Nashville Attractions

Nashville, Music City, the Country Music Capital of the World. There’s no question why people visit Nashville. But you may be surprised to find that there’s more to see and do here than just chase country stars. Sure, you can attend the Grand Ole Opry, linger over displays at the Country Music Hall of Fame, take a tour past the homes of the country legends, and hear the stars of the future at any number of clubs. However, the state capital of Tennessee also has plenty of museums and other attractions that have nothing to do with country music. Although the Van Vechten Art Gallery at Fisk University is temporarily closed for renovations, the city has many other enriching cultural attractions, including the impressive Frist Center for the Visual Arts and Cheekwood Botanical Garden — not to mention Nashville’s full-size reproduction of the Parthenon. So even if you’ve never heard of Marty Stuart or Martina McBride, you’ll find something to keep you busy while you’re in town. However, if you own every album ever released by George Jones or The Judds, you’ll be in hog heaven on a visit to Nashville.

Everybody Loves a Bargain — The Nashville Visitors Center has made it fun and easy to get the most out of a trip to Music City with the Total Access Attraction Pass. For $45, you can choose any four of the following: Adventure Science Center, Belle Meade Plantation, Belmont Mansion, Cheekwood, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, The Delta Riverboat Company at Gaylord Opryland, Frist Center for the Visual Arts, General Jackson Showboat, The Hermitage, Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville Shores Water Park, Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, Ryman Auditorium, and Travellers Rest Plantation and Museum. For more information, call tel. 800/657-6910 or 615/259-4700, or go online to www.visitmusiccity.com.

On the Music Trail

If you want to drive by some homes of the country stars, pick up a copy of the “Homes of the Stars” map, sold at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, 417 Broadway (tel. 615/255-7503), and other country music souvenir shops around town. At the Visitors Center in the Sommet Entertainment Center, you can also get a booklet with more information on the homes of the stars. With celebrity books all the rage these days, it’s not surprising that Davis-Kidd Booksellers, 2121 Green Hills Village Dr. (inside The Mall at Green Hills; tel. 615/385-2645), brings in country music stars for book signings several times a year. Call them for a schedule.

Traveling Between Downtown and Music Valley — A cab ride from downtown to the Opryland Hotel costs about $25. A trolley serves Music Valley attractions, but a car is really the best way to get around. If you’re staying as a guest at Opryland, you’ll have access to daily, round-trip shuttle service to downtown tourist sites, including the Wildhorse Saloon and The Ryman Auditorium.

Especially for Kids

Even if your child is not a little Tim McGraw or Faith Hill in training, Nashville is full of things for kids to see and do. In addition to the attractions listed here, see also the listings for Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art, Adventure Science Center, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, and the Tennessee State Museum.