Weekend in Nashville, Tenn., one of three ways: on a budget, spending a bit more, or when the getaway calls for a splurge.
Trip tips: Although on the tourist radar for years, the new Nashville offers a trendy new food scene and its famous, funky music scene. By night, you'll find the best live music acts from bluegrass to brass bands, zydeco to country at numerous venues within a couple of blocks of one another. For trip planning and deals: www.VisitMusicCity.com or www.Nashville.com.
Getting there: One-way rates from $135 with connecting service on Southwest Airlines; from $358 round-trip on nonstop Delta flights.
BUDGET
Stay: Hampton Inn & Suites is across from the Gaylord Opryland Resort and just minutes from popular "Music City" attractions. The large guitar at the front entrance pays tribute to the capital of country music. Contemporary guest rooms average $140 a night and include Wi-Fi and complimentary airport shuttle service. 230 Rudy Circle. 615-620-2500, www.hamptoninn.com.
Eat: Award-winning Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant offers full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus with home-cooked Southern specialties, a popular weekend breakfast buffet and a full bar and wine list. Live music acts are featured Monday through Saturday. Breakfast and lunch from $6.50-$9; dinners from $12. 500 Church St. 615-770-2772, http://puckettsgrocery.com.
Experience: The 55-acre Cheekwood Botanical Gardens & Museum of Art was built by the Maxwell House Coffee fortune. The gardens feature 11 specialty display gardens with year-round activities and four annual festivals, including a wonderland of Christmas trees, trains, live reindeer, Santa and more. The Museum of Art has collections of paintings, sculptures and decorative arts; $12. 1200 Forrest Park Drive. 615-356-8000, www.cheekwood.org. A must-see for Civil War and history buffs, Carnton Plantation was built in 1826 and was frequently visited by those shaping Tennessee and American history, including President Andrew Jackson. The privately owned McGavock Confederate Cemetery holds the remains of nearly 1,500 Southern soldiers; $15. 1345 Eastern Flank Circle, Franklin. 615-794-0903, www.carnton.org.
MODERATE
Stay: Located adjacent to the Grand Ole Opry, the Gaylord Opryland Resort spans over 40 acres of running streams, cascading waterfalls, pedestrian bridges and 12 greenhouses. On site is the European-designed spa/fitness center with an indoor/outdoor pool and a dozen private treatment rooms. Nightly rates from $159. Through Jan. 1, the resort presents the 30th annual "A Country Christmas" with more than 2 million lights, stunning decorations, horse-drawn carriage rides ($10), DreamWorks Animation characters and more than a dozen shows and attractions (prices vary), including the bigger-than-life ice attraction, ICE! ($25-$27). 2800 Opryland Drive. 1-866-539-0036, www.marriott.com.
Eat: A new spot in the downtown "Sobro" district is the Listening Room Cafe, a contemporary restaurant with a Southern edge serving up two live music shows a night and menu choices from $6-$18. Performances range from acoustic to local singer-songwriters and bands to popular national acts. $7 food/drink minimum. 217 Second Ave. S. 615-259-3600, www.listeningroomcafe.com.
Experience: Located just a few steps from historic Ryman Auditorium and the honky-tonks of Lower Broadway, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum presents a vast collection to illustrate country music's story through two centuries; $22. A Platinum package ($35) includes an audio and guided tour of Historic RCA Studio B. 222 Fifth Ave. S. 615-416-2001, http://countrymusichalloffame.org. Stop into Hatch Show Print, one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in America, and renowned for its turn-of-the-century style posters that were used to promote vaudeville, circuses, minstrel shows, and a host of country music performers. Watch posters roll off the presses or browse the 100-plus posters available for purchase; free. 224 Fifth Ave S. 615-256-2805, www.hatchshowprint.com.
SPLURGE
Stay: The Hermitage Hotel, opened in 1910, is the only Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond hotel in Tennessee. Guest rooms feature views of the state Capitol building and the Tennessee hills beyond or the cityscape; custom beds with Frette linens; marble bathrooms with two vanities, deep soaking tub, and separate marble shower. Rates from $349. 231 Sixth Ave. N. 1-888-434-4717, www.thehermitagehotel.com.
Eat: The Standard is in the Smith House, Nashville's only remaining grand townhouse from the 1840s era still standing. The beautiful 24-room townhouse features parlor dining rooms among fireplaces, oak floors, antiques and fine paintings. Try the house specialty — homemade crab bisque ($7). Starters $7-$12; entrees $23-$38. 167 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. 615-254-1277, www.smithhousenashville.com.
Experience: The Grand Ole Opry is an American icon and Nashville's top attraction. For the complete experience, book a "Show & Tour" combination ticket, which includes a daytime or post-show backstage tour of the Opry House. A show at the Opry presents eight or more artists (a lineup of new stars, superstars and legends) from Jan. 13-Nov. 1, 2014; $58 and up. The "Radio City Christmas Spectacular," starring the world-famous Radio City Rockettes, will be the main performance at the Grand Ole Opry House now through Dec. 24. The show features brilliant choreography, dazzling costumes, and holiday scenes such as the "Living Nativity" and the "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers"; $43-$285. 2804 Opryland Drive. 615-871-6779, www.opry.com.
About the Author
