NASIG 27th Annual Conference
June 7-10, 2012
Nashville, Tennessee
Explore Nashville
"Music City USA" is known for its many live music venues! Also check out the live music guide app on the same site. Get out and listen to some music! In addition to country music, you can also hear rock, jazz, and classical music in town. Even the airport features live entertainers. The Musicians Corner in Centennial Park offers free music on Saturday afternoon and early evening.
The two most famous venues in town are the historic Ryman Auditorium downtown and the Grand Ole Opry, about 6 miles from the hotel. The Bluebird Cafe, where songwriters perform, and the Station Inn, a bluegrass venue, are local favorites. Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, where Grand Ole Opry performers used to hang out, and Robert's Western World are two of the best known of the many honky tonks downtown. CMA Music Festival will be in town, with shows Thurs.-Sun. night at LP Field. See the CMA website for evening concert information.
The Nashville Convention Center and Visitors Bureau has lots on information about what to do in Nashville.Check out their discounts and deals. A mobile site lists events around the city. Maps of the downtown area with parking, restaurants, and nightlife options can be found here. Also check out this introductory video.
PARKING: Parking downtown will be challenging due to road closures because of Country Music Fest. See this website for parking and road closure information.
LOCAL WEBSITES with event and restaurant information:
Now Playing Nashville, a website with arts and entertainment options in the area.
The Nashville Scene, an alternative weeky guide to arts, events and restaurants in town
RESTAURANTS:
Nashville has a wide variety of dining establishments throughout the city. CPC has prepared a spreadsheet with restaurants which can be sorted by neighborhood, price range, type of cuisine, etc. for you to download. Some are live music venues as well. Reservations in advance are strongly recommended.
The following is a selected list of restaurants by neighborhood with maps for you to download:
Restaurants on the Sheraton shuttle route (rides free for conference attendees)
:
Chain restaurants on the Sheraton shuttle route
Nearby amenities
Belmont/Vanderbilt
Demonbreun
Downtown
East Nashville
Germantown
Green Hills
The Gulch
Midtown
Sylvan Park
West End
White Bridge Rd.
Nashville Originals, independent, locally owned restaurants
Yelp and Urban Spoon also offer restaurant reviews recommendations for Nashville.
SHOPPING:
Opry Mills Mall is located about 6 miles from the Sheraton. Reopened in March after being damaged by floods in 2010, the Mall features such stores as Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Ann Taylor Factory Store, J. Crew Factory, Tommy Hilfiger Company Store, Nike Factory Store, The Aquarium Restaurant, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Banana Republic Factory Store, Vera Bradley, Coach, Rainforest Cafe and an IMAX theater.
Green Hills Mall and CoolSprings Galleria offer additional shopping opportunities.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS:
The Hermitage, historic home of President Andrew Jackson (reputedly the most authentically preserved presidental home site) located 8 miles from the hotel. Group tours (of 15 or more) are offered at a discount if arranged in advance. Special after hours tours can also be arranged for an additional charge ($25-$30 per person with 1-2 weeks advance notice). Contact sspector@thehermitage.com to arrange after hours or group tours.
Belle Meade Plantation, a mansion and 30 acre historic farm that bred thoroughbred race horses.
Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, a collection of historic costumes, instruments, photographs, videos, and other objects tell the story of country music.
A special exhibit on Chet Atkins will be on view during our conference.
Belmont Mansion, home of the indomitable Adelicia Hayes Franklin Acklen Cheatham, who managed a cotton plantation by herself during the Civil War
Frist Center for the Visual Arts, formerly the main post office and a handsome Art Deco building featuring new exhibits every 6 to 8 weeks. The Martin ArtQuest Gallery features art activities for people of all ages. The Frist also has a gift shop with books, jewelry and crafts, as well as a cafe.
Carl van Vechten Gallery at Fisk University, permanent installation of The Alfred Stieglitz Collection of Modern American and European Art, which includes works by Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne, Auguste-Pierre Renoir, Henri deToulouse-Lautrec, Georgia O’Keeffe, Charles Demuth, Marsden Hartley, and Arthur Dove.
The Nashville Sounds, our local baseball team
Cheekwood, the historic home of the Cheek family, founder of Maxwell House coffee. Includes a 55 acre botanical garden and art exhibits.
The Parthenon, a full-scale replica of the famous original structure, featuring a 42 foot statue of Athena. Also has a small art gallery.
Lane Motor Museum, the largest collection of European cars and motorcycles in the United States
Adventure Science Center, a science museum and planetarium
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
Fort Negley, remains of the largest inland masonry fort built during the Civil War with a new visitor center featuring films and interactive displays. A kosk in the lobby features a search for your Civil War ancestors.
BEYOND NASHVILLE:
Franklin, small historic town 20 mi. south of Nashville rich in Civil War history featuring The Carter House, Carnton Plantation (the inspiration for Roberts Hicks' book, The Widow of the South) and the Lotz House.
Stones River National Battlefield, site of one of the Civll War's bloodiest battles
Extensive Civil War information for the area can be found on the Civil War Tennessee site..
Natchez Trace Parkway, a National Scenic Byway which closely follows the course of the ancient trace traveled for centuries by tradesmen and Indians from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville Tennessee. Near the entrance to the Parkway is located the famous Loveless Cafe, renowed for its biscuits and traditional Southern cuisine.
Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg
Last updated 5/15/12
