Nashville City Guide - Sightseeing

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.

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.

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.