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Guide to Nashville, USA - Tennessee
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NashvilleIts no surprise that Nashville is the Country Music Capital of the World; it is a city centered around that one and only theme. Many US cities display billboard advertisements for new products or cellular phone services, but Nashvilles billboards advertise one musical star after another. Theres no escaping the country twang that made Nashville such an enormous southern-music melting pot, its best to go along for the ride while youre here. Nearly everyone who visits Nashville succumbs to the catchy tunes emanating from the many venues in Music Valley, and before you know it, youll be sporting a cowboy hat all the way back home.
When to go:
During the hottest time of year, Nashville is at its most-crowded. So many festivals and events dot the weekly calendar here that it seems like one big, extended party. If you feel like avoiding the heat, you can visit in autumn, when the daily temperatures are down to the 70s (F), and rainfall is less consistent. Humidity will not bog you down, and you may just catch a few exciting happenings around town too. Whatever you do, dont visit during winter, unless, of course, youd like to enthrall yourself with some snowball fights while on line for concert tickets.
Getting there and around:
Most flights to the city arrive at Nashville International Airport, though a few (discounted) arrive in Memphis a larger flight hub servicing many international flights to Tennessee. Nashville International isnt too far from downtown, about 13km (8mi), which makes for a quick bus, taxi, or car ride into the city.
While we dont usually recommend renting vehicles while traveling to cities, Nashvilles drivers are fairly mellow and the streets are not congested whatsoever. As long as you can find parking, youll be fine with a car. If youd like to rely on the most experienced drivers of the country capital ride the many MTA buses or taxis. Taxis have reasonable fares and are metered, so youll have to do no bargaining or haggling before your trip across town.
Attractions:
Downtown is a happening place in Nashville, but surprisingly, not the /most/-happening. It is a great place to see a few historic buildings, however. Many of the buildings dotting the streets of downtown Nashville are historic some you may notice, some you may not but the most fascinating of them all is the Greek Revival State Capitol. It is the most-recognized landmark in the area, though looked down upon by towering office buildings; not the most pleasant of settings.
The Tennessee State Museum is chock-full-of historic items and presentations, ranging between topics of ancient tribes and the infamous KKK. You may find it interesting that the museum is housed inside the citys Performing Arts Center, but then again, nearly every building in the city has something or other to do with music.
The two parts of Nashville that get the most attention are Music Row and Music Valley. Dont mix these two up, or locals may sneer at you. Music Row is where all the executive offices for the country music industry exist. On Demonbreun St youll find the Country Music Wax Museum, where likenesses of much stars such as Hank Williams Jr and George Jones exist in life-size wax statues. More than a display venue, the Wax Museum holds an annex with a recording studio (open to visitors), a karaoke bar, and, sure enough, a gift shop.
After youve had a taste of the citys music-appreciation side, walk along Music Valley, where the street is alive with the sound of music every night of the week. It was built with the tourism business in mind, and is home to the mecca of all country music performance centers, the Grand Ole Opry House. The complex was once housed in the Ryman Auditorium (downtown), but was moved to accommodate the influx of audience members.
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