NashvilleCountry music is synonymous with
Tennessee's state capital, the rapidly growing city of
Nashville, where the strains of the guitar and accordion are big business, drawing millions of fans to the city every year. Dozens of famous names in the music world have been nourished in Nashville since 1925 when the legendary '
Grand Ole Opry' went on the air, broadcasting weekly shows touting the talents of up and coming singers. It all began in the downtown
Ryman Auditorium, originally a church, which became the music hall where the likes of
Dolly Parton and
Roy Acuff first strutted their
stuff.
Visitors still come today to visit Opryland, the resort that incorporates the new Grand Ole Opry, northeast of the city. Daily shows are presented here, and just around the corner is the
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Fans also flock to the area known as The District, crammed with nightclubs, bars and restaurants where country music reigns supreme. Everyone, country music fan or not, cannot fail to leave Nashville with their toes tapping!
Getting Around: Buses and trolleys ply the streets of Nashville, the
Metropolitan Transit Authority running several bus routes from 5.30am to midnight each day. Bus 34 is the Music Valley Express that links the downtown district with Opryland, where it meets the Music Valley Trolley serving Music Drive. This service operates every 40 minutes daily between 8.15am and 6.15pm. There is a free trolley route, the Lunch Line, looping through the central city area between Second Broadway and Sixth Avenue. For sightseers a trolley leaves the
Frist Arts Center on Broadway at midday and 2pm for a two-hour tour that takes in the main attractions. There are several taxi companies operating in Nashville, and the major car rental companies offer services. Driving in Nashville's small downtown area can be frustrating, but a hire car is useful for excursions out of town.
Climate: Nashville has a moderate climate with hot summers and cold winters. An ample annual rainfall keeps things green and clean, but there are enough sunny days in between to keep everyone happy. Summers can be very humid, which pushes up the discomfort index even if temperatures do not hit major highs.
MemphisFew people alive today have not heard of
Elvis Presley, legendary 'King of Rock n Roll', and most associate
Memphis, largest city in Tennessee, with the iconic deceased singer. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the city each year, particularly on Elvis' birthday, to make a pilgrimage to
Graceland, the mansion where Presley lived and died.
Citing its famous singing sensation as the only draw card in Memphis, however, is failing to do this go-getter city in southwest Tennessee justice. But music makes Memphis special, for sure: not only rock 'n roll but also the fact that the city spawned the modern musical forms of blues and soul as well. Music fans from all over the world stroll down legendary Beale Street in the downtown area every day, happy to be walking where their heroes have walked and talked.
Aside from touring Graceland there are several other music-related attractions to grab the attention, and a whole lot of other things to see and do in Memphis. The nightlife is world-renowned; the cuisine, particularly barbecue, irresistible; and there are fascinating museums, great gardens,
Mississippi river boats, amusement parks, and some quirky cultural and natural sights to explore.
Getting Around: As most residents own a car, public transport is not very reliable and the most efficient way to cover the sprawling city is by car, although traffic congestion can make it slow, even more so during rush hours. The city is simple to navigate and parking is generally easy to find. To hire a car drivers must be 21 years old, but most agencies have higher rates for under-25s; some require an International Driving Permit as well as a valid driver's license. Public transport is available, but consists of slow and infrequent buses, as well as the more useful Main Street Trolley that covers downtown in a circular route. Taxis are also available and must be booked by phone.
Climate: Memphis has a mid-latitude, moist continental climate, which means it has four distinct seasons with cold winters and hot summers. Spring and autumn can be varied and unpredictable and severe weather, like thunderstorms and strong winds, are possible during these transitory seasons. Summers are very humid thanks to moisture encroaching from the
Gulf of Mexico, even though the temperature rarely reaches great heights. This makes it feel hotter than it is. Winters, by contrast, can be very cold with temperatures below freezing occurring fairly often. Memphis averages 5.7 inches of snow a year. There is plenty of rain to keep the region green, most falling in thunderstorms, but this does not mean there are not plenty of sunny days. Memphis has sun for 64% of its days, which it proudly claims adds up to more sunny days annually than are experienced in
Miami.
