Nashville bound - need planning help

[Tabatha]

I am planning a surprise trip to Nashville for my husband in about 2 weeks. He is a HUGE country music fan and idolizes George Jones. His dream has always been to see him in concert at the Ryman, because it’s the grandfather of country music or something like that. Anyways I got him tickets when they went on sale way back in March and the date is quickly at hand

I just recently started planning what we can do on this surprise weekend, and was not so pleasantly surprised to find out that it is CMA Fan fest weekend the same time! I did secure a hotel room (which was my first fear) but now I am concerned about finding things to do with the massive crowds. Does anyone have any suggestions for must see items or tricks to getting around Nashville? We will be driving the 10 hr trip, but am hoping to use as much public transportation as possible to get around parking and getting lost.

Must see items that I already have are the Hall of Fame & Ryman tour, but not sure about anything else. Any restaurant recommendations would also be great. Oh yeah and were young (late 20’s/early 30’s). I know you wouldn’t have guessed it by his devotion to a singer of George Jones' era, but he just really truly loves his music (and I guess I have learned to like him also), so we need nightlife activities too!

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Tabatha]

hey look this is my 100th post

 

[mandy200587]

Okay I can help with this.

First off there are plenty of public parking garages depending on what day your wanting to go you might be able to get a spot at a decent price. Everything from Ryman, Hall of Fame, Lower Broadway are within walking distant. Your coming during CMA Fest week, well there will be Riverfront which will have daily country concerts that are open to the public this year.

Also look into some of the concerts going on at Wildhorse, Blake Shelton is doing one and so is Jason Aldean. Just explore lower broadway at night, there's always something going on at the clubs. You have the Stage, Tootsies. For food Jacks BBQ is great, Pancake Pantry.

If you any more questions just ask, I frequent Nashville a lot and have been there during CMA Fest.

 

[lemondog]

Honestly, I avoid downtown/Opryland at all costs during the CMA Fest, so I can't tell you too much info about what to do in those areas. However, some things I could recommend...

Eat at Monell's. It's near downtown in the Germantown area. It's family-style dining and the food is delicious! http://www.tnmonells.com/

Go shopping in historic downtown Franklin. Quaint shops and away from the CMA crowds. http://www.downtownfranklintn.com/

All that said, there will be a TON of stuff going on due to the CMA Fest, so definitely check out their website and see if there's anything that might interest ya'll. http://www.cmafest.com/2009/

 

[Tabatha]

Also look into some of the concerts going on at Wildhorse, Blake Shelton is doing one and so is Jason Aldean. Just explore lower broadway at night, there's always something going on at the clubs. You have the Stage, Tootsies. For food Jacks BBQ is great, Pancake Pantry.

Thank you so much for the ideas. My husband really loves music so catching soe other great shows will be awsome, especially is they are cheap

Honestly, I avoid downtown/Opryland at all costs during the CMA Fest

We own a nightclub so are really used to the bar scene and such and those type of crowds never bother us, but I'm concrened about being crowded at some of the touring sites like the Hall of Fame and Ryman. Is the CMA Fest more of a "drinking" thing or a family concert event? Here in my area we have Country Stampede which is a four day camping drunk fest. It's a good time, but we're starting to out grown it

Also do the majority of the crowds stay at the Fest area, or is downtown just a free for all? Should we look at getting tickets for the fest? Besides the concerts what else goes on?

 

[mandy200587]

Thank you so much for the ideas. My husband really loves music so catching soe other great shows will be awsome, especially is they are cheap



We own a nightclub so are really used to the bar scene and such and those type of crowds never bother us, but I'm concrened about being crowded at some of the touring sites like the Hall of Fame and Ryman. Is the CMA Fest more of a "drinking" thing or a family concert event? Here in my area we have Country Stampede which is a four day camping drunk fest. It's a good time, but we're starting to out grown it

Also do the majority of the crowds stay at the Fest area, or is downtown just a free for all? Should we look at getting tickets for the fest? Besides the concerts what else goes on?

CMA Fest is family friendly. Besides the concerts that run day and night there is also the convention center where you can meet them. You can get a cheap 110 ticket and go through what is called a photoline for an artist and maybe get pictures of 1-3 songs depends on the crowd and how fast they move you out but your right in front of the stage.

I know Jason Aldean's show is at Wildhorse goes to Susan G Komdem foundation. Also look into some of the fan club parties that are being thrown alot of lower broadway will have stuff going on for free. All the crowds usually stay in lower downtown where everything goes on.

 

[Tabatha]

Do the bars/clubs have cover charges? Is it easy to bar "hop"? Do you know where I coudl find a list of any opther performers is it pretty much just by chance that you could walk in find someone performing? We woudl love to see Jamey Johnson.

 

[mandy200587]

Do the bars/clubs have cover charges? Is it easy to bar "hop"? Do you know where I coudl find a list of any opther performers is it pretty much just by chance that you could walk in find someone performing? We woudl love to see Jamey Johnson.

Some may and some may not. I know Zac Brown Band has a show during the week of Fan Fair. Julie Roberts, Jake Owen are doing free fan club parties during that time. Jamey will be at the LP field which you can buy a single night ticket for Saturday night when he's performing.