New Year in Nashville

On our way back to Maryland from Houston, we spent a couple of nights in Nashville, to celebrate New Years Eve.

We made a quick stop at the Bass Pro Shop.

 

This was a fun photo op at the Visitor Center.  Jonas is the guitarist in the back.  Ezra is the front man (obviously), and Judith is a beautiful back up singer.  

We walked around Honky Tonk Row.  This was in front of the main stage and the music note that dropped at midnight.

 A McDonald's truck was there giving out free lattes and hot chocolate.  We may or may not have stopped by more than once.

 We made sure to hit a Hard Rock Cafe we had not been to before.  It was right next to the main stage.

Southwest Airlines was also giving out free stuff and had a photo booth with props.

Judith and I got cowgirl hats.  You know,...to blend in.

 A quick stroll down the Music City Walk of Fame.

 

We went inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and there was a lot to see without actually purchasing a ticket!

 Music Row was especially cool to me. I've never had musical aspirations, but being there among all the studios made me feel like I could just walk in, record a song, and have a #1 hit.  I can only imagine how that vibe and energy affects folks who really have dreams of making it big!

We couldn't visit Nashville without seeing the Parthenon.

 

The Grand Ole Opry was a little disappointing to me.  It was really hard to find and get to.  It seemed tucked away behind the Gaylord Hotel (which WAS super cool), and the mass mall complex of Opry Mills.  I didn't really know the history of how it moved from where it started at the Ryman Auditorium to the commercialized venue where it is now.  Had I done my research my expectations would have been different and maybe I would not have been disappointed.  It was still cool to see it though.  (Once we finally found it...)

Not wanting the kids subjected the craziness of Honky Tonk Row on New Years Eve, we went back to the warmth and comfort of our hotel room for a few hours.  Then we loaded up, drove back downtown and sat in the parking lot of Nissan Stadium directly across the river from the main stage to ring in the new year.

 

We really loved Nashville!  It had a really unique feel.  Seeing as how it's almost exactly half way between Houston and Gambrills, MD, we're sure to visit again!