pokingmyeyesout

In Knoxville, TN - the Confederate Memorial Hall, James White's Fort, Tennessee Riverboat Company at Volunteer Landing, etc (http://www.knoxville.org/) and in Nashville, TN .. - home of Andrew Jackson ... plantation, museums, etc (http://www.nashvillecvb.com).

.and J and I look for LYS!

Oh wait. here is more info from nwa.com to Nashville, TN

Why Go: Trip Ideas
Photo by Jeff Schwartzenberg
Nashville, TN: Grand Ole Opry-tunities
From jubilant jug bands to the likes of Lyle Lovett, Tennessee's rolling Cumberland River hills are alive with the boogie-sweet sound of music.

Place we love, even if it's touristy: Having outgrown The Ryman (a.k.a. "mother church of country music"), The Grand Ole Opry lies 15 minutes outside Nashville proper, and broadcasts the world's longest-running radio show in a format little-changed since the '30s. Check out the Disney-eseque tin roofs, river-fed hotel, and, of course, country legends.

Where the locals go: Famous for its real country ham, fried chicken, made-from-scratch biscuits, and pecan pancakes, Loveless Café uses all local products and a generous amount of savory bacon grease (and we mean that in the best of ways). Located on the Natchez Trace Parkway, it embodies the true spirit of the south.

Chill-out spot: Hold the music for a moment and set your soundtrack to the rolling Cumberland River during a stroll over the Shelby Avenue Bridge. It's an easy walk from downtown, and views of bobbling boats and yonder mountains just might inspire you to make like a Dixie chicken, you Tennessee lamb, and head your way to Dixieland.

Where to do a do-si-do: Kick up your heels at the Wildhorse Saloon, where you can participate in everything from "Achy Breaky Heart"-style line dancing to sashay-promenade square dancing. If you don't know how, just take a free lesson. At 66,000 square feet, this place is so huge it goes through 3,000 gallons of barbecue sauce a year.

Local secret: After working up a square-dance sweat, it's time for totally tubular refreshment. Las Paletas Gourmet Popsicles was nominated by our readers during our "Local Secrets, Best Finds" survey due to its fresh ingredients and daring Mexican-inspired flavors ranging from prickly pear and hibiscus to honeydew and chocolate wasabi.

History lesson: Step into the plantation past at Belle Meade, where the mansion dates back to 1853, and the stone columns out front are riddled with bullets from the War Between the States. After checking out the antique carriages and 1790 log cabin, whinny your way over to the stables, where two famous rival horses trace their lineage: War Admiral and Seabiscuit.

You can take it with you: Get your vintage old western concert posters at Hatch Show Print, a letterpress print shop featuring the likenesses of Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, and other country hall of famers. After, get your music-to-go at the Ernest Tubb record shop on Broadway.

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Phone: 615.356.0501
Belle Meade Plantation
5025 Harding Rd

Set amidst ancient oaks The Belle Meade Plantation is a 19th Century House Museum devoted to preserving a century of heritage from frontier cabins to a working farm and world-famous horse nursery. The Plantation overflows with history, including stone columns riddled with bullets from the War Between the States. Union and rebel forces actually skirmished in the front yard during the Battle of Nashville! Explore the 1853 mansion restored to its elegance of the Victorian era, the 1890 carriage house and stable displaying antique carriages, or the 1790 log cabin, one of the oldest houses in Tennessee. History comes alive with tour guides in period costume.

The Cafe at Belle Meade offers dishes with a Southern historic flavor. We recommend the luscious walnut mocha cake with coffee cream that will melt in your mouth.
Phone: 615.646.9977
Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre
8204 Highway 100

Chaffin's Barn, a dinner theatre nestled in the southern countryside, was Nashville's first professional theatre. Located just a short drive from Nashville the Barn is a popular stop for tourists and locals alike. The cozy rustic atmosphere offers two performance stages for enjoying Broadway musicals, comedies and mind-boggling mysteries. The down home cooking is one of the South's best "All-You-Can-Eat" buffets. Sample rounds of beef, teriyaki pork, Cajun catfish, meatloaf, mashed potatoes or country green beans.
Phone: 615.327.0202
Emma's Flowers and Gifts
2410 West End Avenue

Emma's Flowers was founded in 1937 by Emma Sneider and is now one of the largest and oldest florists in Tennessee. Offering everything from traditional florist arrangements to specialty baskets with a southern flair, Emma's can deliver to Nashville area locations as well as cities around the world. Call ahead to have flowers waiting at the hotel.
Phone: 615.862.5950
Nashville Trolley
130 Nestor Street

The Metropolitan Transit Authority operates 13 trolleys that make circular routes through downtown Nashville and also run along Music Row and Music Valley Drive. On weekends, trolley cars feature live music and other special events. With an Site 59 recommends all-day trolley pass, which allows you to get on and off as often as you like.

For more info go to the Nashville Visitor Information Center, located in the Nashville Arena, or to the Visitors Info Center on Music Valley Drive for passes, rates, and schedules. Or call MTA at 615.862.5950.
Phone: 615.254.5030
Pralines & Candies by Leon
138 2nd Avenue North, Suite 102

In 1869, Leon's grandfather, Constantine Vlahos, began providing extra money for his family by making pralines and other candies. Demand for his "sweets" quickly became so great he had to quit his job and make candy full time. You'll understand why when you
bite into a creamy nut-filled whiskey soaked Praline. Still made in copper pots and hand-stirred by Leon himself, Leon's famous homemade candies are made fresh daily with absolutely no preservatives. Taste the unmatched Southern flavor that has made these confections famous.
Phone: 615.902.8200
Wildhorse Saloon
120 2nd Ave N.

Wildhorse Saloon is one of Nashville's hottest dance clubs so grab your 10-gallon hat, snakeskin boots and blue jeans and hit the 3,300 square foot dance floor for some boot, scoot 'n boogie. But watch out you might get caught on TNN's Wildhorse Saloon dance series. The Wildhorse Saloon, simultaneously a restaurant, bar, concert site, dance venue, and TV studio, is one of Nashville's must-sees. "Every group, when they come to Nashville, feel like they have to go to the Wildhorse. If they don't, it's like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower."

If you don't know how to country line dance try Wildhorse's free lessons daily at 6:00PM, 7:00PM, & 9:00pm. Call 615.902.8200 for more info.