Yankees beware! Before the end of your visit to Nashville, you may find yourself sporting a cowboy hat, boots, and tapping your feet to the latest country tunes. As the country music capital of the world, Nashville has a way of capturing visitors with its energy and unrivaled live music scene. As if that wasn't enough, the city is also home to excellent dining, shopping, and professional sports.

Lest you be overwhelmed, the best place to start is the Country Music Hall of Fame. Once you have familiarized yourself with the history of country music via its state of the art displays, you'll want to catch a live show. Your options are numerous--the Grand Ole Opry House is large and famous, but for a more intimate setting with music equal in quality, head to Tootsie's Wild Orchid Lounge.

For the do-it-yourself type, the Farmers Market is a fine source of fresh produce of all kinds. Several different inexpensive places to eat also abound, particularly in the area near Vanderbilt University. For a fine dining experience, stop by the steak restaurant Morton's, or, right in the Union Station Hotel, Arthur's, which changes its menu every day.

Given its size, Nashville is home to the usual assortment of boutiques and shopping malls, but is distinguished by some great music stores. Two that are particularly well known include the Great Escape and Ernest Tubb's, practically a landmark in and of itself. Sports fans can catch the NFL Tennessee Titans at the Coliseum, or head to the Gaylord Entertainment Center to watch the NHL Nashville Predators.