Explore Nashville
Find your inspiration during free time at the Annual Convention. Experience the creative energy, discover the neighborhoods, seek out the hidden gems, uncover history and of course, enjoy the music.
Below are some helpful ideas to explore the Nashville area.
The Grand Ole Opry radio show is the longest-running radio program in the United States. Since its first broadcast in 1925, the Opry has presented more than 5,000 shows. It continues to contribute to Nashville's identity as Music City.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is located in the heart of downtown. The tall windows of this striking building cleverly resemble the keys of a piano. The museum features a multimedia display of historical performances, costumes, instruments, gold records, and memorabilia. Other highlights include a Cadillac that belonged to Elvis, a massive 40-foot guitar, a tour bus, and a recording booth. Guided tours of the nearby historic RCA Studio B are also available.
RCA Studio B is near Music Square in the area known as Music Row. This is the heart and soul of the nation's music industry, and RCA Studio B is its most protected historic landmark. The "home of 1,000 hits" thrived for about 15 years starting in 1957. This recording facility is credited as the birthplace of the unique "Nashville sound" that defined so many big hits of the 1950s and 1960s.
The Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974, is still being used to host broadcasts of the famous radio show. Originally opened in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, the Ryman offers superior acoustics for regular performances of classical and bluegrass music, musical theater, and television shows. The Ryman is often referred to as the "Carnegie Hall of the South." Located just off Honky Tonk Row, the auditorium features a museum with exhibits related to its rich musical past. Guided and self-guided tours are available. Try your hand at cutting a record of your own in the Air Castle Studio. Fun backstage tours are available but book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Tips and Tours: How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Nashville
City Sightseeing
- Depending on your schedule, you can choose between a morning or afternoon departure for the half-day Discover Nashville tour, which packs in all the city's top attractions in a 3.5-hour tour. Music Row, Riverfront Park, and the Tennessee State Capitol are included on the itinerary, and the cost includes admission to Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- If you prefer to do things at your own pace, opt for a Nashville Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour. This handy option allows you to stop wherever you choose, and spend as long as you like exploring favorite attractions including Music Row, the Parthenon at Centennial Park, and Vanderbilt University, all accompanied by a guide's informative commentary.
- When you're on a tight schedule or just want to get your bearings at the start of your visit to Music City, opt for the one-hour Best of Nashville City Tour on a Double Decker Bus. This tour will zip you by 100 of the top landmarks and attractions, and offers live commentary by your driver.
Near the Hotel
The Loews Hotel is located in Midtown Nashville which sits between Downtown, Music Row, West End, Hillsboro Village, and adjacent to Vanderbilt University. There is a healthy mix of nightlife and entertainment options, all within walking distance of the hotel. For more information on what to see and do in this area, see the Midtown/Vanderbilt link.
Golf
For golf enthusiasts, here are a couple of the top golf courses in the area:
Recognized as one of the Top 10 in Tennessee, the Hermitage Golf Course trails through 300 acres of natural Tennessee wetlands and along the banks of the Cumberland River.
The highly-rated Gaylord Springs Golf Links is bordered by limestone bluffs and wetlands.