Things to See in Nashville

Everyone who's anyone has performed at the Ryman Auditorium, from WC Fields to Martha Graham to Bob Dylan to the Indigo Girls. The soaring brick tabernacle was built in 1890 by wealthy riverboat captain Thomas Ryman to house religious revivals, and watching a show from one of its 2000 seats can still be described as a spiritual experience.

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts hosts traveling exhibitions of anything and everything, from American folk art to the European masters. It is located in a grand, refurbished post office building.

'Honor Thy Music' is the catchphrase of the monumental Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum , reflecting the near-Biblical importance of country music to Nashville's soul. See case upon case of artifacts like Patsy Cline's cocktail gown, Johnny Cash's guitar, Elvis' gold Cadillac and Conway Twitty's yearbook picture (back when he was Harold Jenkins). There are written exhibits tracing country's roots, computer touch screens to allow access to recordings and photos from the Country Music Foundation's enormous archives and walk-in listening booths.