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Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

See Elvis’ gold Cadillac at this comprehensive museum of country history. 615-416-2001; www.countrymusichalloffame.com; 222 5th Ave S, Nashville; adult/child $18/10, with Studio B tour $26/18; 9am-5pm

Ernest Tubb Record Shop

A giant neon guitar sign marks the spot for this bluegrass and country record shop. 615-255-7503; www.etrecordshop.com; 417 Broadway, Nashville; 9am-10pm Sun-Thu, to midnight Fri & Sat

Gruhn Guitars

This renowned vintage instrument store has an expert staff and some mind-bogglingly pricey guitars and fiddles. 615-256-2033; www.gruhn.com; 400 Broadway, Nashville; 9:30am-5:30pm Mon-Sat

Hatch Show Print

Take home a vintage concert poster, a classic Nashville souvenir, from one of America’s oldest letterpress printers. 615-256-2805; www.hatchshowprint.com; 316 Broadway, Nashville; 9:30am-5:30pm

Music Valley Wax Museum

See eerie, corpse-like replicas of your favorite country stars grinning under fluorescent lights at this kitschy attraction. 615-884-7876; 2515 McGavock Pike, Nashville; adult/child $9/6; 9am-7pm Mon-Sat, to 6pm Sun

Opry Entertainment Complex

Yee-haw at a performance of the Grand Ole Opry, or check out the free on-site museum. 615-871-6779; www.opry.com; 2802 Opryland Dr, Nashville; Opry admission $34-51; tours $10; museum free; box office 10am-5pm Mon-Sat; museum 10:30am-6pm Mar-Nov

Ryman Auditorium

This former gospel tabernacle is now an awe-inspiring music venue, attracting big-name acts. 615-458-8700; www.ryman.com; 116 5th Ave N, Nashville; tours adult/child $13/6; 8am-4pm

Willie Nelson Museum

Just call it the “everything-but-Willie-Nelson’s-used-toothbrush” museum, compiled of items sold to pay off Willie’s IRS debts. 615-885-1515; www.willienelsongeneralstore.com; 2613 McGavock Pike, Nashville; adult/child $5/3; 9am-5pm, to 9pm May-Sep

EAT & SLEEP

Arnold’s Country Kitchen

This squat bungalow specializes in delightfully greasy Southern meat n’ threes like chicken with collards, yams and fried squash. 615-256-4455; 605 8th Ave S, Nashville; mains $4-7; 10:30am-3pm Mon-Fri;

Capitol Grille

Eat dry-aged steak with Nashville government mucky-mucks and Music Row execs in the posh Hermitage Hotel. 888-888-9414; www.thehermitagehotel.com; 261 6th Ave N, Nashville; mains $16-80; 11am-2pm & 5:30pm-10pm

Family Wash

Try the shepherd’s pie or a creatively topped pizza at this neighborhood bistro and live-music venue. 615-226-6070; www.familywash.com; 2038 Greenwood Ave, Nashville; mains $9-15; 6pm-midnight Tue-Sat

Opryland Hotel

This enormous Dixie-themed hotel has nearly 3000 rooms and a fake indoor river complete with a paddleboat. 615-889-1000; www.gaylordhotels.com; 2800 Opryland Dr, Nashville; r from $200;

DRINK & LISTEN

Bluebird Cafe

In a suburban strip mall, the Bluebird is legendary for plucking singer-songwriters out of obscurity. 615-383-1461; www.bluebirdcafe.com; 4104 Hillsboro Rd, Nashville; admission free-$15; early/late show 6pm/9:30pm most nights

Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar

The city’s premier blues venue, with a kickin’ New Orleans vibe, is tucked away in tiny Printers Alley. 615-242-5837; www.bourbonstreetblues.com; 220 Printers Alley, Nashville; admission free-$10; 4pm-3am

Robert’s Western World

Have a burger, drink a beer, or buy a pair of boots at this divey favorite, with a house band called Brazilbilly. 615-244-9552; www.robertswesternworld.com; 416 Broadway, Nashville; admission free; 11am-3am

Station Inn

South of downtown, this unassuming stone building is the best place in Nashville for serious bluegrass. 615-255-3307; www.stationinn.com; 402 12th Ave S, Nashville; admission $5-20; 7pm-late

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge

The legendary Tootsie Bess once presided over this purple-painted honky-tonk, which is still a rowdy good time. 615-726-7937; www.tootsies.net; 422 Broadway, Nashville; admission free; 10am-late

Wildhorse