Nashville's Most Elegant Wedding Venue
Belle Meade Plantation provides the backdrop of a historic farm setting framed in beautiful flowering gardens and an 1853 mansion, all with the convenience of our location, sitting right in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. Our venue offers a lavish indoor barn space and an intimate outdoor garden area for wedding ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners, and other events. Belle Meade Plantation accommodates up to 300 guests.
Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a destination known to travelers from around the globe. Country music fans of all ages enjoy the timeless relics, photos, and exhibits dedicated to the most influential men and women in the industry.
Best and worst time to go to Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The museum is open year-round and there's no reason to ever avoid this destination. However, dedicated country music fans might want to venture here during CMA Fan Fest in June, when country stars take over the city with performances at the stadium down the street.
Must see/do at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Be sure to spend time in the ever-changing main exhibit, which has featured hit-makers from Johnny Cash to Luke Bryan. Next, venture to the Wall of Gold Records, showcasing countless albums that hit gold throughout the years. Last but definitely not least, don't miss the clothing displays where you can see the actual outfits these artists wore on stage.
Admission to Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Children under five always receive free admittance, so bring the family! Youth tickets are under $20 and tickets for ages 13 and older are in the mid $20's. The museum continually offers discounts for seniors, AAA members, and military, in addition to group rates. Or create a package and tour the museum and Historic RCA Studio B. Purchase tickets online or at the box office.
Parking and public transportation to Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the hall of fame and museum is surrounded by public parking areas, but does not provide its own. Park in a nearby lot or garage, found at ParkitDowntown.com, or take a take the free bus line to its downtown drop-off, just blocks away.
Food at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Two Twenty-Two Grill and Baja Sexto Taco are in the same building, featuring mid-range priced fare. Bongo Java Coffee has a location just steps away, featuring speciality lattes. Outside of the building, there bars, restaurants and coffeeshops abound in any direction in downtown Nashville. These options are all walkable.
Inside tip for visitors to Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The museum can get pretty crowded, especially on weekends. If the line at the main entrance on Demonbreun is too long for you, sneak around the corner and use the side entrance on 5th Avenue. Almost a guaranteed shorter line.
Author's bio: Rebecca Cicione has lived in Nashville for four years. She works in the nonprofit and music industries and her favorite place to be is anywhere outdoors.
In 1957, Elvis Presley bought Graceland, a stately mansion in Memphis, and made it his home for the rest of his life. After Elvis' death on August 16, 1977, Graceland was opened to the public in 1982, and has since drawn visitors from around the world, who want to see what it was like to live like a King. But it's not simply for Elvis fans; anyone with an interest in rock 'n' roll and popular culture will enjoy visiting Graceland. The mansion tour has several impressive displays; the Trophy Room features the many awards Elvis received, and the Racquetball Building is host to his jumpsuits and a stunning display of gold and platinum awards. And there's more than just the mansion -- across the street, in Graceland Plaza, you'll find a variety of museums spotlighting different aspects of Elvis' life and career (there's one museum just dedicated to his cars and motorcycles), along with his two planes, the Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II. Graceland's grounds also have Elvis' final resting place; he's buried in the Meditation Garden, along with his parents.
Parking and public transportation at Graceland
Parking is available at Graceland's parking lot for a fee; there's also an RV park and campground right behind the adjacent Heartbreak Hotel. If you're visiting Sun Studio, there's a free shuttle to and from Graceland. If coming by bus, the #42, #43, and #46 all go by Graceland.
Best and worst times to go to Graceland
The weather is most pleasant in Memphis in fall and spring, and the crowds are lighter as well. The heat and humidity are especially punishing in the summer, and crowds are heaviest during "Elvis Week" in August, commemorating the anniversary of Elvis' death on August 16, 1977. There's a smaller scale celebration in January, celebrating the anniversary of Presley's birth on January 8, 1935.
Admission to Graceland
There are five ticket packages. The best value is the Platinum Tour and Airplanes Tour package, which gives you access to the mansion, nearly all of the museums, and the airplanes: prices are $45 for adults, $40.50 for adults over 62, youth 13 to 18, and students with ID, $21.50 children 7 to 12; children six and under are free. The Elvis Entourage VIP Tour package throws in a few perks; front of line mansion access, exclusive entry to a museum not available on the other tours, and all day entry to all attractions. Prices (including the Airplane Tour) are $77 for adults, $76.50 for seniors/youth/students, $74.50 for children.
Must see/do at Graceland
Be sure to check out any special exhibits currently running during your visit, which change over time to highlight different milestones in Elvis' career. Write your name on the front wall surrounding the mansion, where fans scrawl special messages to Elvis. If you're an Elvis collector, the shops at Graceland Plaza have a variety of exclusive items.
Other places to visit near Graceland
There are not many attractions around Graceland. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music (where Elvis recorded when it was Stax Studio) is about a 15-minute drive away. Downtown Memphis isn't much further; on the edge of downtown you'll find Sun Studio, where Elvis made his first recordings. The Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum and National Civil Rights Museum are also worth visiting.
Insider tip for visitors to Graceland
Every day, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., guests are allowed to walk up to the Meditation Garden for free.
Author's bio: Gillian G. Gaar is a Seattle-based freelancer who writes about music, entertainment, and travel. Her favorite Elvis song is "Hound Dog."
