Top Five Free Nashville Country Music Attractions

Here are the top five free attractions country music fans need to hit when they visit Nashville, Tennessee. In Opryland, just across the plaza from the Grand Ole Opry is the Opry Museum. If you search for anything about this great museum on the Opry website, you probably won't find anything. But believe me, it's there. The museum is home to a treasure trove of artifacts and memorabilia marking the careers of the most famous members of the Grand Ole Opry. When you enter the museum the first major exhibit you'll encounter traces the life of Minnie Pearl. If you're a big fan of her outfits, you won't be disappointed.

The exhibits continue featuring country music greats through the years including Patsy Cline, Roy Acuff, Marty Robbins and many more, gradually working up through the years.

For the next few fantastic freebies, we'll head back to downtown Nashville.

After you have paid to see the incredible exhibits at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, search out the Music City Walk of Fame. It heads west from the Schermerhorn Symphony Center traveling up Demonbreun Street toward Music Row.

Recent inductees include Marty Stuart, Josh Turner, and Cowboy Jack Clement. See how many of your favorite stars are honored with a "star."

After you're done tramping around a bit, head back down to lower Broadway and go browsing at Hatch Show Print. This print shop has printed posters for the Grand Ole Opry and hundreds of Nashville events seemingly since the mid 1920s. Browsing through their bins is like taking in a combined art show and music history lesson.

Another shop that is as much living history as it is commercial enterprise is the original Ernest Tubb Record Shop on lower Broadway. If it's a country song you are looking for and it's been recorded, this is the place to find it.

Let's round out our top five Nashville country music freebies with the shop of the man who has become known as the Rhinestone Rembrandt, the sequin stylist to the stars: Manuel. His shop is located at 1922 Broadway, a short drive up the street from all the shops we have mentioned so far.

Why is Manuel a legend in his own time? Check out this resume: He put Johnny Cash in black, made Elvis' gold lame suit, and has dressed all three Hank Williams. Now are you impressed?

These freebies should keep you busy for a little while. But here's one more local tip: If you're in town anytime near one of the major festivals or awards shows, there is almost always a free concert downtown, often in front of the Sommet Center.

Sources:
http://www.myspace.com/manuelcouture
http://etrecordshop.com
http://www.visitmusiccity.com/walkoffame/
http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/site/experience-hatch-today.aspx