is the Upper Room Chapel. It is located close to the Vanderbilt University campus in West End but it is worth the drive from downtown. It is very awe inspiring.

Best Way To Get Around:

The best way to get around is by car or take a tour bus to see all of the attractions.

Ramada Inn and Suites Opryland AirportBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Ramada Inn & Suites"

This hotel is very conveniently located, just a short distance from Briley Parkway, near the Grand Ole Opry, the airport and downtown.

We had a two bedroom suite with full kitchen (which we did not use) and living room, for the price of what one room would have cost almost anywhere else.

Our suite was very small, but it still worked out just right for us traveling with in-laws. There is also a free continental breakfast each morning.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Tideone on December 18, 2000

Ramada Inn and Suites Opryland Airport
2425 ATRIUM WAY Nashville, Tennessee 37214
615-883-5201

Doubletree Hotel NashvilleBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Doubletree"

This used to be our favorite place to stay when we came to Nashville before the Hilton opened. But we would still recommend this hotel highly as it is very reasonably priced for a downtown hotel that is very convenient to the convention center and arena. The hotel features 338 rooms and luxury parlor suites. I have never stayed in a parlor suite but the rooms we have stayed in are very nice. Due to the construction of the hotel, all rooms are different shapes, primarily pie shapes. The other great thing about this hotel and all Doubletrees are the great chocolate chip cookies you get when checking in.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on December 18, 2000

Doubletree Hotel Nashville
315 4TH AVE NORTH Nashville, Tennessee 37219
615 244-8200

Hilton Nashville DowntownBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Hilton Hotel"

Opening in October, 2000, the Hilton is quickly becoming the place to stay on a visit to Nashville. This upscale all-suite, 12 story, 330 room, hotel is located right in the heart of downtown Nashville, right across the street from the Gaylord Arena and the Convention Center.

The attractions of Broadway and Second Avenue are just a few steps away. Each suite has a refrigerator, microwave and a sofa bed and two televisions - one in the living area and the other in the bedroom. The television in the living room comes with a joystick for playing games in the room. All of the rooms face an indoor atrium - ten stories high - and each of the three elevators has a glass front. Guests also enjoy a two-hour beverage reception each evening and a fully-cooked to order breakfast each morning.

If you ask for an omelette be prepared for the biggest one you have ever seen.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on December 18, 2000

Hilton Nashville Downtown
121 4th Avenue South Nashville, Tennessee 37201
(615) 620-1000

Eddie George's Sports Bar and RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Guess the Number
Located in the Hilton and across the street from the Gaylord Arena, this is a great place to gather before or after the game. One word of warning, however, get there early if you want to eat before an event because Eddie's has become a very popular place in just the short time it has been open.

Be sure and try a Titan - A - Rita - the drink they say will help you score the winning touchdown. After about two of these you could probably do a lot more than just score touchdowns. The drink is made from a 60 ounce blend of Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila, Bois Blue Curaco and sweet and sour mix. It is served on the rocks in a salt rim glass and garnished with fresh lime. The price, just $15.99. The menu offers a variety of items - from appetizers to entrees. The cheeseburger was excellent as was the shrimp pizza. Unfortunately the Titans were out of town so we did not get to see Eddie but maybe next time.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on December 18, 2000

Eddie George's Sports Bar and Restaurant
121 Fourth Avenue South Nashville, Tennessee

The ParthenonBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

You don't have to travel to Greece to see the Parthenon. You only have to travel to Nashville where the world's only full scale replica sits in Centennial Park.

Originally built as part of the 1897 Centennial Exposition, the Parthenon now houses the city's foremost art gallery, although it is the 42-foot statue of Athena that is the focus of the Parthenon just as it was in the original in Athens.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on October 4, 2000

The Parthenon
3415 West End Avenue Nashville, Tennessee 37203
(615) 386-9960

Grand Ole OpryBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

What is a trip to Nashville without a trip to the Grand Ole Opry? While it's not quite the same going to the new Opry House as it was to the old - although the new Opry House has more comfortable seats - the music is still the same.

If you like country music then you can't miss a visit to the Grand Ole Opry but remember performances only take place on Friday and Saturday nights and it is advisable to order tickets in advance. They can be hard to get at the last minute.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on October 4, 2000

Grand Ole Opry
2802 Opryland Dr Nashville, Tennessee 37214
(615) 871-6779

Ryman AuditoriumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Ryman Auditorium
No trip to Nashville is complete without a visit to the Ryman Auditorium, the birthplace of the Grand Ole Opry.
While the Opry no longer performs there having moved out to its new location by the Opryland Hotel in the 1970's, various performances are held there and if you have a chance to attend one, by all means do.
The Ryman is open for self-guided tours daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on October 4, 2000

Ryman Auditorium
116 Fifth Avenue North Nashville, Tennessee 37219
(615) 254-1445

HermitageBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Hermitage"

This is another site that is well worth seeing but be sure to set aside plenty of time to do so.
You will find a trip to the Hermitage, which is located a short distance from downtown Nashville, very worthwhile.
In addition to being able to tour Andrew Jackson's home and paying your respects to he and his wife at their gravesite, there is also several other buildings on the grounds that are worth taking a look at.
These include the log cabins, the slave quarters, and the old Hermitage Church. The 650 acres are especially beautiful in the fall and spring.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on October 4, 2000

Hermitage
Home of President Andrew Jackson Nashville, Tennessee 37076
(615) 889-2941

Upper RoomBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Upper Room Chapel and Museum"

The highlight of a visit here is the chapel to see the 8 foot by 17 foot wood carving of 'The Last Supper.'
The chapel and museum are part of the complex where the Upper Room magazine is produced.
There is also a huge stain glass window at the entrance to the chapel.
The museum has many different religious artifacts.
A great time to visit is around Christmas to see the displays of nativity scenes.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on October 4, 2000

Upper Room
1908 Grand Ave Nashville, Tennessee 37212
+1 615 340 7200

Ernest Tubb Record ShopBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Large selection
If you like country music then this is the place for you to shop. From the very famous to the obscure country music artist, if they ever made a recording then it is sure to be here. One can spend hours going through the thousands and thousands of CD's and other music memorabilia throughout the store. The store was founded by the legendary Ernest Tubb, 54 years ago, to promote country music. Although he started his musical career in Texas, Tubb was the first country artist to record in Nashville and soon after made it his home.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on May 9, 2001

Ernest Tubb Record Shop
417 Broadway Nashville, Tennessee 37203
(615) 255-7503

Bobby Bare TrapBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

A big bear
Another country music star who opened a store close to the Grand Ole Opry was Bobby Bare. His teddy bear store is reportedly the home of over 5,000 teddy bears in all shapes and sizes.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on May 9, 2001

Bobby Bare Trap
433 Opry Mills Drive Nashville, Tennessee 37214
(615) 514-2273

Country Music Hall of Fame and MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Country Music Hall of Fame
This is an old attraction with a new home in downtown Nashville, just a few short blocks from the home of country music, the Ryman Auditorium. If you are a lover of country music, or even if you are not, this is a must see attraction on any trip to Nashville. Everything and anything about country music is located in this new $37 million shrine to America's music.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on May 21, 2001

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
222 Fifth Avenue South Nashville, Tennessee 37203
(615) 416-2001

Nashville Train Store and Toy MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Nashville Toy Museum"

Located across from the Opryland Hotel, this museum has over 1,000 antique toys on display. There are toys of all kinds, including china dolls that date back to 1850, farm toys, boats and ships, and trains. Being a train lover I enjoyed their operating electric train layouts. My wife enjoyed their antique teddy bear collection. This is really a fun place for all ages.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Tideone on January 2, 2001

Nashville Train Store and Toy Museum
2613 McGavock Pike Donelson, Tennessee 37214
+1 615 391 3516

Along the waterfrontBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Strolling along the river
The city of Nashville has been busy revitalizing the downtown area of the city, including the waterfront along the Cumberland River. There is a carousel (see journal entry), riverboat rides, and even a water taxi service to the new Opry Mills. Carriage rides (see journal entry) of the downtown area also depart the riverfront. It is also a great place to come and just chill out on a beautiful mid-south afternoon and enjoy the cool river breeze.

A night at the hockey gameBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

As a surprise for Christmas this year, my wife and I gave my son an early present - a ticket to the Nashville Predators hockey game with the Chicago Blackhawks. The deal was to drive up the afternoon of the game and for my son and I to go to the game, while my wife enjoyed herself next door in our suite at the new Hilton hotel. Inclement weather, severe thunderstorms and torandos, delayed our start to the Music City and for a short while there was even some doubt about attempting to make the trip. However, after paying $75 each for club level seats I was going to do all I could to make it to the game. Arriving a couple of hours before the game didn't leave us much time to do much sightseeing or to grab a bite to eat. We tried several places but were told the waiting time could be anywhere from 45 minutes to over one hour. Not knowing that our tickets included a personal server, who would take your order and bring it to your seat, we opted to try room service at our hotel. (More about that in my entry on the hotel) The weather was turning cold as we walked across the street to the Gaylord Center for the game. We found our way to our seats just before the singing of the national anthem. From the opening faceoff to the final buzzer, there was nothing but non-stop action, both on the ice and off the ice. During any timeouts, there was always some contest or give-away taking place and during the two intermissions the fun really began. A man won a $7,000 hot tub for playing Simon Says during the first intermission and a man won a go cart for winning a race on the ice against two other go carts during the second intermission. In addition, approximately 30 lawn mowers were given away to people sitting in his section. Another highlight of the second intermission was a huge balloon, shaped like a Tiger, that began floating around the rafters of the arena as the PA system played, "Eye of the Tiger." Although the Nashville team lost, 3-0 to the Blackhawks, I think the almost sellout crowd had a great time. I know we did and are looking forward to another game sometime in the future.

About the Writer

Tideone
Tideone
Huntsville, Alabama

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