{"id":26861,"date":"2019-04-30T19:00:34","date_gmt":"2019-04-30T19:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=26861"},"modified":"2021-10-28T17:17:05","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T17:17:05","slug":"things-to-know-before-going-to-nashville","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/things-to-know-before-going-to-nashville\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to Know Before Going to Nashville"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nashville<\/a> may be best known as the home of iconic musical landmarks such as the Grand Ole Opry House and the Country Music Hall of Fame, and there\u2019s no denying that the city still moves to a country-and-western beat, but there\u2019s much more to this cosmopolitan, forward-looking Southern city than honky-tonks and hoedowns. If you\u2019re planning a visit, check out our advice for the things to know before going to Nashville for travel tips to make your trip a\u00a0 success.<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need to settle for an uninspiring city tour<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Where Nashville city tours<\/a> are concerned, quirkiness is the name of the game, so if the idea of a standard guided walk doesn\u2019t fire your imagination, our advice is to opt for one of the city\u2019s more inventive offerings. Check out the buzzy art scene with an art walk, hop aboard a \u201cparty bike\u201d for a pedal-powered bar crawl, or even zip between Music City\u2019s storied sights on a Segway. Or, if all that sounds too much like hard work, put your feet up and cruise through Nashville in style on an old-school trolley.<\/p>\n

\"downtown
Downtown Nashville<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You might catch the next big thing<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Nashville\u2019s glitzy music venues<\/a> are steeped in history, and regularly play host to household names and global stars, but the city\u2019s grassroots scene is just as thrilling. Head down to a lively piano bar on Lower Broadway to see old-timers tickle the ivories, or scour local listings for an open mic night to see young hopefuls honing their craft and hoping to hit the big time\u2014and if you\u2019re not impressed, you can take the stage yourself to show them how it\u2019s done!<\/p>\n

\"grand
Grand Ole Opry, Nashville<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can hire a bike\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Nashville\u2019s easy to get to by car, but if you find yourself tempted to swap your four wheels for two once you\u2019ve arrived, you\u2019re not the only one: the city is justifiably proud of its bike-friendly credentials, and is becoming a haven for cyclists. You can ride from downtown to hip East Nashville across John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge<\/a>\u2014the perfect spot to snap a selfie\u2014or see a greener side of Music City as you freewheel along the verdant Richland Creek Greenway. Alternatively, hop aboard one of the city\u2019s pedal-powered \u201cbeer bikes\u201d to enjoy a craft brew as you take in the sights.<\/p>\n

\u2026Or take an urban hike<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If biking isn\u2019t your thing, head to the Oak Hill neighbourhood where you\u2019ll find pretty Radnor Lake State Park<\/a>, a hidden gem just 20 minutes\u2019 drive from Downtown. The park offers scenic, unpaved paths in a 3-mile loop around the water. The trails are for walkers only\u2014cyclists and joggers will need to head elsewhere\u2014so the atmosphere is peaceful and serene. And if you anticipate going to Nashville in spring or fall, you may even catch a glimpse of some of the rarer transient bird species that stop off here on their migratory routes.<\/p>\n

\"cumberland
Cumberland Park, Nashville<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sample local brews<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Nashville is home to a buzzy distilling scene, making it the perfect place to learn more about how the South\u2019s favourite tipple is made. Many of the city\u2019s distilleries also serve food, so you can wash down a hearty plate of BBQ ribs with a glass of smooth whiskey fresh from the still, or even swap dessert for a glass of local moonshine. Alternatively, book a tasting session where seasoned whiskey aficionados will help you to hone your palate, with the aid of a selection of dry, sweet, and smoky brews.<\/p>\n

\"nashville
Nashville Distilleries<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

See the legendary Grand Ole Opry<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Few attendees at the Grand Ole Opry<\/a>\u2019s inaugural barn dance back in 1925 would have dreamt that the evening\u2019s entertainment would go on to be the world\u2019s longest-running radio broadcast, and would still be going strong over 90 years later.<\/p>\n

Become part of Opry history by booking tickets for one of the weekly shows at the Grand Ole Opry House, just east of Downtown, and see musical legends and wet-behind-the-ears newcomers alike entertain a laid-back crowd with a heady mix of folk, Americana, and bluegrass.<\/p>\n

Head east for trendy eats<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Once a semi-rural farming community, East Nashville has evolved as the city has grown, and today it\u2019s a buzzy, diverse district crammed with restaurants serving everything from high-end New American fusion to exquisite sushi and down-home soul food. After dinner, finish off the evening with a stop at one of the district\u2019s hip bars for a handcrafted cocktail and a bit of people-watching.<\/p>\n

\"nashvlle
Nashville BBQ<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s worth knowing that East Nashville is a great daytime destination too, with a thriving arts scene, so head over earlier in the day to browse the galleries.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a museum for everyone<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Whether you\u2019re mad about country music, crazy for cars, obsessed with 20th-century American art, or simply a rabid sports fan, you\u2019re bound to find a museum in Nashville that captivates you. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum<\/a>, which houses over 40,000 square feet of musical memorabilia, is a particular highlight, but don\u2019t forget the city\u2019s smaller, quirkier spots, such as the Tennessee Railway Museum, the Pasty Cline Museum, and the Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the iconic Greek landmark.<\/p>\n

Explore the rich history of the South<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Nashville boasts a storied past outside of its role as the birthplace of country music, and its historical attractions do an excellent job at bringing its heritage to life. Take a wagon tour through the 1120-acre grounds of Andrew Jackson\u2019s Hermitage<\/a>, the home of the 7th President of the United States, or explore the haunting history of slavery in America at the Revival-style Belle Meade Plantation, which is also home to an on-site winery.<\/p>\n

\"tennessee
Tennessee State Capitol, Nashville<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Alternatively, for a lighter look at Nashville\u2019s history, head to Cooter\u2019s Place Dukes of Hazzard Museum, which is crammed with memorabilia from the cult 80s show.<\/p>\n

Book in advance<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you head over to Nashville hoping to pop in unannounced to the city\u2019s biggest sights, you may be disappointed, so one of the most important travel tips for Music City is to book ahead. This especially applies to concerts and shows, where the further ahead you book, the wider the choice you\u2019ll have of seats and prices. Additionally, the Country Music Hall of Fame hosts ticketed special events in the CMA Theater, and these often sell out weeks in advance, so be sure to check the listings before you travel.<\/p>\n

Before visiting Nashville<\/a>, make sure to brush up on all the essential information above, and consider making a bucket list of your must-see juke joints, soul food hotspots, legendary landmarks, and hip hotels. In a city as memorable as Nashville, you won\u2019t want to miss a thing<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wish you knew where to go and what to see in Nashville? Here are some great ideas for your next trip to Music City<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":26868,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1782,1938],"tags":[],"authors":[2264],"class_list":["post-26861","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-destinations","category-nashville","authors-expedia","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThings to Know Before Going to Nashville | Expedia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Wish you knew where to go and what to see in Nashville? 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