10 Fun Nashville Ideas for Out-of-Town Wedding Guests
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
We love answering bride e-mails! Here's one we got recently:
"Hi Ashley! I am getting married in Nashville on May 29th, 2010. Everyone will be from out-of-town and I have been surfing the web to find fun things for them to do in Nashville. There is so much to do in Nashville, that I don't know what to pick for them to do. Could you suggest ten fun things for out-of-town guests to do in Nashville? Thanks so much!"
We couldn't think of a better (or more fun) list to make and reached out to our loyal Twitter and Facebook friends who helped us create the following 10 activities to suggest for wedding guests looking for things to do in Nashville.
Photo: Flickr
#1: Loveless Cafe & Motel
Probably THE Nashville institution, the Loveless Cafe is famous for its down-home, Southern, Nashville charm. They are known best for their delicious biscuits and fantastic food that will leave you satisfied and happy after your meal. Though still called a motel, it no longer serves as a place to unpack and stay in but instead now features retail shops selling art and great knick knacks to take home. Loveless Cafe's preserves are wonderful items you can include in your out-of-town gift bags too!
#2: Arrington Vineyards
Photo: ArringtonVineyards.com
Gather your bridal party, pack a picnic and head to the gorgeous countryside just outside Franklin, TN. Arrington Vineyards is a haven that can make you feel like you're no longer in Nashville yet it's a great showcase of another wonderful thing about living in Tennessee to your out-of-town guests. Sample wines, listen to live music (Every Saturday in the Summer) and just enjoy the fresh air with your friends while kicking off the weekend's celebrations.
#3: Pancake Pantry
The fact that there's a line out the door everyday that it's open proves that the Pancake Pantry is good. Don't let the line keep you from eating at this Nashville tradition - the wait is never very long and it's totally worth it. Have some chocolate chip pancakes, or if you're watching your waistline try the blueberry pancakes. After you're done you can walk it off around Hillsboro Village and pop into the local boutiques in the area.
#4: The Parthenon
Photo: Nashville.gov
This is a sight to behold. Yes, we have a Parthenon in the heart of our city with its very own statue of Athena within the structure. Our Parthenon serves as the city's own art museum where visitors can also see a collection of art by 19th and 20th century American artists.
#5: Adventure Science Center
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Photo: Advenuresciencecenter.com
This is fun for everyone young and old! The Adventure Science Center offers hands-on activities for kids and adults - I couldn't think of a better way for your guests with kids to while the afternoon away before heading to your wedding later on.
#6: Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art
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Photo: Gaylordhotels.com
Cheekwood's beautiful gardens will thrill your fauna enthusiast guests and those more into art will enjoy the permanent collections on hand as well as the featured exhibits. Have lunch in the Pineapple Room or rent it out for your rehearsal dinner. If you're the super organized type, Cheekwood also offers group tours in which you can arrange for your guests to participate!
#7: Frist Center for the Visual Arts
Photo: Fristcenter.com
Another fun place for families and art lovers, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts has permanent exhibits as well as traveling exhibitions from all over. They have a kid's activity area where children can draw and create their own art. Admission is free for visitors under 18 and they offer group discounts if you inform them in advance. And since you're already downtown...
#8: The Country Music Hall of Fame
Right in the heart of downtown Nashville and a mere walk from the hotels is one of the gems of Music City - the Country Music Hall of Fame. Guests can take a tour and get to know the rich history of Country music and learn more about its roots in Nashville. The souvenier shop sells wonderful items your guests can take home to remember their visit. They can also grab a bite at Two Twenty Two grill within the hall.
#9: The Ryman Auditorium
Photo: Tripadvisor.com
The best musicians of all time have set foot and performend on stage at the Ryman Auditorium - Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Kings of Leon, Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow, Erykah Badu, Coldplay... the list goes on and on. In the day, visitors can take a tour of the venue and see its beautiful stained glass windows. For those so inclined, the Ryman is featuring "Opry Country Classics" every Thursday evening through June! Something for the older folks or country music lovers perhaps?
#10: Honky Tonks!!
Photo: Citydata.com
A visit to Nashville wouldn't be complete without a trip to a honky tonk down on Lower Broadway. A great way to top off your visit (besides the wedding of course) is to dance the night away in one of the bars and enjoy live music from the house bands! It's a great way to get a taste of Nashville's nightlife without having to go to a cheesy nightclub. So put on your boots and get ready to do some serious honky tonking Nashville style!
GIFTS
Now that you've got activities, you'll need gifts for your guests! Nicoandlala.com can create custom Tennessee/Nashville gift baskets that would offer a perfect slice of Nashville.
These are just some of our favorites. Other suggestions were the Nashville Zoo, B.B. King's Blues Club, Gaylord Hotel (where you can visit the conservatory), the General Jackson for a water tour of Nashville, and lots of local bars and restaurants.
For more ideas visit Nashville365.com and VisitMusicCity.com. We also learned that you can take a tour of downtown on a segway. That sounds like SO much fun!
Have more ideas? Leave us a comment. We'd love to see what else you come up!
About the Author:
Tabitha
Blogging is something I’ve enjoyed doing for years. My interests lie mostly in lifestyle related topics like fashion, style, design, food and weddings. When I heard Ashley was looking to bring on new members to the ABG team, I jumped at the opportunity - I can’t think of a better way to stay involved in weddings than to write about them and to stay in touch with the trends and new ideas. Lucky for me, Ashley likes my blog and trusts my experience to bring me on and so far, it’s been a blast.
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Posted on April 20, 2010 |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Guests, Gifts & Favors,
