Nashville

"Eat More Rhinestones" and "Viva Nashvegas": These bumper stickers do reflect the shiny, glitzy surface of Music City. Nashville is definitely country music and all that goes with it -- cowboy hats and red leather boots, songs about heartbreak and crying over beer. But this city's repertoire is wider than many visitors assume. Business is flourishing in a variety of industries, including publishing, health care, finance and professional sports. The city is doing a booming business in conventions and trade shows, and it's hosting more and more people who would just as soon attend a performance of the Nashville Opera as the Grand Ole Opry. New residents from around the world have brought with them a diversity of cultures that is quickly spreading throughout town. The result is a city that not only lives up to its reputation but also surpasses it.

Nashville Travels & Tours

General Jackson Showboat This 100-yard paddle-wheeler cruises the Cumberland River each day. Once aboard, the atmosphere and hospitality will usher you back to the 19th century. Daytime cruise includes a lunch buffet and service by a singing staff. The three-hour dinner cruise includes a three-course meal and entertainment provided by a swing band and dancing in the ballroom. Nashville Shores Cool down at Nashville's hottest water theme park. Ride the 700-foot Tennessee Twisters water slide. Enjoy three pools, miniature golf, boat and jet ski rentals, picnic areas, and sandy beaches. Belle Meade Plantation Beloved by Nashvillians and tourists alike, this 1853 Greek revival mansion was once the centerpiece of a 5,400-acre, 19th century thoroughbred farm and nursery. Still referred to as the "Queen of Tennessee plantations," the present thirty-acre site includes many of the original outbuildings and an antique carriage collection. Allow one hour to tour the mansion and grounds. Multi-lingual grounds cards are available in Japanese, French, German, and Spanish. Nashville Zoo at Grassmere This 200-acre "walk-through" zoological park is home to the rare and beautiful. You'll encounter cougars, black bears, Bengal tigers, zebras, cheetahs and playful river otters. Kids can even go a bit wild on "The Jungle Gym" playground. The Croft Center, named for the sisters who left the estate to Grassmere, houses the "Unseen New World" exhibit and a variety of reptiles. There is also a working farm exhibit and petting zoo. Ryman Auditorium Built in 1881, this structure is famous for superb acoustics. Stars like Enrico Caruso and Charlie Chaplin graced its stage in the early 20th century. Home to the "Grand Ole Opry" radio show for 31 years, it became known as "the mother church of country music." By day, you can view displays that depict its rich history. In the evening, enjoy live bluegrass, jazz, classical, country, and gospel performances. Jack Daniel's Distillery In 1866, the Jack Daniels distillery received its license in the state of Tennessee to produce what has become the most famous southern sipping whiskey. This National Historic Site is located in the little town near a natural spring. Guided tours of the facility are offered daily. Combine your visit to the distillery with a walk through downtown Lynchburg; it features additional historic sites and several souvenir shops. If you go in September, join in the celebration of the city's founder in the downtown square. CMA Music Festival Each June, 20,000 pilgrims journey to the Music City to worship their country music idols. Fans literally rub shoulders with stars during a whirlwind of events. Big names like Alan Jackson, Vince Gil, and Trisha Yearwood always show up. Tickets go on sale in February. Packages start at USD290 per person for four nights (double occupancy), which includes breakfast, tickets to evening shows, Riverfront concerts and autograph sessions. Dancin' in the District This is largest free summer concert series in the area and it serves up a good sampling of the good times to be seen and heard in Music City. Each Thursday evening, from June through August, crowds converge on the banks of the Cumberland River to listen and dance to live music. A range of genres are performed by emerging and well-known musical acts. Cumberland Science Museum The thrill of scientific discovery awaits you! Come explore over 150 interactive exhibits and programs for children and adults. View the heavens from the 40-foot Sudekum Planetarium. Explore the wonders of the human body in Health Hall or the world of computers in the New Century Computer Lab. Little ones cannot resist the Curiosity Corner. Planetarium shows occur daily and new exhibits open regularly. Special programs are offered for high school students on weekend nights. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Discover the stories behind the music as you view over 3,000 stage costumes, original song manuscripts and musical instruments. Many of the personal items of music legends are on display including Elvis' solid gold Cadillac.

Nature and Adventure

Nashville tends to stay humid all year long, but especially so in summer. The temperatures can get into the 90s F/30s C, and the humidity can make it feel much hotter. For visitors from cooler climes, July and August can be quite uncomfortable. Winters aren't too cold, although they can be rainy. Temperatures average 30-50 F/0-10 C then, but the moist air makes for a chill. It snows very little in Nashville -- maybe two or three times a year. If you visit in winter, bring at least one warmer-weather outfit: Although it may be below freezing one day, it could rebound to 70 F/21 C the next. Like many southern cities, Nashville has limited public transportation. Everyone has a car and loves to drive it, but recent growth is making its small-town infrastructure inadequate for all those vehicles. Fortunately, most of the city's major sites are close to one another, and travelers can explore many of them easily by foot, bus or taxi.

Nashville Suites

Nashville Downtown Hotels

Cheap Nashville Hotels

Nashville Travel Guide

Nashville Airport Hotels

Luxury Nashville Hotels