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| SOUTHERN CHARM: The Hermitage Hotel (right) and the Grand Ole Opry are legendary locales in Nashville. photography courtesy of The Hermitage Hotel |
Where to Stay:
Nashville’s recently restored Hermitage Hotel calls to mind the days of the Old South. It was the city’s first million-dollar hotel when it opened in 1910, and over the years it has remained the premier destination for VIP visitors from Bette Davis to Bette Midler (231 Sixth Ave. N., 888-888-9414, www.thehermitagehotel.com). The Loews Vanderbilt Hotel trades the Hermitage’s traditional style and ornate detailing for more updated digs and clean lines. But modern styling doesn’t mean that old-fashioned manners go out the window: Expect excellent service from the moment you arrive. Beds of real grass growing in the lobby and a jukebox filled with the music of past guests add surprising, fun touches to this sophisticated hotel (2100 West End Ave., 615-320-1700, www.loewshotels.com). History buffs and train enthusiasts will appreciate the uniqueness of the Union Station Hotel, a converted turn-of-the-century rail station. The towering Gothic landmark, located just blocks from Nashville’s modern-day downtown, retains much of the feel of the grand train terminal that saw the likes of Al Capone being escorted through on his way to Alcatraz. For a quieter stay, be sure to book a room on the front side of the hotel, where train traffic noise from behind the building is greatly reduced (1001 Broadway, 615-726-1001, www.unionstationhotelnashville.com).
Where to Eat:
For the most mouth-watering down-home cooking, stop into one of the five area locations of local favorite Monell’s. Large portions of all-you-can-eat Southern food and long, community tables make for delicious (if calorie-laden), family-style meals. On weekends, come in early for their famous country breakfast (multiple locations; 1235 6th Ave. N., 615-248-4747, www.monellsdining. citysearch.com). The folks behind Eastland Café have created a restaurant full of contradictions: a setting that’s both elegant and casual, food that’s inventive yet straightforward, and an experience that’s upscale but surprisingly affordable. The end result is a comfortable, intimate dining destination where you’ll feel like a neighborhood regular (97 Chapel Ave., 615-627-1088, www.eastlandcafe.com). Park Café accomplishes the same blend of class and coziness on a more upscale level, and no wonder: It’s also owned by Eastland’s Willy and Yvette Thomas. The renowned Sylvan Park-area restaurant’s creative menu fuses Asian, Indian, French, Italian, and American flavors (4403 Murphy Rd., 615-383-4409, www.parkcafenashville.com). With thick tree trunks punctuating the space, Bound’ry brings the outdoors in and, when the weather permits, the indoors out, with retractable doors that transform the bar areas into patios. If you don’t have time for a meal, stop in for a drink and an appetizer—the lengthy tapas list is sure to have something to satisfy your hunger (911 20th Ave. S., 615-321-3043, www.pansouth.net/boundry-index.htm). If you like dinner with music on the side, make a reservation at F. Scott’s, where you can hear some of the best jazz the city has to offer while feasting on the finest contemporary American fare. Dishes like pumpkin seed- and pine nut-crusted Arctic Char are presented with top-notch service and unquestionable class (2210 Crestmoor Rd., 615-269-5861, www.fscotts.com).
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| DINNER AND DANCING: After dining at F. Scott’s (above), catch Norah Jones at the Ryman Auditorium. photography courtesy of F. Scott’s |
What to Do:
They don’t call it Music City for nothing—most everything and everyone in Nashville has their roots in country music. You can’t leave town without visiting the famous Grand Ole Opry (2802 Opryland Dr., 800-SEE-OPRY, www.opry.com). The landmark Ryman Auditorium, once home to the Opry, was the site of many historic moments in music—including when Johnny and June Carter Cash met for the first time—and is still rockin’ with big-name acts today. The Bluebird Café is a more intimate music venue where Kathy Mattea and Garth Brooks got their starts. Sunday nights are reserved for spotlight singers and songwriters handpicked by the Bluebird staff (4104 Hillsboro Rd., 615-383-1461, www.bluebirdcafe.com).
Nashville Convention Center
601 Commerce St.
615-742-2000
www.nashvilleconventionctr.com
