Welcome to Music City!
Located on the Cumberland River in the middle of Tennessee, Nashville is a growing city that is well-known for its rich history in music, culture, and the arts. With a booming population and many opportunities for both business and entertainment, the city is a popular place to both visit and settle down.
For caregivers who want to bring their favorite senior citizen or disabled friend to Nashville for a day trip, there are many options of places to visit and stops to enjoy. At the same time, traveling with people who are aging or disabled definitely presents a challenge and requires taking additional thought to prepare and look ahead.
Before heading out to Nashville, be sure to have your itinerary scheduled in order to enjoy a more leisurely time together once you have arrived in the city. Also, whether you are taking public transportation or using your own vehicle, take full advantage of the right mobility aids that we at Harmar offer to help you navigate safely and comfortably—whether that means a custom wheelchair, vehicle lift, or scooter for your loved one.
Ten Places to Explore in Nashville
- The Grand Ole Opry. This stage made country music famous worldwide, bringing the past, present, and future of music together for nearly 100 years. Take on a show or enjoy a tour while being assured that hosts and hostesses are available to help with assistance where needed. Accessible seating is available when purchasing a ticket, free wheelchairs are offered on a limited basis, and chair lifts are installed in designated areas as well. https://www.opry.com/
- Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Continuing with the theme of music, this venue has many exhibits to enjoy for people of all ages. The entire museum strives to provide visitors with an enjoyable experience and offers services, features, and amenities to create a safe and welcoming environment for all guests. https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/
- Johnny Cash Museum. This museum is dedicated to the life and career of the Man in Black. It is entirely wheelchair accessible and welcoming to people of all ages and abilities. https://www.johnnycashmuseum.com/
- The Frist Art Museum, which opened in 2001, features a variety of both temporary and permanent art exhibits. In addition to offering ordinary accessibility features, the museum also regularly seeks ways to expand its offerings for people with mobility, sensory, and language impairment. https://fristartmuseum.org/
- The Tennessee Performing Arts Center houses three theaters and a concert hall for regular ticketed events. The entire center is ADA compliant and their Accessible Services Team welcomes contact ahead of time with any questions or to reserve particular assistance during your visit. https://www.tpac.org/
- On Broadway in downtown Nashville, there are a variety of shopping options available among all of the entertainment venues. The sidewalks and crosswalks are designed to be accessibility-friendly, the local shuttle has designated drop-off and pick-up points to assist you, and handicapped parking spots are available in both on-street locations and nearby parking garages. https://nashvilledowntown.com/explore/destinations/shopping
- In addition to downtown shopping, Nashville offers a large variety of dining options, from Italian and Southern Comfort to casual diner food and bakery sweets. Many restaurants are conveniently located near accessible parking and are very willing to address your particular needs. https://nashvilledowntown.com/explore/destinations/dining
- Parks and Green Spaces. Since Nashville is located right on the Cumberland River, there are many areas to stop and take in the beauty of nature. One such place is Centennial Park, which holds the replica of the Greek Parthenon. The parking, restrooms, and pathways are all ADA-compliant and offer a nice place to relax away from the hustle and hubbub. https://www.conservancyonline.com/
- The Tennessee State Museum offers a variety of exhibits, programs, and events about the area and the entire state. Staff are available to help during regular business hours for anyone who requires special assistance and certain mobility aids including wheelchairs and portable seating can be used as well. https://tnmuseum.org/
- The Hermitage served as the home for President Andrew Jackson and is now a historic site that offers tours and educational material. Visitors of all abilities are welcome to enjoy the mansion, wheelchairs are free to use on-site, and additional materials are available for those who need audio/visual assistance. https://thehermitage.com/
Additional Tips
As you finalize your day trip plans and head into Nashville with your friend or loved one, remember to take full advantage of the helpful staff that you meet at each venue. We at Harmar are also available to assist with your daily needs, whether you are at home or on the go, as you seek to give your senior citizen or disabled person an independent and fulfilling life. Contact a dealer that is nearest to you today. https://www.harmar.com/dealer-locator/
