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[RWhyman]

My wife and I are heading to Nashville in a couple of months and we have never been there. We would appreciate any ideas on things to do, see, or not to miss adventures. Restaurants, music, history or whatever. Not sure if we will rent a car or rely on Uber. The only plan we have is a Jason Isbell show at the Ryman.

Thanks
Roger

[bregent]

Was just there last week, but only could stay one day. If you like bluegrass, check out the Station Inn. Always has a good show and lots of music history.

[Kristin Meredith]

I am not a huge fan of Andrew Jackson. but I do love history and I enjoyed our day at The Hermitage (his home).  Interesting to see a slice of life in that time period.

[grilltreats]

I do live here in the city limits and have for many years.  I don't do the tourist routes, but can say the Opry Mills Hotel is worth a visit and stay.  It is a huge place next to the Grand ole Opry house.  They have numerous tropical plants and waterfalls along with a riverboat ride.  All indoors plus many shops.  It will take an hour or two to walk through it all.  They also have a riverboat (big paddle boat) that serves dinner and takes you downtown and back. There is also a really nice mall next door to that hotel which includes a bass Pro shop with lots of neat stuff to gander at.  Across the street is a big waterpark.

Of course there are a bunch of honky tonks downtown along with the music museum and some country music singer museums like George Jones.  Each bar has a live band.  One is seven floors with a different band on each floor if you are a music buff.  Plenty of eats there too.

If you time in right, there are concerts indoors and at the outdoor amphitheater downtown.

There are also mansion tours you can take to see where the money lives.  Some very nice places and you get to see some of the rolling hills along the way.

There are a couple of big lakes here too that you can rent boats on as well.

[Trooper]

RCA Studio B.


https://www.viator.com/Nashville-attractions/RCA-Studio-B/d799-a12684?pref=02&aid=gdsarlsa&mcid=28353&tsem=true&supag=43381890943&supkl=kl&supsc=s&supai=209286917256&supap=1t2&supdv=c&supnt=g&supti=dsa-532353334232&suplp=9017481&supli=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh-2xyeX23AIVkEoNCh3nnAi6EAAYAiAAEgKIIPD_BwE

Before going on the Tour, I didn't really think I'd dig it at all.
Turns out, I loved it!!
Our particular guide was a great story teller.


A copy and paste from a website.
The Basics
At RCA Studio B, you can wander the halls where Dolly Parton and the Everly Brothers once recorded, and even sit at the piano Elvis Presley played. This recording studio, an irreplaceable part of music history, is now part of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and its interior in decorated in 1970s-era style, as it was in its heyday as the “Temple of Sound.”
 
Guided studio tours depart every day from the Country Music Hall of Fame and are available in conjunction with Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum admission. You can also see RCA Studio B as one of the attractions included in the Nashville Music Attraction Discount Pass, which also includes admission to other Music City highlights such as the Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Johnny Cash Museum.
 
Things to Know Before You Go
RCA Studio B is a must-see for music lovers visiting Nashville.
Die-hard music fans with kids may want to go this one alone, as there isn’t much to keep small tots occupied.
All studio tours depart from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, with transportation included from that location.
RCA Studio B is accessible to wheelchair users; there are ramps and accessible bathrooms on-site.
 

[urnmor]

I liked the Hermitage, the Elvis museum and don't forget to try their hot fried chicken that is special to the area. Also if you have the time walking around downtown you will find a lot of other stuff to do. 

[Bentley]

Yeah, I would like to try that Nashville hot too!

[Bar-B-Lew]

Yeah, I would like to try that Nashville hot too!

KFC

[jdmessner]

I have only been to Nashville a few times over the years. However, the first time I went there, a friend of mine who is a bluegrass musician told me about a place called "The Station." I have not been there in a while, but it probably has not changed much. It not touristy and is more of a local hole-in-the-wall kind of place. However, if you like bluegrass (and that's a whole other conversation), it is the place to be. On Sunday they have an open jam session that is free and well worth going to. Here is a review:

The Station Inn
Open since 1974, The Station Inn is the place to hear bluegrass music in Nashville. Tucked away on 12th Avenue in the heart of Nashville’s Gulch neighborhood, The Station Inn is a small, weathered brick building that is easy to miss if you’re not looking for it (with the exception of its bright red door). However, its nondescript exterior belies its significance: since its founding, the venue has played a foundational role in the growth of bluegrass music in Nashville. Past performers include Jimmy Martin, Bobby Osborne, Alison Krauss, and Bill Monroe himself. Check out the venue’s calendar and catch a show, or head over to The Station Inn on a Sunday night to listen to free bluegrass music — every Sunday at 7:00 pm, the venue hosts a bluegrass jam that is free and open to the public. Aficionados of bluegrass music and first-time listeners alike will not be disappointed by their trip to this legendary music venue.

The Station Inn, 402 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN, USA, +1 615-255-3307

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKonpNhvEhk

[SurfAndTurf]

We rented a car whenever we flew in. From the airport we took the Donelson Pike north and crossed I40 so that we could stop at the liquor store on the right just past the Taco Bell. Once we had secured our cocktail makings, we kept on the Donelson Pike so that we could have lunch at Bar B Cuties, also on the right, just 1/2 block up. Back track south to Elm Hill, go west and get on the Briley Parkway north exit for the Gaylord Opryland Resort. The fauna really is amazing. A map of the resort is essential if you split up and think you are going to meet your other party on time.

We have never had a problem parking downtown, either safety or finding a parking place. Downtown is toursity but there is so much talent playing those clubs, waiting for a break. I love to listen an people watch.

We did a Cumberland River Tour which I loved. Leiper's Fork and the Natchez Trace is lovely and has a lot of history.

The Bluebird Cafe was wonderful the times we were there before the TV show became popular, so I don't know about now. There are other "listening rooms" you can google.

And you can roll down the windows in your rental car and follow the smoke smell for good food!

[TechMOGogy]

Yeah, I would like to try that Nashville hot too!

I have a buddy that went to Nashville, tried the Nashville Hot Chicken and had the experience of his life!
Came back to Toronto, quit his job and spent 4 months perfecting his Nashville Hot recipe.
He now owns Chicas Chicken in Toronto and was just voted best NHC.
I was able to eat 1/2 of his hottest sandwich...3 kinds of chile’s, cayenne, fresh ground ghost peppers and insane carolina reapers!
Serious stuff.

[grilltreats]

There are different levels of heat you can order on the Nashville hot chicken.  I have had the hottest level and couldn't really taste the chicken.  I think the two slices of bread they give you soaked in the sauce is even hotter.  I dropped the heat level down one notch on my next order and really liked that chicken much better.  It will still light you up though, but is very good.


There is also the Nashville Zoo and it's fairly decent.  They specialize in ant eaters and have the most of any zoo they claim.  Really are neat animals.  Probably not a big tourist attraction verses the country music venues, but thought I'd mention it.


The Bluebird café, at the peak of the TV series, had 300 out the door trying to get in.  It's not a real big place and is still crowed, but is tapering off slowly now that the TV show is over.  That show cost Nashville $87 million.  It was not free, but did draw in the tourist.  We are told on the local channels that some 100 people a day are moving to Nashville.  The traffic delays do reflect that.  It certainly is a seller's market.  Houses are selling within a weeks time around my neighborhood.  Some rental properties are going for some crazy monthly fees.  I have lived here since 1989 and it certainly has changed from back then.

[Bentley]

Original Recipe, yes.  As I have said before, as good as any fried chicken I have ever eaten!    They start veering off into Extra Crispy, Gold whatever, Nashville hot...Negative!

Yeah, I would like to try that Nashville hot too!

KFC

[grilltreats]

I don't know anything about KFC's hot chicken.  That's not the Nashville hot chicken I'm referring to.  This is a good description of the Nashville hot chicken I am referring to.

 "Hot chicken or Nashville hot chicken is a type of fried chicken that is a local specialty of Nashville, Tennessee, in the United States. In its typical preparation, it is a portion of breast, thigh, or wing that has been marinated in a water-based blend of seasoning, floured, fried, and finally sauced using a paste that has been spiced with cayenne pepper. It is served atop slices of white bread with pickle chips. It is both the application of a spicy paste and the presentation that differentiates"

[RWhyman]

So we just got back from our Nashville trip. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Lots and lots of new construction.

We eat a lot of great food including several versions of chicken including Hot Chicken at Hattie B's. The favorite restaurants we ate at were Puckett's, Woolworth on 5th and Monell's.

Was amazed at the number of bands that are always playing in the Broadway area. Sometimes as many as 4 bands in the same bar on different floors.

Toured the Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA Studio B. Lots of history. Also stumbled across the Red Carpet event for the 2018 Induction Ceremony for the CMHF on Sunday afternoon.

But the highlight of the trip was Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at The Ryman Auditorium. We also did the Ryman tour the day before the show.

Thanks again.