Nashville - Where to Stay?

[MisterB]

Spending a long weekend in Nashville, I have Hilton points to use, wondering if I should stay downtown or near Opryland. I already have tickets to go see a show at Opryland.

TIA

Ed

[legion]

Both are WAY overpriced in my opinion, but if you're there for an entertainment weekend, Opryland might be worth the convenience.

My dad passed away three years ago in Nashville, so I had to make frequent trips to the city for about a year. I grew to hate it. There aren't enough bridges over the Cumberland, the roads were designed by someone who hates cars, and the interstates are an ongoing social experiment in road rage....and the trucks all do 90 in the left lane. I often had to go 10+ miles just to get to two places that were physically a mile apart. Briley Parkway is designated as a north/south road, but it actually goes east/west and is "S" shaped--there is a section where you can physically be going north but be on the southbound side and vice-versa. This once really pissed me off when my directions told me to go "north" on Briley and I got on it and headed north--only to be going the wrong way.

The interstates around Nashville make three concentric circles. All of the interstates around town are a combination of 65, 24, 40, and 440. This means that to get from one end of town to the other on the interstates, you might have to traverse up to three different sections like 24/40, 40/65, and 24/65 in a ten mile stretch. Because all of the interstates "Y" together and apart, you have trucks trying to get from the far left to the far right and from the far right to the far left before the interstate split again. Morning rush hour is from 7-9 and evening rush hour is from 3-5. Avoid these times at all costs, but things are smooth sailing outside of these times. 65 has been under construction for 10 years and will be for another 20. They are widening it which requires blasting through granite. They do blasting on Sundays (so avoid 65 on Sundays) and clean up the rest of the week. Either way, 65 will be a mess.

[Shuie]

What do you want to do while you are there?

If you want to stay out by Opryland then stay at the resort. Otherwise I'd stay downtown at the Doubletree or in one of the Hilton chains around 21st near Vanderbilt if I had points.

You must have hot chicken when you visit Nashville. Ask the locals when you get there. They will know where to send you. Just don't carry a lot of cash or wear a nice watch if they tell you to go to Prince's

[rattlsnak]

as stated, unless you plan on being at OL all weekend, i wouldnt stay there. Its in the boonies.... the city is very cool by the river, very walkable and all sorts of pubs..

and I happen to be there as i type this!! staying near the airport though..

[MisterB]

Originally Posted by Shuie

What do you want to do while you are there?

I am going with my whole family, trying to keep my daughters (11,13) entertained, my daughters want to go to the Loveless cafe.. my oldest daughter plays an acoustic guitar and is into country music... and of course both like to shop...

[legion]

Opryland Hotel is walking distance from the Opryland Mall.

This may be the deciding factor with two near-teen girls.

You can make it downtown very easily from Opryland during the day (if you avoid the rush hour times).

[oldschoollear]

I'd stay Downtown or West end, The Renaissance or Lowes Vanderbilt Plaza would be nice.. Plenty of stuff to keep the kids(you) happy.

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bnash-renaissance-nashville-hotel/

http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Hotels/Nashville-Hotel/Overview.aspx

http://www.bluebirdcafe.com/

http://www.nashvilledinnertheatre.com/

http://www.nashvilleshores.com/

http://www.nashvillesounds.com/

http://www.adventuresci.com/

http://www.lanemotormuseum.org/

http://www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org/

http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/site/

http://www.generaljackson.com/site/

http://www.fristcenter.org/site/default.aspx

http://www.nashville.gov/parthenon/

http://www.cheekwood.org/

http://www.ryman.com/

http://www.tpac.org/