Gaylord Country Christmas (Chattanooga: hotels, schools, money)

[tpabes]

First of all Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all you good folks in Tennessee! Second, let me just say what a beautiful state you reside in. We visited this summer on our way to Florida and had a great time.

Okay, my questions. We will be in Nashville a few days after Christmas for basically an afternoon and a night. We were interested in visiting the Country Christmas at Gaylord, particularly the ICE part with the Grinch. Is it worth the money to go to? Sure looks like fun! Also we would be spending the night, but really don't want to pay to stay at Gaylord. Is there a Comfort Inn or somthing similar in the area? Or would it be better to stay in the southern part of the metro as we are heading to Chattanooga the next day and we could avoid morning traffic?

Thanks!!!

[alleycat]

I think if I were you I would stay around the general Opryland area. There are several places to stay in the area that are still nice but cheaper than the Opryland Hotel itself.

I think the Ice thing just depends on you and what you enjoy. A lot of people go and have a great time. They couldn't drag me to it with a mule; but that's just me. It sounds like you would have a blast with the whole Opryland / Opry Mills "adventure".

I hope you enjoy your stopover in Nashville.

[IngleDave]

- Music Valley Hotels & Resorts (http://www.nashvillemusicvalley.com/Hotels/Hotels.html - broken link)

They're all over the place over there. This link will help.

As far as traffic is concerned, if you come prior to New Years, schools are out and many people are off work, so there shouldn't be a problem. Just take Briley Parkway So. From there you can follow it directly to I-24 (there's a small slowdown just before the interstate, but nothing serious) or you can take Briley to 40 W and in about a mile (stay to the left...get there as quickly as you can) and you'll hook up with 24 to Chatt. Easy on slower days.

I'd stay in the Music Valley area. Might as well, you may even be able to just walk to the hotel and the Country Christmas.

[alleycat]

By the way, we probably should have asked you to start with whether you'd been to the Opryland Hotel when you were in Nashville before. If you have not, definitely go this time, even if you decide not to go to the Ice thing.

[tpabes]

I didn't get the the Opryland Hotel last time, I've heard its quite the place. Thanks for providing alleycat and ingledave for the great information.

[suecen]

We've stayed a few times at the Fairfield Inn, I believe it's called and very short drive to the Opry Hotel. Definitely don't stay at Fiddler's Inn, IMO.