Nashville, Tennessee – More Than Meets the Eye

Nashville is best known as country music capital of the world. While that may be true, there is more to do in Nashville than hit up music row. Here are some notable places to visit when staying in Nashville, TN.

OK, I will start with a Country Music Landmark because we are still talking about Nashville. I wholly recommend taking a tour of the Ryman Auditorium (former site of the Grand Ole Opry). The Ryman is open to tours from 9 – 4 and you can do a guided tour or head out on your own. I also recommend getting tickets to one of the shows. It is truly something to witness as you feel like you are becoming a part of history just being there.

The Grand Ole Opry Muesum: The museum is right next to Opry Plaza area near the Grand Ole Opry House.At the museum you can view tributes to those well known country legends like Patsy Cline, Tex Ritter, Roy Acuff, Marty Robbins, Minnie Pearl, George Jones, Jim Reeves Reba McEntire and Garth Brooks. Displays feature special audio and video electronic effects and interactive devices so you can hear the music as you relive the history of country music.

Opryland Hotel Indoor Garden and Collections: This place is simply amazing and I go there every time I visit Nashville. There are three nationally acclaimed indoor gardens: The Conservatory, The Cascades, and The Delta. The Conservatory covers two acres and is devoted solely to tropical plants. The Cascades also covers two acres and features waterfalls cascading into a 12,500 square-foot indoor lake. The Delta covers 4.5 acres and features restaurants, shops and a fountain that sends out jets of water 85 feet into the air. A breathtaking river runs through it with passenger-carrying boats. Best part is you could literally spend the day here and the admission is free!

NashTrash Tours: The Jugg Sisters will have you laughing and singing all afternoon. As you visit all the major attractions in the city, you will hear the satirical and very risque commentary of the sisters while riding in comfort on their tacky pink bus. NashTrash Tours is not a very sophisticated ride, as alcohol is allowed to be consumed on the bus, so you might be best to leave the kids at home. If you don’t mind the overall “hillbilly” theme, you’re sure to have a grand time.

Adventure Science Center: The thrill of scientific discovery awaits you! Explore over 150 interactive exhibits and programs for children and adults. View the heavens from the 40-foot Sudekum Planetarium. Climb seven interactive levels to the top of the Adventure Tower, and experience BodyQuest, an exciting tour through the human body.

Wave Country: It features a number of water slides and a wave machine that creates surf up to four-feet high. There is a park withs picnic areas and space for kids to play outdoors. Admission: $8 for 13 and older, $7 for 12 and younger, 4 and under is free. Free parking. Rental Floats $4.

General Jackson Showboat: This 100-yard paddle-wheeler cruises the Cumberland River each day. Once aboard, the atmosphere and hospitality will usher you back to the 19th century. Daytime cruise includes a lunch buffet and service by a singing staff. The three-hour dinner cruise includes a three-course meal and entertainment provided by a swing band and dancing in the ballroom. Daytime cruise: $34 per person; evening cruise: $62. Note: price does not include appetizers or wine.

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere: This 200-acre ‘walk-through’ zoological park is home to the rare and beautiful. You’ll encounter cougars, black bears, Bengal tigers, zebras, cheetahs and playful river otters. Kids can even go a bit wild on ‘The Jungle Gym’ playground. The Croft Center, named for the sisters who left the estate to Grassmere, houses the ‘Unseen New World’ exhibit and a variety of reptiles. There is also a working farm exhibit and petting zoo.

Belle Meade Plantation: This 1853 Greek revival mansion was once the centerpiece of a 5,400-acre, 19th century thoroughbred farm and nursery. Still referred to as the “Queen of Tennessee plantations,” the present thirty-acre site includes many of the original outbuildings and an antique carriage collection. Allow one hour to tour the mansion and grounds. Multi-lingual grounds cards are available in Japanese, French, German, and Spanish.

Bicentennial Mall State Park: This 19-acre park was built in 1996 to commemorate Tennessee’s 200 years of statehood. It provides wonderful views of the city and features a 200-foot granite map of Tennessee, which is bordered by thirty-one fountains that represent all of the state’s rivers. There is also a 1,400-foot granite time line documenting Tennessee’s history, 2,000-seat amphitheater, botanical garden, and visitor center. Allow at least an hour to tour the entire park. Restrooms, a gift shop and restaurants are adjacent to the park. Admission: Free, but special events may have an entrance fee.

Nightlife in Nashville is wild and anywhere you go you can experience live music, line dancing, karaoke and countless other ways to let loose on vacation….I highly recommend heading down to Second Ave as you can literally walk from bar to bar to restaurant to bar! Some of the bars on Second Ave are Graham Central Station, Wildhorse Saloon, Joe’s Crabshack, Bar of Nashville, Beer Cellar, BB King’s own Burboun Street Blues and Boogie. Some other recommended bars include Legends Corner and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge – still within walking distance from Second Ave!

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