Nashville In Two Days

Your second day you’re heading out to Music Valley, the sprawling area northwest of downtown. The Opryland Hotel is the hub for much of the day’s activities. You can book and board your Cumberland River cruise on the General Jackson showboat here, and do the same for a sightseeing tour of country music stars’ homes. You’ll be returning here tonight for a performance of the long-running Grand Ole Opry. Start: Opryland Hotel.

1. General Jackson Cruise

For a relaxing cruise along the Cumberland River that winds its way through downtown Nashville and the surrounding countryside, hop aboard this mighty paddlewheeler.

2. Homes of the Country Stars Tour

Get on the bus and get ready for a road trip to Brentwood and other elite gated communities, where chart-topping locals like Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Dolly Parton, and Alan Jackson live like royalty.

3. Martha’s at the Plantation

Call ahead and make lunch reservations at this wonderfully chic yet down-home restaurant, which is on the grounds of the Belle Meade Plantation. 5025 Harding Rd. tel. 615/353-2828.

4. Belle Meade Plantation

After lunch, take a tour of this elegant Greek Revival home built in 1853 on 30 tree-shaded acres. After you’ve traipsed through the antiques-laden formal house, saunter the grounds of this former horse farm to find the log cabin, creamery, and carriage house.

5. Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art

Drive almost to the outskirts of town to find this mansionlike museum set amidst a lush, 55-acre park with walking trails, landscaped gardens, and outstanding collections of American art and decorative furnishings from around the world.

6. Opry Mills

It’s back to the Opryland area to get in a bit of shopping before tonight’s performance. Check out the great factory outlet bargains while browsing for Music City trinkets or Tennessee Titans football souvenirs.

7. Rainforest Cafe

Have dinner with the monkeys, elephants, and tropical birds that spring to life at the Rainforest Cafe. Sure, it’s kitschy and staged, yet somehow the Disney-esque mood of this place fits right in with all the other commercial excesses of Opryland. 353 Opry Mills Dr. tel. 615/514-3000.

8. Grand Ole Opry

This is the ultimate for country music fans. Be prepared for a patriotic, toe-tappin’ time and plenty of corny jokes. It’s all part of the tradition here, where big-name acts share the stage with fading stars of yesteryear and new up-and-coming talents.