Nashville is the capitol of Tennessee and is surrounded by lush, rolling hills and sparkling lakes, which translates into a lot of outdoor fun for visitors. With great Nashville theme parks like Wave Country and Nashville Shores, as well as hiking trails, campsites, boat and Jet Ski rentals, visitors can have a lot of fun while discovering the natural beauty of the area. The outdoor activities alone could take up several days of one’s vacation.

Due to its strong cultural and traditional background and over 20 colleges and universities, Nashville has also evolved to become a popular metropolitan area that it is often referred to as the “Athens of the South”. It is fitting that the ‘Athens of the South’ is home to the world’s only full-size replica of the ancient Parthenon.

Originally built in 1897, the Parthenon stands proudly as the centerpiece of Centennial Park, Nashville’s premier urban park. The 42-foot statue Athena is the focus of the Parthenon and is the tallest indoor sculpture in the Western world. The basement galleries also serve as an art museum with permanent and revolving collections.

Despite its modern, urban feel, many people still visit Nashville just to come face-to-face with their favorite country music stars and tour the city’s famous publishing companies, record labels and Music Row recording studios. The 1950s-style RCA Studio B is said to have launched more hit records than any other recording studio in the country. If you catch a glimpse of someone on Music Row who looks an awful lot like Alan Jackson or another artist, it probably is. Many country stars have homes in Franklin and nearby Leiper’s Fork.

Visitors can also take bus tours of famous stars’ homes, catch a show at the Grand Ole Opry, and visit the beautiful Opryland Hotel. This great Nashville attraction boasts nine acres of lush indoor gardens and winding rivers where guests can take a tour on a Delta flatboat or enjoy a million twinkling lights during their Christmas Spectacular.

Located across from the Opryland Hotel is the loading platform for visitors to board and enjoy a cruise on the General Jackson Showboat. Live shows are performed during dinner in the beautiful two-story Victorian Theater located in the center of the boat. With four massive decks to take in the views, the 300- foot paddleboat takes guests down the Cumberland River to historic downtown Nashville.

The downtown area also features other Nashville attractions where visitors can enjoy the simple twang and narrative lyrics of country music. The popular Wildhorse Saloon sits on 2nd Avenue, and lying between 3rd and 4th streets lays Printer’s Alley, one of the top places to go for Nashville nightlife where visitors can walk through the alley and revel in the deep history it holds.

Another downtown Nashville attraction steeped in history is the world-famous Ryman Auditorium. During the daytime, visitors can tour the “Mother Church of Country Music” and stand on the stage to hear stories of when Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, and other country legends performed there early in their careers. Memorabilia like stage outfits and guitars also are on display.

The Country Music Hall of Fame is nearby and features numerous exhibits on the history and impact of country music. The museum is the largest popular music museum in the world and features entertaining films, interactive displays, and an incredible array of costumes and instruments. From the early pioneers to the modern chart-toppers, you’ll find every era of country music well represented throughout.

During a trip downtown, visitors can buff up on history of a different sort and visit a replica of the original Fort Nashborough, which stands at the foot of Broadway. Fort Nashborough was the first permanent European settlement in the area and was built on the banks of the Cumberland River in 1779.

A list of Nashville attractions wouldn’t be complete without mentioning some of the great museums that are available. The Frist Center for the Visual Arts features some of the nation’s most cutting-edge masterpieces. Located downtown on Broadway, a visit to The Frist is a convenient and cultural experience where visitors also have the chance to express their creative side and create their own masterpiece in the Martin Artquest Gallery.

The Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art also features American and contemporary art while the Adventure Science Center can be an entertaining way to introduce children to science.  Kids of all ages can learn about technology, the environment, physics, and health as they roam the museum pushing buttons and turning knobs in the interactive exhibits. The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere is a zoo and historic plantation that is also a great place to spend the afternoon and learn a little something.

Sports fans can also get their fill during a Nashville vacation with Nashville Sounds baseball, Nashville Predators hockey and Tennessee Titans football. For those looking for some fast-paced fun, the Nashville Superspeedway is located just outside of town in Lebanon. If shopping is your sport of choice, the Opry Mills Mall is filled with dozens of brand name stores, like Saks Fifth Avenue, Old Navy and Bass Pro Shop. You can also take in a meal at The Aquarium Restaurant and watch dozens of sea creatures swim by in the huge 150, 000 gallon aquarium.

As you can see, Music City has a lot to offer its visitors no matter what they’re into. With more than 40 centralized attractions in the Nashville area, the city offers excitement and fun for every member of the family. Whether you’d like to sample music, sports, outdoors or history, there’s a Nashville attraction that is sure to entertain you on your next Tennessee vacation.

1. To see a NASCAR race; or
2. To experience all that NASCAR has to offer which is much more than a “race”.

If you just want to “see a race” then you have a few options. You can book a hotel and race tickets on-line and drive to track; or you can book a NASCAR tour package that includes a hotel room, race tickets and transfers to and from the race track at scheduled times (once per race). There are also bus tours that you can book as well. When you decide to stay in a hotel, no matter what approach you are taking, you have selected the objective of your NASCAR vacation, and that is to see a NASCAR race!

This is nothing wrong with this approach and you will have a great time at the race. I’ve done it myself, but staying in a hotel located 45 to 90 minutes from the track is all about seeing a race. When you stay in a hotel, you do the same things you do in every other vacation: complain about the pool temperature being too cold; go out for dinner and drinks and sit in your hotel room watching TV. Add in a race or two, and that is your NASCAR experience.

You also have to deal with fatigue as transportation to and from the race track is very draining, especially after the race when it takes 2 or 3 times longer to get back your hotel. One tour operator was putting their race fans in an Atlanta hotel for the race in Talladega. That’s a lot of miles to cover, especially if you are taking in both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide races. Ask yourself how much time you want to spend on a bus or in a car and at the hotel? This is another option RV camping.

If you truly want to experience NASCAR racing at its finest you might consider an RV camping package. Many race fans choose camping rather than staying in a “nearby” hotel because of the atmosphere created in the campground mingling and partying with 1,000’s of fellow NASCAR fans. You don’t get this at a hotel. It also has many advantages primarily related to staying within walk distance of the track, and the number of events. There are also numerous activities at the campground including “Redneck” games such as ladder (hillbilly) golf, corn-hole and ring toss.

I know what you are going to say, camping has its downside and you are right. There is a lot of time consuming preparation work prior to the race and at the campsite. Finding the right campsite, renting an RV, RV training, parking and setting up the RV, purchasing camping necessities, running the generator, pumping out the holding tank, cooking and cleaning. The list goes on and on. For a novice camper, this can be very challenging, and this is why many NASCAR fans simply choose the hotel route, but you now have an option — RV camping tour operators.

One such company is Garner Travel American Express. There goal is to provide you with an “all-inclusive” camping and race vacation package that is guaranteed to be the ultimate NASCAR experience!

They pride themselves in the ability to deliver a no-hassle and worry free approach that allows you to fully enjoy your NASCAR vacation.

On-site staff deliver and set-up the RV, connect the water and other hook-ups, start and maintain the generator, stock the refrigerator, put beer on ice for your arrival, prepare your breakfast and dinner and attend to all your ends including daily trips to town. If this is not enough they also host two all you can drink tailgate parties.

They believe that the best way to experience a race is to be at the track, and we deliver by offering you an “all inclusive” vacation that puts you at the track for 4 nights and 5 days.

Don’t settle for NASCAR tour packages where you spend more time at your hotel than the track. Let Garner Travel American Express (Redneck Camping Tours) provide you with the ultimate NASCAR experience that combines NASCAR racing with RV camping. Even if you are not a big fan of camping, our luxury motorhomes have all the comforts of home.

Garner Travel’s redneck camping tour team has a combined experience of more than 15 years in camping at “redneck” NASCAR race tracks across the United States, and Garner Travel has been in operation for more than 20 years. This Garner Travel partnership gives you all the advantages of travel agency and the benefits of on-site experienced, knowledgeable and professional staff that know camping and NASCAR. They are some of NASCAR’s biggest fans!

They will provide you with an “all-inclusive” camping and race vacation package that is guaranteed to be the ultimate NASCAR vacation experience, and our goal is to make it a NASCAR vacation package that you’ll want to repeat!

If you are a diehard race fan or a first-timer, take advantage of this unique opportunity that no race fan should live without. You will have the time of your life!

Options Abound In Hawaii for Beach Rentals

Your options are, perhaps, the greatest reason you should stay along the beach. Did you know that Hawaii beach accommodations come in a number of different formats? They do. For example, you can book at stay at a beachfront vacation resort, a Hawaii beach front cottage, a beachfront vacation home, a beach front vacation villa, a beachfront condo rental, and a beachfront apartment rental. This means no matter what your needs, in terms of vacation rental type and size, you should be able to find accommodations along the beach that are perfect for you!

The Ocean View Just Can’t Be Beat

As you likely already know, Hawaii beach rentals provide you with a front row seat of the ocean. This view is absolutely breathtaking. In fact, it is an experience that you will likely never forget. Many tourists come to Hawaii just for the beautiful beaches. If you are one of those vacationers, how would you feel waking up to that beauty each and everyday? As previously stated, it is an experience that you will likely never forget.

Affordable Rates For What You Receive

You will find that Hawaii beach front rentals are more than affordable for what you receive. This is just another one of the many reasons why you should give Hawaii beach rentals a close look. Yes, you will find some Hawaii beach front rentals, like a Hawaii beach house, that is out of your price range, but with a little bit of research, you should be able to find affordable accommodations.

In keeping with the cost of Hawaii beach accommodations, it is also important to remember what you are receiving. Many say that the cost of a Hawaii beach home or another beach front rental is more than worth it. This is particularly true for those who are visiting Hawaii for the first time.

A Great Experience for Everyone

Beach accommodations make for a great experience for everyone. Hawaii beach front rentals are perfect for romantic getaways. The beach and the view helps to create a romantic environment, which is perfect for traditional romantic getaways and honeymoons. With that in mind, it is also important to mention that Hawaii beach rentals and beach homes, are perfect for family vacations as well. You can give your child or children the experience of a lifetime. If they are never able to visit Hawaii again, you can know that you gave them that chance and not just any chance, a front row seat!

Conveniently Located to the Beach

Interested in spending your Hawaii vacation enjoying beach related activities, like swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, fishing, or surfing, you may enjoy the convenience of Hawaii beach accommodations. These accommodations get you right next to the ocean and many of the activities it holds. When you rent a beach front home in Hawaii or another beachfront rental, you may find yourself traveling less to your destination. This can give you more time to enjoy yourself and the activities that you love.

Great Photo Opportunities

When on your next vacation in Hawaii, there is a good chance that you will bring a camera or even a camcorder with you. After all, you may want to have long lasting memories of your dream vacation. That is another one of the many reasons you should at least examine booking a stay at a beachfront rental. Hawaii and its beaches are picture perfect. These pictures are not only ones that you can use for yourself and your own personal pleasure, but they are pictures that can be shown off, with great pride, to your friends and family, for years to come.

The above mentioned reasons are just a few of the many reasons why you should at least consider staying along the beach for your next Hawaii vacation. As a reminder, Hawaii beach accommodations come in a number of different formats, including Hawaii beach front homes. Also, Hawaii is filled with beach rentals; therefore, no matter which Hawaiian Island you choose to visit, you should be able to find a rental that is perfect for your vacation needs.