It’s that time of year again. The days are getting longer and the nights are drawing in. Hopefully, you’re looking forward to getting outside and spending some time with your family. It’s only natural to feel a little nostalgic at this time of year. You may be thinking about the last time you visited a race track and what it was like to be there. Maybe you remember some of the great moments from your visit and how much fun you had. Even if you don’t, maybe this year will feel like a trip back in time.
Is Nashville Speedway Open this Year?
The NASCAR season is over which means the race tracks are closed until next year. That also means it’s time for you to start thinking about the next big event on your calendar. For those of us that love racing, it’s hard to wait till the next season to see our favorite drivers on the track. For those of you that love to attend concerts, it’s time to start thinking about the 2019 lineup.
Nashville Speedway has been around since the 1950s and has historically been one of the most popular speedways in the country. Since it is close to home, a lot of us will be looking to attend this year’s race. It won’t be easy, but with a little planning and research, it’s possible. Here’s a quick guide to making the most of your 2019 Nashville Speedway experience:
Know Before You Go
Before you start packing, it’s important to know a few things. First, the speedway is closed until June. This is due to its old surface being replaced with a brand new state of the art surface. So, if you want to attend, you’ll need to make the most of the 2020 season. Second, there are a lot of changes this year. The management team at the speedway has decided to make some significant renovations. The most prominent change is the new grandstand. It’s hard to describe the new grandstand without showing it to you. So, here’s a link to the plans:
The new grandstand. Image courtesy of Nashville Speedway.
As mentioned, the race track is closed until June, so if you want to attend, you’ll have to make the most of next season. One of the biggest events on the calendar is the Grand Ole Opry, which will be held from June 24th to 26th next year. That means you’ll have to find a way to make the most of those few days. Last but not least, you should know that camping is not allowed at the speedway. The reason is that the campers are a fire hazard and they obstruct the view of other fans.
Book Your Accommodation & Meal Plans
There are a few ways to make the most of your trip to Nashville. One way is to stay at a hotel. The other way is to cook your own meals and save money. If you follow my recipe for success, you’ll easily be able to save hundreds of dollars which you can then use to book the best accommodation possible. If you have a family vacation in mind, you might want to focus on a campground rather than a hotel. Campgrounds are a great value and they provide all the amenities you could need. A third option is to stay in a shared house with other fans. You can contact Airbnb directly from the airport and make the most of your trip. Last but not least, pack your patience. The traffic, especially during the week, can be horrible. Make sure you leave enough time to get to your destination. Plan your route and know when to expect traffic jams. Never underestimate the unexpected delays that traffic can cause. You never know when you might hit a traffic jam, so be prepared.
Research Local Attractions
If you want to make the most of your trip to Nashville, you should definitely visit the Grand Ole Opry. This is an annual music festival which features some of the biggest names in country music. Tickets for the fest are relatively affordable and you’ll get to see some great performances. If you want to see some of the up and coming stars, you can purchase tickets for their sets as well. If you’re a fan of hip-hop and you have a large social media following, you might want to consider checking out Blues Traveler. They’re celebrating their 50th anniversary this year and they’re coming to Nashville for a special show on June 26th. If you love Taylor Swift, you can see the Taylor Swift World Tour in concert. It starts in London on May 28th and it’ll be close to two months of continuous shows. She’s closing out the Blues Traveler show in Nashville on June 26th, so you’ll have the chance to see her perform live. You can also see her in concert at the Ryman Auditorium, which is one of the most historic music venues in the country. The legendary Ryman Auditorium has been the home of some of the biggest names in country music for decades. It holds 16,000 people and around 90% of the seats are sold out for the majority of her shows. If you have a favorite artist and you want to see them perform in an intimate setting, the Nashville Scenic Railway will take you on a tour of the Nashville Sounds minor league baseball team’s home stadium. It’ll be a fun ride, but it’s important to note that the trains run on specific times and there aren’t any guarantees you’ll get on one. So, it’s best to make plans and research the options well in advance.
Visit The Country Music Museum
One of the city’s most famous landmarks is the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It was established in 1968 and it’s the country’s foremost institution of its kind. It honors the history of country music and it also serves as a living memorial to the genre’s most influential creators. As the name suggests, the museum is a celebration of country music and it shines a light on the history of the genre. Since it is steeped in country music history, it’s the ultimate fan destination. If you love Taylor Swift, you can also visit her house BJ’s American Cafe where she wrote five of her recent Billboard Top 10 peaks and has stated that this is the place she turns to when she needs a little inspiration. She also holds concerts here from time to time, so you can catch a glimpse of her onstage.
Take In A Concert
One of the best things about Nashville is its rich cultural history and vibrant nightlife. If you want to experience the best of both worlds, you can take in a concert. You can find a variety of artists from all over the world at the Ryman Auditorium. It’s a historic music venue and it was the first concrete structure to be built in the country. Nowadays, it’s one of the most prominent concert venues in the city. It is also the only one with a full bar, which you might need after a long day of exploring.
You can listen to some of the greatest artists in history while taking in some of the hottest concerts in Nashville. It doesn’t get any better than that. Here, you’ll have the chance to see some of the biggest names in country music. The list of performers includes pretty much everyone. It’ll be a memorable experience.
Do Some Research
If you want to make the most of your trip to Nashville, you should do some research. The above should give you an idea of what to expect. With some planning and research, you’ll have a blast. You can’t make the same mistake twice. When you go, have fun and celebrate country music like you’ve never celebrated it before.