Help choose the location of the 2007 Wikitravel Get-together!

Nashville Travel Guide

From Wikitravel

Jump to: navigation, search

Nashville [1] is a city in Davidson County of the American state of Tennessee and is sometimes called the "Country Music Capital of the World" or more often "Music City"; however, in recent years, Nashville has done much to escape its country music image and become a regional center of culture and commerce. In fact, Dell, Nissan, and Saturn have all moved some operations to or near the city. The music is various; major rap artists and rock bands (Young Buck, Haystak, Kings of Leon, Paramore) claim Nashville as their hometown.

Contents

Understand

Get In

By plane

By car

Nashville is the nexus of several interstate highways, including I-65 (north-south), I-40 (east-west), and I-24 (northwest-southeast). The various highways sometimes merge and split without the typical exit-offramp design, so travellers should consult maps before attempting to navigate the area. There is easy access to/from Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Louisville, among others.

By bus

By boat

The Cumberland River flows through Nashville.

Get around

By bus

  • Nashville MTA, 615 862-5969, [17]. Operates routes throughout downtown and the surrounding area. $1.25 for an adult local fare, with no transfers allowed. An all-day pass for an adult is $3.75.

By car

  • Access Car Rental, 615 777-1210, 2730 Lebanon Pike. Located north of the airport.
  • Advantage Car Rental, 615 777-1477, 646 Thompson Lane.
  • Avis Rent a Car, 1-800-331-1212, [18]. National company with several locations including airport and downtown.
  • Dollar Rent a Car, 1-800-800-3665, [19]. National company located at the airport.
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 1-800-261-7331, [20]. National company with several locations including airport and downtown.
  • Hertz Rent a Car, 1-800-654-3131, [21]. National company with several locations including airport and downtown.
  • Payless Car Rental, 615 884-2773, 583 Donelson Pike. Located just outside the airport's northern perimeter.
  • Premier Car Rental, 615 252-8000, 407 Murfreesboro Pike. Located halfway between downtown and the airport.
  • Thrifty Car Rental, 1-800-847-4389, [22]. A national car rental company with multiple locations in Nashville, including the airport and downtown.

See

Nashville is a very historic town and as such, many of its attractions are restorations or museums.

  • Belle Meade Plantation, 5025 Harding Road, 615 356 0501, 800-270-3991 (Group Sales), [23]. Tours by costumed guides available M-Sa 9:30am-4pm, Su 11:30am-4pm. Admission: Adult $11, Seniors $10, Children 6-12 $5, Children under 6, Free. Featuring the mansion built in 1853 and restored restored, as well as the carriage house from 1890 and one of the oldest log cabins in Tennessee, built in 1790. There is a great deal of history associated with the plantation starting from before the American Civil War.
  • BellSouth Tower. An instantly recognizable downtown Nashville landmark, the Bellsouth Tower is the tallest building in Nashville and can be seen from quite some distance when the hills aren't in your way. It's two tall spires on the building have resulted in it being nicknamed "The Batman Building."
  • Bicentennial Mall A fascinating state park stretched out in front of the state capitol building. Features a giant map of the state, monuments recounting the history of the state since prehistoric times, a carillon, and more. In the summer, the fountains are often filled with splashing kids. The park is located right next to the farmers market, which includes a food court, fish market, nursery, as well as the expected vendors hawking fruits and vegetables.
  • Belmont Mansion 1900 Blemont Blvd, 615 460-5459, [24]. M-Sa 10am-4pm, Su 1pm-4pm. Closed Memorial Day. Admission: Adults $8, Seniors $7, Children (6-12) $3. An approximate one hour guided tour of 16 rooms in the mansion. Also walk the grounds to examine the marble statues and cast iron ornaments in the gardens.
  • Centennial Park, West End Avenue at 25th Avenue. Features a nice duck pond, where you can get up close with the ducks and feed them, as well as a real steam engine train, dating back in the 1800's and a fighter jet on a large, metal stand, to give the appearance of flight.
    • The Parthenon, located in Centennial Park, [25]. Admission: Adults $5, Seniors $2.50, Children 4-17 $2.50, Children under 4 free. Tu-Sa 9am-4:30pm. Also Su 12:30pm-4:30pm from June to August. Originally created for Tennessee's Centennial Exposition, this monument was such a well-received attraction that a permanent form was constructed. It maintains the dimensions of the original Athens Parthenon to within a quarter of an inch (at 2/3 the scale), though constructed mainly of concrete as opposed to marble. Inside stands a statue of the goddess Athena as is thought to have existed in the original Parthenon.
  • Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art, 1200 Forrest Park Dr, 615 356-800, [26]. Admission: Adults $10, Seniors $8, College Students $5, Children 3-13 $5, Children under 3 free. The most any family will pay is $30, thanks to an admission cap. Tu-Sa 9:30am-4:30pm, Su 11am-4:30pm. Closed on every Monday except for Memorial Day and Labor Day. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's day, as well as the second Saturday in June. A 55 acre estate built by the founders of Maxwell House coffee on the fringes of the city featuring an art museum and a beautiful botanical garden. The art museum features American and Europeans exhibits.
  • Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 222 Fifth Ave S, 800-852-6437, [27]. Open daily 9am-5pm except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days. Admission: adult $16.95, youth $8.95, children under 5 free. Regularly changing exhibits and live performances make this Nashville landmark someplace to visit often. The original Country Music Hall of Fame was built in 1967 and lasted until 2000 when they moved into their new $37 million dollar location. Ticket packages for guided or audio tours also available, as well as combining a tour with the RCA Studio B and the Ryman Auditorium.
  • Fort Negley. A civil-war era fort partially reconstructed by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. Taken by Union forces early in the war, Nashville quickly became second most fortified city in the US during the Civil War because it was seen as crucial to supplying troops engaged on the war's western front. The 1864 Battle of Nashville -- a failed attempt by the Confederate army to retake the city -- raged throughout what are now the residential and commercial districts on the fringes of the city. Fort Negley is one of the few remaining reminders of this time period. Much of the work on the fort was done by slaves and freed blacks who were rounded up and forced to work on the structure. The fort was closed for years (allegedly because it reminded many Nashvillians of the Union occupation), but reopened in 2004 with new boardwalks and interpretive signs.
  • Frist Center for the Visual Arts, 919 Broadway, [28]. M-W 10am-5:30pm, Th 10am-8pm, Fr 10am-9pm, Sa 10am-5:30pm, Su 1pm-5pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, shortened hours the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Adults $8.50, College Students $6.50, Seniors $7.50, Visitors 18 and under free. Featuring 24,000 sq. feet of gallery space with exhibits from local through to regional and all the way to international artists. The Frist strives to be a family friendly museum and as such has created ArtQuest, a colorful space with 30 interactive stations.
  • Hatch Show Print, 316 Broadway, 615 256-2805. Visit this traditional printing shop that uses letterpresses to create posters for entertainment events to see them prepare some posters. As the Hatch brothers allegedly put it, "Advertising without posters is like fishing without worms."
  • Military Museum. Tu-Sa 10am-5pm. Closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Admission to the permanent exhibit is free, and only a few temporary have an admission charge.
  • Musica, [29]. Revealed in 2003, Musica is a tacky 38 foot tall sculpture featuring 9 nude dancing figures created by Alan Lequire and is located in a roundabout in the heart of Music Row.
  • Music Valley Wax Museum, 2515 McGavock St, 615 883-3612. Admission: Adults $3.50, Children (6-12) $1.50, Children under 5 free. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day hours are 9am-9pm, otherwise they are 9am-5pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. See over 50 country music stars dressed in their stage outfits as well as hundreds of autographs on the "Sidewalk of the Stars."
  • Radnor Lake, Otter Creek Road, 615 373-3467, [30]. Open 6am to sunset. Visitor Center Su-Th 9am-5pm, Fr-Sa 8am-4:30pm. $3 daily or $30 annual parking fee. Often called "Nashville's Walden," Radnor Lake was formed when the railroad companies dammed up a small stream to provide a reliable water source for their railroad yards. Although it is located in the heart of a residential suburb south of town, hikers on the miles of trails around the pond feel like they are in the heart of the wilderness.
  • Ryman Auditorium, 116 5th Ave N, 615 889-3060, [31]. Open daily 9am-4pm for tours. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Admission: Adults $8.50 for the standard tour or $11.75 to add the backstage tour, Children (4-11) $4.25 or $7.50 respectively. Completed in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle as commissioned by riverboat Captain Thomas Green Ryman, a newly converted southern evangelist. The Ryman has earned its mark in history by hosting the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974 and is now a fantastically intimate setting for concerts of all genres. It has been named Pollstar's "America's Theatre of the Year" for two years in a row, as well as one of CitySearch's top ten "Best Places to Hear Live Music."
  • Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge. Built between 1907 and 1909, the bridge was used for automobile traffic between East Nashville and Downtown. The bridge has recently been converted to a pedestrian bridge, and offers a spectacular view of the riverfront and downtown skyline. It is a very popular and convenient route to the Titan's football stadium.
  • The Hermitage, 4580 Rachel's Lane, 615 889-2941, [32]. Open daily 9am-5pm, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and the 3rd week of January. Admission: Adults $12, Seniors $11, Students (13-18) $11, Children (6-12) $5, Children 5 and under free. Family pass for 2 adults and 2 children, $34. The former home of US President Andrew Jackson is full of his family's personal possessions, and is adorned with much of the furniture that they personally purchased. It was one of the first historic preservation projects in the state of Tennessee. This was accomplished by the Ladies' Hermitage Association which was modeled after the Mount Vernon Ladies Association that had restored George Washington's home. Plan for a two hour tour with a moderate amount of walking. Cameras, video cameras, food nor drink are allowed within the Hermitage or the exhibit gallery. Security precautions are taken and the Hermitage asks that all backpacks or large bags be left in your vehicle.
  • Tennessee Performing Arts Center, 505 Deadrick St, 615 782-4000, [33]. The TPAC, as it is known, is home to the Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera Association, Tennessee Repertory Theatre, and the acclaimed Nashville Symphony.
  • Tennessee State Capitol. Guided tours available M-F 9am-4pm. Closed all holidays. Free admission.
  • Tennessee State Museum, 505 Deadrick St, 615 741-2692, 800-407-4324, [34]. Tu-Sa 10am-5pm, Su 1pm-5pm. Closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Admission to the permanent exhibit is free, and only a few temporary have an admission charge. With over 70,000 square feet of exhibit space, this is one of the nation's largest state museums. It's permanent exhibits are split into several categories, including: Prehistoric, Frontier, Age of Jackson, Antebellum, Civil War, and Reconstruction.

Do

  • Adventure Science Center, [35]. Formerly the Cumberland Science Museum, it's been remodeled recently. You should be able to get in for under ten bucks, and they have a lot of interesting exhibits which change every few weeks.
  • Centennial Sportsplex, 222 25th Avenue N, 615 862-8480, [36]. Featuring year-round ice skating as well as two pools and a fitness room. Ice skating admission is $6 with skate rentals available for $2. Memberships are available. Call or check online for the schedules, as they vary from month to month. The Sportsplex is also a practice location for the Nashville Predators professional hockey team.
  • General Jackson Showboat, 2800 Opryland Dr, 615 458-3900, [37]. Get a meal and a show on this classically styled 300 foot long paddlewheel boat. Midday cruises, including buffet and show, $38.95 plus tax for adults and $21.95 for kids 4-11. Dinner cruises range from $44.95 to $74.95 for adults and $27.95 to $42.95 for kids. Shows and schedules vary throughout the year.
  • Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, 3777 Nolensville Rd, 615 833-1534, [38]. Displaying many animals and hosting activities for the family, including a large playground with two-story netting that you can swing onto (off a rope), or just jump and roll around on. The zoo is getting bigger and better every day. Two recent additions include an aviary where you can feed lorikeets nectar by hand, and an amazing hand-carved wooden carousel. Admission from April through October is $11 for adults, $9.50 for seniors (65+), and $7 for children (3-12) and the hours are from 9a-6p. From November through March, $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 for children with hours of 9a-4p. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Inclement weather may cause an unannounced closing for safety.

Sports

  • Nashville Predators, [39]. The local NHL hockey team plays their home games at the Gaylord Entertainment Center, The GEC, which is located on Broadway in the heart of downtown. In May of 1998 the Predators were named the 27th franchise in league history and their first playoff game came in 2004. The GEC, combined with the Predator's fans, is considered to be the loudest in the NHL. Tickets start at $10 and are available through Ticketmaster.
  • Nashville Sounds, 615 242-4371, [40]. The local minor league baseball team currently plays in Greer Stadium, but talks about a brand new stadium are ongoing. General admission tickets are $6 and reserved seats are $10.
  • Tennessee Titans, [41]. The local NFL football team plays their home games at LP Field, (formerly Adelphia Coliseum), which is located across the river from downtown (it's big, you'll see it). Once the Houston Oilers, the team was reborn as the Tennessee Titans in 1999.

Learn

  • Aquinas College, 4210 Harding Rd, 615 297-7545, [42]. A private Catholic school with liberal arts and science curriculum.
  • Belmont University, 1900 Belmont Blvd, 615 460-6000, [43]. A private university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in over 65 different studies.
  • Fisk University, 1000 17th Ave N, 615 329-8500, [44]. Fisk University has a long history. It is a liberal arts college that was founded in 1866 to educate freed slaves and has since then seen many distinguished graduates.
  • Free Will Baptist Bible College, 3606 West End Ave, 800-76-FWBBC, 615 844-5000, [45]. Founded in 1942, FWBBC now enrolls around 350 students per year and offers them a number of degree programs.
  • Lipscomb University, [46].
  • Nashville State Community College.
  • Strayer University.
  • Tennessee State University, 3500 John A Merritt Blvd, 615 963-5000.
  • Trevecca Nazarene University.
  • Vanderbilt University.

Work

Buy

Major shopping malls include:

  • 100 Oaks Mall - I-65 near exit 78. (Unfortunately there are few tenants inside, only the "destination" stores on the outside and the perimeter)
  • Coolsprings Galleria - located in city of Franklin, I-65 exit 69.
  • Hickory Hollow Mall - I-24 exit 59.
  • Mall at Green Hills
  • Opry Mills - former location of Opryland Theme Park, includes a giant 3D IMAX theater.
  • Rivergate Mall (Goodlettsville/Madison)

Eat

Budget

There are a number of pizza restaurants and Chinese buffets in and around the area. The following are examples of more prominent establishments in the Nashville area:

  • Arnold's. 8th Avenue South. A classic "meat and 3" restaurant located in downtown. Arnold's has been a Nashville establishment for years and always attracts a crowd.
  • Hermitage Cafe. Open 24 hours, this diner-coffeeshop is divey, friendly, cheap, greasy, and as southern as white gravy on fried chicken. Perfect if you're drunk or a night owl, which most of the other customers here are (except at breakfast, which draws a mix of polite older couples and hungover kids). An ancient cigarette machine and a well-stocked jukebox. Just south of downtown on Hermitage Ave.
  • Jersey Mike's. Get a really good sub-sandwich (think Subway with a little more flavor) meal here for under seven bucks. Three locations, including White Bridge Road.
  • Bobby's Dairy Dip. An endearingly dingy 50s ice cream stand on Charlotte Ave., recently revived into a popular summer mainstay that's popular with every demographic. Their hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries are some of Nashville's favorites, and the strawberry shortcake's great.
  • Las Palmas. A pretty good Mexican place on Charlotte Ave. (between White Bridge and 42nd), you can get a nice filling meal here for under ten bucks. There's another location off Broadway at 19th Ave. and one at Nipper's Corner in Brentwood.
  • Las Paletas. Save room after your Mexican meal for Las Paletas' delicious homemade popsicles in exotic flavors! The Paz sisters ate them often when growing up in Mexico and have now brought us their own take on the treats. Hibiscus, basil, chocolate jalapeno, and rose petal are all delicious; so are the tamer versions, like mango, raspberry, chai tea, chocolate chip cookie, and Mexican caramel. This popular little shop is located on 12th Ave. S. at Kirkwood in the Cypress Building.
  • Taste of India. If you're in midtown in midday, check out this little Indian place on Church Street near 18th. Its $6 lunch buffet is cheaper than that at Sitar down the block, plus its food is far better and more varied.
  • Maggie Moo's. Reigns as Nashville's premier ice cream shop, and is conveniently located next to the Green Hills location of Basante's.
  • La Hacienda Tacqueria. With two outposts along the largely Hispanic strip of Nolensville Road, this popular restaurant serves some of Nashville's most authentic Mexican food. The tacos and shrimp cocktails are very popular.
  • Bongo Java. The first and most relaxed in a very successful local mini-chain of quirky coffeehouses, Bongo Java is a meeting place for the young, the arty, and the students at Belmont University just across the street. Linger for hours on the huge porch over several cups of their incredibly strong, flavorful coffee, and take advantage of the free computer, wifi, and chess set use. On Belmont Blvd. across from the school; nearby sister coffeehouse Fido in Hillsboro Village attracts a more yuppie/Vandy crowd.
  • Rotier's. An old, friendly neighborhood joint whose hamburger and milkshake are consistently voted the best in Nashville. Get the grilled version of the cheeseburger - basically a grilled cheese with a hamburger in it. On Elliston near Tower Records.
  • Pizza Perfect. Fabulous pizza, quite simply. Nashville isn't much of a town for pizza, but this place more than makes up for it. The plain slices are great, but even the fancier ones (like the Fantasy) don't gild the lily. Free liva jazz Thursday nights at the 21st Ave. location (between Vandy and Hillsboro Village); there's another smaller shop on Granny White/12th Ave. across from Lipscomb.

Mid-range

  • Alabama Grill, 539 Opry Mills Drive (Inside Opry Mills Mall), 514-7000, [47]. Associated with the country band Alabama.
  • Bistro 215, 3821 Green Hills Village Drive, 385-3636, [48]. Fantastic food and wine.
  • Cafe Nonna, 4427 Murphy Road, 463-0133, [49]. Another well-liked Italian restaurant, this intimate neighborhood place keeps its menu small and its dishes impeccably prepared. With the fresh ingredients and simple preparation, you might as easily be in some Tuscan hill town. Located in Sylvan Park.
  • French Quarter Cafe, 823 Woodland Street, 227-3100, [50]. Located in East Nashville, this cafe tends to lean more towards being a bar with its billiards table, live music, and blacklights, but thats not to say the food isn't any good. Reasonably authentic cajun and creole dishes severed in reasonably sized portions, instead of those chain resturant portions that one person can't possibly eat. Muffulettas, po' boys, as well as red beans and rice are the big features. Average prices between $6 and $15.
  • Goldie's Deli, 4520 Harding Pike, 292-3589. One of Nashville's best (and only) Jewish delis, located in one of Nashville's WASPiest neighborhoods. Similar to Jersey Mike's, though a bit more expensive. Next to the Belle Meade Kroger on Harding Road.
  • Jack's Barbeque, 416 Broadway, 254-5715 , [51]. Don't miss this authentic Tennessee barbecue joint right beside the Ryman Auditorium. Located on Lower Broadway -- just look for the neon sign featuring flying pigs! Also at 334 West Trinity Lane, 228-9888.
  • Maggiano's Little Italy, 3106 West End Avenue, (Located a few blocks south of Vanderbuilt University), 514-0270, fax 514-0271, carryout 514-0275, banquet 514-0280, [52]. A busy Italian restuarant, serving Southern Italian meals, most famously in "family style", portions that are more than large enough to share. Reservations recommended for parties of any size. Open for lunch and dinner, seven days.
  • Pancake Pantry, 1796 21st Avenue South, 383-9333, [53]. A Nashville landmark and basically the best place in town for breakfast, anytime before 3pm. The frosted haired waitresses will call you "honey," and the pancakes will be better than you'd ever realized pancakes could be. Don't be daunted by the line snaking around the block on weekends; it moves quickly, and you get free coffee while you wait.
  • Rosepepper Grille and Cantina, 1907 Eastland Avenue, 227-4777. A neighborhood favorite for several years now, this popular and upbeat nouveau Mexican place is in East Nashville, a bit off the tourist's beaten path.
  • San Antonio Taco Company, or SATCO, 416 21st Avenue South, 327-4322. Always a favorite with Vandy kids, offering reliable Tex-Mex food and cheap buckets of beer. Right off the Vanderbilt campus. Stop by Ben & Jerry's next door for dessert. Caveat: Towing in this area can be ruthless. Check the signs wherever you park.
  • Sole Mio, 311 3rd Avenue South, 256-4013. Long considered Nashville's best Italian restaurants, this place excels even in its new, viewless location on 3rd Ave - and, impressively, manages to keep its prices low. Subtle variations on traditional dishes keep things interesting, and the service is great. Seafood dishes and homemade ravioli are great.

Splurge

  • Basante's. Considered by many to be one of the best Italian restaurants in Nashville, with decent pricing. Located across from the Green Hills Mall; the West End location has closed.
  • Mario's. A five star restaurant located off of Music Row (21st Ave S.).
  • Sunset Grille. Consistently voted one of Nashville's best restaurants, this friendly place in Hillsboro Village has an excellent, inexpensive late-night menu.
  • F. Scott's. Usually ranked as one of Nashville's best restaurants. If you go after 9pm on any night, all entrees are half price, which makes it quite affordable - not to mention atmospheric, as by that time there's a jazz band playing in the other room. Occasionally the chefs get overambitious and fall short, but most dishes - especially appetizers, vegetables, fowl, and beef - are fantastic.
  • Saffire. Relaxed, upscale, and well worth the fifteen minutes on I-65 South, this restaurant in the Factory shopping center in Franklin has a reputation for excellent food. It's not too expensive, either, and often has live music.

Drink

  • 3 Crow Bar, 1024 Woodland Street, 262-3345. Located in the Five Points area of East Nashville is the linchpin in a cluster of bars all within a stone's throw of one another: Red Door Saloon, which also has an outpost in midtown; The 5 Spot, a pleasant nonsmoking spot that often books local bands; Beyond the Edge, a large sports bar; the Alley Cat, a popular neighborhood hangout with good food selection; and more.
  • 3rd and Lindsley, 818 3rd Avenue South, 259-9891, [54]. Just south of downtown and a little hard to find at the intersection of those two streets, offers loud country- and blues-rock from local and touring performers.
  • Bar 23 in the Gulch is where you'll go to be seen and to feel like you're, well, not in Nashville. Usually populated by girls in designer jeans and lots of young professionals trying to loosen their ties.
  • Bluebird Cafe, 4104 Hillsboro Pike, 383-1461, [55]. With its unlikely location in a strip mall in Green Hills, has long been the destination of choice for local and national songwriters, fans of songwriters, and label scouts. Expect schmoozing, sets in-the-round, and lines around the block. Keep in mind, though, that quiet is requested at all times during a performance.
  • Cafe Coco, 210 Louise Avenue, 321-2626. Isn't a bar, per se, but it does serve beer and remains open 24 hours every day. Expect to find studious Vandy kids, scene-making hipsters, and drunk everybody at night. Located just off Elliston behind the Exit/In.
  • Douglas Corner Cafe, 2106 8th Ave South, 298-1688, [56]. Another major venue for songwriters hoping to be discovered as well as established songwriters revisiting their old haunts. Open mic nights every week.
  • Exit/In, 2208 Elliston Place, 321-3340, [57]. A standby for mid-level touring bands of all varieties for decades. Check out the names of past performers over the bar.
  • Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 1010 Demonbreun Street, 259-7468, [58]. Huge assortment of beers available here.
  • Graham Central Station, 128 2nd Ave North, 251-9593, [59]. A multi-level complex of a dance club right downtown.
  • Lipstick Lounge, 1400 Woodland Street, 226-6343, [60]. Initially opened as a lesbian bar, the lipstick lounge now considers itself "a bar for humans."
  • Mercy Lounge, 251-3020, [61]. A welcome new addition to the bar scene. Its many red pool tables, large deck, friendly vibe, and live band karaoke nights add to its charm. Somewhat hard to find, on Cannery Row off 8th Ave. downtown.
  • Radio Cafe, located on Woodland in East Nashville just next to the Lipstick Lounge, is a relaxed and pleasant neighborhood bar that often features local bands and songwriters on its small stage.
  • Springwater, 115 27th Avenue North, 320-0345, [62]. Located next to Centennial Park, this is one of Nashville's most reliable dive bars and often hosts underground and noisy local and touring bands. Once a speakeasy, later a hangout for Jimmy Hoffa, now host to a strange mix of local drunks, slumming Vandy kids, and musicians. Pool table, arcade games, good jukebox, good booker, a cheap beer-only bar, and a large screened-in cement block porch. Don't miss its regular Working Stiffs Jamboree.
  • Station Inn, 402 12th Avenue South, 255-3307, [63]. A bit of a time warp, especially located in the middle of the now trendy Gulch area of 12th Ave. Its excellent bluegrass and old-time Americana shows have drawn loyal patrons for decades.
  • The Basement, 1604 8th Avenue South, 254-8006, [64]. An intimate but not cramped; owner and man-around-town Mike Grimes books everything from country singer-songwriters to young noise bands. Above the venue is Grimey's, his record store that consistently is voted best independent record store in Nashville. A non-smoking, 21+ club.
  • The Beer Sellar, 107 Church Street, 254-9464. Located downown this is a fun place; it sometimes has all-you-can-drink evenings for around $20. Go for their wide selection of beers.
  • The End, 2219 Elliston Place, 321-4457. Located just across from Exit/In, it regularly books reliable indie rock bands, both local and nationally known.
  • Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, 422 Broadway, 726-0463, [65]. is one of the few denizens of lower Broad that looks like it's been there for half a century - and it has. An old honkytonk where many major country stars got their starts.
  • Wild Horse Saloon, 120 2nd Ave. North, 902-8200, [66]. Located downtown, it offers line-dancing lessons during the day. It is conveniently located near quite a few other bars and clubs aimed at country music fans and tourists downtown, most of which tend to be bustling on weekends.
  • Windows on the Cumberland, 112 2nd Avenue North, 251-0097, [67]. Offerring a good beer selection, a great view of the river, and even better live bands, especially jazz.

Sleep

Budget

  • Best Western - Convention Center, 711 Union St, 615 242-4311, [68]. Located on the site of James K. Polk's home. Free parking and continental breakfast. $87-$145, nightly.
  • Clubhouse Inn & Suites, 2435 Atrium Way, 615 883-0500, [69]. $68-$130, nightly.
  • Days Inn - Coliseum, 211 N 1st St, 615 254-1551, [70]. $65-$120, nightly.
  • Days Inn - Opryland, 3312 Dickerson Rd, 615 228-3421, [71]. $58-$65, nightly.
  • Microtel Inn & Suites Nashville, 100 Coley Davis Court, Tel: (615) 662-0004, [72].
  • Suburban Hotel - South, 1271 Antioch Pl, 615 333-6700, [73]. $40+ nightly or $180+ weekly.
  • Quality Inn & Suites - Airport, 2521 Elm Hill Pike , [74]. $85-$100, nightly.

Mid-range

  • AmeriSuites - Airport, 721 Royal Parkway, 615 493-5200, [75]. Located 0.5 miles from Nashville International Airport and eight miles from downtown Nashville.
  • AmeriSuites - Opryland, 220 Rudy's Circle, 615 872-0422, [76]. Located 12 miles northeast of downtown Nashville and one mile from the Grand Old Opry and the Opry Mills shopping center.
  • Best Western - Music Row, 1407 Division St, 615 242-1631, [77]. Located in the heart of "Music Row." Pet friendly, free breakfast. $60-$70, nightly.
  • Best Western Suites - Opryland, 201 Music City Cir, 615 902-9940, [78]. All-suite hotel with refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker in rooms. Free breakfast, pool, sauna and fitness center. Approx $100, nightly.
  • Country Inns & Suites - East Nashville, 3423 Percy Priest Dr, 615 277-1099[79]. Clean and VERY quite hotel just 10 mins from almost everything. If you hate noisey hotels this is for you. Across the road from the beautiful Percy Priest lake. Free breakfast, pool, fitness center. Approx $80, nightly.
  • Courtyard by Marriott - Airport, 2508 Elm Hill Pike, 615 883-9500, [80]. Under going renovations to improve its look and feel. Approx $139, nightly.
  • Courtyard by Marriott - Vanderbilt/West End, 1901 West End Ave, 615 327-9900, [81]. Free high-speed internet and complimentary shuttle service. $170-$210, nightly.
  • Embassy Suites - Airport, 10 Century Blvd, 615 871-0033, [82]. Just minutes from Nashville Airport, five miles from the Opryland complex, the center of Music City, USA, and seven from downtown Nashville.
  • Gaylord Opryland Resort, 2800 Opryland Dr, 615 889-1000, [83]. Featuring 9 acres of indoor gardens, rivers and pathways, all under climate-controlled glass atriums! Built on the site of the Opryland Theme Park, the Opryland Resort is located right next to Opry Mills mall. The hotel itself is a wonderful attraction, even if you aren't staying the night. $139-$179, nightly.
  • Guest House Inn and Suites, 1909 Hayes Street, 615 329-1000, [84]. Located off of West End Ave. convenient to downtown, Vanderbilt, West End area restaurants and hospitals. Free shuttle, 108 rooms and suites.
  • Holiday Inn Select - Vanderbilt, 2613 West End Ave, 615 327-4707, [85]. Located across the street from Centennial Park and only 2 miles from the city center. 300 rooms, pet friendly, outdoor pool and high-speed internet. $110-$145, nightly.
  • Hotel Preston, 733 Briley Parkway, 615 361-5900, [86]. An attractive hotel that is well located. Unfortunately Briley Parkway is a near continuous state of construction, so traffic can be a bit of a pain around here. Outdoor pool, pet friendly, high-speed wireless internet. $86-$130, nightly.
  • Loews - Vanderbilt, 2100 West End Ave, 615 320-1700, [87] One of 16 in this luxury hotel chain. $135-$220, nightly.
  • Millennium Maxwell House, 2025 MetroCenter Blvd, 615 259-4343, [88]. $130-$150, nightly. Make sure to get your "Goo Goo" cluster candy bar, a Nashville production, at check in so you can thoroughly enjoy this "County Music" themed hotel!
  • Ramada Inn & Suites - Opryland/Airport North, 2425 Atrium Way, 615 883-5201, [89]. Varying floor plans can fit up to 6 people. Coin laundry facilities, free continental breakfast, and outdoor pool. $120-$230, nightly.
  • Ramada Limited - Coliseum, 303 Interstate Dr, 615 244-6690, [90]. Located right next to the football stadium. Limit one car per room during football games and special events. Guitar shaped outdoor pool. $80-$200, nightly.

Splurge

  • Holiday Inn Express - Downtown, 920 Broadway, [91]. Located right in the center of the action in downtown Nashville. Complimentary breakfast, high-speed internet. Approx $237, nightly.
  • Marriott - Vanderbilt, 2555 West End Ave, 615 321-1300, [92]. Overlooking historic Vanderbilt University. High-speed internet available. Approx $200, nightly.
  • Marriott - Airport, 600 Marriott Dr, 615 889-9300, [93]. Approx $175, nightly.
  • The Hermitage Hotel, 231 Sixth Ave N, 888-888-9414, [94]. An upscale hotel with a beautiful lobby and rooms, as well as fantastic dining. Be sure to check out the famous men's room near the lobby. Approx $300, nightly.
  • Union Station, 1001 Broadway, 615 726-1001, [95]. An over 100 year building made of limestone that is now a hotel run by Wyndham. $175-$225, nightly.

Contact

Newspaper

  • The Tennessean, [96]. The main daily newspaper.
  • The City Paper, [97]. A free weekday newspaper, smart and fast.
  • All The Rage, [98]. A free weekly entertainment guide for Nashville.
  • Nashville Scene, [99]. Nashville's oldest and largest weekly, now run by the Village Voice, [100]. Excellent entertainment news and reliable features, plus useful special issues (Annual Manual, Dining Guide, You're So Nashville If..., College Guide, Best of Nashville, etc.).

Radio

  • FM 88.1 WFSK. New jazz (Fisk college radio).
  • FM 88.7 WAY-FM. Christian Inspirational music.
  • FM 89.1 WNAZ. Christian pop/rock/rap (Trevecca Nazarene university radio).
  • FM 90.3 WPLN. Nashville Public Radio featuring National Public Radio programming as well as classical music.
  • FM 91.1 WRVU. Mostly indie rock and rap. Offers techno on Saturday evening (Vanderbilt college radio).
  • FM 92.9 WJXA. Lite rock. Exceedingly clear signal.
  • FM 96.3 WCJK. A mix of music from the 70s clear through today. Adult favorites. Clear signal.
  • FM 97.9 WSIX. "Big 98", offering country music. Clear signal.
  • FM 99.7 WTN. Right-wing talk radio.
  • FM 100.1 WRLT. "Lightning 100". Adult Album Alternative radio.
  • FM 101.1 WUBT. "The Beat". R&B and Hip-Hop. Somewhat strong signal.
  • FM 102.5 WVNS. "Venus". Hot AC — female-oriented pop with no rap or rock.
  • FM 104.5, [101]. "The Zone". Sports and Talk radio.
  • FM 105.1 WVRY. "Solid Gospel". Gospel music. Weak signal.
  • FM 105.9. "The Rock". Classic rock from the 60's, 70's, and 80's.
  • FM 106.7. ESPN Radio
  • FM 107.5. "The River". Various popular choice - rock, pop, and hip-hop.
  • AM 560. Sporting News Radio
  • AM 650. "America's Country Station", broadcasting to several states.
  • AM 1430. Nashville Public Radio featuring National Public Radio/BBC World News programming.
  • AM 1510. Mainstay radio right-wing talk-station, well-known for severe-weather alerts.

Television

  • WKRN-TV 2. ABC affiliate.
  • WSMV-TV 4. NBC affiliate.
  • WTVF-TV 5. CBS affiliate.
  • WNPT-TV 8. PBS affiliate.
  • WZTV-TV 17. FOX affiliate.
  • WUXP-TV 30. UPN affiliate.
  • WLLC-TV 42. Telefutura affiliate.
  • WNAB-TV 58. WB affiliate.

Stay safe

Cope

Get out

  • Fall Creek Falls [102] - a spectacular waterfall located on the rim of the Cumberland plateau, several hours outside of Nashville
  • Jack Daniels Distillery Located an 1.5 hours away in Lynchburg, TN, the distillery still makes Tennessee Sour Mash Whisky the way Mr. Daniels did. Tours are available, but don't expect a tasting; the distillery is located in a dry county! (The lemonade given out out the tour's end, however, is held in high esteem.)
This is a guide article. It has a variety of good, quality information including hotels, restaurants, attractions, arrival and departure info. Plunge forward and help us make it a star!


Retrieved from "http://wikitravel.org/en/Nashville"
In other languages