Two Day Historical Tour of Nashville

Day 1

Morning

Nationally acclaimed and frequented by celebrities, world travelers and local appetites alike, the Loveless Café serves up award-winning country ham and red eye gravy, real Southern-fried chicken, and Nashville's favorite scratch biscuits with homemade preserves cooked right in the kitchen. This is a breakfast tradition.

Next, off to Cheekwood, once the private estate of the Cheek family (Maxwell House coffee fame), it is now home to 55 acres of botanical gardens, a sculpture trail, museum of art and more. From there, travel five minutes down the road to Belle Meade Plantation; celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, this “Queen of the Tennessee Plantations” was home to English Darby winner Iroquois and a renowned thoroughbred stud farm (horses like Seabiscuit, War Admiral and Smarty Jones all trace their lineage here)

Afternoon

Before touring the plantation, eat lunch at the onsite restaurant, Martha’s At The Plantation.

Travel to Belmont Mansion. Completed in 1853 by Adelicia Acklen, Belmont was recognized as one of the most elaborate and unusual homes in the South. Adelicia secretly conspired with both the Confederate and Union forces to emerge from the Civil War with her fortune intact. The Grand Salon with its staircase is considered the most elaborate domestic room built in antebellum Tennessee.

Visit The Parthenon, the world’s only full-sized reproduction of the Greek Parthenon that houses Athena, the tallest indoor structure in the Western world, and four fine art galleries, including a rotating gallery featuring the museum’s collection of American art.

Next, tour the historic Ryman Auditorium, regarded as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” the Ryman is a National Historic Landmark renown for its exceptional acoustics that has hosted musicians from Chris Isaak and James Brown to Patsy Cline and Bruce Springsteen, as well as current and rising stars of all musical genres.

Evening

Dinner at Merchant’s on 4th and Broadway. The Merchant’s Restaurant opened in 1988 in the old Merchant’s Hotel, which was constructed in 1892. The original structure was a three-story building built around 1870. It housed a pharmacy on the first floor (the original marble countertop and tile floor remain in place today), a hardware manufacturing company on the second floor, and a wholesale drug company on the third floor. Dine in tradition and elegance.

After dinner, walk right around the corner to enjoy a concert at The Schermerhorn Symphony Center. This $123.5 million, world-class hall opened in September 2006, with high praise. The performance venue is among the best acoustically in the world. The Center is essentially a “building within a building.” The Laura Turner Concert Hall performance space is surrounded by a two-inch isolation joint that prevents sound from passing through and includes windows that are designed to allow light but block sound.

Day 2

Morning

Start your day off like a local and head over to Pancake Pantry. One of Nashville’s most popular morning spots! This self declared “Nashville tradition” prompts locals, visitors and celebrities alike to line up around the block for its hot, fresh pancakes topped with warm maple syrup, honey or fresh fruit.

Visit The Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson. This National Historic Landmark features the Hermitage mansion, tombs of Andrew and Rachel Jackson and Rachel’s garden.

Lunch at the Garden Gate Café, located on the grounds of the hermitage.

Then, off to Travellers Rest Plantation and Museum where you can experience life in early Nashville, from its founding in 1780 through the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Afternoon

Next, make your way to the Music City Walk of Fame located in Hall of Fame Park, started just last year, across from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Here is where you will see in-laid granite stars where some of the most legendary figures in the music industry have been honored.

Then, tour the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, located downtown, this $37 million, state-of-the-art facility features more than 40,000 square feet of country music artifacts, archives, theater space, a full service restaurant and much more.

Evening

Explore the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center and choose from the many restaurants where you can have dinner.

Then, experience Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, the world’s longest running radio show, in its home at the Grand Ole Opry House.

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