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My family is going to Nashville next April for vacation (I am competing in a Talent Show Finals in Opry Land) and we want to stay a couple of nights at a resort in the area...anyone a member of said resorts, or have insight/advice about said resorts? We've never been to Nashville, and want to take in some of the sights while we're there, so any advice on that front would be welcome as well.
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My family is going to Nashville next April for vacation (I am competing in a Talent Show Finals in Opry Land) and we want to stay a couple of nights at a resort in the area...anyone a member of said resorts, or have insight/advice about said resorts? We've never been to Nashville, and want to take in some of the sights while we're there, so any advice on that front would be welcome as well. -
I have been to Nashville Tenn. a number of times. I assume that your audition will be at the auditorium on the grounds of Opryland USA, so your family can easily enjoy that beautifully landscaped theme park (amusement park) which has various sites of enjoyable live music throughout the park. Children can enjoy the amusement rides.
A site where you absolutely "must" spend a couple hours is in the adjacent suburbs east of Nashville, the town named Old Hickory, where Andrew Jackson's Hermitage is located, which is a mansion and plantation of our president of about 150 years ago. Take the tour through the mansion and plantation grounds where the guide will tell you many interesting historical facts. On the grounds see the two mansions, the museum, lush grounds and garden paths. You can eat there at the restaurant, and brouse thru the book/gift shop.
http://www.thehermitage.com
I enjoyed the botanical garden and art museum in Cheekwood Park which is in the adjacent southern suburb of Belle Meade. (My niece had her wedding ceremony in the rose garden there and hired a harpest to play heavenly background music, as well as the wedding march. Very beautiful!)
This trip to Cheekwood in not an absolute must, but it is very enjoyable. It will also give your family quiet time to take a walk amoung beautiful trees, flowering landscaped park paths and get your daily exercise. You could take a picnic lunch to this park.
There is a naturist resort quite nearby, southeast of Nashville in Murfreesboro Tennessee, called Rock Haven Lodge which I have not visited. Please see;
http://www.rockhavenlodge.com
If you don't stay there, you could stay at the large Opryland Hotel, where there is a good restaurant and beautiful large glassed space with paths to enjoy the environment of tropical plants.
See;
http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordopryland
Also, some links on this latter web site tells of tourists attractions in Nashville.Comment
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Opryland is no more. No one told you? Gaylord razed it and turned it into a mall. Yes, a mall. Opry Mills. Too bad, really.
The Grand Ole Opry is still there, maybe that's where your event is, but all the beautiful landscapes and rides and things surrounding it have become parking lots and outlet stores.
That being said, you'll still enjoy your time here, just no theme park.
Alex, a NashvillianComment
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No Opry Land? Well, what about the Shoney's Inn? PLEASE tell me it still stands!Comment
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Yes. The Shoney's Inn is still there. While in Nashville, I have a couple of suggested sites to see in addition to Cheekwood and The Hermitage.
1) The Parthenon - The only replica of the Greek Parthenon to exist (because we are also called "The Athens Of The South" in addition to Country Music USA and Music City. Inside is an art gallery and the largest statue of Athena to exist in this hemisphere (I think that's right). The whole place is truly emmense.
2) The General Jackson Riverboat - Nightly (and some day) dinner and show cruises. Call in advance for tickets and meal preferences. The shows are good fun and the food was pretty good the 3 times that I went. It loads/unloads next to Opry Mills and Opryland Hotel. The cruise is 2-3 hours. It goes to downtown Nashville, turns around, and goes back. It passes 1st avenue and the Tennessee Titans Stadium, which are both beautifully lit at night.
3) If you're into hockey, the Nashville Predators play downtown at the Gaylord Entertainment Center; known as the GEC (geck). If you stay at Opryland Hotel you may be able to get a discounted ticket price. There are river taxis that run from the hotel to downtown Nashville and will drop you off within walking distance (5 blocks of the geck).
4) The famous downtown Nashville. There are plenty of restaurants, bars (most with live music, imagine that), and tourist shops. Visit 2nd avenue for the finest in tourist traps. Don't forget to visit Printer's Alley.
5) Music Row
6) The Country Music Hall Of Fame next to GEC.
As far as Rock Haven goes. It's the closest choice to Nashville.... I go to Timberline Resort in Crossville. It is 90 miles East of Nashville and I love it. Cherokee Resort is at the same exit (311, Plateau Road) but on the opposite side of the Interstate. I have not been to Cherokee so I cannot give a positive or negative recommendation of it.
If you want to know more about Nashville, let me know. I was born here and have lived all of my 30 years here.
Hope this helps.
bgComment
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I was in Nashville for the weekend.
The Ryman has been expanded and hosts a lot of good shows and concerts.
The Opryland Hotel survived Gaylord's heavy hand and is worth a half day or perhaps an evening visit even if you lodge elsewhere.
I am a history buff and enjoyed Fort Nashborough near downtown.
Union Station is Nashville's old train depot and has been converted into a fine restaurant.
You might enjoy taking in a Titans game when they are home.
East of town is Cedars of Lebanon State Park, a fascinating place for naturalists. (and for naturists who are willing to remain dressed for their visit).
If you bring your bicycles, there are paved trails near the Cumberland River at Shelby Park. (I know of at least one marriage proposal that succeeded in this park!).
Have fun!Comment
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Before Gaylord took over the large edifice in which the Predators play, it was known simply as The Arena. Before the outdoor venue in Antioch was bought out by a certain banking institution, it was called Starwood.
I say the following at the risk of sounding pretentious, but oh well, here goes. I'm tired of watching the town I grew up in become corporatized. I'm tired of hearing how one business or another is responsible for chunks of my daily life. I suppose Nashville has always been a town that panders to its tourists, I certainly won't deny that, nor will I deny that large corporations have done good things for Nashville over the past decades. It's just... now the names are creeping into everything, and names are very powerful tools.
Besides, GEC sounds hideous when used in a sentence. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif[/img]
By the way, things like the Musica statue on the Music Row roundabout are what bring soul back into this town, I wanna see more of that.Comment
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