Check out the Bluebird Cafe. Shopryland Mall. Ryman Auditorium.

Make sure you get good directions to the Bluebird Cafe as it's a little place in a strip mall and easy to drive right by.

Jodi-

Thanks Jodi. If we can get an address for the Bluebird, I can find it with the GPS! I'll google it.

Head south and visit the town of Franklin. Wonderful place full of neat little shops. Drive a round the county side and get lost. It is beautiful around there.
If you head east of Franklin, there is an adorable little place called Leipers Fork. If you can find it, I swear you'll feel like you stepped into Mayberry. (don't blink or you'll drive right past!)
Say Hi to Aunt Bea for me!

Make sure you go inside the Opreyland hotel. The chandelier hanging at the top of the stairs is from Tara in Gone with the wind. They have indoor dancing gardens, a huge flower garden and it's oh soooooo beautiful. If you can, be there when they have the dancing fountains show set to music. It's free.

Enjoy your trip!

A must-see is the Hermitage in Old Hickory...just a 15 minute drive from downtown Nashville.
The Hermitage was the plantation home of President Andrew Jackson, and has been kept intact, including original furnishings, etc.

Plan to spend 2-3 hours there...it's not only a historical property, but is also beautiful.

Also, visit the Wild Horse Saloon in Nashville, on 2nd Ave....best ribs and music in town.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Hermitage

We spent this past Christmas in Nashville. It was our first time there and we loved it. Downtown was practically empty on Christmas day and we just drove around enjoying it. Drove all around Music Square, 16th Avenue, looking for recording studios (they blend in well, LOL)

The next day we spent about 4 hours at Opryland Hotel - that place is absolutely amazing and well worth the $18 to park!

Our motel was in Franklin, which is a darling town, also.

Can't wait to go back to Nashville, lots more to see!

Thanks! I took notes.

Tami

I would love to go there myself. The Hermitage would fascinate me. Have a great trip and be sure to tell us all about it when you get back.

I loved The Parthenon in Centennial Park, and Historic Belle Meade Plantation.

Hope I'm not too late with this...

I used to live outside of Nashville. I absolutely second Jodi on The Bluebird Cafe. Fabulous little hole in the wall for amazing music, up and coming songwriters. You will need a reservation, probably won't get in without one. They have a website. I was there twice and loved it both times. Just loved it! Don't miss it!!

I'm not much for Music Row with all the bars and bands. Like the bands, not the bars. Too loud and crowded for me.

For anyone who goes to Nashville with children, the science museum in great fun, but skip the Nashville Zoo. However, if you drive outside of Nashville to Murfreesboro (less than 30 mins on I-24)) there is a fantastic children's museum that is worth it, tons of fun and inexpensive. It's all along a greenway on the Stones River and wetlands, so that's a bonus. Really a top stop if you're in the area with children.