Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Nashville.
Music.

For more than 200 years, the two have gone together as well as Thanksgiving and turkey or Christmas and Santa Claus. It's no secret to any traveler that when Nashville is on the list of destinations to go, an influx of country music will be among the stops to go and see.

The holiday season also serves as a great time to visit Music City USA (www.visitmusiccity.com). In between times spent with family, opening Christmas presents and eating Thanksgiving turkey, consider Nashville as a destination for a day, a couple days, a weekend or longer, during a period of time where the tourist numbers are lower compared to the summertime.

Nashville is a distinct, unique city compared to its southeastern United States counterparts. The Tennessee capital city's rich music history is smoothly mixed in with political center of the Volunteer State. Throw in a lively college scene in the West End District (Vanderbilt University, Belmont University and Lipscomb University are all minutes apart from each other) and Nashville becomes an eclectic mix, filled with a little something for everyone at all times of the year.

The world-famous Ernest Tubb's Record Store, located in the middle of the Broadway district.

It's hard to talk about Nashville without first mentioning its central entertainment district. The area immediately surrounding Broadway is the city's premier destination for music, dancing, dining and fun. Rolling Stone Magazine voted Nashville the best music scene in 2012--and it comes as no surprise-- with local bars and music establishments dominating both sides of the street. Walking itself is a great, and free, alternative to take in the culture of Nashville. Nighttime is the premier time to experience this area, but even during the daytime, local musicians of all kinds show off their talent inside (and outside, too). Some bars have an age restriction, but one does not need to enter to take in the music. Or just walk the streets and take in the rich history along the 'Honky Tonk Highway'


This New Year's Eve, Broadway will be rocking with their annual Music Note Drop (yes...a music note drops to ring in the new year...Welcome to Nashville) block party, featuring The Fray, Sixpence None the Richer, Love and Theft and Striking Matches. The concert is free and the party starts at 7 p.m.







The Country Music Hall of Fame (http://www.countrymusichallofffame.org) is blocks south of Broadway and is one of the top destinations to visit in Nashville on any given day. The official museum for everyone and everything country music is housed in a symbolically-shaped building, with architecture reminiscent of a piano keyboard, studio records and even stained-glass windows to show the influence that Gospel music has had on Country music's past. The museum itself takes visitors on a journey of the music that made Nashville famous and even offers a tour of the famous Studio B, where artists such as Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner recorded some of their hits.

The Wildhorse Saloon

Nightlife and dancing is also a major part of the Nashville scene and line dancing is all part of the act. One of the top places to dance it up, Nashville-style, is the Wildhorse Saloon (www.wildhorsesaloon.com). For a minimal cover charge, visitors can enter and dance the night away, with the help of line-dancing instructors and (of course!) some live entertainment. Some major music acts have graced the stage and this December, Big and Rich will make an appearance on Dec. 13. Either way, it's always a good time on Second Avenue. Who knows? Even a college junior from the North could lead an entire group of people in the Cotton-Eyed Joe.





Another famed music destination that is a must-see for any music lover is the Ryman Auditorium, the "Mother Church of Country Music." Backstage tours are offered at one of the first performing venues in Nashville, with acts dating back to 1892. Check the event calendar, as acts from Bon Jovi to Johnny Cash to Tony Bennett have, at one point, performed in front of Ryman audiences. Extra point of note: keep your eyes open...you could even catch a glimpse of a scene shoot for ABC's new hit show "Nashville" (appropriately named)

There is one other destination of noteworthiness for the holiday traveler just east of downtown. Yes, yes, everyone who knows anything about Nashville knows about the Grand Ole Opry (and yes, it is pretty cool to see it once--maybe more, depending on the person). However, the neighboring Opryland Hotel should be the intentional destination for the lights and the jingle bells and a taste of a Southern Christmas. More then two million lights, a ton of decorations, carriage rides highlight 'A Country Christmas at the Gaylord Opryland', running from November 16 to January 1 this winter. The kids will also be entertained, thanks to interactive activities, featuring characters from the movies Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar.

It may not be a white Christmas in the South, but if a traveler wants a bit of a different holiday experience, it is not an unwise idea to avoid the long, expensive lines of bigger cities and, instead, make the trip to the banks of the Cumberland River to Music City USA...Nashville, Tennessee.

Holiday-themed caramel apples, anyone?

Shooting a scene of "Nashville."