My spouse and I spent the evening prior to our trip to Nashville at the Newark Hilton, where we ate dinner in Amelia’s Bar (se my separate review of the hotel). Because our flight the next morning departed at 7:00 am, we decided to relax our schedule and stay overnight at the Newark Airport Hilton rather than departing our home at 3:00 am. We often obtain a “park-and-fly” room rate at an airport hotel, which entitles us to a room for one evening and parking for seven to fourteen days.
7/4: Newark to Nashville
Because we had to depart for the airport before breakfast began at the Hilton, we were unable to use the complimentary breakfast coupons that we received as Diamond Hilton HHonors members. However, the front desk exchanged our breakfast coupons for one appetizer coupon that we used the evening before. We rode on the complimentary hotel shuttle bus to the airport, which departs every 20 minutes. Even though the hotel is located only three miles from the airport, the drive took about 10+ minutes because of road design.
Terminal A at Newark’s Liberty International Airport does not offer as many dining, shopping, and passenger services as the other terminals at the airport. Terminal A offers only one sit-down restaurant called Currito Cantina, which serves alcoholic beverages in addition to food. Unfortunately, that morning, the restaurant’s stove was broken, and they were unable to serve hot food. The terminal offers three counter-service outlets (Dunkin’ Donuts, Ben and Jerry’s, and Abica Coffee / Boar’s Head Deli) and two shops (Hudson News and Tech-to-Go).
Southwest flight 989 was scheduled to depart from Newark (EWR) at 7:00 am and arrive in Nashville (BNA) at 8:10 am, but the flight departed about one hour late. The flight time is about 2 hours and 10 minutes, with a one-hour gain because we flew west. We flew Southwest’s standard equipment (a Boeing 737), and we secured seats in the second (true) exit row in the aisle and middle seat positions. (My spouse paid for early bird check-in, but received the last A-numbered position. Without early bird check-in, I received an early B boarding position.) Because we flew on a holiday, Southwest treats each passenger of legal drinking age to a complimentary alcoholic beverage (beer, wine, or hard liquor). Our day was off to a good start!
Our flight arrived at the Nashville International Airport at 9:15 am. We expected to arrive at a small airport, but it was large and outfitted well. We hailed a taxi outside of baggage claim that drove us to the downtown area. The airport has an outdoor queueing system for taxis. You can pay for your ride using a credit card, including tip. The ride to the downtown area took about 20 minutes (although it is only 10 miles, we encountered some holiday traffic). The trip costs a flat rate of $25 plus tip.
A taxi drove us to our hotel for the next two nights, the Doubletree Nashville Downtown (see my separate review). Because it was early, we were unable to check in to our room, but the front desk clerk appeased us with coupons for the complimentary buffet breakfast. Although the meal was nearly over, we enjoyed a drink and a quick snack. After we stored our luggage, we walked around the city.
We only had 1.5 days in which to see Nashville, so we maximized our time. We walked along Broadway, where we admired the colorful neon honky-tonk signs. On the weekend that we visited, the city closed Broadway and nearby streets to vehicle traffic as it began its Independence Day celebration. Nashville hosts the second-largest fireworks celebration in the United States.
We ate lunch at Bailey’s Sports Bar & Grille (with outdoor seating on the second floor), and dinner at Merchant’s (see my separate review of Merchant’s).
After dinner, we strolled along Broadway and enjoyed the Let Freedom Sing holiday celebration, including live concerts and fireworks. The vantage point for the fireworks from Broadway did not provide great visibility, although it was a good place to watch the musical acts. If we could have seen the fireworks show from the Riverfront Park), the view would have been spectacular! Some ground displays near LP Field (stadium) were viewable only from along the riverbank. Fans began to set up their blankets and claim their spots around 12:00 noon, NINE HOURS before the show began! During the fireworks show, the Nashville Symphony played on the main stage. The conductor tailored their musical program to complement the pyrotechnic display.
7/5: Nashville
We rose early to maximize our one full day in the city. After a quick buffet breakfast at the Doubletree (included with our room rate), we walked downtown. We admired the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which features an outdoor fountain, beautiful portico, statue, and musical flourishes. Next, we viewed the façade of the Country Music Hall of Fame, which resembles a tremble clef when viewed from the sky, with building accents representing the keys on a piano, records or CDs, and a radio antenna). We looked at the stars for Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Les Paul, and Hank Williams, and others on the Music City Walk of Fame. We photographed the Ryman Auditorium (where the Grand Ole Opry began), the attractive Convention Center, and the Bridgestone Arena (home to the Nashville Predator hockey team).
We boarded two of the free city shuttles and rode two separate lines (green and blue) for a free sightseeing tour of the city. We saw Bicentennial Mall, the Farmers Market, the restored train station, and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts (an Art Deco landmark built in the 1930s). The green circuit runs between Gulch and Riverfront Station, and the blue circuit runs between the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and Bicentennial Mall. The purple line does not operate on weekends. We later walked on the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge to take panoramic photos of the LP Field (home of the Tennessee Titans football team) and the city skyline.
We enjoyed drinks and music at Honky Tonk Central, an outdoor lunch at Rock Bottom Brewery, and dinner at Husk (see my separate review of Husk).
7/6: Nashville to Newark
Because we needed to depart for the airport before breakfast began at the hotel, we were unable to use our complimentary coupons. We checked out and exited the hotel on Fourth Avenue, where a line of taxis waited across the street. We took a quick 10-minute ride to the airport, and we paid our flat-rate fare of $25 (plus tip) with a credit card.
The Nashville Airport is larger than we expected. Live music (on four stages) and art exhibits (both rotating and permanent) provide something for passengers to do while they wait. The airport offers 20+ dining options (full-service and casual counter-service) and 20+ retailers. Full-service restaurants include Gibson (guitar) Café, Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Neely's Bar-B-Que, O’Charley’s, Swett’s, and Tennessee Tavern. The airport receives awards for its design and services: best customer service, best overall concessions, and most unique services (for example, the airport offers a walk-in medical clinic).
We used the Southwest kiosk to check our bags. The airport offers an expedited line for TSA pre-check customers. Despite the varied sit-down restaurant options at the airport, at such an early hour of the morning (and in the terminal from which we departed), we did not have many options. Therefore, we bought some food and drinks non-alcoholic drinks at Provence Breads & Cafe. Provence has limited seating and offers counter service only.
Southwest flight 3656 from Nashville (BNA) departed at 8:45 am and arrived in Newark (EWR) at 12:10 pm (about 2 hours and 15 minutes of flying time). We claimed our bags and took the Air Train to stop P4 to wait for the Hilton shuttle. The van arrived in about 20 minutes and transported us back to the hotel, where we retrieved our car and drove home.
Conclusion
We enjoyed our trip to Nashville, but we did not have enough time. In order to use frequent flyer ticket credits that were expiring, we squeezed this trip into just three days (and no extra time-off from work). With more days, we would have visited the Gaylord Opryland, the Grand Old Opry, and The Hermitage (Andrew Jackson’s home). We also want to visit Walland, Tennessee to eat and stay at the Inn at Blackberry Farm (about four hours from Nashville). So we will return to the “Music City”, possibly for another Fourth of July weekend, because we loved the celebration! Hotels:
- Hilton Newark Airport Link to my review
- Doubletree Nashville Downtown Link to my review
- Husk Nashville Link to my review
- Merchants Link to my review
- Rock Bottom Brewery Link to my review
- Bailey's Link to my review
