Looking for Road Trip suggestions in Nashville area

I'm looking for suggestions of attractions or destinations to visit in the Nashville area. If you're the first to make a suggestion of something I use, I have a prize for you.

(Credit: Nashville.gov)

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--This weekend, I'll be heading to Nashville, Tenn., as part of Road Trip 2008, and I need your help, dear readers, to figure out what I should go and check out.

I'm already planning to visit the Parthenon there, and I have at least one music-industry destination already on the agenda.

But now I'm looking for something to visit that fits into the theme of Road Trip--it's got to be something photogenic and have a technology, business, science, or military angle.

I've never been to Nashville before, and I know that there's a whole lot to do there. But given the short amount of time I have, and the fact that I want to use that time to do more stories and photo galleries for Road Trip, I'm hoping you can help me figure out what would be a good way to spend my time.

In particular, I want something I can visit on a Sunday, when many business or government offices will be closed.

If you want to know more about what kinds of destinations fit into Road Trip, you can also look at the package I did last year on Road Trip 2007.

I have some gifts to give on this trip to anyone who can help me out. So if you're the very first person to send me a suggestion I end up using, I will arrange to give you something I hope you will enjoy.

Please send your ideas to my e-mail address: daniel (-dot-) terdiman (*at*) cnet (-dot-) com.

Thanks very much in advance. I appreciate your help.

[GaryInIN]

About 75 miles from Nashville is Lynchburg, TN, home of Jack Daniels. You can visit the distillery and take a tour 7 days a week.

[sidiscgolf]

Perhaps only fitting into science if you stretch that category then Disc Golf might be something that you could showcase on a Sunday. Cedar Hill Course is a very nice course and could give you a few photo opportunities at the same time. The crew at SIDiscGolf.com recently visited this course and had a great time while in Nashville for a Spoon concert.

Worth the time to get out there as there is not a whole lot else to do in Nashville on a Sunday besides maybe the Farmers Market.

[purdue_guy]

I doubt I'll be the first to suggest this, but I think you have to go to Vanderbilt. It really is a very attractive campus, with tons of big trees of various species, great architecture (most of the buildings have very elegant stone columns), etc.; very photogenic. They have a very renowned medicine school, which would In addition they have one of the nicer university-owned fine arts galleries:
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/gallery/exhibits
where they continually rotate the exhibits using their extensive art collection.

[slewisma]

The original Ryman Auditorium downtown, Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, Wild horse saloon and the Bluebird cafe come to mind. A little more off the beaten path but road trip worthy might be RCA Studio B or Jerry Jones Custom guitar shop.

You just missed Fan Fair which is either a good or bad thing depending on your point of view on crowds.

[hoppinjohn]

Maybe the northern end of the Natchez Trace Parkway, just to the west. It's the nation's longest national park, and a very pretty drive, along with historical markers and things to see. Even better if you brought your bike. Or go downtown and see that enormous piece of art, just across the river, close to the Titan's stadium. Or go out to the Opryland Hotel to see the indoor river, with boats you can ride, and the indoor jungle (conservatory) you can walk, and one of the largest hotels outside Las Vegas. Or for a more "techy" thrill, the Lane Motor Museum, which is currently housing part of the Nissan collection, along with their own. You've never seen so many Tatras in your life. (No, I didn't know what a Tatra was, either, until I went.)

[BGXterra]

if you are looking for a great place to eat you have to visit the
101st Airborne Restaurant, the place is themed with pictures and memento's from WWII
it sits at the end of the Nashville Airport Runway so if you are into planes you can see them come and go

1362 Murfreesboro Pike #A
Nashville, Tennessee 37217-2619

"Visit 101st Airborne and you`ll get an eatery that dishes up an American fare especially known for seafood and steaks. Expect the average entrée to cost $12 to $20, and you should typically dress casual."

[mike4dice]

Someone mentioned Ryman Auditorium at 116 Fifth Av - worth a visit - and be sure to see the Hatch Show Prints there (and also in the airport).

The Gaylord Opryland Hotel (2800 Opryland Dr in NE Nashville) is amazing - bigger than life.

The Barbershop Harmony Society recently relocated to Nashville (110 7th Av) - the Harmony Marketplace is now open to the public.

From June 29 to July 6, the International Barbershop Harmony Convention is in Nashville at the Sommet Center.

[ionobelisk]

How about the Gibson guitar factory, especially with the arrival of the "robot" guitars, and their "ethernet" Les Paul?

[Susanm22]

This may or may not fall under "science," but one of the coolest things I have ever done in Nashville is a "ghost walk" of the downtown area. There are a couple of different companies, but in my opinion, the best one was nashvilleghosttours.com and last time I checked, they do have a tour on Sunday.

Another thing you may want to consider is a ride on the General Jackson Showboat. They have a variety of different cruises, from sunrise tours to dinner shows. The night skyline is amazing from the 3rd deck of this boat!

Finally, there is a new local market district in the Green Hills area close to the mall on Hillsboro Pike. There are a lot of trendy stores here, including many that are unique to the Nashville market. The Bluebird Cafe, which has already been mentioned, is in this area, too. This is a Nashville institution, showcasing great writers and singers. There are 2 shows on Sunday night.

Have a great trip!

[cnettgh]

I recommend the Dell Laptop factory. I am not sure if they have tours on Sunday but that would be interesting.