"Music City" on a Budget - Affordable Nashville Attractions

A place for legendary music - and rising stars - historic landmarks, and pristine natural landscape just waiting to be explored, Nashville is an unforgettable city to visit for a week or a weekend. But with vacation budgets being tightened this summer, can you really experience all this city has to offer without breaking the bank? Yes! With many affordable Nashville Hotels most popular places to stretch your dollar, making the most of "Music City" on a budget is not only do-able, it's also easy. Below are just a few suggestions to help you start building your itinerary:

• Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Although country music's roots are humble, this one-of-a-kind museum is a grand experience. Located on the west bank of the Cumberland River, near Ryman Auditorium and Lower Broadway's legendary honky-tonks, the Country Music Hall of Fame highlights the history of country music through artifacts, photos, original recordings, video, films and interactive exhibits. In addition, there's a Hall of Fame Rotunda, a rotating roster of special exhibits, the historic RCA Studio B, live performances and more. Depending on the ticket package you choose, admission is $ 22-$ 30 for adults and $ 15-$ 22 for youths.

• Grand Ole Opry. Just minutes from many downtown Nashville Hotels the Grand Ole Opry provides country music fans with access to four unique entertainment venues, including the Grand Ole Opry House, the Acuff Theatre, the Opry Museum, and the Opry Plaza. Here, you can take in a show, see the inner workings of the Opry House, spend the day at the Opry Museum or catch a glimpse of historic images and artifacts from your country music heroes. (If you're lucky, you may even get to meet one of the legendary members of the Opry.) Admission prices vary depending upon events and activities selected.

• Belle Meade Plantation. Take a break from the music for a few hours and spend some time steeped in the beauty and charm of Belle Meade Plantation. Set on an historic 30-acre site along the Natchez Trace, the plantation was once the country's premier Thoroughbred breeding grounds. In addition to the mansion, which was built in 1853, guests can also tour the plantation's 1890 Carriage House and Stable, as well as the 1790 Log Cabin, which is one of the oldest in Tennessee. Admission is $ 15 for adults, $ 13 for seniors and $ 7 for youths ages 6 to 17. Children ages 5 and younger are free.

• Radnor Lake State Park. Just minutes from the heart of Nashville, Radnor Lake State Park is a 1,200+ acre nature preserve where hikers can take one of four unpaved trails, and one paved trail, through the woods surrounding the lake. Along the way, visitors can see wildlife ranging from river otters and beavers to geese, herons, mink and white-tailed deer. Due to the nature of the park's primary preservation activities, hunting, fishing and bringing pets to the park are strictly prohibited. The park's on-site visitor center and