Of course, you practically can’t visit Nashville without at least making an honorary stop at the Grand Ole Opry. It would be almost sacrilegious. The radio program that started it all was first aired from there in 1925 and has continued even unto today. It’s a far cry from the humble beginnings it started out as, though. I’m somewhat of a country music fan, via my parents, but my husband doesn’t like it at all. Even he enjoyed our visit to the Opry; however. Originally, the older stars performed at Ryman Auditorium but today the Opry is held in a much newer and fancier facility. Still, I was fascinated to learn that they actually cut out a piece of the stage at the Ryman auditorium and placed it in the stage at the new site. It depends on which day you visit as to which performer you get to see. Regardless, though, you’re practically guaranteed a great show. It is the Grand Ole Opry, after all. You are allowed to take pictures, but they do request that you don’t use a flash.
We also visited the Hermitage while in town, another famous Nashville landmark. It’s the home of President Andrew Jackson and the site now offers a tour and a museum. You can hang out at the museum while you’re waiting for your tour to begin. The museum has a lot of pictures and posters that were used during Jackson’s bid for president. When your tour is ready to start, you move from the museum over to the mansion. The mansion was originally built in 1837 and over the years careful restoration has given it back a graceful appearance. The whole place is almost entirely furnished with original furnishings. The outside grounds are also interesting to wander around and include the tombs where President Jackson and his wife, Rachel, are buried as well as the church that he had built for her. The cabins where the family first lived are also on the grounds. You could rush through the tour, but I would recommend planning to spend at least a half day in order to see everything. The cost is about $10 per adult and $5 for kids age 6-12. Under six was free. They are open until about 5:00 every day.
Our final stop in Nashville was the Belle Mead Plantation. The site started out as a simple boarding stable but eventually became one of the best thoroughbred racing stud farms in the country. Originally, the plantation sat on almost 5500 acres but today there are only 30 acres left. I’m not much into horse racing, but I did find it fascinating to learn that the best sire in racing, Bonnie Scotland, came from this farm. All of the Kentucky Derby winners from 1972 to 1996 were descended from him as well as a large majority of the Triple Crown winners. Some accomplishment. One of his descendents is Seabiscuit. Besides the fascinating horse history, the mansion at the plantation itself is definitely worth seeing. The cost for the tour is $10 for adults and $4 for kids.
