Nashville 2017URA SITE PREVIEW : NASHVILLE11th Annual Trade Show : October 29 - November 1, 2017 Music City Center - Nashville TN.
This year Lisa & Joe are very excited to visit Nashville for URA 2017! This destination offers quite a lot of activities and we are hoping to help you sort them all out. And what do you think of when you think Nashville? Country music, BBQ, and good old southern hospitality of course! You will find all of this and more this year. There are tons of things to do and tons to eat in between convention activities so let’s get started. ![]() First off, the URA host hotel is the beautiful OMNI (250 5th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203). This is a giant hotel located right in the beautiful downtown area and close to all the attractions. The entryway is well done, free complimentary flavored water, plenty of seating, concierge and guest services. This picture is taken at the far end of the lobby facing the elevators. Near the elevators is a beautiful chandelier; it makes the lobby feel elegant. ![]() ![]() The hotel includes a fitness area and the famous Mokara Spa where you can get massages, facials, and several other treatments to keep you feeling young during your convention visit.
We had a well-equipped room that featured complimentary water, two king beds and a wonderful view. The room came with a Keurig type coffee maker, coffee and tea, cream and sugar etc. We thought the beds were super comfortable and the down pillows were excellent! ![]() ![]() The hotel features a rooftop swimming pool and Jacuzzi with tons of seating and an outdoor bar that serves excellent cocktails and beer. They also offer ice pops for the kids if you are bringing any young ones with you. Complimentary sunscreen and towels are available on the pool deck. The hotel is connected to the Country Music Hall of Fame and a few restaurants. The first place was a small faster type Mexican restaurant called Baja Sexto Taco Lounge. They had excellent refried beans and cold beer. The nachos were huge and the queso dip was just spicy enough. This place had a long line butservice was fast and we were in and out quickly. The homemade tortilla chips are excellent and you can get all you want. ![]() We ate our breakfasts at Kitchen Notes which is right off the lobby and is a farm to table restaurant featuring awesome local cuisine and flavors. Breakfast could be purchased off the menu or for $23 you can get the all you can eat buffet. The buffet featured just about anything you could want to eat from fresh fruit, cereal, biscuits and gravy (Steve loved this), eggs, made-to-order omelets, pancakes, and just anything else you can think of. ![]() ![]() At the entrance to Kitchen Notes is a little coffee area that serves signature artisan cocktails in the evenings. Best of all there is a cool seating area in the library (just outside of Kitchen Notes) that has a fire place where you can have drinks in the evening or sit comfortably while enjoying your morning coffee and the newspaper. We got cocktails one evening and just hung out by the fire and chatted with other guests. Another restaurant and bar is called Barlines. This is a larger venue that features a small stage with live music. We watched a pair on acoustic guitars who were playing country, rock, and taking requests. It was great and not too loud so you could still have a nice conversation. The food was excellent, I had a bacon cheddar burger and Lisa had the Backyard Pit Chili which was delicious. We both shared the deviled eggs made southern style and super spicy. This place has indoor and outdoor seating depending on what you are in the mood for. ![]() ![]() A fancier place connected to the hotel that we didn't get to eat at was Bob’s Steak and Chop House. This restaurant takes reservations so make sure you call ahead and get your table reserved if you want to eat here. It has great seating, darker classy feel, and a small bar. It must be tasty because it was packed every time we passed by. This restaurant also features indoor and outdoor seating. For you early birds or mid-afternoon caffeine heads there is Bongo Java. This little coffee house features excellent latte’s, cappuccinos, iced coffees and teas. It has some local bottled sodas that you won't find anywhere else and is a great place to sit with your laptop and chill. ![]() There are also innumerable restaurants and bars about 3 blocks north of the hotel. This is the world-famous Broadway in Nashville. This place is hopping! People everywhere, shops, eateries, bars, and just about anything in between. There is a lot of traffic but when the light turns green you can cross the street in all directions even diagonally! Almost every bar has live music and you can get a taste for any type of food you like.
Night time is the time to see it; catch all the neon lights and the excitement. ![]() ![]() Directly across the street from the front of the hotel is Martins BBQ. We went here our first night and it was awesome. There always seems to be a line out front but do not let that deter you. The BBQ is top notch. Wait in line, place your order then find a table. They will come around calling numbers and when yours is up they will bring your food to the table. I had the best smoked dry rub wings I have ever had and Lisa had an awesome pimento cheese sandwich. Green beans and potato salad were excellent as well. The menu features pulled pork, ribs, brisket and anything on the BBQ end of things. Bottled drinks include RC Cola, Cheer Wine, and there is also a full bar for your liking. Now the next spot is also directly across from the hotel. That is Music City Center. Our home for the convention this year. This is a GIANT convention hall and awe inspiring inside. It is great because you just cross the street from the hotel and walk in, follow the URA signs and you will be right in the action. One interesting fact about Music City Center is that from above it is shaped like a guitar.
![]() ![]() ![]() The fashion show and reception this year is being hosted at the Country Music Hall of Fame. This venue is connected directly to The Omni; simply head to the ground floor, walk up the hall area and you are right at the location. The venue is incredible this year. Auditorium style comfortable seating and a great view of the stage. The fashion show is going to be mind-blowing!
![]() If you like country music then you love George Jones and another exciting URA event is taking place at the George Jones Museum. This venue is awesome! In addition to a great roof top bar, they have a smokehouse with a great menu and anything George Jones related you can think of. (Remember that riding lawn mower?) There is a great view of the river and of the stadium from the roof top bar; you will love sitting up here and chatting. We had lunch one day at FGL House. This is a restaurant named after the band Florida Georgia Line. We had never really heard of them but the bar and restaurant was pretty cool. Live music stage, spacious tables, southern cooking, and a downstairs bar that looked like it would be a great place in the evenings. The walls feature images from bands and live videos play on the large screens around the venue.
![]() For the URA convention one of the big events is taking place at CrazyTown. This is an incredible venue on Broadway featuring 3 floors, 6 bars, 3 stages, and 2 outdoor patios with panoramic views of the world-famous Broadway. The venue boasts that its walls are made from 5 reclaimed barns, has handmade chandeliers, and hanging guitars everywhere. The event here is going to be so cool so bring your dancing boots and put on your cowboy hat. ![]() Here country music stars have plaques with their names on them. Find your favorite and take a picture.
![]() ![]() Nashville is of course a beautiful town. With great old buildings, cool statues, and things to look at everywhere. In the gift shop of The Omni check out the wall of gold records. It is incredible to see in real life. ![]()
![]() There is of course transportation around the hotel in the form of a free bus. The stop is just outside the hotel across from the Country Music Hall of Fame next to the park. The bus is the Nashville Music City Circuit. There are two routes, blue and green circuit and they both take you on slightly different routes. We hopped on the wrong one and still were able to get off by the riverfront which is just about 4 blocks from the hotel. Click here for a listing of each stop and do not be afraid to ask the bus driver. It looks like a regular city bus. There are also paid tours which we did not do that look more like rustic tour trolleys.
If you have a vehicle or catch a taxi or an Uber you can check out Nashville’s famous Parthenon. A giant replica of the Parthenon in Greece. (this one is not in ruins) The top level features a giant statue of Athena. Antique Archaeology has a Nashville location; made famous by Mike and Frank from American Pickers. Go in and purchase something from the show or just check it out. There are a ton of stores in the complex each with a rustic vibe that matches the main attraction. ![]() ![]() Another spot to check out is owned by America’s sweetheart Reese Witherspoon. The store is called Draper James and features women’s clothing with a cute flair. Get a free glass of sweet tea from the clerk when you visit. Just up the block from Draper James is the famous Cupcake ATM. Make your selection, swipe your card and cupcakes are dispensed at this ATM. It is sweetly hilarious. ![]() ![]() As you can see Nashville is a great place. You are sure to have a great convention this year and I hope these teasers help you out a little bit. Check out the URA Facebook for links to top rated places to eat and things to do, we have been posting like crazy. Don’t be afraid to ask the hotel concierge or any of the URA staff for tips or directions, everyone is glad to help. Remember this year everything is hosted in our APP that is available for IPhone and Android devices and works on a laptop or desktop. Click the link above or type in the link below. |