Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Found in Downtown Nashville, the Country
Music Hall of Fame is one of the world's largest museums and
research centres for American music. The core exhibit is Sing Me
Back Home, a journey through the history of country music, drawing
on the museum's rich collection of costumes, memorabilia,
instruments, photographs and manuscripts. Temporary displays focus
on individual Hall of Fame inductees, and the Archive Spotlight
Series highlights specific themes from the main exhibition. There's
a big assemblage of moving images, recorded sounds and photographs,
as well as media on the development of recordings, filming and
photography. Among the exhibits are Elvis Presley's gold-leaf
covered Cadillac, Emmy Lou Harris' jewelled cowboy boots and Bob
Dylan's autographed lyric sheets.
The Country Music Hall of Fame
Sean Russell
Ryman Auditorium
Built in 1892, the Ryman Auditorium is
regarded as the founding home of country music, having hosted the
world-renowned Grand Ole Opry radio show until 1974. Originally
serving as an evangelical meeting hall, regular performances by
gospel singers and choirs became more common with passing years,
with music eventually becoming the building's main focus. Nicknamed
the Mother Church of Country Music, superstars like Sarah
Bernhardt, Patsy Cline and Elvis Presly have all taken to its
stage. Now restored, it holds regular concerts while also operating
as a museum, detailing its rich history and offering exhibits
highlighting all the great names to have walked through its
doors.
Ryman Auditorium
Daniel Schwen
Grand Ole Opry
No visit to Nashville is complete without
attending a show at the Grand Ole Opry, which has been going strong
on the airwaves since 1925. From a vast 4,400 seat auditorium on
Opryland Drive, the world's longest running radio show is still
broadcast on the Nashville station WSM (650 on the AM dial),
featuring new stars and legends of country and bluegrass music
performing live on stage. From February to October, the shows are
hosted by the new Grand Ole Opry House while the winter run from
November to January is hosted by the Opry's former smaller home,
the Ryman Auditorium.
Grand Ole Opry House
Adam Mcmaster
Belle Meade Plantation
Belle Meade Plantation is home to an 1853 Greek
Revival mansion carefully restored to show off its original
elegance. The plantation was founded in 1807 by John Harding, who
brought thoroughbred horses for racing and breeding to Tennessee
from the commonwealth of Virginia. Visitors to the plantation today
can view the authentic Civil War bullet holes that riddle the old
mansion's pillars. Among the outbuildings that survive on the 30
acre (12 ha) site is one of the oldest houses in Tennessee, a log
cabin built in 1790. There is also a carriage house, visitor
centre, tearoom and gift shop. Tours of the antebellum furnished
mansion and grounds are given by guides dressed in period
costume.
Belle Meade Plantation
Colin1769
Parthenon
The centrepiece of Nashville's Centennial
Park is the world's only full-scale replica of the Parthenon in
Athens, complete with a re-creation of the 42ft (13m) high statue
of Athena that stood outside the temple in ancient Greece. Like the
original, the Parthenon in Nashville faces east to let in light as
the sun rises. The Parthenon was originally built for Tennessee's
1897 Centennial Exposition, with direct plaster casts of the
Parthenon Marbles and sculptures which adorned the pediment of the
temple from 438 BC. The massive bronze doors measuring 24 feet high
and 7 feet across come in two sets of two, making them the largest
set of matching doors in the world. Today, the Parthenon in
Nashville serves as the city's art museum, with a collection
highlighting 19th and 20th century American artists.
The Parthenon
Mayur Phadtare
Tennessee State Museum
One of the largest of its kind in the United States, the
Tennessee State Museum tells the story of the region from
prehistoric times to the modern day. Founded originally as a
portrait gallery, the collection has grown to encompass anything
from natural history, first peoples and the throes of independence
to civil war, world wars and the Cold War era. Alongside these are
numerous temporary exhibits, covering things such as the women's
vote and Tennessee's musical heritage, as well as permanent
displays of well-preserved artefacts . Also featured are
recreations of a 19th-century gristmill, an 18th-century print shop
and a Victorian painting gallery.
American Civil War cannon
Charles Edward
Nashville has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and
cold winters. Ample annual rainfall keeps things green, but there
are enough sunny days in between to keep everyone happy. Summers
(June to August) can be very humid, which pushes up the discomfort
index even if temperatures do not hit major highs; temperatures
average between 79°F (26°C) and 90°F (32°C) in summer. Winters
(December to February) are mild to cold, with light snowfall.
Average temperatures range from 28°F (-2°C) to 52°F (11°C).
Nashville has long springs and autumns and with its diverse array
of trees and flowers, this could make it uncomfortable for allergy
sufferers.
Nashville International Airport
Location: The airport is situated nine miles (14km) southeast of
downtown Nashville.
Time: GMT -6 (GMT -5 from mid-March to the first Sunday
in November).
Getting to the city:
WeGo Public Transit has a bus service from the airport to the
downtown transit station via Route 18; it operates roughly once an
hour from around 5:30am to 11:50pm on weekdays, and from around 7am
to 10:50pm on weekends and holidays.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies represented at Nashville International
Airport include Advantage, Alamo, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, Dollar,
Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available from the airport, however it is advisable to
book a taxi in advance. Taxi companies approved by the airport are
Allied Cab, American Music City Cab, Checker Cab, Green Cab, Magic
Taxi, NashVegas Cab, Nashville Cab, Pink Cab, TennCab, TN National
Cab, Volunteer Cab, and Yellow Cab.
Facilities:
There are extensive facilities at the airport including a bank,
ATMs and postal services. There are numerous restaurants, from fast
food outlets to fine dining eateries, as well as several shops. The
airport also has art exhibitions and live music performances on the
ticketing level, children's play areas, meditation rooms and a
massage bar, where professional massage therapists offer seated
chair massages. Smoking is permitted in designated lounges. A
business centre offers fax, photocopy and internet services. There
are good facilities for the disabled; those with special
requirements should contact their airline in advance.
Parking
Short-term parking is free for the first 20 minutes, and $8 for
an hour up and a daily rate of $24. Long-term Lot A is $8 per hour
with a daily rate of $18, and Lot B charges $12 per day. The
short-term lot is within walking distance of the terminal, while
the other lots offer free shuttle services, beginning at 3.30am
daily and ending 45 minutes after the last flight of the day.
Rock n Roll Marathon
Music lovers take to the streets each year
to run the Rock 'n Roll Marathon (or a half marathon), vying for
trophies and prizes with all proceeds of the race going to charity.
The race is part of the Rock 'n Roll Marathon series and is
well-organized and smoothly run. The runners are encouraged by the
strains of more than 50 bands on about two dozen stages set up
along the marathon route, culminating in a massive concert with a
top country star which is free for runners. The runs aren't too
difficult, while the weather in April is perfect for running in
Tennessee. There's also a cheerleading contest and even a small
course for kids.
![Marathon runners]()
Marathon runners
Mike Spille
CMA Fest
Country music lovers should make sure to be
in Nashville during June for CMA Fest and its feast of four big
concerts. The event allows fans to interact with the genre's big
names who go all out to meet the fans and happily pose for
photographs and sign autographs as they wander through the event
and activity venues. CMA Fest is aimed at artists getting to know
their fans who flock to Nashville in their tens of thousands for
the nightly concerts and all-day non-stop music at Riverfront Park.
Up-and-coming artists are also showcased and festival-goers are
given the chance to be the first to see tomorrow's stars in the
making.
Venue:
Various throughout downtown
![Pig Race]()
Pig Race
Lorax
Bonnaroo Music Festival
Bonnaroo is an American music festival that
attracts premier artists, rapidly growing into one of the country's
coolest and most popular outdoor festivals. Each year, Bonnaroo
draws up to 80,000 people to a 700-acre (283 ha) farm just outside
Manchester, Tennessee. Year after year, a diverse line-up grace the
festival's many stages in this idyllic setting, showcasing the very
best in a huge array of musical genres. Notable past performers
include Radiohead, Bruce Springsteen and Elton John. Artisans sell
unique products, organic food and drink, while revellers enjoy
silent discos, cinema tents and a Ferris wheel. All in all, a great
time is pretty much guaranteed but book well in advance, as the
festival is routinely sold out.
Venue:
Just outside Manchester, Tennessee
![Bonnaroo Music Festival]()
Bonnaroo Music Festival
Jon Elbaz
![]()
The home of country music, Nashville is big
on entertainment. With a music industry that keeps on churning out
headlining acts, visitors are sure to have a good time when they
hit the Nashville streets for a night out. But don't be fooled by
the charming southern drawl, this city isn't just about country.
Visitors will find enough rock, jazz, bluegrass and gospel for any
discerning taste.
First stop has to be the District, a
historic neighbourhood containing beautiful architecture and great
southern mansions, with trolley rides or a horse-drawn buggy both
good options for taking in the area's sights and sounds. Crammed
with nightclubs, bars and restaurants, the District is the heart of
Nashville's party scene, particularly Second Avenue's clubs and
restaurants. Printer's Avenue is also a good spot for a night on
the town and is one of the oldest areas in the District. So too is
Lower Broadway, home of the legendary Tootsie's Orchid Lounge where
many previously unknown artists have been discovered.
For a more relaxed night out, look no
further than Music Valley where you'll find the long-running
country music radio broadcast known as the Grand Ole Opry House as
well as Nashville Palace and the Opryland Hotel. These bars feature
live music while Five Points neighbourhood contains some great bars
and cafés for a mellow night out.
Buses and trolleys operate in the streets
of Nashville, with the WeGo Public Transit running over 50 routes
throughout the city. The daily Bus 34 is the Opry Mills Route that
links the downtown district with Opryland while the downtown area
and attractions are easily walkable.
There are several taxi companies operating
in Nashville, and the major car rental companies offer services.
Driving in Nashville's small downtown area can be frustrating but a
hired car is useful for excursions out of town.
Nashville is well known as the country
music capital of the world, so it's no surprise that many of its
most popular attractions are music-related. The Country Music Hall
of Fame and Museum is a great place to learn about the history of
the beloved genre, while the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium
offer the opportunity to catch popular acts in equally-famous
settings. The General Jackson Showboat also offers dinner
entertainment on a historic 300-foot (91m) paddleboat.
But there's more to offer tourists in
Nashville than just country music. Visitors can learn about the
city's long and proud history at the Tennessee State Museum and the
Belle Meade Plantation. The city also has plenty of pretty outdoor
spaces including Radnor, Centennial Park and Nashville's famous
Parthenon. There are numerous golf courses for those wanting to hit
the greens while children will enjoy the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
and the Adventure Science Center.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
East of Nashville on the border between
Tennessee and North Carolina lies the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park. Covering more than one and a half million acres, the
park is the largest in the eastern United States and most visited
in the country. A designated International Biosphere Reserve and a
World Heritage Site, it draws millions of visitors every year with
its panoramic views, tumbling mountain streams and uninterrupted
forest. The mountains are home to a variety of plant and animal
life, many of which are unique to the area. A symbol of the
Smokies, the American Black Bear is probably the most famous
resident, while rarer inhabitants include the river otter, elk and
Peregrine Falcon. The park offers numerous outdoor activities and
glimpses into early Appalachian farm life, with 77 historic
structures like barns, churches and gristmills.
Chattanooga
The fourth largest city in Tennessee,
Chattanooga lies at the junction of four interstate highways and
well worth a visit. The city has had a renaissance in recent years,
redeveloping its riverfront and downtown area to offer an extensive
greenway system and river walk through the historic art district
and several beautiful parks. Main attractions in the city are the
Tennessee Aquarium, Civil War battlefields, the Bessie Smith
Cultural Center and a Creative Discovery Museum, as well as the
renowned Jack Daniels distillery. The Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel,
named after the song, provides the opportunity to sleep in
historically decorated train cars and to look at models of trains
and trolleys used in the city over the years. The main destination
for visitors to Chattanooga is Lookout Mountain, offering its
historic Incline Railway, the steepest passenger railway in the
world offering panoramic city views, and the Great Smoky Mountains
100 miles (161km) away. Lookout Mountain is also home to Battles
for Chattanooga Museum, the underground Ruby Falls and Rock City
Gardens, from where it's possible to view seven states on a clear
day. There are zipline tours available from Ruby Falls, an
adventurous way to take in both the falls and the beautiful
mountains.
![Chattanooga Choo-Choo sign]()
Chattanooga Choo-Choo sign
Knoxville
Visitors are treated to plenty of
attractions in Knoxville, a three hour drive east of the more
illustrious Nashville. Just a stone's throw away sits the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park, while downtown Knoxville is home to
the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the historic Tennessee
Theatre. Home to the University of Tennessee, a ticket to a Vols
football game is a must, with their fanatical orange-clad
supporters and their monstrous 110,000 seater stadium. Lastly, the
downtown area known as the Jackson Avenue Warehouse District is
full of soot-blackened buildings, jazz bars and funky homestyle
restaurants, immortalised by Cormac McCarthy's sprawling novel
Suttree.
The Country Music Hall of Fame
Sean Russell
Ryman Auditorium
Daniel Schwen
Grand Ole Opry House
Adam Mcmaster
Belle Meade Plantation
Colin1769
The Parthenon
Mayur Phadtare
American Civil War cannon
Charles Edward
Marathon runners
Mike Spille
Pig Race
Lorax
Bonnaroo Music Festival
Jon Elbaz
Chattanooga Choo-Choo sign
