# Nashville attractions for country music haters? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 28, 2011, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031 "2011-10-28T01:06:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031/1 "2011-10-28T01:06:31Z")
I’m going to Nashville for a conference in early December and was wondering if there were any good attractions there. I have absolutely no interest in seeing the Grand Old Opry or any of that crap. What is there to do in Nashville for someone in my boat? I know it’s where Kesha grew up, but even that in itself isn’t enough to make Nashville a destination for tourists. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031/2 "2011-10-28T01:14:08Z")
There’s [The Hermitage](http://www.thehermitage.com/) (Andrew Jackson’s home now a museum) If you like football, check the schedule, maybe the Titans will be playing at home. ---
**Author:** ![dinahmoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8797f3/32.png) [@dinahmoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dinahmoe)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031/3 "2011-10-28T02:35:23Z")
[The Museum of the Goddess Athena](http://www.goddess-athena.org/Museum/Temples/Nashville/) is pretty neat. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031/4 "2011-10-28T06:33:57Z")
I lived there as a child, 40 years ago, so my info is a little dated. Check out Centennial Park, the Parthenon, the observation deck on the Life and Accident building, and the riverboat at Fort Nashborough. I’m sure there’s live theater and comedy clubs, but couldn’t cite any particulars. Vanderbilt University has a lovely campus, as I recall. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031/5 "2011-10-28T07:11:02Z")
I liked their science center when I was there three years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031/6 "2011-10-28T07:26:02Z")
Here are some links to assist in the search for things to do in Nashville: [http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-191502011-nashville\_vacations-i](http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-191502011-nashville_vacations-i) > **[Visitors | Visit Nashville TN](https://www.visitmusiccity.com/)** > > Official Nashville, TN Visitor and Tourism website that features discount hotels, attractions, things to do, tickets, event listings and more. Find everything you're looking for when you're coming to Nashville, TN - Music City! > **[Nashville, Tennessee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashville,_Tennessee)** > > Nashville is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the seat of Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 U.S. census,\[d\] Nashville is the 21st most-populous city in the United States, and the fourth most populous city in the southeastern U.S. Located on the Cumberland River, the city is the center of the Nashville metropolitan area, and is one of the fastest growing in the nation. > Named for Francis Nash, a general of the Continental Army during th... [http://nashville.about.com/](http://nashville.about.com/) [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=326546&highlight=nashville](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=326546&highlight=nashville) One Day in Nashville: What do you do? [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=596358&highlight=nashville](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=596358&highlight=nashville) Tell me about Nashville Nashville is “Music City USA” for many reasons other than Country. And there are many places to hear all sorts of other types of music if that’s your thing. One site to check for current activities as it gets closer to time to get here is [http://www.nashvillescene.com/](http://www.nashvillescene.com/) ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031/7 "2011-10-28T11:31:26Z")
> [@Zeldar](#): > > Nashville is “Music City USA” for many reasons other than Country. And there are many places to hear all sorts of other types of music if that’s your thing. One site to check for current activities as it gets closer to time to get here is [http://www.nashvillescene.com/](http://www.nashvillescene.com/) Exactly what I was going to post - I have not been, but would love to go. The local band scene is supposed to be great with excellent players everywhere you look. I can appreciate great musicianship regardless of genre… ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031/8 "2011-10-28T11:55:36Z")
You could try to catch a show by [the Protomen](http://www.theprotomen.com)… they’re an indie rock group based out of Nashville that does rock operas based on Mega Man. Great musicians and an awesome fanbase. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031/9 "2011-10-28T12:23:40Z")
Lots of music bars/clubs in Nashville of all genres, not just country. And if I can speak as another non-Country fan, the Country Music Hall of Fame is actually pretty interesting just as a museum of American pop culture. There’s the [Frist Center](http://fristcenter.org/) museum of art which is very nice, and [Cheekwood](http://www.cheekwood.org/) botanical gardens and art museum if you want to see some nice gardens. You don’t say where you’re staying, but you should check out [Gaylord Opryland Resort](http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-opryland/). It’s amazing just to go in and look around; it’s full of shops, restaurants, huge botanical displays, and an actual (artifical) river wandering through the hotel, even boat rides. Plenty of up and coming new restaurants in areas like East Nashville, the Gulch, and South 12th avenue, not to mention the “touristy” area around 1st and 2nd avenue. You might check to see what’s going on at the [Schermerhorn Symphony Center](http://www.nashvillesymphony.org/main.taf?p=2,17) or [Bridgestone Arena](http://nashvillearena.org/). Have a great trip! ---
**Author:** ![infinitii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e8c25b/32.png) [@infinitii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/infinitii)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031/10 "2011-10-28T13:15:23Z")
If you’re more into the avant garde/fringe scene, check out this site: [http://www.theatreintangible.com/](http://www.theatreintangible.com/) It will let you know if anything is going on in that scene in Nashville while you’re there. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031/11 "2011-10-28T13:45:46Z")
Broadway is the main strip of tourist bars. You’ll actually hear more bad top 40 than country. It’s kind of like Bourbon St in New Orleans. Loud, tacky, but you at least have to see it. You might hear some good blues at some places. I don’t care for country music, but what we heard was actually pretty good. More in the honky tonk/rockabilly genre. More Johnny Cash than Shania Twain (YMMV). Anytime we went, we did Broadway in the afternoon. As mentioned before, Nashville is a big city with all kinds of music. Some places we hit were **3rd and Lindsley** , **Whiskey Kitchen** (my wife met Gwynyth Paltro there), **12th and Porter** , **Exit/In** , and **Mercy Lounge**. The place is lousy with small bars and good restaurants, and don’t forget, Jack White and Kid Rock now call it home. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031/12 "2011-10-28T15:24:30Z")
I forgot to add, by early December the Opryland Resort will be all decked out for Christmas including some kind of Dreamworks-themed Christmas experience, and the Opry House will be hosting the [Radio City Christmas Spectacular (featuring the Rockettes)](http://www.radiocitychristmas.com/nationaltour/nashville.html). If you’re into, you know, spectacles. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031/13 "2011-10-28T15:36:32Z")
One more piece of evidence that Country ain’t all there is here in the music game: > **[Blair Homepage](https://blair.vanderbilt.edu/)** > > Quick Guide Prospective Students Current Students Faculty & Staff Alumni & Friends Programs of Study Admissions Overview Visit Departments Music as a Second Major or Minor New Students Each program of study provides a balanced education in... > **[Blair School of Music](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blair_School_of_Music)** > > The Blair School of Music, located in Nashville, Tennessee, provides a conservatory-caliber undergraduate education in music performance, composition, or integrated music studies (theory and history) within the context of a major research university, Vanderbilt University. Blair also provides music lessons, classes and ensembles to over 800 precollege and adult students each semester. Blair is the youngest and smallest of Vanderbilt's ten constituent schools and colleges. > While established in 19... It might be educational to many (including us Nashville residents) to learn how many world-renowned studio musicians live and work here. Maybe a list exists somewhere… If you’re into this sort of thing, here’s a clue: > **[Celebrity Musician Homes - Singers, Rappers & Rock Stars](https://virtualglobetrotting.com/category/buildings/homes-celebrity-entertainment-musicians/)** > > View the extravagant homes of your favorite celebrity musicians, singers, rock stars. Flip between Google and Bing Maps or aerial and bird's eye views. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031/14 "2011-10-28T16:20:42Z")
Just last night, out in Woodbury (about 60 miles from Nashville) I saw a Beatles tribute band called [Mystery Trip](http://mysterytripband.com/mtbandbio.html). These are guy who’ve won Grammies, toured with Elton John, etc., who now live here and just get together to play Beatles music. $10 for a show that lasted 2 1/2 hours, only about 300 people. $6.50 meat & three before the show. It was a blast. StG ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nashville-attractions-for-country-music-haters/601031/15 "2011-10-28T17:50:31Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > Just last night, out in Woodbury (about 60 miles from Nashville) I saw a Beatles tribute band called [Mystery Trip](http://mysterytripband.com/mtbandbio.html). These are guy who’ve won Grammies, toured with Elton John, etc., who now live here and just get together to play Beatles music. $10 for a show that lasted 2 1/2 hours, only about 300 people. $6.50 meat & three before the show. It was a blast. > > StG Glad you mentioned the Beatles, because we heard a lecture recently by a Nashville author who has written a couple (maybe more) books on them, and in his lecture he stressed how Nashvillians should be aware and proud of how many top-notch players (all genres) there are making their livings and claims to fame in Music Row studios. Some of the stories he had of the quick-study players were fascinating and one in particular related to [Pete Drake](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Drake) and how, even though his Country work was uppermost in his repertoire, his skills on the steel were such that he was sought out by artists of all stripes. One gig he had to go to London for was for an album that they wanted to get out in a week and Drake was shocked that they needed that long to do one. He said something like, “In Nashville we do an album a day!” The producers were stunned enough to ask him how that could be, and he took his parts to the songs they were doing and spent a little over an hour on all of them in the booth and told them, “That’s my part, See y’all later.” and left! That’s not atypical of the quality of guys in Nashville studios. There’s even an old (country) song about Nashville Cats that’s about as true as it is funny.