Out of Country, Out of Music in Nashville

Nashville has a lot to offer besides music. Having lived here most of my life, I have seen it change from a country town to a large metropolitan city. It offers ,of course, music, film, plays, historical sites, parks, lakes, and anything else one desires.Some of the most beautiful places for scenery can be found in the surrounding countrysides.

The best time to visit is spring and fall. Summers are hot and extremely humid.Winters are cold though mostly dry with very little problems with ice as you would find in eastern Tennessee. People with allergies may have problems during seasonal changes as Nashville lies in a basin and has high pollen concentration during certain times.

Also avoid coming during the CMA Fest if not a country music fan as the crowds are huge.During this time most hotels are sold out in the downtown area. Long lines are everywhere on lower Broad ans traffic is awful.

Staying downtown allows you to walk to many places. Cars are a must for getting out and about to visit the lakes, parks, historical sites such as The Hermitage, the Home of Andrew Jackson,located in Hermitage ,a suburb about twenty miles out.Other historical sites for history buffs are the Bellemeade Mansion located in the high-end area known as Bellemeade.Travelers Rest out Franklin Rd not far from downtown is also open for tours.

About fifty miles from Nashville in an area known as Gladeville is the new Nashville Speedway.A must for NASCAR fans and racing fans alike.This is located near Lebanon,one of the antique capitals in Tennessee.These quaint shops are stretched around the town square.People travel for miles to this historic town.

For nature lovers, there is the beautiful cheekwood Gardens also located in Bellemeade.Centennial Park also has beautiful gardens as well as the famous Parthenon, a replica of the Greek original.
Percy Warner Park is a large area for hiking and horse-back riding.There are places to picnic along the way.

The Chamber of Commerce can provide lots of information for a variety of things to do. And if you're into music...just get ready ...you are in Nashville, Music Capital ,USA !!!!

The hotel is nice, with spacious rooms. It offers full service and is in an ideal location for walking around Nashville. Nearby is the Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame, shopping, great restaurants, Capitol building, Riverfront Park, Printers Alley, and wonderful little honky-tonks on lower Broad.

This is a fondue delight. A great spot for a romantic dinner for two or a large family gathering. Menu items include cheese fondue, cold water lobster tails, Ahi tuna, and my favorite, peppercorn pork tenderloin with garden vegetables. Top it all off with Flaming Turtle for dessert, milk chocolate flambeed with caramel and pecans fruit and cake.

This has been voted #1 for the past several years for the best Cheeseburgers in Nashville.It has been around for years and a favorite for the local college crowds.Lunch can be crowded so opt for an early supper instead.Prices are reasonable .

The Frist Center offers new exhibits every month. Currently, the American Folk Art is drawing large crowds, mainly due to the Grandma Moses paintings.One of my favorite shows was the Picasso exhibit. Whatever your taste is in art, you will find something to your liking at the Frist.

Near the downtown area is a new Farmers Market filled with local produce and flowers. There are also great ethnic restaurants where many Capitol Hill suits eat for lunch. My favorite is Swetts, which has been in Nashville for years. They specialize in Southern soul food with great prices.

Lower Broadway is the area starting at First Avenue and ending around the post office.Once a crime-infested area with porn shops and sleazy bars,and now a totally revitalized location .

.The atmosphere has always been and remains the same...the place to dream of being a star.Everyday, buses drop off people carrying guitars.They can be heard singing and playing all over lower Broad in honky tonks and on sidewalks,hoping that someone will discover them.

Take a stroll down near the Riverfront Park.There are lots of restaurants to choose from including the Hardrock located directly across the street from the park. Continue to walk up the street and sample the "music side" of Nashville.There are souveneire shops ,of course, where you can get your western hat and Kenny Chesney wife-beater t-shirt.

Never leave without first going into Tootsies Orchid Lounge. An institution in itself.You can hear the music from the street and oh,how sweet the sound!

Everyone who lives in Nashville knows about Leipers Fork, but few visitors do. It is a quiet little town (six stores) where several famous people in the music business live. Not far from Nashville (30 miles), and near the historic town of Franklin where the Battle of Franklin was located,is the quiet getaway.

Puckets Grocery famous for its ties to the Opra Show where Tim and Faith filmed their appearance, is as famous for its food as its connections to the music industry.You never know who might drop by for a bologna sandwich or to sing a tune.