I’ve been to Nashville, Tennessee twice for conferences and I’ve always had a blast. It’s the home of honky-tonk, good times, and southern hospitality. If you are a country music lover, it is a must-see.
Navigating our vast hotel under a dome
Both times I stayed at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. It’s an amazing maze of buildings, restaurants, stores, a riverwalk, and a conference center, all under a huge glass dome. In a way, it’s like a city within a city, and, believe me, you can easily get lost. No matter the weather is outside, it’s always the same temperature under the dome.
Check current rates at the Gaylord Opryland Resort by clicking here.
Downtown Nashville
A friend and I had a short time to visit downtown Nashville so we hailed a taxi and headed there to walk around before we left for the airport.
We had brunch at The Rock Bottom Brewery (no longer open) and ordered shrimp and grits. As a California girl, I never had grits before and didn’t know what to expect. I had been told they were gritty but my meal was creamy and sublime. I couldn’t get enough!
Downtown Nashville
We strolled down Broadway, the main thoroughfare in Downtown Nashville to see some of the sights and take photos. There were quirky characters hawking their wares, playing music on the street, and in bars. Cowboy boot stores were everywhere tempting you to buy.
The Goo Goo Shop is a Nashville landmark. Goo Goo Clusters have been a Nashville “treat” since 1912 so we stopped in to check it out. They’re made with real milk chocolate, caramel, peanuts, and marshmallow nougat. They were a little too sweet for me but you have a serious sweet tooth, you’ll enjoy them.
Have fun browsing my photo gallery of downtown Nashville below.
Click on the images below to view them full-size in a gallery.
Two Rivers Mansion
Just before we left for the airport we grabbed another cab and enlisted our driver to show us a few sights along the way. He drove us by Two Rivers Mansion where we got out to take photos. It was built in 1859 (before the Civil War) and is a prime example of antebellum architecture.
If you’re heading to Nashville and want an awesome taxi driver, call Steve Parker. Hopefully, he’s still on the job.
Steve Parker – 615-578-3991
I wish we’d found him before we hit downtown. Next time, I hope I can stay longer
Find more things to do in Nashville, here.
Have you been to Nashville or plan to go in the future? Please leave a comment below.
Loved this post and the conference! Thanks so much for being a part of it. Your Nashville pictures are awesome too!
Teresa
Thanks Teresa. I had a blast but the best part was meeting all those fabulous women of midlife. I hope we all are able to stay in touch and come back again.
It was so nice meeting you at the conference, Rebecca! For what it’s worth, I don’t think you were the oldest women among us – but it doesn’t matter – we all felt an ageless connection.
I’ve had the shrimp and grits (grits are just Southern polenta) at the Rock Bottom Brewery and you’re right; they’re delicious. I’m glad you enjoyed Nashville and I hope you’ll come back sometime.
Alicia
spashionista.com
Hi Alicia, Actually what I had meant was that I’m usually the oldest at other conferences and that at BAM everyone was in a similar age range. Maybe I better reword. Thanks also for the info about grits. It isn’t something we often see in Los Angeles and now that I know it’s like polenta it makes sense. I had a great time in Nashville and can’t wait to go back and spend more time there. There’s so much to see besides just downtown. Hope to see you again soon!
Rebecca
Love this post, Rebecca. I agree completely that we midlife women need good tribes. I enjoyed talking with you and am so happy to be part of our new ‘online tribe.’
Lorraine
Thanks so much Lorraine. I just love that we’re going tribal. LOL
LOVE the photos you took. What a great eye for color and composition. Thank you for coming to our workout and thereby enhancing it. We hope to teach again next year, maybe not quite so early…..
Hi Kymberly – I had a great time at your workout and didn’t mind the early start. Thanks for the feedback on my photos. I’m still practicing. Hope to get off auto mode some day! Can’t wait for next year.
Rebecca, I think we met but wish there was more time to chat with the 100 women at the conference. I enjoyed Nashville too. Sorry about your loss. I too became a widow at 50 – way too early – but it is great to connect with others who understand your loss. Here’s to meeting again at BAM 2016.
Hi Judy, I remember meeting you for just a short time and I love your blog. Yes, I think we needed at least 3 full days to meet everyone and get to know them. What a great group though. Sorry about your loss as well. It’s just part of life and we learn from it. Hope to see you again soon.
It was SUCH a wonderful event, wasn’t it?
My main concern is where does Elvis have his HAND???
Because even though he’s dead, it looks like he’s trying to make a connection, too.
Susan, that’s hilarious! As far as I’m concerned he can put his hand anywhere he wants to. LOL. We have to get it where we can over 60.
It was great to meet you – thank you so much for coming to our first BAM conference! I hope to see you next year.
Thanks Sharon. I was so glad I found out about it before it was too late. It was fantastic. Thank you for all you did to contribute to it.
BEAUTIFUL PICTURES! I did not recognize the house in the last one–? BTW: Lower Broad, well, that’s not the real deal, but yes, it’s fun.
Hi Leisa, The house is the 2 Rivers Mansion Antebellum Plantation. The cab driver we had showed it to us. Glad you like the pics. Wish we had more time to explore. Hopefully next time.