Downtown Nashville, Tennessee
Credits: John Russell/Vanderbilt University

About Nashville

Nashville has been the capital city of Tennessee since 1843, and boasts a metropolitan population of almost 1.6 million people. Founded in 1779, the settlement was strategically located on the Cumberland River at the Northern terminus of the Natchez Trace, thereby cementing its role as a trade center, a role that would be further reinforced with the advent of the railroad in the 19th century. Following the Civil War, Nashville grew rapidly, acquired the label "Athens of the South" due to the plethora of institutions of higher education in the area, and became the undisputed center of the country music recording industry after World War II.

 

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Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation

Dining

• The following map can direct you to a variety of dining options within walking distance of the conference hotels and venues. Approximate prices have chiefly been drawn from data gathered from The Nashville Scene. Walking directions between conference hotels and venues are also indicated.

Map/Restaurant Guide

Click to see full map

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Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation

Things to see and do

Tours

*Indicates tours among the optional group tours scheduled for Saturday afternoon post-conference

• Nashville City Tour ($51.95, 3.5 hours, can add Homes of the Stars Tour for $20ish)
• Nashville Homes of the Stars Tour ($45.95, 3 hours)
• Nashville Haunted Ghost Tour ($19.95, 90 minutes)
• Nashville Walking Tour ($21.95, 90 minutes)
• NashTrash Tour ($35, $32 for seniors, 90 minutes)
• United Record Pressing ($10)

 

Ryman Auditorium
Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation

Sights: Downtown

• The Ryman (self-guided tour $14, backstage tour $18)
• *The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum ($20, + $15 for Studio B extension)
• Frist Center for the Visual Arts ($10)
• Tennessee State Museum (free)
• Nashville Public Library (free)
• Adventure Science Center ($13 general admission, $6 planetarium, $16 for both)
• The Upper Room (encouraged $4 donation)

Sights: Midtown

• The Parthenon/Centennial Park ($6 for the museum)
• Music Row
• Belmont Mansion ($10)
• Nashville Zoo ($15)
• Gaylord Opryland Hotel (free, but recommend the free parking at the Opry Mills Mall and walking to the hotel)

The Parthenon, Centennial Park
Credits: Joe Howell/Vanderbilt University

Sights: Further afield

• The Bluebird Cafe (reservations highly recommended)
• Belle Meade Plantation ($16)
• Cheekwood Botanical Garden ($12)
• Historic Franklin: Battlefields, Carter House, Carnton Plantation ($15 each)
• Travellers Rest ($10)
• Loveless Cafe
• Natchez Trace Parkway (free)
• Fort Negley (free)
• The Hermitage ($19)

 

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Events

• Opry Country Classics, 7:00 p.m., Oct. 10, Ryman Auditorium
• Keb'Mo' Monday Night Blues Show, 7:30 p.m., Oct. 7, Mansion at Fontanel
• Titans vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Oct. 6, 12 p.m., LP Field
• The Importance of Being Earnest, Tennessee Repertory Theatre, Oct. 10-Nov. 2, Tennessee Performing Arts Center
• Artober Nashville
• Southern Festival of Books, Oct. 11-13, Legislative Plaza, Downtown
• The Holiday Inn-Vanderbilt also features songwriters in the hotel lobby 7 nights/week.

Additional event listings can be found here.