Nashville
Nashville – More than Music City
© Becky Linhardt 2010
Nashville claims the title of Music City – its importance within the recording industry is recognized throughout the world. That music has many forms: Gospel, Jazz, Symphonic, movie tracks, and of course Country Music. Nashville is as multi-dimensional as its songwriters and musicians so take time to enjoy the family fun, the visual arts, the history, as well as the music in Nashville.
What’s Special!
Country Music Hall of Fame
Plan on at least 1 hour and expect that your stay may extend to 2-3 hours of enjoying the visuals and the music that has been so expertly displayed within their huge new building.
Musicians Hall of Fame Museum
Also downtown, the Musicians Hall of Fame honors the talents of the best musicians whether they were on stage facing the audience or in the studion as a session musician.
Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Built with the audience in mind, the flexible first floor seating and open stage of this new building provide exquisite listening experiences for much more than symphonic music and pops concerts.
Nashville Songwriters Association International
Musicians AND fans can join this organization that promotes and protects the intellectual property rights of songwriters and organizes the annual Tin Pan South each spring. See listing
Grayline Tours
Take it easy – take a Grayline Tour to see the city – the music industry and historic buildings you don’t want to miss and then go back to those locations that you really want to experience more personally.
Kids in Space and at the Zoo
Families love the variety of experiences available at the Adventure Science Center, especially the NEW Sudekum Planetarium. And whether a child’s interest is in a Blue Poison Arrow Frog, Toco Toucan, or a Clouded Leopard they are sure to find something interesting at the Nashville Zoo.
Historic Southern Plantation and Homes
Belle Meade Plantation has the feel of the Southern plantations. Belmont Mansion has the stories of female heroism during the Civil War.
Parthenon
This full-scale replica of the famous original in Athens, Greece includes a 42-foot tall statue of Athena in the impressive colonnaded upper level. The lower level has exhibition space and serves as the city’s art museum.
Arts and Gardens
Beautifully landscaped grounds at Creekwood echo the art within the hilltop mansion. Acres of flowering trees make this an especially lovely place to walk in the spring.
Union Station – now a historic hotel
The heavy stone exterior does not prepare you for the light and airy lobby that was once the waiting room and ticketing area for this former train station. The hard wooden benches are gone, replaced by luxuriously comfortable seating that hints at the beauty of the guest rooms. Some tokens of the buildings history as a transportation hub have been preserved to add a bit of fun history.
African American History
Nashville’s Main Library has an extensive collection of Civil Rights documentation as well as genealogical data for those seeking their roots. See separate listing
Grand Ole Opry
What an experience to WATCH a live radio broadcast – commercials and all!
Ryman Auditorium
So much musical history- this building has become a pilgrimage destination.
Frist Center for the Visual Arts
The decision NOT to have a permanent collection means that the museum funds are spent to bring in some of the most exciting traveling exhibitions available.
History nearby – Hermitage and Traveler’s Rest
The Tennessee State Museum in town has a wonderful collection but for a down-home look at life in Tennessee’s early years take time to go east into the more rural countryside to visit both the historic Traveler’s Rest and Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage.
For more information: 800-657-6910 or www.visitmusiccity.com