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Nashville, Tennessee Planning Your Trip Part of the enjoyment of any destination is anticipation, and planning a trip to Nashville couldn't be easier or more comprehensive courtesy of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau. This is one-stop shopping that will assist any level traveler to make the most of time and budget. The Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau's website www.visitmusiccity.com is easy to navigate, intuitively organized, loaded with handy information, and full of the most up-to-date schedules. You can buy concert tickets, rent a car, book lodging, reserve special packages, either from the convenience of your computer 24/7 or on the telephone (615-259-4730) with one of their savvy representatives. The Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau offers a special All Access Pass, which for a bargain of $35, will allow entry into four of Nashville's many fabulous attractions, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Musicians Hall of Fame, The Frist Art Museum, The Hermitage, Home of Andrew Jackson, and many more. Getting There:  Nashville is half day's drive from almost 65 percent of the continental United States. But for the rest of us, getting there means flying, and think no further than Southwest Airlines (www.southwestairlines.com). Southwest has the most flights to Nashville of any carrier: 85 daily non-stops to and from 28 cities: Austin, Baltimore/Washington, Birmingham, Chicago Midway, Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, Detroit, Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood, Hartford/Springfield, Houston Hobby, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Norfolk/Southern Virginia, Oakland, Ontario, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Providence, Raleigh-Durham, San Antonio, San Diego, Seattle, and Tampa Bay – with additional direct or connecting service to 27 more cities. Getting Around:  Nashville is a city that venerates the traditions of the past and the innovations of the future as the Ryman Auditorium and Bell SouthTower harmonize on the same block. As US cities go, Nashville is among the easiest to navigate. Though some locals may complain about rush hour traffic, the added commuter congestion is tame compared with most cities during drive time. If you don't rent or bring a car, a cross-town taxi from the west end and Vanderbilt University to downtown and the bars and attractions is only ten bucks, tip included. So with a good pair of shoes much of Nashville's best parts are within walking distance. The car rental firms might take issue at the suggestion that Nashville is a place where a car is not necessary, but let me make the case. Most of the better downtown hotels charge for parking. That means add another $20 or so a day just to have a car – yours or a rental company's. Grayline (www.graylinenashville.com) offers round-trip transportation from the airport to all but the furthest outlying hotels for $18. Grayline will also take you to the Grand Ole Opry for $15 round-trip and many other attractions. Unless you are traveling with a few kids in tow, think through the math and hassle factor of having a car before making the decision. The $100 you save on in-town parking fees can buy ten cab fares.
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