Nashville’s Music Valley
Nashville’s Music Valley stretches about a mile, flanked by a bend in the Cumberland River and the busy Briley Parkway. Since the 1970s, and still to this day, many folks also refer to this bustling tourist district as Opryland. And, of course, all of this wonderful geography lies in “hip” Donelson.
The Mile of Music City fun starts at one end with Opry Mills Shopping, Dining and Entertainment Complex. Of course, the next couple of stops on the route need no introduction: The Grand Ole Opry and the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Along the way on Music Valley Drive are some of the city’s most reasonably priced hotels with brands such as Holiday Inn Express, Fairfield Inn by Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, Hampton by Hilton, Quality Inn and independently owned lodging like the Fiddler’s Inn and The Inn at Opryland. And we can’t forget our happy campers: Two Rivers Campground is one of the friendliest places to park your RV.
While folks are staying in the area, many activities abound. One of Nashville’s most unique museums, the Willie Nelson & Friends Museum and General Store is a highlight. It also boasts one of the largest souvenir shops in Music City. Grand Old Golf & GoKarts is literally fun for the whole family. Families can also play together at the Music City Escape game as well as “pick” a friendly fight at AxeVentures. Cooter’s Place in Music City is a 5,000-square-foot free tribute to the Dukes of Hazzard TV show and the beloved character of Cooter. You can really hit gold at Jae’s Gem Mining, and Madame Tussauds in Opry Mills is one of the areas most recent additions with stars so life-like you’ll think you saw them in person.
Speaking of seeing stars, you never know who you’ll see performing at the World-famous honky-tonk the Nashville Palace. It’s famous for kick-starting the career of Grammy, CMA and ACM Award-winning country singer Randy Travis, who washed dishes in the kitchen and did a set on stage at nights back in the early ’80s. The Nashville Nightlife has been voted Nashville’s No. 1 live dinner show and The Texas Troubadour Theatre plays hosts to popular shows like A Tribute to the King: Through the Years 1953-1977, The Music of Nashville, Cowboy Church on Sunday mornings, The Music City Hayride (on occasion) and every Saturday night it’s Ernest Tubb’s Midnight Jamboree—a free radio taping not to be missed. A light night favorite for live music into the wee hours is Music City Bar.
If you want someone else to do the driving, GrayLine Tours has a hub right here in Music Valley, or you can see Nashville from the air with Monarch Helicopters.
Shopping is the focus in the Music Valley Village Complex, which includes Music Valley Antiques & Marketplace, The Tacky Turtle, Relax Wraps and smART Supplies. It’s sure to be some of the most unique/boutique shopping you’ll do all year!
But don’t shop till you drop: The Mind Body Connection offers competitively priced massages given by talented and tenacious students of next door’s Mind Body Institute. Join the songwriting community with The Tennessee Songwriters Association International where right next door you can put your song down on tape at Music Valley Recording Studios. Gas up your car at our fuel centers, the Valley Market (Exxon) and Music Valley BP, and if you happen to need something stronger than soft drinks or a beer, High Note Wine & Spirits is right next door.
Speaking of fueling up, you’re going to need some for your body, too. Music Valley has you covered with restaurants like Santa Fe, The Cock of the Walk, John A’s and Caney Fork River Valley Grille. Nashville Coffees can also get you revved up fast and you can catch the game at The Scoreboard. If you’re in a hurry, McDonald’s has got you covered.
Now you see why Music Valley’s motto is EAT! STAY! & PLAY! For more information, visit www.NashvilleMusicValley.com. —By T. Clark Miller
Places to Stay in Nashville
Fairfield Inn & Suites Opryland
211 Music City Circle
Nashville, TN 3214
(615) 870 8939
Hilton Nashville Airport
2200 Elm Hill Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 883 9770
Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville Airport
583 Donelson Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 885 4242
Residence Inn by Marriott Nashville at Opryland
2500 Music Valley Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 265 0345
Holiday Inn Express Airport
1111 Airport Center Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 883 1366
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
2461 McGavock Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 829 7777
Nashville Airport Marriott
600 Marriott Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 889 9300
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
2800 Opryland Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 889 1000
Best Western Plus Nashville Airport
911 Airport Center Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 872 0109
Alexis Inn & Suites
600 Ermac Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 889 4466
The Inn at Opryland
2401 Music Valley Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 889 0800
Radisson Hotel/Airport
1112 Airport Center Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 885 0626
Baymont Inn & Suites – Airport
2350 Elm Hill Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 871 0222
Homewood Suites
2640 Elm Hill Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 884 8111
Hampton Inn and Suites – Opryland
230 Rudy Circle
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 620 2500
Hyatt Place Nashville – Airport
721 Royal Parkway
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 493 500
Two Rivers Campground
2616 Music Valley Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 883 8559