ATTRACTIONS

Adventure Science Center

800 Fort Negley Boulevard. With the child-sized Curiosity Corner and ever-changing blockbuster exhibits, the Adventure Science Center provides unique opportunities for discovery for both children and adults. Admission is $14 adults and teens; $11 children ages 2–12; $13 seniors (65+); free for toddlers under age 2. Open 10 am-5 pm daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, see adventuresci.com.

Belle Meade Plantation

5025 Harding Road. Listed as one of America’s grandest mansions by Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel magazine, this 1853 Greek Revival mansion only minutes from downtown is the place where the bloodlines of Seabiscuit, Secretariat, War Admiral and Funny Cide started. Living History programs are featured daily. Most of the demonstrations will center around the Frontier Life era 1790-1820. Demonstrations vary and include gardening, blacksmithing and cooking. Restaurant and gift shop on property. Call (615) 356-0501 or log on to bellemeadeplantation.com.

Belmont Mansion

1700 Acklen Avenue, Belmont College Campus. This 1850’s Italianate villa has long been recognized as one of the most elaborate and unusual homes in the South. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 am-4 pm, Sunday, 1-4 pm, closed all major holidays. Call (615) 460-5459 or go to belmontmansion.com for more information.

Bicentennial Mall State Park

600 James Robertson Parkway. The Bicentennial Mall is a public park, with statues, monuments, fountains, trails, bell towers, and an amphitheater. The scenery and atmosphere give visitors a taste of Tennessee’s history, geology, and scenic wonder. Walk along a timeline inscribed with tidbits of Tennessee history. The wall of history breaks up during the Civil War, representing the breakup of the United States. Then, in 1865, the wall lines back up again, showing reunification after the war ended. Each of the 31 erupting geyser fountains represent one of Tennessee’s major rivers. The war monument, an 18,000-pound granite globe, floating on water and rotating, pays tribute to the 5,631 Tennesseans killed during World War II. Free park tours are conducted every Monday and Wednesday at 10 am, 1 and 3 pm. Cost is free except for special events. Hours: daylight-midnight. (615) 741-5280 or 888-TNPARKS (888-867-2757, toll free).

Bike the Greenway Bicycle Rentals

Briley Parkway (TN-155) at Two Rivers Parkway (Exit 10). Two Rivers Park Trailhead is within minutes of Gaylord Opryland Resort, Music Valley Drive Hotels, and Nashville Airport Hotels offers miles of dedicated greenway. Hourly or ½ day rentals. Call 615-920-1388 or visit bikethegreenway.net to arrange your bike rental and transfer to trailhead (if needed).

Carnton Plantation

1345 Eastern Flank Circle, Franklin. Carnton Plantation, home of The Widow of the South, was a field hospital following the Battle of Franklin, fought in 1864. Plantation includes a home tour, museum, The McGavock Confederate Cemetery, a fully restored garden and slave quarters. Open 9 am-5 pm on Monday-Saturday and noon-5 pm on Sunday. Closed most major holidays. For more information, visit BattleofFranklinTrust.org.

Centennial Park

2500 West End Avenue. Nashville’s premier park features the iconic Parthenon, a one-mile walking trail, Lake Watauga, Centennial Art Center, historical monuments, arts activity centers, beautiful gardens, a band shell, events shelter, sand volleyball courts, a dog park, and an exercise trail. Thousands of people visit the park each year to enjoy the museum, see exhibits, attend some of the many festivals, and just relax in the park. Hours: dawn to 11 pm daily.

Cheekwood Botanical Garden And Museum Of Art

1200 Forrest Park Drive. Beautiful botanic gardens located on a 55-acre estate with a residence listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The mansion houses American and European art and a newer building is dedicated to presenting contemporary art. In the summer and fall there are themed art installations in the gardens that change annually. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9 am-5 pm. Admission is $14 for adults; $12 for seniors (65+), $10 for college students with ID; $7 for youth 3 to 17, and free to children ages 2 and under. There is a 50% discount for military personnel with current ID. Parking $3. Special rates are offered for group tours. Call (615) 353-9827 for details. See the website at cheekwood.org.

Cooter’s Place

2613-B McGavock Pike, across from the Opryland Hotel, Exit 12 off Briley Parkway. Enjoy Cooter’s fabulous display of props, costumes and memorabilia from the Dukes of Hazzard TV show. There are regular appearances by Ben “Cooter” Jones and other cast members. See the General Lee “01” car from the show, and purchase treats like Daisy’s Homemade Country Honey, Uncle Jesse’s Finest Batch of Apple Cider, along with Dukes Of Hazzard hats, T-shirts, DVDs, CDs, pictures and diecast General Lee cars. Open daily at 9 am. Call (615) 872-8358 for more information, or on the web at cootersplace.com.

Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum

222 Fifth Avenue South. You haven’t seen Nashville if you haven’t visited the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, the largest popular music museum in the world. Experience the history of America’s music through exciting new exhibits, entertaining films, interactive displays, and an incredible array of costumes and instruments. “Sing Me Back Home,” the museum’s permanent exhibit, tells the story of country music from its pre-commercial roots in the nineteenth century through its vibrant life today. Open daily 9 am-5 pm. Tickets are $24 for adults and $17 for youth (ages 6 to 17) for the Gold Package and $35 for adults and $26 for youth for the Platinum Package, which also includes a tour of historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis and others recorded over 35,000 songs. Then shop at the Museum Store and savor a made-from-scratch meal at Two Twenty-Two Grill and Catering. Call (615) 416-2001 for more information or log onto country countrymusichalloffame.com.

Fort Nashborough

170 First Avenue North. This reconstruction of the original settlement of Nashville is authentic in many details, reflecting the lifestyle of frontier pioneers in the late 1700s. Located in Riverfront Park, the self-guided tour facility is convenient to shopping, restaurants, hotels and museums in downtown Nashville.

Frist Art Museum

919 Broadway. The downtown attraction features many traveling exhibitions, and focuses on art education for the community, for children and adults alike. Open Monday-Wednesday and Saturday 10 am-5:30 pm, Thursday and Friday 10 am-9 pm and Sunday 1-5:30 pm. For more information, call (615) 244-3340 or log on to fristartmuseum.org.

Franklin On Foot Tours

Downtown Franklin. Join one of our dynamic tour guides and explore Franklin’s fascinating history and sometimes scandalous past, either by foot or on two wheels. Various tours are available, including the most popular Ghost Tour. Franklin is just crawlin’ with ghosts – and we’re the ones who know the stories behind each tragic tale. Visit franklinonfoot.com for more details and call (615) 400-3808 to make your reservation.

General Jackson Showboat

Climb aboard the General Jackson Showboat for a unique entertainment experience! This 300-foot paddlewheel riverboat cruises the Cumberland River offering fantastic shows and delicious meals. Sumptuous Southern fare, as well as an entertaining show, are included on the evening cruise on the Cumberland. For tickets and more information call (615) 458-3900 or buy online at generaljackson.com.

Grand Ole Opry

2804 Opryland Drive. The world’s longest-running live radio show features the best in country, bluegrass, comedy and more. Shows: Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 pm. Tuesday shows March through December also at 7 pm. For tickets, visit opry.com or call (615) 871-OPRY.

Grand Ole Opry House Backstage Pass Tours

2804 Opryland Drive. Guided tours of the Grand Ole Opry House offer visitors an up-close look at the celebrated 4,400-seat venue and country’s most famous show, including themed dressing rooms, the artists’ entrance, the Opry stage, and more. Daytime tours are available seven days a week February through October featuring Blake Shelton as your video tour guide. Tours are also available following most Opry performances with video tour guide Darius Rucker. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, try our Behind the Curtain VIP tour. For more information, visit opry.com or call (615) 871-OPRY.

Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage

Home of President Andrew Jackson, 4580 Rachel’s Lane. A tour of this 1837 mansion by guides in period costume will enchant you. The tombs of Andrew and Rachel are located in the beautiful heirloom garden. Other historic buildings include slave quarters and the church that Jackson built for his family. Special garden and farm tours are given seasonally as well as tours through active archaeology sites. Shop the museum store for unique gifts and dine in the delightful restaurant. Operating hours mid-November through March: 9 am-4:30 pm. Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, $15 for students 13–18, $10 for children 6–12 and children under 6 are free. A family pass for 2 adults and 2 children under age 18 is $54. Active military are admitted free (ID required). (615) 889-2941, thehermitage.com.

Historic Collinsville

Step back in time to an era when the work was hard but satisfying, and the fun was found in simple things. From the 1830s Visitor Center to the 1870 Double-Pen Dogtrot House and in between, see what life was like when time seemed to move at a slower pace. Sixteen separate, original, perfectly restored buildings in a living history, nineteenth- century 40-acre settlement. Self-guided, group and school tours available. Special programs and activities throughout the year. Civil War Battle Reenactment, Battle of Riggins Hill, takes place in October. Located 12 miles south of Clarksville off Hwy 48. Follow signs to site in Southside, TN. Open Thursday through Sunday 1-5 pm May 15 through October 13. (931) 648-9141. historiccollinsville.com

Historic Mansker’s Station Frontier Live Center

Located in Moss-Wright Park on Caldwell Rd. in Goodlettsville, TN. A staffed, living history site maintained by the City of Goodlettsville, the site represents the station built by Kasper Mansker in the late 18th century. Six times a year, artisans, craftsmen and volunteers populate the station for a weekend, giving a true representation of pioneer life. Also located in Manskers Station is the Bowen House, a plantation house of the era. A tour of the house and the Station begins inside the house with a short film which gives the history of both of the sites. Tours of the house and station are $5 for adults and $3 for students. Group rates are also available. Call (615) 859-FORT (3678) for more information.

Historic RCA Studio B

1611 Roy Acuff Place, Music Row. Known as one of the world’s most important recording studios where more than 35,000 songs were brought to life, like Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and many hits by Elvis. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum today to learn how you can experience historic RCA Studio B. Call (615) 416-2001 or visit the website at countrymusichalloffame.com.

Jack Daniels Distillery Tour

182 Lynchburg Highway, Lynchburg. Between 9 am and 4:30 pm daily, tours last an hour and fifteen minutes and start anywhere from every fifteen minutes to an hour, depending on the crowds. For a nominal fee, Jack Daniel’s is now offering Distillery tours, which include a sampling of the hometown product. Be sure to ask about these enhanced tours upon arriving at the Visitor Center. End the tour with lunch at Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House, in operation since 1908. Reservations are recommended.

Johnny Cash Museum

119 Third Avenue South. Featuring the largest collection of Johnny Cash memorabilia in the world, the museum has everything from his earliest childhood artifacts to the last song he wrote. Exhibits chronicle The Man in Black’s life with stunning graphics, artifacts and interactive technology and include stage costumes, instruments, personal letters, artwork and handwritten songs as well as artifacts from family members and notable friends. Experience a three dimensional walk through the life and legend of this international icon. From handwritten lyrics for “I Walk the Line” and “Folsom Prison Blues,” to a stone wall from Johnny and June’s home in Hendersonville, this museum holds the very essence of the man. The Museum Store features the largest selection of Cash souvenirs, apparel and rare collectibles. Staff members include Cash family members and friends who love to share stories with guests. No trip to Nashville would be complete without a visit to the Johnny Cash Museum. The Bongo Java Cafe serves coffee and coffee drinks as well as gourmet cafe foods. Open 8 am to 6 pm seven days a week. Closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving. For more information call (615) 256-1777 or see johnnycashmuseum.com.

Lane Motor Museum

702 Murfreesboro Pike. (615) 742-7445. Discover unique vehicles from A to Z at Lane Motor Museum. One of the few museums in North America to specialize in European cars, with over 150 cars and motorcycles on display from all over the world! Over 45 marques representing North and South America, Asia, and Europe – definitely not your typical car museum! “Tatra: Excellence in Engineering” features twenty rarely seen, Czechoslovakian-made Tatra automobiles from 1923 to 1996 is on exhibit through November 3. Open Thursday-Monday, 10 am-5 pm. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for seniors (age 65+), $3 for youth (ages 6-17) and free for kids ages 5 and under. Call for more information or visit the website lanemuseum.org.

The Lotz House

1111 Columbia Avenue, Franklin. Come to The Lotz house for the compelling story of the Battle of Franklin, the Lotz family and the fine antiques of the Civil War era. Trip Advisor’s #1 attraction in Franklin features guided tours daily. There is a value ticket available which includes Carnton Plantation and The Carter House, located across the street. For more information, call (615) 790-7190 or visit LotzHouse.com.

The Music of Nashville: A Magical Journey

Texas Troubadour Theatre, 2416 Music Valley Drive. “These are great performers!”—Mickey Gilley. Join the incredible cast and band in a historical 60 year ride through some of Nashville’s biggest hits, and the stories behind them! From Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, George & Tammy, Conway & Loretta, Kenny & Dolly, through Wynonna, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift, this show brings exciting entertainment unlike any other. Performed by hot up-and-coming artists who are backed by a fantastic first-call Nashville band, they will bring you to your feet! Tickets available online, day of show or call (615) 969-6349. themusicofnashville.com

NashTrash Tours

772 Harrison Street. Tours begin and end at the south end of the Nashville Farmer’s Market. The Jugg Sisters’ adults-only big pink bus tours take visitors past country music landmarks of the city, such as the Ryman, Country Music Hall of Fame, the Wildhorse Saloon and Printer’s Alley, while they give an hysterical account of country music legends and their not-so-proud moments. This 90-minute tour is performance as much as information. BYOB coolers of wine or beer are permitted. No one under 15 years of age is allowed, including babies. Public tours usually run just once a day Tuesday through Friday and twice a day on Saturday. Tours do not run on Sundays, Mondays or major holidays. Call (615) 226-7300 or 800-342-2132 for reservations, and call well ahead of time as the tour fills well in advance. For more information, see the website at nashtrash.com.

Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater

2416 Music Valley Drive, in Music Valley Village, across the street from the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Grand Ole Opry. Nashville’s premier Country Music Dinner Theater features The Best of Country Music Show. Voted Nashville’s #1 Dinner Show, the show features songs made famous by legendary artists and today’s superstars. Many guest stars appear such as Opry Star Jeannie Seely, “The Fiddle Man” Tim Watson, Diana Murrell and others. There is entertainment for the entire family. The Great Southern Buffet is at 5:30 pm and show time is 6:30 pm. Admission for the dinner and show is $45.95, show only is $28. Don’t miss this Nashville tradition. Tour groups are welcome. Call (615) 885-4747 for information and reservations or go to nashvillenightlife.com.

Nashville Zoo

3777 Nolensville Road. Add some exotic to the everyday with Nashville Zoo at Grassmere. Wander through a lush canopy of bamboo, come face to face with a clouded leopard, feed Australian parrots, and pet a kangaroo. Nashville Zoo is your ticket to African giraffes, poison arrow frogs, zebras, red pandas, kangaroos, gibbons and much more! In between your animal adventures, be sure to take a spin on our Wild Animal Carousel, get a new view of the Zoo from Soaring Eagle zip line, monkey around our 66,000-square-foot Jungle Gym, or even step back in time on the walking tour at our Grassmere Historic Home and Farm. (615) 833-1534,
nashvillezoo.org

Old Town Trolley Tours

Downtown. Discover at your leisure, this amazing city with a one-day ticket on the Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour. Create your own itinerary to see the most popular sites & attractions. Climb aboard and enjoy the humorous tales and interesting trivia of our friendly conductors. Experience our unique blend of transportation and entertainment with an unforgettable tour of “Music City USA”. 615-258-5924, trolleytours.com

The Parthenon

Located in Centennial Park off of West End Avenue, this building is recognized as one of the world’s most impressive scale reproductions of an ancient classic. It houses Alan LeQuire’s magnificent 42-foot statue of Athena, the largest indoor sculpture in North America. There are also art exhibits showcased there. A Nashville treasure!

Radnor Lake State Park

1160 Otter Creek Road. A great place for an energetic hike up steep ridge trails, or a leisurely walk along paved roads, Radnor has some of the highest hills in the Nashville Basin. The Ganier Ridge and South Cove trails are nice, challenging hikes for a day hiker, but there are also flat, mulched and paved trails for those who want to just stroll and see the scenery. Wildlife and plants are abundant – it is not unusual at all to come across deer, heron, ducks, turkeys and turtles during a walk around Radnor Lake. The park is about a 5-minute drive from I-65, Exit 78, Harding Place.

Ray Stevens CabaRay Showroom

5724 River Road. Ray Stevens and his fabulous A-Team band will take you down memory lane with songs and stories from Ray’s legendary career. Showtimes Friday, Saturday and occasional Thursdays: 7:30 pm, dinner seating at 6 pm. Come early to experience the rockin’ Piano Bar with live music from 5 pm until showtime and post show until closing. (615) 327-4630, raystevenscabaray.com

Ryman Auditorium

116 Fifth Avenue North, downtown. Established in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, Ryman Auditorium is a National Historic Landmark and must-see for any Nashville visitor. Most famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943–1974, the Ryman is the very epicenter of Music City. Take a self-guided tour and learn the fascinating story of the building’s construction as you peruse artifacts from more than a century of entertainment history. Guided Backstage Tours are available on a limited basis, check the box office for details. New expanded Gift Shop with exclusive Ryman merchandise, make-your-own t-shirt activity station as well as Café Lula at the Ryman are now open! Open seven days a week. ryman.com

Ryman Tours

116 Fifth Avenue North, downtown. Established in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, Ryman Auditorium is a National Historic Landmark and must-see for any Nashville visitor. Most famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943–1974, the Ryman is the very epicenter of Music City. Take a self-guided tour and learn the fascinating story of the building’s construction as you peruse artifacts from more than a century of entertainment history. Guided Backstage Tours are available on a limited basis, check the box office for details. New expanded Gift Shop with exclusive Ryman merchandise, make-your-own t-shirt activity station as well as Café Lula at the Ryman are now open! Open seven days a week. ryman.com

Soar Adventure Tower

3794 Carothers Pkwy, Franklin. Only 15 miles south of downtown Nashville, SOAR Adventure Tower is the ideal destination for your next adventure. Our unique tower creates a safe and interactive atmosphere that features 4 levels and over 110 climbing elements that will challenge kids and adults both mentally and physically. Throughout the Tower you will find one of a kind music themed elements that embrace the culture of the Music City. Fun for all ages! (615) 721-5103, soaradventure.com

Tennessee Performing Arts Center

505 Deaderick Street, downtown. TPAC is home to the Nashville Symphony, the Nashville Opera, the Tennessee Repertory Theatre, the Nashville Ballet and the Tennessee State Museum. There are three performance venues, named for the three U.S. presidents who hailed from Tennessee (Andrew Jackson Hall, James K. Polk Theater and Andrew Johnson Theater). For tickets or schedule, call Ticketmaster at 255-ARTS (2787); for administration call 782-4000. tpac.org

Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

Main floor of Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway. See 7,200 square feet of sports-related exhibits, get a chance to play virtual-reality basketball, experience the strength-training apparatus used by Olympic swimmers, and play an exciting NASCAR video game. There’s also sports memorabilia galore, so leave plenty of time for your kids to locate artifacts associated with their favorite sports hero. Tickets are $2 for a tour of the museum, and $10 for a behind-the-scenes tour of Bridgestone Arena.

Tennessee State Capitol

Charlotte Avenue, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. The historic Tennessee State Capitol stands today much as it did when completed in 1859. Several areas, including the first floor hallway, library and Supreme Court chamber, have been restored to their 19th-century, Greek Revival appearance. Free guided tours are provided by Tennessee State Museum. Tours leave from the Information Desk on the first floor of the Capitol every hour, on the hour; with the first tour at 9 am, and the final tour at 3 pm. Self-guided tours are also available at the Information Desk.

Tennessee State Museum

Opening in October 2018, the new Tennessee State Museum will become one of the largest state museums in the nation. The new 137,000-square-foot facility, is designed to bring history to life, and includes a “Tennessee Time Tunnel” chronicling the state’s rich history, a hands-on children’s gallery, six rotating galleries, a state-of-the art digital learning center and a two-story atrium. Exhibitions include special displays of art, furniture, textiles, and photographs produced by Tennesseans. The museum’s Civil War holdings of uniforms, battle flags and weapons are among the finest in the nation. Located in the heart of Nashville, at the corner of Rosa Parks Boulevard and Jefferson Street, the new Museum sits at the foot of Capitol Hill, overlooks Bicentennial Mall State Park. There is no admission charge for visitors. Hours are subject to change. Please check our website for the most up to date information at tnmuseum.org.

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge

422 Broadway, downtown. No visit to Music City is complete without a stop at the worlds most famous honkytonk. Legendary stars like Roger Miller, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, Faron Young, Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, Hank Cochran and Mel Tillis sang and wrote songs there and the tradition continues to this day. Continuous live music with the big stars performing at Midnight Madness every Tuesday night starting at 10 pm, hosted by John Stone. Call (615) 726-0463 or tootsies.net.

The Upper Room

1908 Grand Avenue, midtown. An active chapel and museum, The Upper Room features a nearly life-size wood carving of da Vinci’s The Last Supper. There are permanent exhibits, as well as a peaceful garden. Special seasonal exhibits include an exhibit of 100 nativity scenes during the Christmas holidays, a Madonna and Child Gallery exhibit, and a Ukrainian egg display during Lent and Easter. Come experience the tranquility of the Upper Room amid the city’s tumult. Monday-Thursday 8 am-4:30 pm, Friday 8 am-12:30 pm. Closed holidays and weekends. Call (615) 340-7207 or visit upperroom.org/chapel.

Tribute to the King 1953-1977

Texas Troubadour Theatre, 2416 Music Valley Drive. On Mondays and Thursdays this high-energy, live musical biography starring John Beardsley features all six eras of the King’s career, including over 30 songs and five costume changes, and has thrilled audiences of all ages from New York to Russia. The legend lives on in Nashville’s first and only continuously running show paying tribute to the King in Music City, where he recorded over 300 songs. “A great show, very authentic! I look forward to seeing it again,” raved DJ Fontana, Elvis’s longtime drummer. Audiences continue to give standing ovations at every show. A must-see show while in Nashville. To order tickets, which is recommended, call (615) 758-0098. Seating at 6:30 pm. Showtime is 7 pm. Box office opens at 10 am, day of show. Plenty of free parking! thenashvilleking.com

Visitor Information Centers

There are two Visitor Information Centers in Nashville, both downtown. One is at Fifth and Broadway in the glass tower of the Bridgestone Arena, (615) 259-4747. Open 8 am-5:30 pm Monday-Saturday; 10 am-5 pm on Sundays providing museum displays, maps, information and discounted tickets to all attractions and Nashville souvenirs. The second Visitor Information Center is at 1 Nashville Place, 150 Fourth Avenue North in the lobby of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, (615) 259-4700. Open 8 am-5 pm Monday-Friday, this visitor center offers upscale souvenirs that are exclusively music-related, along with maps, attractions information and discounted tickets.

Warner Parks

Located off Highway 100, Edwin and Percy Warner Parks offer some of the city’s best do-it-yourself recreational opportunities, with trails for riding horses and hiking and paved roads for biking, walking, running or exploring in a car. There is also plenty of open space for playing frisbee, picnicking, or just getting some fresh air. Dogs are welcome in the parks. In May, Edwin Warner Park is host to the Iroquois Steeplechase, run since the 1930s, which has one of the richest purses in the country.

Wildhorse Saloon

Second Avenue, downtown. The Wildhorse offers three floors of action-packed fun, five bars and live entertainment seven nights a week. The Wildhorse is the place to hear the hottest bands and learn the latest dance steps with complimentary dance lessons nightly. Be sure to try the award winning barbecue and world famous fried pickles. For current concert information, call (615) 902-8200 or go to the website at wildhorsesaloon.com.