NEW YORK TO CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP
PART 2
Next stop....Music City Nashville
347 miles 8+ hours (because of bad traffic)
For country-music fans, Nashville is the ultimate destination. But Nashville isn’t just about country music. It's over flowing with energy pouring out of cool restaurants, boutique stores, museums and more! Every corner you turn you'll see laughter and smiles from groups of people enjoying the energy of this vibrant city. When I visited I also found myself fascinated with the clothes people wore there. Nashville fashion is casual, but oh so trendy!
We stayed in the Vanderbilt area at the Courtyard Nashville Vanderbilt/West End. Centennial Park and the Parthenon are within walking distance of the hotel. It is a lively area, with many bars and restaurants nearby, but equally not too lively for families to stay.
We spent a lovely afternoon exploring 12 South, a trendy neighborhood popular with locals and tourists alike. You'll find a bright and bustling street full of restaurants, coffee houses, bakeries and boutiques featuring local designers, with many murals (including the famous I Believe in Nashville mural) decorating the neighborhood.
In the past we have stayed at the Gaylorde Opry Hotel, which is a large resort located next to the famous Grand Ole Opry. The hotel is impressive and a unique experience. However I found it to be very expensive and I didn't feel truly immersed in Nashville being there. If you want luxury and an everything all in one place experience, the Gaylorde Opry will give you that. The entrance lobby is grand and impressive. There are restaurants, bars and coffee shops throughout. However I found them to be very overpriced and I had a better experience in downtown Nashville. My stay there was 3 years ago though, so I can't comment on what an experience would be like today.
Next stop.....Jackson, TN
129 miles - 2 hours
As a child I would listen to Elvis and Johnny Cash with my Nana. She was a huge fan! Many times I've listened to the song Jackson, I never imagined that I would get to visit one day! I noticed that Jackson was right in the middle of the route to our next stop. So I knew we had to stop there! We visited the original International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame on North Church Street. It's now closed but the murals and stage remain, which make for a fascinating stop to transport you back in time. Parking is available on the street right in front, so it's a great place for a quick and interesting stop even if you are short of time.