Nashville Tennessee Travel Information
For those who think Nashville, the state’s capital, is only about
country music—think again. Located in the center of the state,
Nashville is a city of education with Vanderbilt and Fisk Universities
prime examples. A wealth of museums, the arts and professional sports
call the city home. But country music remains the city’s claim to
fame and visitors from all over the world flock here for just that
reason. Tennessee’s state capitol building is set on a hill with
the rest of downtown flowing lower along the Cumberland River. The
city’s strategic river position first drew settlers here when it was
known as Fort Nashborough. Later, river transportation was joined by
the railroad and the town boomed. Although a target during the Civil
War, the South could not hold Nashville. Downtown Nashville and
the area known as “the District” can easily be toured on foot.
Citywalk is a two mile walking tour through the area. The Tennessee
State Capitol here is open to touring and includes statues of famous
Tennesseans. For an in depth look at the state’s history, visit
nearby Tennessee State Museum. Shrines of country music in the
downtown and district include Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, where country
stars still head after performances, and Ernest Tubb’s Record Shop,
which features a free live midnight radio jamboree. Ryman Auditorium
and Museum, home to the Grand Ole Opry radio show, hosted country
music greats until the Opry was moved in 1974. Country Music Hall of
Fame occupies an entire block of the downtown and includes items such
as Minnie Pearl’s hat and an Elvis Presley Cadillac. The District
offers shops, restaurants and clubs including Wildhorse Saloon and
Printer’s Alley. Music Valley is home to the Grand Ole Opry;
shows are on Friday and Saturday nights with some summer matinees.
The huge Opryland complex includes the Grand Ole Opry Museum as well
as museums of specific country stars. Nashville boasts a variety
of museums around town including Adventure Science Center, Music
Valley Car Museum, Nashville Toy Museum and the Tennessee Sports Hall
of Fame and Museum. Parthenon Gallery includes four art galleries
located in the basement of a replica of the Parthenon (complete with a
statue of Greek goddess Athena). The Museum of Art, housed in a
Georgian mansion called Cheekwood, sits amid the 55 acres of the
Tennessee Botanical Gardens. The estate’s owner created Maxwell House
coffee. Nashville is home to several grand homes including Belle
Meade Plantation, called “The Queen of Tennessee Plantations” and
Belmont Mansion, an antebellum close to the downtown. Outdoor
recreation includes the Nashville Zoo, which occupies the grounds of
an 1880s farm. Bicentennial Mall State Park, covering the back side
of the state capitol, has a 31-fountain display and granite map of the
state. Radnor Lake State Natural Area offers a wildlife refuge and
nature trails. Nashville also has several professional sports teams
including the Tennessee Titans football team and the Nashville
Predators hockey team. Nightlife options are numerous. Live
music is available throughout the city at spots such as B.B. King’s
Blues Club. Dining options run the gamut from barbecue at Hog Heaven
to upscale entrees at Martha’s at the Plantation on the grounds of
Belle Meade. Nashville is known for “hot chicken”, plenty spicy and
plenty hot. Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack is a popular spot for this
delicacy. Nashville is located in the center of the state, at
the junctions of Interstates 24, 40 and 65, about 215 miles east of
Memphis.
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