Anyone know Nashville?

• queencitybuckeye

  We're thinking about heading to Nashville in the fall for a long weekend. Any advice on sites to see, places or areas to stay for a couple of first-time tourists? We want to spend a couple of evenings hitting the bars for the live music scene, and would prefer to stay within walking distance or with affordable transportation so we wouldn't have to drive. Thanks for any advice.
• queencitybuckeye

  Never been there.
  
  Hope this helps.
  
  /dlazz'd
• fish82

  

  Although it's driving distance from downtown, the Gaylord Opryland was pretty cool IMO.
• Tiernan

  I like that Connie Britton but the rest of the show sucks.
• ZWICK 4 PREZ

  

  fish82;1601197 wrote:Although it's driving distance from downtown, the Gaylord Opryland was pretty cool IMO.

  I dunno. Sounds kids gay.
• Manhattan Buckeye

  Downtown and West End are the main areas, the better hotels are downtown, but there are a couple in West End next to Vandy (Marriott by the football stadium and Loews just a few blocks away). Taxis are inexpensive so staying in either area isn't a problem. A great place to have breakfast is Pancake Pantry just off 21st, but on weekends the wait can be quite long.
  
  -edit Pancake Pantry's website: http://www.thepancakepantry.com
• Manhattan Buckeye

  Rotier's is also a good "greasy spoon" - also in West End, Jimmy Buffett said their cheeseburgers inspired him to write his infamous song:
  
  http://www.rotiersrestaurant.com
  
  They now accept credit cards, for years they didn't.
• GOONx19

  

  Pancake Pantry's wait was 2.5 hours when I got there at 10 on a Sunday morning last April. The hipsterish restaurant across the street from it was delicious, though, since we couldn't wait that long. Rippy's is our favorite bar, but I could see some people not enjoying it. I'd say it depends on your age and your BAC.
• Belly35

  

  I've alway stayed downtown
• Manhattan Buckeye

  Belly35;1601293 wrote:I've alway stayed downtown

  Probably the best hotel rates will be downtown, in the Fall West end might be expensive with the students in town.
  
  There's also Union Station: http://unionstationhotelnashville.com Never stayed there but it is between downtown and West End.
• GOONx19

  

  I'll be there from the 30th-4th, so this thread timing is convenient. If I get the residency I want next year I'll be at Vanderbilt for a year or two.
• Manhattan Buckeye

  GOONx19;1601300 wrote:I'll be there from the 30th-4th, so this thread timing is convenient. If I get the residency I want next year I'll be at Vanderbilt for a year or two.

  
  The medical center/hospital takes up half of the campus. Still a good location, there is Elliston Place on one end and the 21st street places on the other....still a walkable distance. Wish there were more hotels in the neighborhood but it is a short taxi ride to downtown. That's probably where QCB should stay.
• Terry_Tate

  

  Pucketts restaurant downtown is fantastic. It's about 2 blocks from the bars on Broadway so a great place to have dinner before going out. Get a reservation a few days in advance though because they get booked up.
  
  Check out all of the bars, but the one my group usually goes to its Tootsies. The back area there is nice because the back is open and the bands that play are always pretty good, though honestly it's harder to find bad bands in Nashville than good bands.
• se-alum

  

  queencitybuckeye;1601174 wrote:We're thinking about heading to Nashville in the fall for a long weekend. Any advice on sites to see, places or areas to stay for a couple of first-time tourists? We want to spend a couple of evenings hitting the bars for the live music scene, and would prefer to stay within walking distance or with affordable transportation so we wouldn't have to drive. Thanks for any advice.

  There's a Hilton and a Hampton Inn right downtown. I usually stay at the Holiday Inn Express on Broadway, it's about 3 blocks from Lower Broadway where all the bars are. If you get a chance, my cousin plays a lot at Swingin' Door Saloon and Tequila Cowboy, and runs Karaoke at Wannabe's several nights a week, if you're interested, PM me, and I'll give you his name. I recommend Puckett's(Downtown) for breakfast, Burger Up(basically on the Lipscomb campus) for lunch, and the Big River Grille & Brewing Works(Downtown) for dinner. If you like good soul food, there's a place called Arnold's that is good, and it's cheap. They aren't open on weekends though, so you would have to hit it up on a Friday. There's a pizza place called Pie in the Sky that's really good, but is expensive. The only thing you really HAVE to do, is the backstage tour of The Ryman. It's only about $16/person, and it's easily worth it! Opry Mills mall is nice if you have a few hours to kill during the day. Most importantly, Tootsies is the legendary honky tonk. I haven't been there for awhile, but they've added a rooftop stage. It's a small place, but you could see a country star in there any night of the week. Also, Legends, The Stage, Second Fiddle, and Honky Tonk Central are fun bars to hang out in. Make sure you catch the Broadway Rapper, the dude freestyles all night long, and is insanely good at it. To finish the night, go to a hot dog cart called Dough Joe's, and order the half-pound "Cookout Dog", you won't regret it. Nashville is my favorite town, I've been there about 8 times, it just never gets old!
• Tiernan

  ^^^
  God u r a bonafide hillbilly!