March 7 - 11, 2011 • Nashville, TN, USA - Society for Information ...

Music CityNashville TeNNesseeNashville is a place where the past and the future peacefully coexist and build,one on the other, to create a destination that appeals to the interests of every visitor.Many movies have been made about Nashville. Enough books about Music Cityhave been written to fill a bookcase. And, of course, scores of songs are dedicated to the city ofmusic. But, while music is the lifeblood of Nashville, visitors will also find here a city of culture andhistory, of haute cuisine, of pro sports, outstanding academics, natural beauty and pure Southerncharm. This city is alive. You can feel its pulse when you walk down its sidewalks. And, fortunately,you can also hear it almost anywhere you go.The Grand Ole Opry, the world’s longest consecutively running radio program, was launched in1925 and made Nashville a household name. The 1950s launched Nashville as a serious contenderfor recording studios and record labels. Music Mile, a symbolic stretch of roadway connectingthe $120 million Symphony Center with the music district of Music Row, the vibrant newentertainment venues on Demonbruen Street, the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, the CountryMusic Hall of Fame, the Music City Walk of Fame and Museum and the Nashville Arena.Nashville also has a vast array of attractions unique to the city. Discover the Parthenon, the world’sonly full-scale replica of the ancient Greek temple. Inside the temple see the42-foot-tall gilded Athena. The venerable Ryman Auditorium has been atreasured landmark for over 100 years. Comedians, musicians and actorshave all performed upon the famous stage.Nashville's diverse shopping scene is the perfect fit for any style or price range.It's easy to while away an afternoon (or two or three) indulging in a Music Cityshopping spree. From Southern fare to haute cuisine with quite literally everythingin between, Nashville's menu of dining options will suit any taste.Whether it's a family-friendly meal, dinner and a show or a romantic repast,the city's restaurants serve every dish with a side of Southern hospitality.Spring is a delightful time in Middle Tennessee as the rolling hills are a lush,vibrant green. Days are warm while evenings can be chilly. Nashville is a truefamily destination any time of the year. The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere continuesto add new animal habitats and expand its property. The AdventureScience Center is a museum geared toward educating toddlers to pre-teens.Connected to the Center is the Sudekum Planetarium. At the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, a specialinteractive gallery called ArtQuest allows guests to create art after they experience it in the galleries.Also known as the “Athens of the South” for its dedication to higher learning and education. Inthe mid 1800s, many colleges were founded here including Fisk University, one of the nation’s firstcolleges for freed African Americans. Vanderbilt University, affectionately nicknamed the “Harvardof the South,” was founded after the Civil War with the financial backing of Commodore CorneliusVanderbilt. Today, more than 17 colleges and universities call Middle Tennessee home.Bring the family and extend your stay for a great vacation. Consider just a few reasons why MusicCity is a wonderful destination for SITE 2011!© Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, adapted for use in this Call.Photos Page 6: Country Music Hall of Fame, ©Nashville CVB/Barry M. Winiker; Grand Ole Opry Stage, ©Nashville CVB/Randy Piland; TheParthenon & Gilded Athena ©Nashville CVB/Gary Laydar; Belle Meade Plantation ©Nashville CVB/Barry M. WinikerPhoto Cover, Nashville Skyline, ©Nashville CVBFor further Nashville, Tennessee information see: www.visitmusiccity.com