The Place for Government Per Diem Rate Hotels

City Overview

Government rate hotels are plenty in Nashville which offer great hotel per diem rates to all federal travelers and state government travelers. If you are in the military you will also reap the benefits of all the military per diem rates that are offered in the city too.

There are many cities that are characterised by the music associated with them, but few as strongly as Nashville, Tennessee, where music has defined an entire urban culture.

Although country music is the overriding force in Nashville, it is far from rural, and offers a stylish cityscape with skyscrapers and modern commercial and entertainment districts. Located in the centre of Middle Tennessee, Nashville is the boom city of the upper South, attracting people from across the USA with its easy-going lifestyle.

State capital since 1843, Nashville has since transformed from hunting outpost to music capital of the US. The Grand Ole Opry started its weekly radio broadcast in 1925, and the city hasn’t looked back, becoming a hotbed for country music and a diverse range of artists and musicians. Downtown Nashville now has modern hotels and state-of-the-art music venues, and continues to attract music fans in their millions.

Getting Around

Airport

Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Tel: (615) 275 1675.
Website: www.flynashville.com  

Nashville International Airport is located 13km (8 miles) southeast of central Nashville. The airport handles flights from 14 passenger airlines, with direct international connections to Toronto, Canada and Cancun, Mexico. Primarily a domestic hub, it does provide non-stop flights to international gateway cities, and is a major hub for Southwest Airlines. Nashville airport operates over 425 flights per day, flying about 8.7 million passengers annually.
Approximate flight times to Nashville: From London is 11 hours; from New York is 2 hours 30 minutes; from Los Angeles is 4 hours; from Toronto is 2 hours, and from Sydney is approximately 21 hours.
Airport facilities: These include ATMs, bureau de change, bank, restaurants, cafes, shops, post boxes, lockers, a massage bar and a children's play area. Car hire is available from all major agencies including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.
Transport to the city: Most hotels near the airport have their own shuttle buses. Hotels downtown and in the Vanderbilt and Music Row areas use the Gray Line Airport Express (tel: 1 800 251 1864 or (615) 883 5555; www.graylinenashville.com). Alternatively, the Metropolitan Transit Authority - MTA (tel: (615) 862 5950; website: www.nashvillemta.org) runs both express and local bus services to downtown Nashville. Approximate time from the airport to Downtown can range from 15 to 30 minutes. Taxis are available outside the terminal. For cab service call Checker Cab (tel: (615) 256 7000), Music City Taxis (tel: (615) 262 0451) or Yellow Cab (tel: (615) 256 0101).

Trains

Rail Services

Amtrak (tel: 1 800 872 7245; www.amtrak.com) operates the national railway network, but trains do not stop at Nashville, the nearest passenger station being in Memphis. Nashville's historic Union Station handles freight trains only.

By Road

Driving in Tennessee, as anywhere else in the United States, is on the right. The roads in Nashville are generally good, although the city appears to be under a permanent state of road construction. The speed limit on interstates and freeways is 112kph (70mph), while most other highways have a speed limit of 88kph (55mph). In the city, the speed limit varies between 40-72kph (25-45mph).

In Tennessee, the minimum driving age is 16 years. Drivers must carry their national driving licence with them when driving, as well as proof of third-party liability insurance.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) (tel: 1 800 222 1333; www.aaa.com) provides information.

Emergency breakdown services

AAA (tel: 1 800 222 4357 or AAA HELP).

Routes to the city

Main routes from Nashville are Highway 40 east to Knoxville and the Appalachian Mountains, and west to Memphis. Highway 65 runs north towards Louisville (Kentucky) and Chicago (Illinois), and south to Birmingham (Alabama) and the Gulf Coast. Highway 24 runs southeast to Chattanooga and northwest to Paducah (Kentucky).

Driving times to the city
From Chattanooga - 2 hours 30 minutes; Louisville - 3 hours; Knoxville - 3 hours; Memphis - 3 hours.
Coach services

Greyhound (tel: (615) 255 3556 or 1 800 229 9424; www.greyhound.com) operates national bus services from its terminal at 200 Eighth Avenue South, with connections to cities nationwide.

Local Transport

Public Transport

The Metropolitan Transit Authority - MTA (tel: (615) 862 5950; www.nashvillemta.org) operates bus services in the greater Nashville area. Nashville's new commuter rail service, the Music City Star (tel: (615) 862 8833; www.musiccitystar.org), runs between Lebanon and Riverfront Park. A new downtown transit hub, Music City Central, opened in 2008.

Taxis

There are several taxi services in Nashville and it is easier to book one by telephone. Main firms include Allied Cab (tel: (615) 883 2323), Checker Cab (tel: (615) 256 7000), Music City Taxi (tel: (615) 262 0451) and Yellow Cab (tel: (615) 256 0101).

Driving in the City

Driving is similar to any other mid-size American city, although rush hours (0700-0900 and 1600-1800) are best avoided. Right turns on red lights are legal, unless stated otherwise. Many of the parking meter lanes in the city are inactive during rush hours - cars left there during these periods will be towed away. On-street parking after business hours is usually free, but spaces fill up quickly.

Car Hire

Car rental firms include National/Alamo (tel: (615) 340 6546 or 1 800 462 5266; www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: (615) 361 1212; www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (615) 366 0822 or 1 800 527 0700; www.budget.com), Enterprise (tel: (615) 872 7722 or 1 800 261 7331; www.enterprise.com) and Thrifty (tel: (615) 275 4257; www.thrifty.com). Visitors must have a valid driving licence, be at least 25 years old and have a major credit card.

Bicycle Hire

Cumberland Transit (tel: (615) 321 4069; www.cumberlandtransit.com), at 2807 West End Avenue is the place to hire high-end road bikes. Nashville Bicycle Company, 2817 West End Avenue (tel: (615) 321 5510; www.nashvillebike.com), hires good quality mountain bikes.

General Information

Location

Davidson County, Tennessee, southeastern USA.

Time zone

GMT - 6 (GMT - 5 from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November).

Electricity

110 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs are standard.

Average January temperatures

3ºC (37ºF).

Average July temperatures

27ºC (80ºF).

Annual rainfall

1,232mm (48.5 inches).

Things to do

Sightseeing Overview

There is more than enough to see in Nashville to warrant a stay of several days, perhaps splitting the time between Downtown and the Opryland area, northeast of the city centre. Add in the surrounding rural attractions and a few more days can be spent profitably. A car is essential for rural pursuits, although you can easily explore central Nashville on foot and with the tourist transport options.

The bright and well-stocked Visitor Information Centre on Broadway is a good place to start, located in the visually striking Gaylord Entertainment Center, designed primarily for concerts and sporting events. Across Broadway and half a block up Fifth Avenue is the Ryman Auditorium, a place of pilgrimage for country music fans. Further on along Sixth Avenue are the Tennessee Performing Arts Centre, State Museum and State Capitol. 

Transport, private or public, is needed to get to Opryland (see Excursions), home of the Grand Ole Opry and a cluster of country music museums. Here too is the Opryland Hotel, an attraction in its own right, with indoor gardens that even include an indoor lake, stunning waterfall, and revolving restaurant. Nashville was never known for its understatement, and this is no exception.

Tourist Information

Visitor Information Centre
Gaylord Entertainment Center, 501 Broadway, corner of Fifth Avenue
Tel: (615) 259 4747 or 1 800 657 6910.
Website: www.visitmusiccity.com  
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700.

Passes

Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau (tel: (615) 259 4747; website: www.visitmusiccity.com) offers a variety of passes allowing discounted entry to Nashville tourist attractions. The Music City Total Access Pass offers free entry to four of 14 smaller participating attractions. All are available from the Visitor Information Centre (see above), or can be purchased online or by calling 1 800 657 6910 or (615) 259 4700.

Attractions

Belmont Mansion
This Italianate mansion was built in 1853 by Adelicia Acklen, who at the time was one of the wealthiest women in America - thanks in part to her cotton trading with both sides during the Civil War. There are 16 rooms that are open to the public, with guided tours showing the original furniture and artworks. The grounds, now part of Belmont University, also contain a gazebo and statuary.
1900 Belmont Boulevard
Tel: (615) 460 5459.
Website: www.belmontmansion.com  
Admission charge.

Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
This large park covers an area of eight hectares (19 acres) to the north of the State Capitol. The grounds contain 31 fountains (corresponding to the main rivers of Tennessee) and a vast granite map of the state. The park also has walks, a Wall of History, an amphitheatre, and good views, especially leading up to the Capitol itself.
600 James Robertson Parkway
Tel: (615) 741 5280.
Website: www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/Bicentennial  
Free admission.

Frist Center for the Visual Arts
The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is a non-profit art-exhibition centre in downtown Nashville, with approximately 7,315 sq m (24,000 sq ft) of gallery space, dedicated to presenting the finest visual art from local, state and regional artists, as well as major US and international exhibitions. It is housed in a beautiful 1930s art deco building, which was originally Nashville's historic main post office. The building was renovated in the late 1990s, with great care taken to preserve its interior period ornamental features. Hands-on activities in the ArtQuest Gallery provide interactive and educational experiences for all ages. On Thursday and Friday evenings the centre features live music in the lobby and wine is available at the cash bar. Frist Fridays is a popular outdoor concert series held once a month from May to October. Frist Center Kids Club offers free Saturday afternoon art classes for kids aged five to 10 years.
919 Broadway
Tel: (615) 244 3340.
Website: www.fristcenter.org  
Admission charge.

Nashville Shores Yacht Club & Marina
A summertime only (May to September) water park on Percy Priest Lake, featuring boat and jet ski hire, water slides, swimming pools and mini-golf.
4001 Bell Road, Hermitage
Tel: (615) 889 7050.
Website: www.nashvilleshores.com  
Admission charge.

Lane Motor Museum
Unique collection of over 175 European cars, all in driveable condition, dating from the 1920s. Housed in an original 12,263 sq m (132,000 sq ft) Sunbeam bakery building. The collection is owned and maintained by the Lane family.
702 Murfreesboro Pike
Tel: (615) 742 7445.
Website: www.lanemotormuseum.org
Admission charge.

Restaurants

Gastronomic

Flyte World Dining and Wine
Converted from an old warehouse, Flyte is the brainchild of owners Scott Atkinson and Scott Sears. Amid earthy colours, bold original artwork and soft ambiance, enjoy fine dining at its best in this relaxed but vibrant new destination in the up-and-coming 12th Avenue South District. The restaurant specialises in ‘flytes' (samplers) of salads, soups, desserts and wines. A seasonal menu features organic, fresh or humanely raised dishes created by Chef Bobby Benjamin, former chef at Nashville's illustrious Capitol Grille. For a true dining adventure try the Chef's Sampler - a food and wine pairing of five courses. The seasonal favourite, Chilean sea bass, melts in the mouth. Outstanding service and exceptional food matches the bill, but the coffee is disappointing. The vibrant casual bar area is popular with party groups. Extensive international wine list.
 
718 Division Street
Tel: (615) 255 6200.
Website: www.flytenashville.com
Price: $$$$

Radius10
Enjoy patio seating with a perfect radius view of downtown Nashville in ultra-chic Radius10. The restaurant sits on the right side of the tracks in Nashville's up-and-coming Gulch District, a popular spot for business professionals. Owner/chef Jason Brumm serves up contemporary American fare that include brick oven lobster pizza, Hawaiian ahi tuna, New Zealand wild salmon with a coconut lemongrass broth, and venison loin.

1103 McGavock Street
Tel: (615) 259 5105.
Website: www.radius10.com  
Price: $$$$

Zola
Voted Nashville's ‘Most Romantic' and ‘Best Special Occasion Restaurant' in the Nashville Scene readers' poll, Zola is rated one of the top 101 restaurants in the United States (CITY Magazine 2007). Once you've enjoyed a romantic dinner or a fun night out with friends, you will certainly agree with this high praise. The appetisers are referred to as provocations - and provoke they do, with each serving a work of art and tastes that go way beyond expectations. All dishes are small servings, a welcome change so you can savour the myriad taste sensations and still have room for dessert. Features include Grandma Zola's paella, a fiesta of scallops, shrimp, market-fresh fish, chorizo, ham and saffron rice; Iberian pork tenderloin; or pistachio salmon. Even the homemade golden raisin and walnut bread or focaccia are a delicious offering. Savour the white chocolate passion fruit cheesecake with a coconut crust and fresh berries as the perfect accompaniment for Spanish nut coffee, with Frangelico, Tia Maria and whipped cream. Owner/chef Debra Paquette, described by her husband a ‘mad, genius chef', is dedicated to providing a gourmet delight for diners who return to this Mediterranean-style restaurant. The intimate atmosphere is made complete by exotic lighting, archways, wrought iron, and brightly coloured original paintings on the faux finished walls.

3001 West End Avenue
Tel: (615) 320 7778.
Website: www.restaurantzola.com
Price: $$$

Business

Arpeggio
Dine in neo-classical elegance at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center's Arpeggio Restaurant before enjoying an evening's musical performance. Chef Roger Keenan changes the menu weekly depending on fresh produce from purveyors for this delicious four-course gourmet buffet. Fresh soup of the day leaves a lingering memory, and a discerning wine list provides the perfect accompaniment to the changing menu which explores the tantalising tastes of imported specialties such as ahi tuna, New Zealand rack of lamb, Italian sausage and wild king salmon. The restaurant is open two hours prior to performances every Thursday to Saturday.

Schermerhorn Symphony Center
One Symphony Place
Tel: (615) 687 6400.
Website: www.nashvillesymphony.org  
Price: $$$

Chef's Market Cafe & Take Away
This Californian/Mediterranean style restaurant is a unique combination of popular business meeting spot, restaurant and gourmet grocery. The casual atmosphere is warm and inviting, as diners choose their meals from a mouth-watering array of hot cases. Take your pick from gourmet servings of seafood, pasta, chicken and exotic vegetable dishes, or 21 salad combinations. The signature club Med salad is an all-time favourite, and California-style wraps are prepared to order. The clam chowder is arguably the best in the country. The pastry case and gourmet coffees are reason enough to stop at Chef's. Friday and Saturday nights feature weekly-themed all-you-can-eat buffets.

900 Conference Drive, Goodlettsville
Tel: (615) 851 2433.
Website: www.chefsmarket.com  
Price: $-$$Midtown Cafe
This is the perfect place to sip martinis whilst waiting for the client's ink to dry on the new contract. The décor is very modern, with ochre walls hung with bright paintings. The service is classy and unpretentious. The food keeps up by running the gamut from the delicate flavours of seared sushi-grade ahi tuna to lavender-scented duck breast. At night, Midtown gets a bit drowsier and is best for couples wishing for dark corners.

102 19th Avenue South
Tel: (615) 320 7176.
Website: www.midtowncafe.com  
Price: $$$

Trendy

Mad Platter
There are no tea parties here or serving plates speaking in riddles, just exceptional food. Voted Best Romantic Rendezvous in the Nashville Scene readers' poll, the quaint restaurant is housed in an historic brownstone building in Germantown, just two blocks from the Bicentennial Mall. The rack of lamb flavoured with Dijon and rosemary crust is superb. But it is the salads that are truly exceptional and look as if they were prepared in Eden. If you have room for dessert the chocolate Elvis will transport you to a higher plane of delight. A lunchtime favourite is the pasta mad platter. Menu items are seasonal and may also change with the whim of the chef. No lunch Saturday or Sunday. Closed Monday.

1239 Sixth Avenue North
Tel: (615) 242 2563.
Website: http://madplatter.ypguides.net
Price: $$$

Mirror
Located on 12th Avenue South in the burgeoning new hotspot of urban life The Gulch, or 12th South District, Mirror offers diners a very stylish eating event with fish bowls complete with resident goldfish on each table, and bright colours throughout. Vegetarian tamales filled with chipotle-chocolate quinoa are an excellent entrance into the menu of ‘American' cuisine, which takes in all aspects of the immigrant influences to American palate. There is even a ‘Country of the Month' menu to augment the regular main courses. Speciality vodka martinis are a great way to kick-start the meal, followed by the tapas selection, an affordable way to create your own menu. The white chocolate soup served in a mini tea kettle and poured over a fried chocolate truffle is as different as it gets for dessert.

2317 12th Avenue South
Tel: (615) 383 8330.
Website: www.eatdrinkreflect.com  
Price: $$-$$$

Mambu
This Midtown restaurant has expanded on the charm of the original 1896-built home close to West End and the Vandy neighbourhood. Eclectic and funky, Mambu is a dining experience to be savoured, as much for the unique atmosphere as for the incredible taste combinations on the pan-Pacific influenced menu. The winning chef/owner combination of Anita Hartel and Corey Griffith has resulted in a creative restaurant with a vibrant appeal that continues to evolve. Famous for their martinis, the meal advances to flavours that pique the palate, such as sesame and nori-crusted tuna or Brazilian-style paella with seafood and chicken in a tomato ginger broth. The intimate bar is a cosy spot for a quiet drink before or after dinner, and the outdoor patio dining is especially popular in the fall.

1806 Hayes Street
Tel: (615) 329 1293.
Website: www.eatdrinkmambu.com  
Price: $$$

Budget

Elliston Place Soda Shop
Open the door and you'll suddenly feel as if you should have worn your poodle skirt. The unchanging Elliston Place is a step back in time to the 1950s - a Nashville institution known for the best shakes in town. The menu features large portions of the basics - burgers, chicken fried steak, and all-day breakfast. Even if hunger isn't an issue, this is still a fun place to sip one of the tasty milkshakes and soak up the atmosphere.

2111 Elliston Place
Tel: (615) 327 1090.
Price: $

The Frothy Monkey Coffeehouse
Warm and inviting, yet sophisticated coffee shop serving a range of fresh and organic gourmet soups, salads, sandwiches and muffins. The outdoor patio is a great spot for people-watching in this hip neighbourhood of restored houses and health-conscious walkers and cyclists. Exposed brick, natural light, local artworks and a relaxed ambiance draw an interesting crowd. Open till 1500 for breakfast and lunch.
 
2509 12th Avenue South
Tel: (615) 292 1808.
Website: www.frothymonkeynashville.com
Price: $

Jack's Bar-B-Que
Heralded by the neon flying pigs sign in the heart of Nashville's ‘District', Jack's is the favourite barbecue spot for those working or visiting Downtown. The casual, cosy dining room fills quickly for lunch, while the fragrance of slow-smoked barbecue cooked over hickory wood wakes up the taste buds. The best deal is the BBQ Combo, giving a trio selection of pork shoulder, beef brisket, turkey breast, smoked sausage, ribs or smoked chicken with two vegetables and cornbread. The choice of six award-winning barbecue sauces adds to the flavour of Nashville's best barbecue. Jack's is strategically located just 10 steps from the back stage door of the historic Ryman Auditorium. Many a music star can be found sampling Jack Cawthon's winning combination of Texas and Tennessee-style barbecue on the outdoor patio overlooking the Ryman.

416 Broadway
Tel: (615) 254 5715.
Website: www.jacksbarbque.com
Price: $

Personal Recommendations

Aquarium Restaurant
A spectacular underwater dining experience that is unique to a landlocked city like Nashville. The 200,000-gallon floor-to-ceiling main tank fills the centre of the restaurant and is filled with over 100 species of saltwater fish from the Caribbean, South Pacific and Indian Ocean, including four types of shark, a 10ft sawfish, manta rays and trigger fish. Booths are nestled into reef nooks on the ocean floor, surrounded by coral, seaweed and a realistic sense of being underwater. The lobster bisque is outstanding, and pan-Pacific offerings like the shrimp and crab dip appetiser or grilled ahi tuna and steamed asparagus make the price worthy of the experience. Tastefully presented dishes add to the tropical ambience. Divers feed the fish twice daily at 1130 and 1730, and four on-staff marine biologists maintain the aquarium. Landry's Restaurants, owner of the aquarium, offers children's programmes to work with a marine biologist for the day, or packages for kids' birthdays. Pricey for families, but the aquatic experience makes it a memorable event.

516 Opry Mills Drive
Tel: (615) 514 3474.
Website: www.nashvilleaquarium.com  
Price: $$$

The Cheesecake Factory
A success story that began with homemade cheesecakes in Evelyn Overton's Detroit basement, the Cheesecake Factory is today a coast-to-coast legend serving a cosmopolitan menu, with Asian/Mediterranean influence. With exotic Turkish décor, handblown glass sconces, palms, marble columns, handpainted murals, and intimate nooks, the restaurant is already a new Green Hills icon. Outdoor patio seating with pole heaters and European street lamps overflows from the exotic interior, where teams of chefs make over 90 sauces alone to accompany fresh produce from regional growers, and humanely raised and caught meat and seafood. Begin with the piquant flavours of Thai lettuce wraps and end with a choice of 40 different cheesecakes while planning a return visit for an unforgettable dining experience.

2133 Green Hills Drive
Tel: (615) 463 2400.
Website: www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Price: $$$

Maggiano's Little Italy
Originally begun in Chicago, each Maggiano's venue is built to match the local neighbourhood. A full Italian menu is served all day. All dishes are made from scratch from the freshest ingredients, with very generous servings, and pastries made fresh daily. Dress up or down and feel equally at home in intimate booths or sipping a glass of wine at the piano bar. Locally acquired black and white photographs adorn the walls, adding an old-world ambiance. Don't miss the Little Italy favourite - Baked Ziti and Italian sausage served with tasty pomodoro sauce, provolone and parmesan cheeses. Predominately Italian wines featured. A local pianist/vocalist plays six nights a week in the piano bar. Banquet facilities available.

3106 West End Avenue
Tel: (615) 514 0270.
Website: www.maggianos.com
Price: $$

Night Life

Music is the focus of Nashville's nightlife, of course, with many of the city's bars starting their music stints at 1000, when they open. Acts play throughout the day and into the night - sometimes two acts play simultaneously in different rooms at the same venue. Country music is not the only attraction, however, as Nashville also attracts rock, swing, blues and jazz musicians. Downtown is the hub, with many of the liveliest places along Broadway or nearby in Printer's Alley.

The legal drinking age in Tennessee is 21 years and bars are licensed until 0300, but most tend to close earlier on Sundays. Drink prices start at US$3-4 and vary enormously according to the establishment; draught beers are less expensive than bottled imports. A tip of 10 to 15% is expected at the bar and table. Dress code is 'anything goes' in the honky-tonks and 'smart-casual' elsewhere, although Nashville is always more casual than smart.

The free, weekly listings magazine TheRage (website: www.nashvillerage.com) and the more comprehensive free weekly paper, NashvilleScene (website: www.nashvillescene.com) provide information on nightlife venues and events. Listings information is also available online (website: nashville.citysearch.com).

Bars: These are too numerous to mention them all, but no one should miss Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, 422 Broadway. Close to the stage door of the church-like Ryman Auditorium (original home of the Grand Ole Opry), musicians used to nip in here for a drink between shows and famous visitors have included Hank Williams, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristoffersen. Other nearby options with live bands include the Bluegrass Inn, 418 Broadway, where there would be no prizes for guessing that bluegrass is always playing, Robert's Western World, 416 Broadway, where the band BR5-49 launched their career, and The Stage, 412 Broadway, a super-sized country music honky-tonk. In the Gulch, an up-and-coming area on the edge of the CBD, Bar Twenty3, 503 12th Avenue South, is an upscale lounge bar.

Clubs: Blues music, a bar, and good food is available at the ever-busy Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar, 220 Printer's Alley (website: www.bourbonstreetblues.com). There are several sophisticated jazz clubs, including Level 88 Jazz Bistro, 609 Ninth Avenue South. 3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill, 818 Third Avenue South (website: www.3rdandlindsley.com), is an intimate jazz and blues club popular with session musicians and singers. The Bluebird Cafe, 4104 Hillsboro Road (website: www.bluebirdcafe.com), is the place for singers and songwriters to be noticed. Many, such as Garth Brooks, played here as virtual unknowns, and have gone on to fame and fortune as top recording artists. Exit/In, 2208 Elliston Place (website: www.exitin.com), features rock and alternative country, while Station Inn, 402 12th Avenue South (website: www.stationinn.com), is one of Nashville's legendary bluegrass venues, featuring acoustic music in a smoke-free environment. Many clubs in town are also going smoke free after the recent change in Tennessee's smoking laws. (Smoking is prohibited in bars and clubs unless clientele is limited to over 21s.)

LiveMusic: As you would perhaps expect, Nashville is a thriving live music centre - and not just for country music. Great live performances can be caught just about every night of the week, in one or other of the city's numerous bars and clubs. The Bluegrass Inn, 418 Broadway (website: www.laylasbluegrassinn.com), Robert's Western World, 416 Broadway (website: www.robertswesternworld.com), Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, 422 Broadway (website: www.tootsies.net), and Wildhorse Saloon, 120 Second Avenue North (website: www.wildhorsesaloon.com) (famous for its line dancing), have live bands virtually around the clock. The Ryman Auditorium, 116 Fifth Avenue (website: www.ryman.com), has bigger acts, as does the Tennessee Performing Arts Centre, 505 Deaderick Street (website: www.tpac.org). Opposite Zanies Comedy Night Club, at 2106A Eighth Avenue South, is Douglas Corner Cafe (website: www.douglascorner.com), a popular club with nightly live music from every genre. Songwriters have often been known to disregard the stage, pull up chairs in a circle and perform in the midst of the audience.

Shopping

The best buys in Nashville are music-related and can be found in Music City. Rare CDs can be easier to find here, while some record stores, such as Ernest Tubb's Record Shop No 1 at 417 Broadway, are attractions in their own right.

Markets

The fourth weekend of every month, the Flea Market at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds draws huge crowds for the two-day bargain bonanza. Nashville's Farmer's Market, open seven days a week, is the place to go for fresh produce and a tasty range of ethnic foods.

Shopping centres

The best malls are out of town. The biggest and newest is Opry Mills, 433 Opry Mills Drive, with 200 stores and an IMAX theatre. Slightly smaller is the Cool Springs Galleria, 1800 Galleria Boulevard, Franklin, off I-65. The main shopping mall on the north side of town is RiverGate Mall, located on 1000 Rivergate Parkway, Goodlettsville, just off I-65.

Key areas

Downtown is a good place to start for boutiques for fashionable Western wear, and souvenir shops hawking C&W memorabilia. There are also several antique districts. Prime areas are Nashville's Eighth Avenue South, Franklin (south of town), Goodlettsville (on the north side), and Lebanon (30 minutes east of town).

Shopping hours

Opening hours of retail stores tend to be Monday to Saturday 1000-1800 Downtown and Monday to Saturday 1000-2100 and Sunday 1300-1800 in the suburbs.

Tax information
In Nashville, the sales tax is 9.25%, which is non-refundable.

Events

Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville
February
Nashville Convention Center
Website: www.antiquesandgardenshow.com
 
Tin Pan South (Songwriters' Festival)
April
Various music venues
Website: www.tinpansouth.com
 
Gospel Music Association Awards & Gospel Music Week
April
Grand Olde Opry House (awards) and Nashville Convention Center (music week)
Website: www.gospelmusic.org
 
Nashville Film Festival
April
Regal Green Hills Stadium 16
Website: www.nashvillefilmfestival.org
 
Tennessee Crafts Fair
May
Centennial Park
Website: www.tennesseecrafts.org

18th-century Colonial Fair
May
Moss Wright Park, Goodlettsville
 
Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman
June/July
Ryman Auditorium
Website: www.ryman.com
 
CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair
June
Coliseum and other venues
Website: www.cmafest.com
 
Nashville Shakespeare Festival: Shakespeare in the Park
August-September
Centennial Park
Website: www.nashvilleshakes.org
 
Tennessee State Fair
September
Tennessee State Fairgrounds
Website: www.tennesseestatefair.org
 
Annual CMA Awards
November
Sommet Center
Website: www.cmaawards.com
 
Country Christmas
November-December
Opryland Hotel

History & Culture

The dominance of country music tends to overshadow the fact that Nashville is also a hotbed of many other types of art and culture. There is the Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera, Nashville Symphony Orchestra and Nashville Chamber Orchestra, not to mention many theatres, music schools, art galleries and dance venues. Indeed, many musicians lead dual lives, switching from country to classical with ease.

The city's prime venue is the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC), 505 Deaderick Street (tel: (615) 782 4000; website: www.tpac.org). TPAC, as it is known, has three theatres, which usually have shows running simultaneously. The large Andrew Jackson Hall hosts rock concerts, musicals, opera and dance. The small James K Polk Theatre is used for drama and more intimate musical evenings and the Andrew Johnson Theatre is also for smaller-scale events, such as TV shows, conferences, trade shows and drama productions.

Nashville's new state-of-the-art Schermerhorn Symphony Center, One Symphony Place (tel: (615) 687 6500; website: www.nashvillesymphony.org) was designed with the perfect acoustics of the European concert halls, and is the permanent home of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. The neoclassical building is a work of art featuring a custom-built pipe organ and versatile concert hall that can convert from raked to cabaret seating, or transform into a spectacular ballroom. There are world-class performances year-round plus many educational programmes for children and students, and free outdoor summer concerts.

Nashville's daily newspaper, The Tennessean (website: www.tennessean.com), features listings in its Thursday and Sunday editions. Key Magazine (website: www.nashvillekey.com) is a weekly guide to events in the area, while Nashville Scene (website: www.nashvillescene.com), published every Wednesday, is an in-depth guide to events in the city.

All tickets can be obtained from the various venues directly or from Ticketmaster (tel: (615) 255 9600; website: www.ticketmaster.com), which is based at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. There are additional Ticketmaster outlets in most major department stores.

Music: The Nashville Chamber Orchestra (tel: (615) 256 6546; website: www.nco.org) performs in various venues throughout the city, including the Blair Recital Hall, Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, 2400 Blakemore Avenue (tel: (615) 322 7651; website: www.vanderbilt.edu/blair). The Nashville Opera (tel: (615) 832 5242; website: www.nashvilleopera.org) performs at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, 505 Deaderick Street (tel: (615) 782 4000; website: www.tpac.org); and the Nashville Symphony (tel: (615) 687 6500; website: www.nashvillesymphony.org) performs at Nashville's world-class Laura Turner Concert Hall in the stunning new Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Theatre: The theatre scene flourishes with a range of companies and venues. Major touring productions are staged at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC), 505 Deaderick Street (tel: (615) 782 4000; website: www.tpac.org), while the Tennessee Repertory Theatre Company (tel: (615) 244 4878; website: www.tennesseerep.org) performs at either the James K Polk Theatre or the Andrew Johnson Theatre, in the same venue (TPAC). The Nashville Children's Theatre, 724 Second Avenue South (tel: (615) 254 9103; website: www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org) also stages good performances, and holds the honour as the nation's oldest children's theatre.

Dinner theatres provide a wonderful evening's entertainment. Some of the best-known ones include Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre, 8204 Highway 100 (tel: (615) 646 9977 or 1 800 282 2276; website: www.dinnertheatre.com); Miss Marple's Mystery Dinner Theatre, 135 Second Avenue North (tel: (615) 242 8000; website: www.missmarples.com); Nashville Nightlife Breakfast and Dinner Theater, 2620 Music Valley Drive (tel: (615) 885 4747; website: www.nashvillenightlife.com) and Mystery.COMedy, various locations (tel: 1 877 505 5999; website: www.mysterycomedy.com).

Dance: The principal venue is the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, 505 Deaderick Street (tel: (615) 782 4000; website: www.tpac.org), which is home to the Nashville Ballet (tel: (615) 297 2966; website: www.nashvilleballet.com).

Film: Nashville has numerous multiplex cinemas showing the latest major releases, such as Regal Hollywood 27, 719 Thompson Lane-100 Oaks Mall (tel: (615) 298 3445; www.regalcinemas.com) and Regal Opry Mills 20 & IMAX, 570 Opry Mills Drive (tel: (615) 514 3462; website: www.regalcinemas.com). Two other venues concentrate on art house films - the Sarratt Cinema, 2301 Vanderbilt Place (tel: (615) 343 3361), and the Belcourt Theatre, 2102 Belcourt Avenue, Hillsboro Village (tel: (615) 846 3150).
The most famous film set here is Robert Altman's Nashville (1975), a sharp satire of the country music scene. A more recent film about the music business is The Thing Called Love (1993), starring River Phoenix and Sandra Bullock. Various country music bio-pics have been filmed here, including Coal Miner's Daughter (1980), in which Sissy Spacek portrays Loretta Lynn, and Sweet Dreams (1985), starring Jessica Lange as Patsy Cline. Other notables include Last Dance (1996) with Sharon Stone, The Green Mile (Tom Hanks, 1999), The Last Castle (Robert Redford, 2001), Head of State (Chris Rock, 2003), Two Weeks (Sally Field, 2006), and Adrenaline (2007).

LiteraryNotes: Nashville has numerous literary connections, including the city's name, which comes from an ancestor of the humorous poet, Ogden Nash. The United States' first official Poet Laureate, Robert Penn Warren, studied English at Nashville's Vanderbilt University and his novel, AtHeaven'sGate (1943), is set in the financial world of 1930s Nashville. Although not born in Nashville, novelist Alfred Leland Crabb lived there for much of his life and wrote several historical novels set in the city, including BreakfastattheHermitage (1945), as well as the non-fiction Nashville:PersonalityofaCity (1960). The distinguished Southern novelist Peter Taylor also attended Vanderbilt and set many of his short stories in Nashville, including some from his collection IntheMiroDistrictandOtherStories (1977).

Perhaps best known for penning the hit record HarperValleyPTA (1968), the musician and writer Tom T Hall wrote the semi-autobiographical novel TheStoryteller'sNashville (1979). Outsiders' views on Nashville include those of Trinidadian-born V S Naipaul, who visited the city for his book ATurnintheSouth (1989). New York Brat Pack author Jay McInerney is married to a Nashville jewellery designer and spends part of his time in her hometown, which increasingly features in his fiction, including TheLastoftheSavages (1996). An inside view of the contemporary music scene can be had in Walkin'AfterMidnight (2000), by Lauren St John, which includes interviews with such luminaries as Steve Earle and Emmylou Harris. Ann Patchett, author of BelCanto; Robert Hicks, author of TheWidowoftheSouth; and Steven Womack, mystery writer and winner of the Edgar Alan Poe award, are all Nashville natives or long-time residents. Famous screenwriters include Delbert Mann (Marty, 1953); Tom Schulman (DeadPoetsSociety, 1989; Honey, IShrunktheKids, 1989; MedicineMan, 1992) and Keith Walker (FreeWilly, 1993).

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