Nashville, Tennessee, often called, “Music City” is said to be the embodiment of southern hospitality. Here in this part of the South, where skyscrapers pierce the sky and nearly 40 historical markers decorate the roadsides, you will still find people smiling and waving as you pass them by. In fact, a recent study by Fresno State University deemed Nashville the friendliest city in the United States.
A casual city, with rolling hills and a unique blend of down home country and uptown culture, Nashville remains one of the best destinations in the world for music lovers.
Since 1943, when the first music-publishing company was launched, Nashville has been synonymous with music. Today, visitors can revisit the “oldies” at the new Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Located in the heart of the entertainment district, the new $37 million facility spans an entire city block and features more than 40,000 square feet of exhibits – including Elvis Presley’s gold-encrusted Cadillac.
Take a tour through one of the plantation homes that still adorn the streets of Nashville by following the Tennessee Antebellum Trail. The 90-mile trail begins and ends in Nashville and gives visitors an opportunity to take a step back in time, past 50 historic plantations and battle locations. The most notable home of all, considered the “Queen of Tennessee Plantations,” is the Belle Meade Plantation. The plantation was once world-renowned for its thoroughbred horse nursery and stud farm. It was home to the Iroqois, the first American-bred horse to win the English Derby. The plantation features the mansion and nine other historic buildings, including the Carriage House that houses an antique carriage collection. Tour guides will take you through the plantation dressed in period costume, making the experience even more memorable.
Just east of Nashville is The Hermitage – the presidential home of Andrew Jackson. Visitors are given a guided tour of the mansion, while historical interpreters weave the tales of Jackson’s life.
A visit to Nashville isn’t complete without a trip to the Grand Ole Opry. In 1925 it premiered as a radio program, playing a mixture of live classical, jazz, and other pop music, fiddlers, and a few banjo players. Originally known as the WSM Barn Dance, the Opry still features top artists, including: Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire The Saturday night show is still broadcast on WSM-AM and on Country Music Television.
The rich history, down-home southern charm and musical heritage brings more than 10, 000 visitors to the city every year. With a pleasant year-round temperature – not too hot and not too cold – you can enjoy quiet strolls in the city or tour the boundaries of Nashville where pristine lakes and tree-lined hills make outdoor recreation an adventure.
Nashville’s many parks make it a perfect city for bicyclists, earning the nickname, “City of Parks.” Really flat pathways make for a smooth ride and there are plenty of hills to keep you energized. But parks aren’t the only way to enjoy a little nature while touring the city. The thousands of acres of water in area lakes are just waiting to be enjoyed. Nashville’s two larger lakes, J. Percy Priest and Old Hickory, are the perfect location for boaters, swimmers and water-skiers.
“What amazed me was the variety within one state – that you could go from the Appalachian/Eastern feel of Nashville to the Mississippi mode of Memphis,” said Clea Simon, a frequent visitor to Tennessee. “And there’s so much history. From Civil Right Museum to Graceland.”
A visit to Nashville, or a tour of some of the nearby cities in Tennessee will not be a disappointment. No matter what your interests are, you will find an outlet for them in Nashville. Whether you take in the sites indoors, at the many museums and historic venues, or outdoors, in the picturesque parks and lakes, you will never forget the sights and sounds of Nashville.
