3. Nashville

5,000 new hotel rooms, hot chicken and the Gibson Guitar Garage. Plus - a soundtrack from Johnny Cash!  In this episode,  you'll hear about the real Nashville - with facts only a local would know: from travelling,  to eating, to shopping,

For a free factsheet on Nashville and other goodies, email May at her website:  https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/may.swan-easton

Transcript

5,000 new hotel rooms, hot chicken, and the Gibson guitar garage. Plus a soundtrack from Johnny Cash. Welcome to episode three of travels with me.

hello, I'm May Swan-Easton. And in this episode, our destination is Nashville. Now keep listening, because I'll be telling you how you can download a free fact sheet on the capital of Tennessee, but let's get straight into the conversation I had with Laurel Bennett, who is the vice president of tourism sales for Nashville convention, visitors bureau.

And over the next 40 minutes, you'll hear about the rule Nashville with facts only a local would know from traveling to eating, to shopping. Laurel. Welcome. Thank you so much. I'm so happy to be here. We all do. Before we start talking about Nashville. Tell me a little bit about yourself. I grew up, um, in it more born in Tennessee, grew up in, in, um, in the Southern part of the United States and, uh, quickly moved back to Nashville.

Um, as a young adult after college, um, I had family ties to Nashville and I was lucky enough. Um, like many people in the travel industry. I was lucky enough to kind of by accident, stumble into the travel industry with a fabulous job here at the Nashville convention and visitors corporation and the records on the wall.

Actually our, um, our, my little plaques of recognition for. 10 and 15 years, I believe. And I am going now on 20 years, um, of working for the Nashville convention and visitors corporation, it's been 20 amazing years. The city has continued to evolve and change over those two decades. And so it is still the most exciting place to talk about.

So, and now I get to, to promote it to people around the world. So that international component. Has really just been my focus for about the past, I'd say 10 years or so. I've been really heavily focused on the international markets and the UK of course being our top international market. So, so yes, we miss all of you and can't wait to welcome you back.

That's good to know. I can't wait to get back. Trust me. So I've been lucky enough to visit Nashville twice. Um, and seriously it is my favorite city in the USA. But why do you think Nashville should be on everyone's wishlist to visit? Well, I love to hear that. Of course, um, you know, Nashville is just a really authentic experience.

Um, you know, we have, we're a big booming metropolitan city, um, but we still with a lot of growth and progress. Um, in this past decade, but we still have retained, um, that small town, um, Southern hospitality somehow. Um, and there there's been this enormous surge of people moving into Nashville from other parts of the country, and we've still managed to hang on to, to really that cultural, um, Southern hospitality, friendly atmosphere.

So I really think that is, um, just a really special aspect of the city. Um, it's, uh, Because of the music industry, it is a creative hotbed. So not only for music, but our culinary scene, our fashion scene, our art scene, it's all very vibrant and happening and attracting young people from all over to move here and, uh, and follow their dreams, whether that be music or other arts related.

Um, so Nashville is just a really, um, young, um, Place with a great atmosphere, but also we've got so much great music history. Um, so you've got the best of both worlds. You've got all that wonderful history to explore that. Then you've got this vibrant community, um, and live music happening every day, um, that you can be a part of present day.

So, um, the best of both worlds truly. So tell me a little bit about the history of Nashville, because you mentioned history. Yes. Well, Nashville, as far as music history, you know, we've been, um, really, um, since the 18 hundreds unfolded, um, Nashville kind of that's when our music history. Story. And that story began with the Fisk Jubilee singers that they were traveling around the world, raising money for their college, this university, which is a historic black university here in Nashville.

And they were raising money. Um, You know, they were trying to educate folks that were coming out of slavery and they were raising money. They were traveling the world. Um, and it was our first musical exports. And they actually, um, performed for queen Victoria, queen of England at the time. And she gave us the nickname music city.

She said, you must be from the music city. And she was so impressed by their vocal talents and the Fisk Jubilee singers, you know, they, they are still, um, part of our music. Um, Culture here in Nashville, part of that history. And like I said, they have that amazing longevity, but it's still very much a present day institution.

So it started then, and we have all of these, um, really iconic music attractions, um, that are part of that story. The Ryman auditorium, the grand Ole Opry, which got it. Start at the Ryman auditorium before moving to the grand Ole Opry house in 1974, we've got historic RCA studio B on music row, which is Nashville recording, legendary recording studio.

Um, really where the Nashville sound was born, where Elvis recorded ever 200 songs. And so you've got that historic studio on music row with all of the other modern days. Studios. So you've got that past and that present right there together. And the country music hall of fame and museum is our largest museum dedicated to music in the world, uh, and really tells the story of country music and its cultural significance.

Within the broader story of American music, and then just opened this year, the national museum of African American music, the spinal Juul in the crown of our broad scope of music history, and, uh, and tells the story of the African-American music and all of the genres and sub genres that, that African American music influenced.

So, yeah. So exciting, so vibrant. Um, so multi-dimensional all genres represented and, uh, I think that's what people probably found surprising when they come to Nashville, they're expecting country music and they can get plenty of country music that they can find all the history and all of the other genres represented as well.

I totally agree. And I didn't know why music city was called music city, but it's interesting that with the connection with great Britain it is, and that connection goes all the way back. So I think it's really special because we know our UK audience loves Nashville and we've always had a great connection to that audience.

And, you know, truly, it goes back to the 18 hundreds. So it is special if it's queen Victoria said. It's music city, it's music city. It is time to travel. Weather-wise um, to Nashville, we have four distinct seasons in Nashville. So, um, you know, the fall and the spring are going to be very popular times of year because the weather is nice and mild.

And in the fall you've got the beautiful fall foliage, um, across the beautiful state of Tennessee. You know, we've got the mountains in east Tennessee to beautiful rolling Hills. Through Nashville. So lots of great fall foliage. Um, and then in the spring, of course, everything is in bloom and beautiful. Um, but our winters are pretty mild.

Um, our summers get hot and humid, so he do have, um, travelers that, uh, really enjoy that, that hot, that heat and humidity that they don't get much over there in the UK. Um, summer's a great time to come as well. We've got music events and festivals things going on throughout the year. So there's, there's not a bad time to come truly.

Um, but I would say the fall and spring are the most popular. And what's the average length of time. People stay in Nashville for you will need, well, you will need at least three nights. I say at least three nights, but British airways. Um, you know, last time I was talking to them, their average was creeping up to four and five nights in Nashville, which I think is.

Fabulous. Um, I know that National's part of a larger itinerary, um, linking other cities across the south, and that's great. Um, but to truly experience the city three nights, you need a night to explore the live music on Broadway. You need a night to go to the grand Ole Opry or to see a songwriter in the round show and you need a night to get out and explore what are the neighborhoods outside of the downtown area to really get that great, um, well-rounded experience in Nashville.

I totally agree. When I visited last, we were there for four, four nights and I wish we'd stayed for five because again, there's lots of things that we still didn't get to see from the first visit. So how far are you from new Orleans and Memphis? Cause you mentioned that people can also add stuff off for other locations.

Absolutely. So if you can fly directly to Nashville and British airways, but if you fly through Atlanta, which is our, our largest hub in the Southern region to international markets, if you fly in through Atlanta, we are about four hours west of Atlanta. And then another two and a half, three hours. Um, we'll get you to Memphis from Nashville.

So we're right in the middle of the state of Tennessee. So about three hours over to Memphis. Um, and then for Memphis down to new Orleans, you know, a lot of people will stop off, uh, you know, along the way, but, but that's probably a six hour drive, but there's also train service that links Memphis and new Orleans.

And we've also got a budget flight carriers that you can find. Fly directly from Nashville and new Orleans as well, pretty cheaply. So really easy to get around the south. If you're driving, you know, big wide highways, really, really easy to navigate. Um, if you're doing kind of that, that music history tour, that links, um, links, those three cities, that's really popular itinerary that we see, um, on tour operators, um, promoting around the world.

But if somebody was just coming to Nashville's for five nights and then going back home, what's the public transportation like, um, in the city we've got, um, we've got a bus system, we've got a free bus system downtown that links downtown area to some of the outlying neighborhoods. And I mentioned those neighborhoods.

We have amazing eclectic. Vibrant neighborhoods that are full of all the great local restaurants and boutique shops and coffee shops and little dive bars and places like that. So that's that free, um, best system links, some of those neighborhoods to the downtown core. Um, and then of course, Yeah, we've got taxi service, Uber and Lyft, and all of that.

If you're staying in downtown Nashville, it's really walkable. I mentioned the country music hall of fame and the Ryman, all of the music venues on Broadway. Um, all of that is within walking distance. I would say, even for UK and European visitors, they're used to walking all over the place. In Midtown area, you would still be able to walk into downtown for Midtown, which is only about a mile away.

So if you're in that core central part of the city, it's very walkable, very safe. Um, if you want to go out to the grand Ole Opry or visit the Gaylord Opryland resort, um, or Opry mills, shopping and entertainment, um, destination that is about a 10 mile. Uh, distance, um, from the downtown area, which would require you to jump in a cab or an Uber or Lyft, but, but still a lot of the, the, the attractions and the entertainment in the heart of downtown Nashville, very easy to walk.

And is there, um, a good choice of hotels to stay in downtown and Midtown? Did you, you mentioned. Yes, we have had an absolute hotel. Boom. In recent years, Nashville had the top demand of any of the top 25 us markets. And so hotels have really invested in Nashville as a destination. And over the past 20, 20 and 2021, we have opened our have of construction, 5,000 new rooms.

Um, and before that had already, um, just a very robust pipeline of new hotels. And the exciting thing is we've got the big box brands that everyone knows. We have these amazing new boutique, um, and unique hotel properties that really are more of a lifestyle brands, you know, hip and trendy. We've got some really cool, um, Unique kind of hybrid properties, kind of a hybrid between a short-term rental and a hotel.

So we truly have something for everyone here in Nashville and just have had a recent boom and hotel inventory. So you will find from luxury to, you know, budget friendly. We have something for everyone, um, in Nashville. And do you have any new hotels that are planned to be opened? Oh, yes, lots of new hotels.

Um, we just, uh, opened the grand Hyatt, which is anchoring the Nashville yards project is a new urban development, um, in downtown Nashville. Um, the Virgin hotel, which, um, our UK audience is very familiar with Virgin. They just opened this past year and they're actually the only hotel on music row. Um, there's a new w hotel coming in, um, in the Gulch, which is just south of downtown Nashville within walking distance of the core entertainment district.

Um, we have a. Sore seasons on the way we have, um, let's see, we had a Joseph luxury hotel just opened downtown. Yeah. This year. Um, we ha all righty of boutique hotels, we actually it's called boutique road, just north of, of Broadway on fourth avenue. Four or five new boutique hotels that opened just along that street alone.

So, um, lots of new, uh, Conrad is opening soon. Uh, we have a higher, uh, Regency opening up. So lots of new hotel product to explore here in Nashville. Plenty of restaurants to choose from for all these hotel rooms that you're going to have on sale us. Yes, absolutely. Um, Nashville was one of the hottest culinary destinations in the south.

Um, and over the past, A year, we have still managed to open 120 new restaurants. So our culinary scene is on fire. Um, we're known in Nashville. I think. Um, you know, someone from the UK who's never been, would expect Southern cooking. Um, Hi chicken. Maybe they've heard of hot chicken. That's a Nashville dish.

That's gotten pretty pretty well-known around the world, but we truly have, um, farm to table, chef driven, um, eclectic, um, other culturally infused, uh, restaurants available in Nashville as well. So again, Something for everyone on our culinary scene and it just keeps getting hotter and hotter. So, yes. Uh, the long answer to your question is, um, you, you will, you will go home welfare and definitely try hot chicken because that's a special reality.

It is hot chicken, Nashville, hot chicken. You know, we it's the story. It had princess hot chicken is the original, um, and prince. The story is he was out late night with his, his buddies and came home from the bars and his, um, his, his girlfriend at the time was not happy with him when he asked her to go in the kitchen and fry up some chicken for him, for him and his buddies.

And. So she went in the kitchen and she threw every spice and pepper. She could find into that, um, into that pan of hot chicken, trying to burn him up and he ended up loving it and they opened a hot chicken shop. And from there it has just grown and morphed into this hot chicken phenomenon. You'll find it on.

Yeah, most menus in Nashville if I'm being honest, but there are a few places that really specialize in hot chicken for instance, is the original. Um, and Hattie B's is another really popular one for tourists. But, um, but yeah, got to taste that hot chicken, but be careful pace yourself. It really is that hot, but they do have.

They do have, you know, kind of graduating levels of heat. So you can get the mild, still get a little kick and, and enjoy and enjoy the rest of your day. And don't forget about the goober. Yeah. Yes. Oh gosh. You know, that's a Google cluster was the original combination candy bar in the United States. So we even have that long standing history with, with the candy and they have a shop downtown, the GooGoo shop it's located on third avenue.

Within walking distance of all these other fabulous things. And they're actually expanding right now, um, they have opened up a dessert bar. You can take chocolate making classes and make your own Google cluster. Uh, so they've got some really great, um, experiences to be had with candy making and chocolate tasting with wine and other and other libations.

So, um, so yeah, the guru, the Google experiences is definitely a must do when you're downtown. Oh, it's delicious. It's nuts. And marshmallow and caramel covered in chocolate. What's not, what's not to love what is not to love. And you'll find all kinds of flavors at the Goodyear shop. They've got so many creative combinations.

It's really fun as a local. Where do you recommend, what's your favorite restaurants in Nashville? That's so hard. Um, I was just actually had a friend in town last week and there's so many new restaurants. It's hard to pick. Um, and so I kinda went back to an old favorite, like a place that I love. To go.

And every time I go, it's good. And it's called urban grub and it's, I'm in the 12th south neighborhood, which is just a little bit west of downtown. Um, this neighborhood is very walkable, lots of boutiques and restaurants and coffee shops. Great murals to stop and get a picture photo take in front of, but urban grab right there on the 12th south neighborhood.

They've probably been there for gosh, at least a decade. And just, I just keep going back. I love that place, but we also, I mean, we have so much to offer, um, and you know, just cannot. Stay on top of all the new places that are opening. So it's exciting. I love to make recommendations when people are coming up your town, um, in pull up, you know, all the latest openings and try to get around and visit as many of them as I can.

Um, but the great thing is that we just had a big new development opened downtown called fifth and Broadway. And it is a combination of, um, shopping and the national museum of African American music is their anchor attraction, um, right downtown, but they have an, a food hall called assembly food hall there that just, um, that has about, gosh, I'd say 30 different.

Vendors food vendors. And many of them are local Nashville places. So it's a great one-stop to sample some of Nashville's best restaurants without having to pop around to all the neighborhoods and, and in the city. So if you're, if you're short on time, Uh, definitely check out the assembly food hall at fifth and Broadway, and you can get your princess hot chicken.

You can get some great Vietnamese cuisine, Thai cuisine, some of Nashville's best pizza. Um, it's, it's really a great, and it's right down the office, down the street from my office. So I have to be really careful not to go there every single day. It is it's that fun and all those great Nashville restaurants are represented.

And Tennessee is famous for its bourbon. Yes, we'll

call it bourbon in, in the UK, but you know, Kentucky, just to our north, uh, they claimed the bourbon, um, Nashville, um, Jack Daniels, Tennessee whiskey. It's the most widely distributed, um, spirit in the world. Um, and it has made about. 90 miles south of Nashville and this tiny little Hamlet and the rolling Hills of Tennessee called Lynchburg population, I think 340 or something crazy.

Um, but that whole operation is there in Lynchburg, Tennessee. It's like stepping back in time. It's a great day trip from Nashville. Um, and it really, um, brings the history of that, of the whiskey making. To life. Um, but if you don't want to travel that far, um, outside of the city center, we have, um, just a plethora of small batch distilleries here in the city as well.

You know, breweries, distilleries. We have all of that here in Nashville, but some really great unique, um, whiskey distilleries that you can visit, um, in Nashville. Uh, definitely paying homage to the Jack Daniels. Um, legacy, but with their own spin on, on the whiskey story. So it, and that also makes a great combination trip.

If you've got bourbon aficionados, that Kentucky Tennessee thing, that is the perfect combination to do the bourbon in Kentucky and the whiskey and Tennessee and all the music in between that's that's. Yeah. You could ask for better than that. That's why you need at least five nights. That's the right.

Right. So what about tipping? Um, is that normal in the American restaurants in is, uh, you know, our service industry, um, is. Uh, yeah, they are, they are their money's money on tips. Um, so, you know, anywhere between 15 and 20% gratuity is kind of standard. Um, I have seen a move towards, um, including service charges, which may be more on par of what you're, what you're used to in the UK, um, to where they, they go ahead and do a service charge on the front end and in Nashville, um, that the musicians also work for tips.

So, um, we've mentioned Broadway. Um, there are 180 live music venues all over the city, uh, featuring all is honors of music, but on Broadway, um, where our honky-tonks are, that's really a well-known entertainment district. Um, there are bars. Uh, lining both sides of the street that are open from 11:00 AM to 3:00 AM, 365 days a year.

And there is music pouring out into the street from all these bars, um, all day, all night, every day. Um, and the, the bands that are playing are often just working for tips. They're not being played that they're not being paid by the venues to play. They're they're trying to get. Their name out there, hoping to be discovered they're wanting to exposure.

And so they come and they, you play these honky-tonks and they provide all of our visitors with this wonderful entertainment. Um, but they do pass around the tip jar, um, because that's how they're making money. So I always tell people that. So they're not like kind of put off by that, um, passing around the tip jar thing, but that is just part of the music culture here.

And, um, you don't have it tip, but if you want to hear a specific song or you have a request. Um, a tip we'll get, we'll get your, your song play for sure. So, um, so yeah, the tipping, especially for the musicians who are trying to support their families, um, is very much part of the culture here in Nashville.

Is it true that, um, is this something I've heard that 90% of the waiting staff and service in the bars and restaurants of budding musicians and songwriters? Yes. I don't know the exact statistic percentage, but yes. Nashville is full of aspiring artists. So, whether it's the, the, the waitress or waiter at the restaurant, the front desk clerk at a hotel, your Uber driver, um, chances are, they are in Nashville following that music dream.

So it, that gives the city an extra special kind of creative. Um, the vibe, because there are so many creative people that are here pursuing, pursuing their dreams. So in the, and the great thing is in Nashville, everyone's so open, you're sitting at the bar and you're talking to the person next to you.

You're talking to, to the bartender, everyone's sharing stories. And that's part of the experience you get here is where are you from? Where, where did you, where are you in Nashville? And, you know, those stories just kind of. Come out and who knows maybe the next big star is the one who gave you a ride from the airport to your hotel when you visited Nashville.

So it's part of the charm for sure. I must admit the main reason. Um, I visited Nashville and I guess many others do, as you mentioned earlier, was to, to listen to the live entertainment, which. Yes, as you say, it's not just in the bars, but there's also in the restaurant, so you can have a meal and there's a band playing behind you or a guitarist.

Um, and I was really surprised to hear about all the different genres of music. So there was, you know, not just country music. Um, it was the blues, the honky-tonk pops and bluegrass. Um, and we walked from bar to bar to listen to the music, but. Um, it's not the only way it is, you know, that the people can listen to the amazing talent, um, that Nashville attracts because there's other music venues available, um, for people to book, to pre-book and to, to listen and go to a gig or a concert isn't there.

Absolutely. Absolutely. I mentioned the Ryman auditorium at the top of the, of this podcast. Um, it was built as a church. Um, it's one of the most famous, um, live, live music venues in the country is consistently ranked, you know, Pollstar theater of the year. Um, and, and. Musicians artists that could sell out arenas or, uh, the stadium come and play at the Ryman because of the history of the building and the performers that have, have performed on that stage.

It's this intimate setting. It was built as a church, all that hardwood and stained glass create this pristine acoustic environment. Um, so it's just. Such a special place, um, to hear, um, to attend a live music event. So always check the Ryman counter events. Um, they have concerts going on year round. Of course, the grand Ole Opry.

So longest running radio show, um, in the, in the world, um, Now we'll turn 96 years old this October, and they actually come back down to the Ryman every winter, um, for performances, but, uh, the grand Ole Opry, you know, history in the making it's, you know, you've got countries, the music legends, you've got today's superstars, you've got the up and comers all in one show.

So it's a great, um, just cross section of what's going on in country music and, uh, truly, you know, an Americana authentic. Experience. And then we can't forget about the songwriters. You know, Nashville is a, as it is the songwriter capital of the world. Some writers moved from all over to Nashville to work with the other songwriters here, but also to work with the musicians who are coming in to record.

Um, and so we've got this incredible songwriter community here in the city and, you know, they perform at the Bluebird cafe, which was made very famous on the national television show. That played over in the UK. Um, but there are also other songwriter rooms around the country, around the city where you can listen in, um, to the songwriters, tell the stories behind the hits that we've all heard on the radio and really kind of share that process of how a song goes from something jotted down on a cocktail napkin to something that.

Uh, that we hear on the radio. So you can have, uh, you know, the great part, the atmosphere on Broadway in the honky town. So you can have a really intimate songwriter in the round acoustic musical experience, and you can attend a concert at the Ryman auditorium or the Bridgestone arena or the ascend amphitheater, right.

Downtown. Just so many options. Um, but the great thing for visitors to Nashville is there are so many venues, especially the ones downtown, where the live music is free. There is no cover charge. You just walk in. If you like the band, you stay for a beer. Um, and then, you know, Kind of bar hop to the next place to see what's going on there.

So it is, you know, a city full of live music opportunities. And the great thing is that so much of that live music is free. I think one of the highlights of our trip to Nashville was stopping off at the gallery iconic guitars and Belmont. And my husband and his friend play guitar anyway, and they picked up a couple of guitars and just did a German session with the two of them.

It was quite intimate. There was nobody else there and they had an absolute blast and we couldn't drag them away from them. So that's great. I'm glad you found that. And next. How did you come? Um, Gibson just consolidated all of their factory warehouse, their whole production. They consolidated to Nashville.

Um, and they have opened up, um, gets in garage, which is, um, in the downtown area. But it's. It's kind of a mix of it's a shopping experience. You can shop for all the different Gibson guitars, but you can also go in and you can, you can play with the guitars, try them out. Um, they have live music there, their live music venue.

Um, it's kind of a museum dedicated to Gibson guitars. So you'll definitely have to bring him back and take him to the new gifts and garage garage. Next time you visit. But you also have, um, an ice hockey team called national predators 40 days. Is it possible to see them play on a visit to Nashville? Of course, you know, Nashville, um, is really, truly one of the most exciting sports cities in the country.

We were just named. And we were the only us city in the world named on this list of top emerging. Forced cities. And the great thing about, um, kind of what we offer when it comes to sports is we have the, um, the NFL, Tennessee Titans, our football team, and their stadium is right across the river from downtown Nashville.

Right. And, uh, from like the honky-tonks and Broadway. And then at the top of Broadway, you have Bridgestone arena, which is home to our NHL, Nashville predators, um, and you know, hockey and Tennessee, I guess when I moved to Nashville 20, 21 years ago, um, the predators were brand new. No one in Tennessee knew anything about hockey.

It was this whole learning experience, but now we're actually. Absolute rabid fan base. Um, and the Nashville predators hockey experience is like nothing else. It's almost a blend of like SCC football, really like rowdy crowds with chanting and on their feet, um, the whole game. So it's a really exciting experience.

Um, and yes, it's right at the top of Broadway. So you go to the game and, um, and then you go to Broadway right after and hopefully celebrate, celebrate the win. But Sam, but yes, um, our team is actually in the playoffs, the first round of the playoffs. So, um, so we had a run all the way to the Stanley cup final back in 2017.

Haven't made it back that far yet, but, um, but every year we're hopeful. So definitely recommend checking out. Um, a predators game or a Titans game. We also have MLS soccer, which started in Nashville last year. So our Nashville soccer clubs, very exciting. They're building a whole new soccer stadium. That will be a great experience for fans.

I'm open the next couple of years. Um, and we have AAA baseball, so lots of sports, um, to experience here in the city. And, you know, it goes great with live music. So, and he said, Um, in every different season. So is the ice hockey season a certain time, and then the, the football season, et cetera, different places.

So ice hockey usually starts in the fall and goes all the way through the spring. It's pretty, pretty much year round they're off in the summer, but most season is in the fall. Um, so we'll get that cranking up here in, um, late August, early September. Yeah. And, and then, you know, software goes, um, kind of year round as well.

So there should be something going on in the sports, in the sports world, in Nashville, anytime. Um, one of your customers visits. So Nashville is great for couples, friends, groups, but would you recommend it for families? Absolutely Nashville. You know, that's probably one of the lesser known, um, destinations for families, but we have plenty to offer.

Um, Gaylord Opryland hotel is our, our resort. Um, experience is about 10 miles from downtown Nashville. Um, it's the largest non-gaming, um, resort in the country. So outside of Vegas and the big casino hotels, um, this is. Just under 3000 rooms, they had acres of indoor gardens and restaurants and shopping. Um, in the past couple of years, they have added an indoor outdoor water experience called soundwaves.

That is absolutely fabulous. It's an upscale. Water attraction with all the slides and the pools and the lazy rivers and the rapid rivers, but also adult only areas. So it's really great. Um, for that family visit, um, coming to Nashville and then we have wonderful attractions, um, or a fabulous Stu they've inter science center.

Um, great historic attractions. And then all the music attractions that we've mentioned are very interactive with, with, you know, Plenty of options to get the kids engaged. Um, so yes, Nashville is a great family destination. And, um, and with that new, when the new sound waves, uh, water attraction to that up at Gaylord, I think it really put us on the map as a family friendly place.

Does Nashville have any designer outfit malls because the Brits love a bargain? Yes. So Opry mills is our, um, is the largest, um, outlet and retail center in the state of Tennessee. Um, so that would be my number one recommendation. And for those families tying it back to the families. There's a great Madame Tussaud's music themed, wax attraction.

There's a movie theater. Um, there's, you know, it's, it's an entertainment destination as well, but, but designer outlet shopping for sure. For the more high-end shopping, the Greenhills mall just west of downtown is our high end. Um, shopping mall and then all of these neighborhoods that I've mentioned, um, they each have great boutiques and the local makers who, um, like the fashion designers that are local to Nashville or, you know, making the jewelry or their leather goods or whatever, whatever you're interested in, those can be found in, in our, in our eclectic little neighborhood pockets around the downtown area.

But yes, For the, for the outlet, um, shopping Opry mills is a wonderful, wonderful destination for that. And of course the price tag you see on the sales tag is not the price you pay because you have to add sales tax on county tax. Can you explain what that is? Yes. So we, we don't have an income tax in the state of Tennessee.

Um, so, uh, we do have a sales tax. It's a 9.2, 5% sales tax. So, so you do have to calculate that in. What would be your top tip when visiting Nashville to really. Kind of get your head around that the importance of Nashville as a music city, would it be to take a tour of historic RCA studio B? Um, it's located over on music row.

I mentioned it. Um, but that really is where the Nashville sound was born. Um, and. You know, that whole area launched Nashville, um, into the music production, we became music city, um, because the music industry really established itself along music row. Um, so I would, I would say that that tour is very important to understanding why Nashville became music city.

It's great to come here and enjoy the music. And a lot of people do, um, especially the young people. They just want to come party on Broadway and that's. That's well and good, but to really start to understand that important history of, of how it became music city, that we're so proud of it's they do a wonderful job of telling that story and you'll get chill, bumps.

Um, they, you know, they're, of course they're playing the music that's been recorded in that studio and it really like music does it takes you back. Um, and I've seen people cry and laugh and remember good times, um, on that tour. So it's an emotional for, but it's also just really. Really key to, to telling the Nashville music history story, how easy is it for somebody with mobility issues to get around the city?

All of that are major attractions, um, have absolutely taking, taken that into consideration. So yes, there'll be able to enjoy everything in this city. They should have no problems. Um, some of the bars on Broadway, you know, they are three stories and a rooftop. Um, but they have elevators. Um, they're accessible.

Um, they're crowded. It would be the th the thing that I would, I would warn, um, they do get crowded at night. I would, I would almost suggest for people with mobility issues to enjoy that during the day when it's not so packed and crazy. Um, but, but yeah, they will. People with mobility issues will be able to enjoy Nashville and all the attractions everywhere is very accessible.

Well, Laura, that's a wrap. Thank you so much for joining us and sharing all your invaluable expertise on all things. Nashville's are I can't wait. I'm so excited. Can't wait to visit you again. And I'm going to come by and say hello. Oh, please let me help you put your itinerary together, Al the things you haven't seen yet recommend the best restaurants.

Yes. I look forward to that day for a free fact sheet on visiting Nashville with some great hints and tips. Visit my website,  https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/may.swan-easton. Next  time on travels. We've made we head to the Caribbean island of Antigua with my guest Joel. Oh, Henry searching ensure you don't miss it. Click follow on this podcast to make sure each episode arrives into your podcast app, every fortnight. And whilst you're there, please leave a review.

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