Travel Tuesday: Nashville, TN

Keeping things fairly close to home this week, I thought we'd head to Nashville, TN. Sean and I have been wanting to plan a trip here, and I thought it would be a nice place for a spring weekend trip. Sean's never been to Nashville and I've only been for a quick day trip, so I'd say a visit south is in order!

This photo of Nashville is courtesy of TripAdvisor

To do:
Grand Ole Opry: No trip to Nashville would be complete without *at least seeing* the theater that has broadcast the best voices in country music since 1925. The theater has been through a lot in its lifetime, including several moves throughout the years and a major renovation after floods in 2010. Tours are offered daily, and performances are held on Friday and Saturday nights. (Allison Krauss will be there this weekend.)

Photo via www.opry.com

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: Located downtown, this museum features artifacts,  photographs, and archival video of country music artists throughout history. I'm not really a country music fan, but I do love history and think there would be some interesting things to see here. (They are also showing a letterpress exhibit right now featuring historical and contemporary posters that sounds cool too!)

The Big Bang Bar is a dueling piano bar that some friends of ours frequent. ;) It's located on Broadway across from "Honky Tonk Row." Our friends always have a good time there, so we'd be sure to check it out!

The third annual Cherry Blossom Festival is being held on March 24, starting with the Cherry Blossom Walk at 9 a.m. at the Public Square. The goal of this festival is to plant 1,000 cherry trees in Nashville over 10 years (this being the third year) to beautify the landscape. This would be a fun event to attend to get in the mood for spring!

To stay:
The Gaylord Opryland is a hotel my mom has always wanted to visit. They have nine acres of indoor gardens (again with the spring theme) and an indoor river, and offer luxurious rooms, spa services and shopping. It's location along the Cumberland River puts it a short drive away from downtown Nashville.

Photo via www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-opryland/

For a room that's closer to the center of town, check out The Hermitage Hotel, an historic mansion that offers some of the largest hotel rooms in the city. Named after Andrew Jackson's Hermitage estate, The Hermitage Hotel is famous for being the first million-dollar hotel when it opened in 1910. The hotel has kept guest rooms updated, while at the same time remaining committed to preservation in its partnership with Land Trust for Tennessee and other similar organizations.

*A note on the hotels (and probably some restaurants): We probably won't be able to afford places like these... but it's fun to dream!

To eat:
I saw the Loveless Cafe featured on Breakfast Paradise on the Travel Channel, and I knew we'd have to go there someday. (They also feature Pancake Pantry on the show, another Nashville establishment.) Breakfast is Sean's and my favorite meal of the day, and this motel/cafe offers tons of southern, made-from-scratch breakfast foods that are making me hungry right now!

Photo via http://www.lovelesscafe.com/

I found The Catbird Seat recommended on the Bon Appetit travel guide for Nashville and it has a very interesting concept. There are only 32 seats available (reservations are required) surrounding the kitchen and guests watch as the chef's prepare a meal that is determined right then and there! Sounds fun to me!

And I'll be sure to bring home some Olive and Sinclair Chocolate for dessert!

What are some of your favorite things to do and see in Nashville?