OT-Visiting Nashville

Hello, I will be visiting the Nashville area in early November. Anyone have any suggestions on things to do and places to go? I understand Andrew Jackson's home is nearby. How about shopping? I now love to shop! Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! Lyn

Hi Lyn, on Briley Parkway is the Grand ole Opry, the theme park used to be next to the Opry Motel, is now called Opry Mills Mall. It's huge. There's several malls around, tour buses to take you to the stars homes, inside the Opry Hotel are gardens that are decorated for Christmas. The trees outside have over 70,000 strings of lights on them after Nov. 1st, looks like a winter wonderland. The fountains inside the gardens at the hotel dance to colored lights playing Christmas music, there's a delta boat that takes you all around the gardens, there's moving charactors in the trees and bushes inside the garden. That's the best time to see the Opry Hotel gardens is at the holidays. Have loads of fun. You might even get in a concert while you're there. Always, kathy

Jackson's home "The Hermitage" is on the outskirts of the city. The home and grounds are beautiful and should be decorated for Christmas in November. They have tour guides in period costumes and everything. There is the Opryland Resort, and of course the Grand Ole Opry. Right next to them is the Opry Mills Outlet Mall, it's huge! Downtown is the Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Opry. Lots of music venues, I recommend visiting "Printers Alley" off of Church Street. Second Avenue downtown has "The Wildhorse Saloon", live music and country line dance lessons. Good luck and have fun visiting. Toni

Hi Lyn, If you're into history, you should visit Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. All interstate signs say "Bicentennial Mall" - it is, however, NOT a shopping mall I manage the Visitor Center/Gift Shop on the park. The park is a small "city" park built for the bicentennial celebration of Tennessee's statehood so there is ALOT of Tennessee history and it provides a gorgeous view of the Capitol. It's such a nice attraction in the downtown area. As for shopping, I'd definitely hit Opry Mills..there are also several shops in the downtown area.

Hi Lyn, if you are into the Dukes of Hazard, Cooters just opened. My son and grandson (3yr) loves going there. He bought my grandson some boots there for his birthday. Says there is a lot of things to shop for. Another area is across the Opry Hotel is a series of outlet shops. The majority of the recording studios are on music row 8th ave. The Ryman is also in that area. When I lived there it was a vacation every weekend as there is so much to see and do in Nashville. Have fun and be sure to either bring a cam corder or camera with a ton of film. It will all be ready for Christmas. Kathy

I saw where Kathy posted Opry Mills that is an awsome outlet mall!!! there is so much there, Grand Ol Opry and the museum, Country music hall of fame, Belle Meade Plantation, Travellers Rest Plantation museum, Nashville has a nice zoo, Bluebird cafe that is where alot of musicians got thier start. Pleanty of fun things Hope this helps

Hi Lyn, November will come quickly. Get ready to have a lot of fun. There is much to do while in Nashville. We do have the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Resort (find info at http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordopryland/ ). I don't suggest staying there though as the rates are high for the very standard rooms and parking is at least $10. I would suggest staying in a more reasonably priced hotel such as the Radisson which is located just across from the Opryland Hotel entrance but still is very convenient to everything. They still have shuttles that pick up people from there if you prefer to save all your walking for inside the hotel (which I might add takes quite awhile during the holiday season). Besides the Opryland Hotel...one of the number one attractions is the world famous Grand Ole Opry. My mother has worked there for more than 10 years now and if you are interested in getting some info from the ticket office let me know and I will have her pick up some that I can mail to you. I know that while at the Grand Ole Opry, I would take advantage of visiting the Grand Ole Opry Museum just across the courtyard which many people fail to realize is free to go through. I would also try to catch a dinner cruise on the General Jackson (where my husband proposed to me ). While downtown I would definitely visit the Ryman Auditorium for a tour, the Country Music Hall of Fame, Tootsie's Lounge (where many country stars first performed) and of course try many of the wonderful restaurants. My personal fave is the Old Spaghetti Factory. It is very reasonably priced and the decor is fabulous. If you are a sports fan...well let me just say THE PREDATORS ARE BACK BABY!!! That is our Nashville Hockey team and you have not lived until you have been to one of our games! As you can see, I could go on and on. If you need any info mailed to you just remember the offer stands. Hope to hear from you! ~~~Pamela~~~