The family is headed up to Nashville to see a childhood friend of mine. We have not seen each other in over 30 years, and, although her family wanted us to stay with them, I demured, as I would like to keep this friend for a while longer. Mr. Lyllyan can be quite intense at times.
We have things lined up, but still need a “Plan B” of things to do.
Any suggestions of “must-do’s” while there? Mr. L likes country music, I cannot stand it, and neither can the teen or pre-teen. Money will be tight, as well.
Nope, I’m fresh out of suggestions for Nashville. Go there when you can take in some bars along Printer’s Alley, and go with a group that likes country music.
Now, before all the enraged denizens of the “Athens of the South” start flaming me, I’ll state that I love going to Nashville! I also like country music and the Wild Horse Saloon. I generally go with some laid-back friends and I expect to part with some foldin’ money while I’m there.
Without the above options, I dunno’ what I’d do in Nashville.
Went to school in Nashville, (Go Dores!) lived there for four years. Unfortunately, most of my activities involved booze. Let’s see…well Vanderbilt is one of the nicest college campuses in the country, like a big park really, so you might like to walk around there. For breakfast, try Noshville right off 21st, like a real N.Y. deli. not cheap though. Oh, and you have to try the San Antonio Taco Co., (Sat Co for short) there is one down town right of 2nd Ave, and another out by Vandy. Best cheese dip ever. Let’s see…there are some good bars that play more than Country Music downtown, but it changes every night. I sugest a walk around the honkey tonk district, but probably do that early in the night as it can get a bit rough after 11. You can go see the Parthanon mock up in Centenial Park, it was built for the world’s fair I believe. It features different traveling art exhibits. If I think of other things, I’ll post them…
oh, if the ladies want to go shopping, Opry Mills is an enormous mall. Seems a bit of a shame to travel to a new city to go shopping, but a lot of people do it. If you are going out that way, you may as well stop in at the Opry Land Hotel, supposedly the largest hotel in the world outside of Las Vegas. If the Christmas lights are up, then it is worth going to see (and it is free to go in and look around)…a very strange place, not at all country music driven despite the name, it has these huge indoor atriums, a river, that sort of thing.
They did indeed put some of the Christmas lights up at Opryland Hotel. While it may be free to browse, parking isn’t free…granted you can probably park in the Opry Mills mall parking lot for free and walk there. As for Opry Mills itself, it’s not that great. It’s just a tourist mall really…which is good I suppose since you would be a tourist, but still, the stores in it aren’t that great. As for what else to do? You can always walk around downtown and look for a place that catches your interest…it’s sad that I lived in the Nashville area for about 10 years and still have no idea what’s fun to do.
Last time I was there for Christmas about four years ago parking was <$10. If the lights are up, then it is worth the trip, IMHO. The younger kids would, I think, get a kick out of the lights. The only thing I like @ Opry Mills is the Bass Pro Shop…hmmmmm Bass Pro Shop.
Don’t go to Noshville for breakfast. Or lunch. Or supper. Unless you like really overpriced deli food (it IS good though). Instead get up early and stand in line for Pancake Pantry, if you want a “unique to Nashville” restaurant. Elsewise, breakfast at Cracker Barrel is always first rate, and inexpensive.
Opryland Hotel is great to wander around in when the Christmas lights are all done. I don’t think they’ve officially had the lighting ceremony, but this close to T’giving, it’s any day now. Plus they have an ice sculpture exhibit/playground that is really incredible. Parking is around $10, but you can park at Opry Mills and trek to the hotel by following the people who look like they know what they are doing.
The mall itself I like. Plus it can take a few hours to actually “shop” the place, but there’s not too much unique to it that you can’t find elsewhere.
If it’s not too cold on Friday or Saturday night, go park in the 3rd Ave garage (for $5) under the Pinnacle Building and walk along 2nd avenue and Broadway. Usually lots of action going on, plus little stores you definitely won’t find anywhere else. You’ll hear a lot of country being played in the bars along the way, but you won’t have to go in
Yes, Predators hockey, usually on Thursday or Saturday night when they are in town, is an absolute blast! Games start at 7 usually and you can get tickets at the box office for $10-13. Nosebleed seats for sure, but trust me, you’ll be able to move down a few rows after the first period.
If you like art, there’s the Frist Art Center downtown (admission $6) and you’ll find some very different modern works as well as centuries-old pieces of sculpture and pottery.
If nothing tickles your fancy, you can always checkout nashville.citysearch.com and see what’s going on the week you’re coming.
I’m a native Nashvillian, lived here all my life. Ok, don’t like country music… no problem there is a TON of music of all kinds here, look in the Nashville Scene if you want to catch a show. I definetly recommend looking at the Parthenon, take the time to go inside and see the statue of Athena Nike. You might want to visit the Hermitage, the home of president Andrew Jackson or Belle Meade Plantation if you’re interested in history. You could take a cruise on the General Jackson riverboat, a Predators game is always fun and pretty inexpensive as professional sports go. If you want shopping OpryMills is ok as mentioned above but you might want to make the drive down to Cool Springs Galleria in Franklin or over to the Prime Outlets factory stores in Lebabon. You could always walk around 2nd Ave or Hillsboro Village, lots of little stores there. If you wanted to splurge you could see if the Titans are playing while you’re here… it’s an awesome thing to see even if you’re not a huge football fan, the stadium is LOUD. You might want to go see the Nashville Zoo, it’s not huge but it’s nice… the clouded leopards alone are worth going to see IMO. The Frist Center for the visual arts is nice I’ve heard, I have yet to go myself. That’s about all I can think of off the top of my head. Hope it helps.
I’ve got to disagree with the Pancake Factory rec, with all due respect to Max Carnage. Noshville is far superior. Though pricey for lunch and dinner I believe that they do a breakfast deal that should get you out the door for about $5 a head.
Locals - Is Cheekwood still open? I’m ashamed to admit I was never there in 4 years, but I heard good things. There is also the Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson. It might be on the way out of town, depending on what road you are taking.
You could also walk around the Capital building, it is quite nice. I don’t think they do tours on the weekends, but you never know.
Oh, there is this great German place called The Old Heidleberg, I don’t remember what street it is on, Church maybe? but it is a little hole in the wall with FANTASTIC food, I hope it is still there.
I also second the zoo, it is surprisingly nice. On the way from GA you may want to stop in Chatanooga at the Aquarium there, it is outstanding.
The Parthenon in Centennial Park is the world’s only full sized replica of the famous Parthenon in Athens Greece. It has a more than 20 foot tall replica of the statue of Athena Parthanos in it. It also has an art museum. Admission is nominal.
The main branch of the State Museum is closed, due to construction. But the State War Museum, covering everything except the Civil War is open.
The Bicentennial Mall is a large park studded with historic monuments, and giant maps carved in stone. Right next door is the Farmers’ Market. The heated indoor area has lots of inexpensive ethnic restaurants, including a place that claims to serve the “best goat in Nashville”. I wouldn’t know.
The State Legislature is housed in an imprseeive granite building downtown, within walking distance of the Bicentennial Mall. Tours daily, & I believe it’s free.
The new Main Branch Building of the Library was voted as one of the Ten Most Beautful Buildings in the South. It is actually worth a side trip to see, as the murals, grand architecture, & historic displays are very impressive indeed. The Reference room has the top of every hand-made shelf decorated with original art, done in hammer copper sheets, depicting scenes from Nashville’s history. It is an easy walk from either the Legislature or the War Museum, but a rather long walk from the Bicentennial Mall.
Definitely go to the Parthenon. It is amazing, and admission is only $1.50! Plus, there’s an art gallery inside. Afterwards you can feed the ducks and picnic in Centennial Park, if it isn’t too cold.
If you enjoy history, check out The Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson.
Born and raised in Naishvul, haven’t lived there since I moved in 2001, though. Anyway, I want recommend two places that are unique, delicious, and very Nashville without being too crowded or cheesy, like the Pantry or Noshville (which really sucks IMHO): Mr. Boo’s Hot Chicken, which is the best of the spicy fried chicken places. Better than Lorrie Morgan’s, better than Prince’s, hands-down. I don’t know any other city which has this kind of food, anyway. You can get a side of pickled green tomatoes and wash it down with sassafras tea. I miss this so much right now.
The other place is called Bobby’s Dairy Dip. It’s really just a old-fashioned drive-in, but the burgers, fries, and shakes are all incredible. It’s on Charlotte Pike, but its address is:
4109 Utah Ave
Nashville, TN 37209-4704
Phone: (615) 292-2112
Swett’s, Silvan Park Restaurant, and Wendell Smith’s (my favorite, and right across from Bobby’s) are my favorite meat-and-three restaurants.
There’s always the Loveless Motel, too, for country ham and biscuits.
I always take out of town visitors to some combination of these places, and usually find great success. But Boo’s and Bobby’s are my favorite places to eat when I go home.
As far as stuff to do, Percy Warner park is great for a hike or a drive. The Frist center and the new library are two buildings that really make me proud of old Nashville, and are each worth a visit.
