Springtime in Nashville

Nashville’s Springtime Charm! Our first day of travel takes us south of Minneapolis with a stop in Austin, MN, for an included lunch at the Historic Hormel House & SPAM Museum for a guided tour. The 14,000-square-foot museum houses a huge collection of the company’s pork artifacts. It tells the history of the Hormel Company, the origin of Spam, and its place in world culture. We continue our travels through the rolling plains of central Iowa. Tonight, we stay at a Drury Inn hotel in Coralville, IA. (L)

Our morning travels bring us to St. Louis, MO, to explore the St. Louis Gateway Arch. This monumental renovation project took place below the 630-foot soaring arch for five long years. During the summer of 2018, the new complex opened to the general public, more magnificent than ever. This is the tallest monument in the U.S., with 886 tons of stainless steel welded into a seamless arch. We take the time to ride to the top and explore the museum at the base, where we watch an IMAX movie about the westward expansion. An included lunch is provided at the food court during our visit to the Arch. This afternoon, we cross the Mississippi River into Illinois to the Drury Inn in Marion, IL. (B) (L)

Just south of our route to Nashville is a scenic, rural community called Hurricane Mills, which is centered on Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, Museum, and Home. We arrive in time for an included lunch and to experience the legend of Loretta Lynn in her 18,000-square-foot Coal Miner’s Daughter Museum. The museum has striking displays, huge collections of her memorabilia, and awards from her career. The Opryland Hotel is still over an hour away, so by mid-afternoon, “we are on the road again”. After arriving at the Opryland Hotel and getting checked into our marvelous rooms for a three-night stay, we get ready for a delicious, included evening meal at Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen. You’ll enjoy classic Deen family recipes served up in a unique family-style setting just like they do in their very own homes. This restaurant brings friends and families together over a meal while offering up a one-of-a-kind dining experience you’re sure to remember. Tonight, you’ll experience the world’s longest-running live radio show at the Grand Ole Opry! What began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 is now an entertainment phenomenon today, showcasing a mix of country music greats…New Stars, Superstars, and Legends. By late evening, we return to our rooms at the Opryland Hotel. (B) (L) (D)

After a tasty breakfast, we meet our local guide to discover the heart and soul of Music City, taking us through the heart of downtown Nashville on our Area Tour of Nashville. We’ll drive past many of its historic buildings, such as the Ryman Auditorium (the Mother Church of Country Music), Tootsie’s world-famous Orchid Lounge, and travel Honky-Tonk Highway. We’ll view the state capitol, which sits on top of the highest hill in the city. This striking building, featuring Greek Revival architecture, was designed as a tribute to the people of Tennessee. Located in the shadow of the Capitol is the Bicentennial Capitol Mall, which gives visitors a taste of Tennessee’s history and natural wonders. A highlight of the park is Tennessee’s World War II Memorial, which contains a 9-ton globe of the world. We’ll drive down Music Row to learn about the recording industry from songwriting to producing. Some of the famous studios are along our route, where much of our country music was recorded from 1950-1970. Nashville earned the reputation of “Athens of the South” because of its commitment to education, with 17 colleges and universities, including Vanderbilt University. The Parthenon stands proudly as the centerpiece of Centennial Park. This replica of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, was built for Tennessee’s 1897 Centennial Exposition. By mid-day, you’ll enjoy some free time for dining and shopping in downtown Nashville. Experience Downtown Nashville’s lively vibe, great dining, shopping, and entertainment venues. By mid-afternoon, we’ll return to the hotel for a short break. We end the day with an entertaining evening at the Nashville Jubilee Country Music Comedy Dinner Show. The show features Grammy Award winner Gil Grand and comedic genius Jenny Carson in residence at the newly renovated Troubadour Nashville. (B) (D)

Get ready for another fun day of exploring Music City! This morning, you’ll enjoy a self-guided tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum, one of the world’s largest and most active popular music research centers and the largest repository of country music. This museum is home to THOUSANDS of priceless artifacts, images, and music that have inspired both young and old from around the globe. Noon lunch is on your own at one of the many delicious eateries in the “Hall of Fame Complex.” This afternoon, we drive along Nashville’s beautiful countryside to tour President Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. Andrew Jackson, our seventh president, lived on this 1,000+ acre site from 1804 until he died in 1845. The Hermitage is one of the most top-rated and authentically preserved presidential homes in the country. We will take part in an interpreter-led tour of the Hermitage mansion along with a self-guided tour of the grounds, cabins, gardens, and tombs of President Andrew Jackson and his wife Rachel. Later this afternoon, we return to our 2,888-room hotel with nine acres of indoor gardens and plenty of free time to enjoy the hotel’s amenities. Rustad Tours is including a $30 gift certificate for each tour member to be used toward your evening meal at any of the dining venues of your choice at the Opryland Resort Hotel. (B) (D)

It’s time to say farewell to this stunning hotel resort. Our travels today will take us through the Cumberland Foothills of Kentucky, into the flat farmland of Indiana. Noon lunch is included in Indianapolis. This evening, you’ll be in a western suburb of Chicago at the Quality Inn. (B) (L)

It’s our last day of the tour; a great time to share cherished memories. By mid-morning, we’re traveling through Wisconsin with a stop at the Mousehouse Cheesehaus. They have Wisconsin-made cheese, sausage, gourmet items, and a wide variety of gifts and Wisconsin memorabilia. A meal is included, and by early evening, we arrive back in Kerkhoven. (B) (L)