What should *not miss* if in Nashville, TN for a day (and not a C & W fan)?

[salin]

Will have a very brief visit in the near future - and looking for ideas of how to spend a few hours. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[salin]

1. evening kick - still hoping for DU lounge advice...

*pretty please*...

[KG]

2. well, you could take a ride down music row. even if you don't dig CW music

tour the grand ol opry. might be interesting.

or not...

[salin]

4. Might do that ... will be with my mother - she is even further

out of touch with that scene than I... but perhaps an introduction to the scene might be interesting for the both of us.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

3. The real Nashville ain't the places, it's the PEOPLE.

If I were to recommend something, I'd say go to the park and check out the Parthenon.

http://www.nashville.gov/parthenon

Music Row is nice, too, and there are some pretty good restaurants in the downtown area.

You really need much more than a day to take the city in. I should know- I lived there seventeen years, and miss it greatly now that I've moved away.

[salin]

5. that sounds very interesting - now on the list of 'try to see'...

thanks -

You also say that it isn't the places 'its the people' - so where should one go to meet some people and get a flavor and appreciation of the city/community?

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

6. Anywhere you go, you'll find great people

--but that's true for any city. Centennial Park is a great place to hang out- lots of citizens go there just to relax and have a good time.

[salin]

7. Weather permitting - we will make a point to go there.

This is why I asked. I lived in DC, Detroit/Ann Arbor (worked/lived) and the SF Bay Area... and know that the gems and *must see* aren't necessarily what is touted in tourism guides. And when they are - there is nothing tha distinguishes gems from just pure tourism/average places.

Thanks for the tips.

[salin]

8. early am ask for advice... any ideas/suggestions?

thanks.

[Robeson]

9. Well, as someone who lives in Nashville....

...be sure and see the Parthenon in Centenial Park if you get the chance. It's a full scale reproduction of the Parthenon in Athens, and very impressive. Inside, there is a giant - guilded in gold - statue of Athena. It's a must see.

If you are going to be partying at night here, ask your cabby to take you to 5 Points in East Nashville. It's where all the Liberals live, and there are some cool bars and restaraunts there. If you are just wanting to sight-see, you could also go to the Hermitage, the Home of Andrew Jackson. It's very nice, and afterall, he was the father of the modern Democratic Party.

If you are into Art, go to the Frist Center. There is a current exhibit there of modernist and impressionists, with every name you've ever hear. It's a world class museum.

P.S. with respect to country music, don't sweat it. I'm a native Nashvillian, and have grown up here all my life. We natives don't like it either. It's just a product, a gimmick that sells to the masses... The only people wearing cowboy hats in this town, are the tourist....

On edit:


Here's Athena...

[salin]

15. Thanks,

both the Parthenon and the Art Center are now on the list. Not going to do the late night partying thing - but I would guess per your description might be cool to go to in search of a day-time cafe/eatery just to catch the 'flavor' of the area.

Thanks for the tips!

[ForrestGump]

10. NewWaveChick1981 dancing on the bar at Coyote Ugly

Okay, so she didn't actually get around to doing it......but that hasn't stopped me from visualizing it.

[Robeson]

11. That's because she was dancing on the bar with Mrs Robeson and I....

...during her visit...

[ForrestGump]

12. All three of you?

A line dance?



Hey...what happens in Nashville stays in Nashville, right?

[Robeson]

13. Well, not a line dance in the country music sense....

...more like a line dance in the Margarita sense...but I ain't tellin'....

[ForrestGump]

14. Did you ever find your

lost shaker of salt?



Salt! Salt!

[jmowreader]

16. Go to the Museum of Tobacco Art and History

Yes, even if you don't smoke.

800 Harrison Street, Nashville.

[salin]

17. Sounds intriguing

more the history (and the economic role played) than the art - but the idea of tobacco art is rather intriguing. Goes on the "if we have time" list.

Thanks for the heads up - probably wouldn't have gotten onto the radar screen.

[jmowreader]

22. Another good one is The Hermitage

It's President Andrew Jackson's home.

[LynzM]

18. I'm very curious about the responses on this thread, as well...

We may have a few free hours on Saturday, and are in pretty much the same boat...

[Lydia Leftcoast]

19. I can't believe that no one has mentioned The Hermitage!

It was Andrew Jackson's home.

[salin]

20. that is on the list

and is mentioned in a message up-thread. It is on the list of things (if time permits - granted our time is slim) to see. Am guessing that while the spread may be interesting - the history to be learned on a tour would be really interesting.

[Wcross]

21. Opryland hotel?

It is a "different" experience, its huge. If you are into civil war history there are several battlefields in the area. Stones river (murfreesboro), Franklin and several other small engagements. The general Jackson riverboat is another option.
2nd avenue and the surrounding area is interesting. You HAVE to eat at a southern cooking restaurant. Don't go to a "chain" to eat, go to a "Meat & three". (The loveless cafe comes to mind)
In my humble opinion, the trek down to the Jack Daniels distillery is not really worth the drive (60 miles +/-). (At least not any of the ten times I have been there with out of town guests)
If you are into antiques you could go to any number of towns with many dealers. (Lebenon and Bell Buckle come to mind)
The Nashville Zoo is nice. It all depends on what you enjoy and what time of year you are going to be here.

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

23. The Opry Land Hotel is pretty damn impressive

It feels a little like being in Stepford, but it's probably one of the coolest sights on Nashville. Here's a pic of one of the 5 (?) atria: