This may surprise you, but Nashville isn’t just the home of that world-famous twang. A vibrant university culture that includes Vanderbilt, publishing industry, museums, and rich historical landmarks await visitors of this influential city. But most roads eventually lead back to the music. Country, Contemporary Christian pop and rock, and other genres call Nashville home. Country music especially has made this city a popular tourist attraction. Popular stops include the Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, which once was the site of the Grand Ole Opry, Belcourt Theater, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Music City Walk of Fame, and the Nashville Arena. One of the top draws is the annual CMA Music Festival. There’s also plenty of shopping opportunities here, including the Opry Mills mega-shopping mall. If history interests you, pay a visit to the Tennessee State Museum, or The Hermitage, a former plantation and home to President Andrew Jackson that’s open to the public and located about 12 miles from Nashville. There’s also Fort Nashborough, a reconstruction of the original settlement here. The Civil War is represented by sites related to the Battle of Nashville, the nearby Battle of Franklin, and the Battle of Stones River. Antebellum plantation houses are also part of the history of this area. Make sure to also visit the Lane Motor Museum with more than 150 unique cars and motorcycles, and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. There’s plenty to do for families as well. Bring the kids to A Cowboy Town where they can have some Old West fun, or to the Adventure Science Center. The Frist Center for the Visual Arts features family-friendly art exhibits, and the Nashville Zoo is always a delight.