<p>Have some upcoming travel plans to Vegas and Nashville in the next few months. Any cc’ers with pointers, reccs or free time for a cup of coffee?</p>
<p>Me, of course.</p>
<p>Ha. I just got on here to tell her that MOWC was near Nashville.</p>
<p>Jym and I are old buddies.</p>
<p>There are lots of things to do in Nashville. Be sure to visit The Bluebird Cafe (not far from Vandy) for great music. Try Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, too. Both have a LOT of music history. The Opryland Hotel is always decorated beautifully well before Christmas so, if you’re here around that time, check it out. Opry Mills (very large shopping mall near Opryland Hotel) reopened several months ago after many months of flood repairs. The Frist Center for the Visual Arts is a great place to visit and you can check their upcoming exhibitions online before you come. Nashville is the sister city to Athens, Greece and has a life-size replica of the Parthenon … visit and tour the facility located at Centennial Park. Eat breakfast at the Pancake Pantry or at the Loveless Cafe. If you like beer, take a tour of the Yazoo brewery and enjoy the yumminess of their beer. Cheekwood Botanical Gardens is lovely. If you go, lunch at the Pineapple Room is good. If you’re in town when there’s a home football game, come on out and support the Titans! </p>
<p>Please come to Franklin and visit our square. I love my little town and it’s just about 20 minutes south of Nashville! It’s really pretty out here and we have lots of nice, little shops. If you like fish and chips, eat at McCreary’s Irish Pub on the square. I highly encourage yout to visit Sweet CeCe’s Frozen Yogurt, too. Franklin is full of history, especially Civil War history. Visit the Carnton Plantation and The Carter House.</p>
<p>Those are just a few things to do while you’re here. Enjoy your visit!!!</p>
<p>Thanks!!
Will be at a conference. Always looking for things to do</p>
<p>Any Vegas pointers?</p>
<p>I live in Las Vegas. Pointers could fill a book. Do you have specific questions? </p>
<p>What kinds of activities do you enjoy – gambling, shows, fine dining, shopping, spas, outdoor activities, etc. Do you have lots of time, or just a few hours to kill here and there?</p>
<p>Going at the tail end of my DH’s conference, so will have a little free time of my own and then 2 days to play. Have been there before but with the kids. I am not really much of a gambler…</p>
<p>We will be attending a concert Thurs night, but its now a group I am really familiar with…</p>
<p>Also a Nashville chica 
ask away!</p>
<p>If you would like to get out of town and see some really pretty desert scenery, check out Red Rock Canyon. It is about a 30 minute drive from the Strip, and is well worth the trip. Even if you’re not a hiker, the scenic drive is beautiful.</p>
<p>Hoover Dam is worth a look if you have not been before. </p>
<p>We have a zillion fantastic restaurants. I would be glad to recommend a few if you know what type of cuisine, general location, price range, etc.</p>
<p>If you would like to see a Cirque du Soleil show, we have a bunch! The Smith Center (our new performing arts center) offers a wide variety of shows. There is everything from the old fashioned Vegas show girl, to the Blue Man Group scattered in showrooms all over town. Just google for a list of shows for when you’ll be in town. The variety is amazing.</p>
<p>If you like to shop, check out the Fashion Show Mall. Bring your comfy shoes; the place is gigantic. If you like outlet shopping, go to the Las Vegas Premium Outlets. There are also a number of smaller malls located in hotels: The Forum Shops at Cesar’s Palace, The Grand Canal Shops at The Venetian, Crystals at City Center, Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, The Promenade at Wynn/Encore, etc. </p>
<p>Of course just a walk up and down the Strip is fun to gawk at the sights and to people watch.</p>
<p>Let me know if you have any specific questions and I’ll do my best to answer.</p>
<p>In Vegas, just wandering in and out of the big hotels can be interesting including the Venetian and others. Many of them have free attractions, like big aquariums, the volcano, white tigers, etc. You could spend some hours doing this.</p>
<p>If you have more time, there are lots of shows, like Cirque du Soleil, Blue man Group, etc.</p>
<p>For restaurants, there are many top ones including some run (owned?) by some of the food channel chefs like Mario Batali and others. I’ve heard really good feedback about Carnevino, Otto, and some others.</p>
<p>Great tips, everyone! Thanks!</p>
<p>Nashville has a lot of great restaurants. I liked City House and Margot Cafe. There was an article in the NYTimes travel section a few months ago about Nashville restaurants.</p>
<p>We got to Vegas all the time. I think we’ve seen every show. Any Cirque du Soleil is great if you’ve never seen one…not so original once you’ve seen one ;)</p>
<p>Best show for me was Garth Brooks…and I’m not even a real fan. But he does a great show about all the music that inspired him. It’s really great. He’s playing various dates in October.</p>
<p>[Garth</a> Brooks Dates and Times - Wynn Las Vegas & Encore Resort](<a href=“http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/Shows/GarthBrooks/DateAndTimes]Garth”>http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/Shows/GarthBrooks/DateAndTimes)</p>
<p>It’s not cheap though, and as others have suggested, there are other less expensive wonderful things to see. Red Rock is beautiful…but frankly, I go to Vegas for the gambling.</p>