Page 268 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

266  THE SOUTHEAST

g Nashville (2.4 km) west of downtown to
Music Row, the heart of
* 668,000. ~ @ n Broadway at
Fifth St, (615) 259-4747. Nashville’s recording industry,
∑ visitmusiccity.com might also interest ardent fans.
Best known today as the capital E Country Music Hall of
of country music, Nashville is a Fame & Museum
friendly and fun place to visit. 222 Fifth Ave S. Tel (615) 416-2001.
Its musical history dates to Open 9am–5pm daily. Closed Jan 1,
1927, when a radio broadcaster, Thanksgiving, Dec 24 & 25. & 7
changing from music from the ∑ countrymusichalloffame.org
Grand Opera to the more “Spreading the gospel of
popular Barn Dance show, country music,” the Country
introduced the upcoming Music Hall of Fame honors Façade of the Ryman Auditorium, a
selection as the “Grand Ole scores of such outstanding Nashville landmark
Opry.” A musical legend was musicians as Patsy Cline, Merle
thus born and has flourished Haggard, and Hank Williams in a E Musicians Hall of Fame
ever since. The city, however, huge rotunda at a grand down- at Nashville Municipal
has more to it than just music. town location. In keeping Auditorium
It was founded as Fort with its exhibits, the 401 Gay St. Tel (615) 244-3263. Open
Nashborough on the banks building itself has been 10am–5pm Mon–Sat. Closed Jan 1,
of the Cumberland River specially designed to Thanksgiving, Dec 24 & 25. & 7
in 1779 and was named resemble the black ∑ musicianshalloffame.com
the state capital of and white keys of a Learn all about the musicians
Tennessee in 1843. It is giant piano. Inside who created the greatest
also the financial center there is a beloved recordings of all time at the
of the region and collection of vintage Musicians Hall of Fame. Visitors
home to Vanderbilt guitars, costumes, can see guitars, drums, and
University, one of Legendary Hank string ties, cowboy other instruments played by
the country’s most Williams boots, well-known luminaries such as Jimi Hendrix,
prestigious institutions. lyrics composed on as well as those played by such
bar napkins, and the celebrated lesser-known session musicians
Exploring Nashville golden Elvis Cadillac. A country as bassist David Hood from
Nashville’s vibrant downtown music primer explains the aca- Muscle Shoals.
area is anchored by the Country demic distinctions between the
Music Hall of Fame. Most of subgenres of bluegrass, Cajun, E Tennessee State Museum
the city’s major attractions are honky-tonk, and rockabilly. 505 Deaderick St. Tel (615) 741-2692.
within comfortable walking Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sat,
distance, such as the imposing P Ryman Auditorium 1–5pm Sun. Closed Jan 1, Easter,
State Capitol at the top of the 116 Fifth Ave N. Tel (615) 889-3060. Thanksgiving, Dec 25. 7
hill, the historic Ryman Audit- Open 9am–4pm. Closed Jan 1, ∑ tnmuseum.org
orium on Fifth Avenue, and the Thanksgiving, Dec 25. & 7 Although the main focus of
scenic riverfront. Plenty of restau- ∑ ryman.com this museum is the Civil War,
rants, cafés, and night clubs lie This landmark auditorium is still it also covers other aspects of
in the sur rounding area, locally an evocative setting for live the state’s past. Starting with a
known as “the District.” Devoted performances. The Grand Ole dugout canoe, exhibits show-
country music fans might want Opry was broadcast from here case local Native American
to ven ture 10 miles (16 km) for 31 years, from 1943 to 1974, history, early pioneer life,
east to see the Grand Ole Opry when it moved to the new slavery, the Civil Rights Move-
House. A similar trip 1.5 miles Opry House. Daytime tours of ment, the river trade, and the
the Mother Church of Country Natchez Trace route. There is
Music are available, but the best also a large collection of
way to see the 2,362-seat theater 19th-century deco rative arts,
is by taking in a show; performers such as European and American
from B.B. King and Bonnie Raitt antique furnishings.
to Ben Harper and Tori Kelly
are typical of the diverse E Grand Ole Opry House
all-star lineup. Within a few 2804 Opryland Dr. Tel (615) 871-6779
blocks of Ryman Auditorium, or 1(800) SEE-OPRY. Open some
Bridgestone Arena and a evenings, call in advance for tickets
number of nightclubs also and show information. & 7
feature all kinds of music – ∑ opry.com
country, bluegrass, rock, blues, Located 10 miles (16 km) east
Nashville’s scenic riverfront and many others. of downtown Nashville in a
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp276–8 and pp279–81

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
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Date 25th April 2013
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